Having new workers on the field is always a great thing, however there’s more to being a new worker than just learning a new language. Language study is but one of many things a new worker must face when they arrive on the field.
So this month our most recent workers picked up a compass, were handed a map and then began to navigate their way through the wilderness that is the New Worker’s Orientation program.
Last year saw the creation of an orientation manual – created by new workers for new workers, in order to help them get to grips with both living in Japan and living as part of the WEC Japan team.
Recently our newest seven missionaries came together at headquarters for a two day retreat to find out the sort of things that they will be involved in their orientation and to get a chance to ask questions, talk about the past, present and future. To share, pray, learn and enjoy fellowship and relationship building.
Orientation is to begin before a worker arrives on the field; it takes the worker
through the initial weeks of setting up home and life in Japan. Next it guides them into language and culture study, and eases them into the cultural melting-pot that is WEC Japan. Finally it settles them into their own ministry and church planting, helping them to work both with the WEC team and the local churches.
This orientation program is intended to provide a means of effectively walking alongside our new workers in all areas of their lives as they immerse them-selves into Japanese life and ministry so that they may be healthy, effective and well integrated team members for as long as God calls them to the field.
As we seek to look after the well-being of our workers, both those who are new to the field and those who have been here longer, we also recognize daily our reliance upon the prayers of the saints around this world.
As the apostle Paul wrote: “With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for the saints. Pray also for me that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel”.
Eph 6:18b,19
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