It
is almost time! I leave for South Africa
in just over a month and it feels like things are getting down to the
wire. I’ve currently in North Carolina
at the Center for Intercultural Training attending a three-week course on Equipping for Cross-Cultural Life &
Ministry and then a one-week training on Facilitating Global Church Multiplication. Since I’m just getting started here, I’ll
have to tell you more about this training program in next month’s update.
Last
month, I attended the 2nd of a three weekend course by Faith
Biblical Counseling Ministries. What a wonderful time of diving deep into God’s
work to flesh out His advice for those struggling with grief, depression, and
sexual sin. I won’t be able to attend
the final weekend scheduled this month, but I’ve already got copies of the
lectures.
If
you ever find yourself wishing you knew what to say and how to help friends or
work colleges who are struggling with emotional or family problems, consider
looking into this biblical counseling training.
They have a regional conference in Seattle yearly and a big conference
in Indiana each February. I am taking
the Foundations course, but then you can also take multiple advanced tracks and
even become certified as a counselor by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.
Before
I head back to my studies, I wanted to share a reminder on exactly what I will
be doing in South Africa. As part of
North-West University in Mafikeng/Mmabatho they have an animal health
technician training program. As part of
that course, all students must spend several weeks in the small animal hospital
learning skills that will be needed in practice once they graduate. I will be working as a veterinarian in that
clinic seeing whatever clients and patients come for appointments.
During
appointments and surgeries, I will have a group of 6-8 students with me
learning things like handling animals safely and humanely, taking blood
samples, looking at the blood to identify tick borne disease (very common there),
dispensing medication, caring for hospitalized patients, monitoring anesthesia,
and numerous other practical topics.
Also, and more importantly, there will be many opportunities to share
with them the love of Christ and his grace and mercy.
Once
these students complete their studies and graduate as an animal health
technician, they will likely go on to get government jobs in animal health or
work with veterinarians in private practices as pet nurses. Since many of these students come from a poor,
rural background this is a great opportunity for a good paying job.
Finally,
if you are in the North Carolina area (I’m between Charlotte and Asheville) and
would like to get together sometime this month, please give me a call or send me an email and we can connect!
