Backing In!

Here's our team at our commissioning this morning. In the back row -  Sandi Winter and Roberto Vetrone. Front row (left to right) is Dana Gonzales, Yvonne, Heath, Susan MacLeod and Susan Stanchfield. It feels so great to be a part of the Mariner's family.  A word 

about our t-shirts....if you look closely, you'll see the back-end of an elephant...hmmm...I didn't know that there were elephants in El Salvador....hmmm...what's going on ???

We have chosen the words "Backing In" as our theme and as an example of our commitment to be the right kind of travelers when we head to El Salvador this coming Saturday.

During our team meetings together we read a devotion written by Donald Larson, a professor of Linguistics and Anthropology. What he said about cross-cultural ministry really resonated with us so we "adopted" his expression as our team motto. Here's an excerpt:

"Some years ago at a language and culture learning workshop in East Africa, a missionary asked me if I knew what happens when a herd of elephants approaches a water hole that is surrounded by another herd. She then proceeded to explain that the lead elephant of the second group turns around and backs down toward the water hole. As soon as his backside is felt by two of the elephants gathered around the water hole, they step aside and make room for him. This is then the signal to the other elephants that the first herd is ready to make room for them around the hole..the continuing movement of missionaries in the world today may require missionaries to "Back In' to their host communities. What does it mean to "back in" as a missionary? ...Local residents must feel good about his presence in their community. Inevitably, the missionary realizes that to be acceptable, local community members must first find him teachable. Entering a new community as a sincere learner..the missionary approaches the local residents with humility offering dignity to the people from whom he learns. A learner is one who "backs in".

Thank you for your continuing support in prayer as we make this trip. We look forward to sharing many examples of God's faithfulness to us as we are faithful in our service to Him.