Theme of the week…TEAMWORK!

     Hey hey! I wanted to let you in on a little of what I’ve been learning about this week. Session after session, we have been learning about the importance of teams. Common phrases “sit with your team,” “discuss this with your teammates,” “how would you and your teammates resolve this situation,” have been repeated during this past week of training. I began to wonder why. I mean I know we are going to be roommates (for the record, teammate=roommate), but I’ve had other roommates and even when it was difficult (and trust me I had some very difficult roommate situations) it always worked out and was peaceable. Being a studious little one, definitely the teacher in me, I decided to figure out if there was a biblical reason why.
     Low and behold, there is! Shocker! Throughout the New Testament, especially in Acts, the disciples and many of the early missionaries go to spread the word in pairs or groups. Paul works with several different men (Barnabas, Timothy, etc), Peter first sets out with John, and many others go in pairs. As teachers living out our Christian faith in nations that are known for their atheistic beliefs, it is important to remember the values that come from having fellowship with other believers.

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:19-20             

                      

     Each session or class that we (the teachers here at Teach Overseas Training) have been taught about a different facet of living together overseas in our city. For some, it means they will be the only foreigners. For others, they will be the only known Christians. My team and I learned that we have a high reputation to live up to. Teach Overseas or ESI has a long standing history in our city and school. Our school is excited to be getting more teachers, but we have also been told that this may make it more difficult to befriend colleagues or students since they know that we will probably only be there for a year or two.
     I have learned that while teams are important for the obvious reasons. While we are gone, we truly are the only human contacts that each other has to lean on. We provide fellowship, family, friendship, and familiarity. We are even one another’s co-workers. We do everything together. It is so much more than just a roommate situation. Our apartments or “flats” are our ministries. And our students, neighbors, colleagues, and national friends will know who we are by our love…or lack thereof.
    

I wanted to introduce the team...Ashley--the cutie from Indiana is the tiny one in the middle. Shelly--the one with the great smile is on the right and is proud to be from Texas.

    I ask that over the next few weeks you would pray for me and my team as we get to know each other. I will be praying for you and your “team” at home as well. Make sure and email me any special prayer requests. I would love to stay updated on everything going on!