Here we are headed “down island” by boat from Oakridge to Helene with the Helene staff and Missionary Care Team (MCT members Danny Machado ( orange Texas shirt), Wendy Grimm (back right woman with white shirt and sun glasses sitting in front of me) Me (standing with black and floral shirt with sun glasses and backwards baseball hat) and TJ (sitting front right).
I am in Helene this week with a “Missionary Care Team” made up of heath care workers Danny Machado and Wendy Grimm along with Alternative Missions staff member TJ Gause. Here is a link to information regarding our ministry in Helene. Click Here.
The purpose of our time in Helene is to equip, train, provide counsel and generally help our staff deal with life as a missionaries. The plan for this year is to have Missionary Care “Retreats” in Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica. In addition to training the health care workers traveling with me will make themselves available to staff for personal “appointments”.
Please be praying for us.
I will be adding pictures to this blog entry so please come back and check us out and continue to pray for us. Feel free to comment while you are here.
Topics we plan to address:
- Boundaries
- Communication Skills
- Grief and Loss
- Depression or Suicidality (how to identify and create a “safe” plan for those you find in this situation)
- Self Insight for the Missionary - how does your personal insight impact your mission?
- Couples Session: Getting Deeper with one another in marriage and ministry
- Singles in ministry
- Cross-Cultural Issues in Missionary Work
- Choosing good team members using the Alternative Missions staff and intern processes
- Traits of a healthy team member / Signs of personality issues or dysfunction
- Teaming
May 4th - Arrival to Helene and break out the presents…
TJ was thinking of everyone when she brought down an ice cream maker and snacks for all.
May 6th
Danny Machado using his supper powers to teach our staff about communication.
May 8th
Wendy leads a group discussion about stress.
May 9th: Staff remarks regarding the week together…
“Reflection on how each individual handles stress was very helpful.”
“I love it! Totally awesome! Come back!!”
“I got real and practical ways to deal with challenging relationships. I know who cares about my health as a missionary in A.M. Yeah!”
“It was great to hear from God about His love for me and my expression of love for Him.”
“Thanks for coming to help strengthen and unify our team.”
“What a wealth of discovery about myself and my team! So much of our lives are dealing with the here and now going on in our ministry/life, it is difficult to stop and find time to sort out personal issues. Personal issues that have hidden elements not easily seen until a professional can guide and recognize. What grace to have this opportunity to deal with my past in order that God can change me as I go into the present and the future. I can’t wait to do this again!
You all are in my prayers to our loving Father. May this week be a time of rest, renewal, and encouragement to keep running the race for the Lord.
The Benson’s and team are my very favorite missionaries in the world. Helene is my other home. I pray for them everyday and love them dearly. I stay in touch and go when I can (every two years so far).
Hello all,
I’m so glad to hear this trip went well. Blessings to the Helene team as you move ahead from this week of time given to care for you.
Tami (MCT)
It’s so great to see my old friend Paul Moore in action!
I know he is a tremendous blessing to all of you as he has been to many of us stateside.
May the Lord’s hand continue to be on the ministry there. Continued safety and health to you all.
Blessings,
-Mark