...for they will not be "bent out of shape"! I used to share this with counselors when I was in full time camping ministry at Skyview Ranch. God brought this to reality today as we are nearing departure from the United States for Germany.

As mentioned in our previous posting, we are currently at TEAMServe in the Wheaton, IL area for "briefing". Briefing provides information and insight into the various roles and perspectives necessary for effective missionary service. This time also allows us to interaction with other short- and long-term missionaries in different fields.

Part of our briefing experience today was "cultural immersion". The staff at TEAM prepared a schedule that allowed us to encounter South Asia. The "plan" was to visit the South Asian Friendship Center in Chicago (which is involved with Teaching English as a Second Language...what we will be doing in Germany), learn about the importance of language building blocks, experience a taste of Indian and Pakistani culture on Devon Avenue in Chicago, enjoy an Indian dinner, and attend the Sudanese Music & Dance Festival at Millennium Park in downtown Chicago after taking public transportation to the downtown area.

Well all of this occurred...except for the "timing" of the events. On our way to the South Asian Friendship Center, one of the vans experienced an overheating of the brakes. Since these elements of a vehicle are crucial in Chicago traffic, our TEAMServe driver called for help from other TEAM members. They came to our rescue and delivered us to our destination in different vehicles...later than we anticipated. With the van out of commission, several individuals had to return to the Wheaton area at the end of the day by public transportation...not what was planned.

As we were nearing the end of our "immersion field trip"...and some of us were anticipating a leisurely stroll through downtown Chicago to the Metra train station, a thunderstorm descended upon Chicago and drenched all of us. We looked like drowned rats. We were definitely "immersed" in the culture and the weather today. Again, the TEAMServe staff came to the rescue and drove us to the train station...and went back to find the rest of the missionaries involved in the briefing...to drive them back to TEAMServe.

Everyone responded very well to the day's adventure...and realized that we could be facing similar types of adventures while on the mission field. Our eyes were also opened to another culture and values while reminding us that our upcoming service requires prayer and "God's timing" as we enter into spiritual warfare. Overall, while these circumstances were not what "we" planned, we are thankful that God provides these opportunities to see how He arranges circumstances to bring Him glory.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support!

On behalf of God's "immersed" servants,

Curtis

Blog URL: www.cedarville.edu/misgermanytesl