Cross Training

We arrived in to a cold Indianapolis airport in the evening of the 11th January. The next three weeks were packed full of interesting and useful material. Though we have spent over a year in Mexico City it was useful to hear about cross-cultural issues. We also looked at developing good relationships e.g. through learning good listening techniques, encouragement, conflict resolution etc.

The middle week was spent analysing a couple of tests we had taken. The first identified our working styles, interests and stressors. It was totally enlightening and as well as identifying them for ourselves it was an insight into how others work and how we need each other. It is also useful to know what could cause us stress, how we might deal with it and how we can deal with it better. The object of the second test was to identify our spiritual gifts and how we work in a team and what kind of people we need in our team.

The third week was learning more about cross-cultural adaptation, the ministries and theology of OMS and putting some of what we had learned into practice in a couple of short exercises.

It was wonderful to have the chance to work through some of the issues and meet people who are supporting us from HQ and doing such a great job while we are on the field.

We also had the opportunity to share at the morning worship time on one occasion. It was quite daunting when we considered the many people with years of missionary experience sitting in front of us. At the same time though we weren't made to feel intimidated and felt very much a part of the family.


Tabitha was looked after by Heidi Walton who is an OMS missionary who used to work with her husband, Carl, in the OMS office in Manchester. She did a fantastic job with Tabitha who was very fond of her. Tabitha learned loads of new tricks and had a great time meeting missionaries all day and who knows what else!