What Are We Learning?

This has been a question asked by a few people - so I thought I'd give you a summary of what we have learnt so far and what is still to come.

Wk 1 - Foundations and Introduction
This was just like the heading says. Also we had our first of several interviews and had to share a short testimony with the staff here at WEC.

Wk 2 - Foundations
Like all Christians our foundation should be Christ, so this week covered subjects like 'Who We Are in Christ', 'Lies vs Truth' and 'Growing in Spiritual Vitality'. This week included our 2 day retreat.

Wk 3 - Principles that Guide our Practice
This week included a detailed look at WEC's Principles and Practice as well as the foundations for the organization. We also had a class on 'Generations Working Together'. We started weekly classes (in the evening) on 'Shepherding a Child's Heart'. The week concluded with another interview.

Wk 4 - Church Planting Contexts
Some of the topics this week included 'Security', 'Church Planting' and 'Spiritual Warfare'

Wk 5 - Ministry
This week was spent at Cornerstone Community Church, taking part in door to door evangelism.

Wk 6 - Working in Teams
This was a short week as we had 2 days off for Easter. We did have a class on 'Multi-cultural Teams' and a day of prayer where we (as candidates) shared our testimonies.

Wk 7 - Teams/Ministry Resources
Topics covered this week were 'Team Roles & Gifts', 'Church Planting/Leadership Styles', 'Teams', 'Evangelism Discipleship' and 'Medical Issues'. Not forgetting another interview!!

Wk 8 - Interpersonal Relationships
During this week we discussed 'Sexual Purity', 'Relationships', 'Singles/Loneliness', 'Couples', 'Missionary Life', 'Finances' and 'Missionary Kids'. We also learned how to use power point and prepare our prayer cards.

So this is where we are to date and some of what we have learnt. As you can see it has been a very full schedule of classes. On top of this we have had several books to read (at least 1 a week), met weekly with our small groups, worked 3 afternoons a week and taken care of normal family responsibilities (including home school, laundry, etc). At least I haven't had to cook!!! We get evening meals provided 5 evenings a week and at the weekend we eat pizza and/or hot dogs. As you can imagine the kids enjoy this arrangement!

Now, to look forward to our remaining 5 weeks

Wk 9 - Cultures and Sharing Your Story
We will be learning about 'Cultures', 'Language Learning' and how to 'Share your Story' and attending a 'Peacemaker' conference at a local church on Friday evening and all day Saturday.

Wk 10 - Worship and Prayer
As the title suggests we will be focusing on 'Worship and Prayer'. We will have another interview.

Wk 11 - Missionary Care
This week we will be dealing with 'Missionary Stress', 'Culture Shock and Reverse Culture Shock' and 'Stress Management'

Wk 12 - Church Planting in Special Situations
This week we will cover 'HIV/AIDS', 'Children in Crisis', and 'Attitudes and Expectations'

Wk 13 - Is There Life After CO (Candidate Orientation)?
This will be a fairly easy week with each candidate sharing their power point presentations about where we are going and what we will be doing. Another interview and we will be given time to pack, clean etc. On the Friday evening there is the 'Right Hand of Fellowship' which is the time when we are officially accepted into WEC.

Okay, so now you know what we've been learning!

Michelle