Our classroom at MTI (Missionary Training Institute) in Colorado Springs
After the first week of class at the Institute, Ian and I drove to the Garden of the Gods and explored the trails and enjoyed the rock formations. Later we took a trail ride along some of the paths and rocked atop the old horses provided by the riding stable.
In the classroom we listen to lectures on cross cultural issues, conflict management and how God works in us and through us--if we let him! Humor is vital! The days pass quickly as we talk in small groups, have worship times and listen to lectures on key issues in the missionary life. The group is bright, articulate and energizing--and young. None of the dowdy, pedantic, rigid types I feared!Besides the day-long class time, I am loving the time to hike, study Spanish and get up early to read and pray. I have found the coffee making supplies, the china mugs (not the plastic ones!) and a carafe so that my early morning ritual is well equipped. I sneak down each morning in my bathrobe before anyone else is around! It works. I was surprised this morning to find Ian had done the very same thing--beat me to it, so the coffee was ready for me. A treat. Our time together is good, too.
We are one of three older couples and love being with the 20/30 somethings. Many of the young couples have children aged 9 months - 11 years. One couple will be taking their 5 to Slovakia. I am amazed.
We head into our second week now after a weekend of hiking in the outdoors on a sunny, warm Saturday and cozying up to the fire on a blustery Sunday. We all had an assignment to talk with three important people in our lives about our style of handling conflict. Very revealing. This next week we will learn how to handle conflict in better ways. Apparently this is a key make or break issue out there in the field. Here goes....
