missionaryMAC

My return from Belize was the start of a 2-week countdown - that's now a 2- day  countdown - 'til some down time in St. Louis prior to LAC's annual regional conference. Most of that time was spent in prep mode: for the conference and for teams in Belize and Jamaica that happen in quick succession post-conference.  Yesterday's spur-of-the-moment jaunt to the seminary in Palmar Arriba represented a welcome change of pace. With a potential 2nd floor bathroom remodel on the table, I met four of my missionary colleagues, a token seminary student, and a local mason there to represent the many volunteer teams that stay - and shower! - in Palmar. I also lent a female perspective; my suggestion of full-length mirrors was well-received :) Teams of up to 14 are currently limited to the 3rd floor's two showers. Adding two more in the open space on the right of this photo would be a game changer.  We discussed adding some built-in shelving above the sinks, and why not another si...

I exercised the missionary role of learner  hosting a veteran team of volunteers from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, MO (with priceless add-ons from Chester, IL, and Greeley, CO), in Belize last week.  It was their third time leading an English Family Camp (EFC) in Valley of Peace, albeit my first. Accordingly, I sought counsel from the team leader, local staff, and former Belize missionaries, ultimately building a schedule and making plans based largely on past precedent. While I had no standard of comparison, the team leader was adamant that this year be more Christocentric than ever before. The team turned to one of the LCMS's FREE English Bible Camp curricula to structure their lessons around who Jesus Himself says He is: 1) the Light of the World, 2) the Bread of Life, and 3) the Resurrection and the Life/the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Who could say no to that face?  After a BBQ lunch on Sunday, I enjoyed this view while I sent the team of...

Had I gone to Belize last week as planned, I would have gotten back yesterday. Instead, I... Enjoyed TWO beach days The Stigdons spent the week at an Airbnb in Cabarete for their 40th wedding anniversary and invited me to spend the day with them Thursday (the DR's observation of Corpus Christi meant the regional office was closed). How could I say no when Dana tempted me with this picture from their balcony? A walk on the beach, Greek salad, cards, pool time...ahhhhhhhhh. Two days later, the "DR Cool [aka 40 and under] Crew" hightailed it to Costambar. Squeezed in as much patio time as possible Eating breakfast, hosting fellow missionaries and seminary students for dinner, reading (I finished The Hobbit  at the beach and have now moved on to The Fellowship of the Ring )...today on pro-tips from Erin, just search "Patio Vibes" on Spotify for the  perfect soundtrack. Supported Spanish language-learners New missionaries + 2 summer Expanding the Spanish Footprint ...

I always ask teams to be flexible, even before they ever hit the field as they browse the DRAFT (yes, I usually include that word in all caps in the filename) schedules I send them.  I didn't mean THIS flexible, though, in the case of a Belize mission team from Trinity Lutheran in Houston, TX. I'm supposed to be landing at Philip W. Goldson International Airport soon; instead, I'm blogging.  A group of nine was supposed  to install a playground at Little Lambs Lutheran Preschool in Valley of Peace beginning Thursday. The Belize mission's resident contractor & his hardworking crew had long ago removed the old equipment and leveled the terrain so work could begin bright and early.  And it would have, except there sits the palette...having never left the shipper's US warehouse. What was supposed to arrive in-country on June 12 is now expected on or after July 2.  The team leader messaged me Thursday at 12:33 pm to see when I could hop on a call, ominously sayin...

The second-longest work trip I can remember continued after I dropped off  Lutheran South  at the airport; I had two days until four faculty/staff from Concordia University in Seward, NE (CUNE), would arrive. I LOVE my job, but needless to say I needed some introvert time.  Julie (far right), CUNE's Director of Global Opportunities, has supported the sending of numerous CUNE volunteers to LAC during my tenure; I've personally hosted students in the DR and Uruguay. The impetus behind this student- free trip was a grant she received to better equip colleagues as far as the planning and execution of study tours in their various areas. What better way to learn than to go through the motions? Julie hand-picked ten who embody the sought-after set of leadership characteristics, three of whom joined her for a 3-day plunge. I knew Hannah (2nd from L) from volunteering at the 2022 Youth Gathering .  With such a short time on the ground, I crammed our days full of everything on...