Long hours with few people

(Reflections on the Institute for Forming Instructors continued)

Robert paused and confessed: “Whenever I attend international events I find myself questioning why CCI /LA has so few members. Why don’t we have 1000’s of people attending our conventions and events?”

“I have compared ourselves to other ministries and felt like we aren’t getting anything done. But of late my perspective has changed. Look what we noticed when we counted how many hours we spent working with each individual who attended the IFI-3, we created an event whereby they would interact with God’s Word in various settings—90 hours total!”

“Let’s compare that to other teaching models”, Robert continued.

How long does a professor spend with a student per semester?

At Trinity, I responded, over a 2 week period of time, I spend 30-40 hours in class with the professor and I have the opportunity to get maybe one or two 30-minute appointments with them during the two weeks I am on campus.

Another comments, “I receive training 2 hours per week but the teacher comes and leaves class barely speaking to anyone, he is not available for but a few brief moments after class.”

Robert ponders on: “Let’s look at Christ’s ministry of earth. How long did He spend with the multitude versus with a small group of disciples? He spent far more hours with a few than with the multitude. But look at what those few did. Those eleven were used by God, together with others, to start a revolution that pushed on even today and has changed the course of history. It’s what Lisa’s professor Jim Plueddemann calls a ‘silent, peaceful revolution.’ ”

As a staff and teaching team we came away from that discussion encouraged. Encouraged to look at the value of really investing our lives in a not so large a group of people who in turn will invest themselves significantly in other and so on. We’re not perfect and we can do much more to promote what we do but we are on the right track.

Raising the bar!

(Testimonies from the Institute for Forming Instructors continued)

During our Institute for Forming Instructors (IFI) Feb. 1-15, 2009, Jose Climaco, said about Christian Camping International, Latin America (CCI/LA):

Every time I attend a CCI AL training event I know I’m going to get evaluated and my shortcomings pointed out, but I keep coming back for more!

I should know better!

I started with Lisa in 1993 when she came to El Salvador and although now I’m a missionary with Assemblies of God, and have served in Peru and Dominican Republic reaching out to children, I love about CCI/LA that they have a high standard. They raise the bar for me and I need that challenge and the accompaniment to change.”

He continues his confession, “my problem has been finishing my homework, writing my thoughts and ideas and mapping out plans, that’s why I haven’t finished my professional studies and so although I hesitated attending this IFI due to my “my human side” being exposed, God brought me here because He knew I needed the push. I will return to my studies the Monday after I return after having stopped for 10 years.”

PS. Since returning to El Salvador, Jose has written all of his fellow instructors indicating that he indeed is finishing his studies. Praise the Lord for the accountable relationships formed during the IFI-3!

My human side—Mi lado HUmana

(more testimonies from the IFI-3)

Patricia Heredia from Argentina spent a couple of weeks in our home before the IFI-3 started and she was apt to jokingly say: “Lisa, at last, I am seeing your human side” whenever she noticed a flaw, which I tried my hardest to show her, ha, ha. For example, when I lost my temper with the kids.

Gladys (whom I hadn't seen since she attended our first IFI in 1992) and Patricia on the right

What makes this particularly funny is the play on words in Spanish since my married name is UMANA which has the same Spanish pronunciation as HUMAN.
Several other people joked similarly during the IFI, Alvaro from Bolivia said the same thing when he realized I had missed the IFI’s opening program due to watching the Steelers win the Super Bowl. (I mean really, if you are from Pittsburgh, wouldn’t that be considered a virtue and not a flaw? Besides, Robert, my boss, is a Steeler's fan!)

Having our “human side” visible is a core part of what happens during an IFI. Two weeks of communal living 24/7 where you exercise together in the morning, have your individual quiet time, breakfast together, then meet to learn from 9:30am to 6:30pm, broken up by lunch time, snack and small group Bible studies; then dinner at 6:30pm, “share your story” interview after dinner followed by an evening of some work you might not have finished in the day and then good old fun and hanging out together in the evening until bedtime.

How long can you wear your “Sunday Best” in that environment?

Tell me about an environment where you get to be real!

I took "hermeneutics" in Seminary

(Further testimonies from the Institute for Forming Instructors)

“I took hermeneutics in Seminary” (principles of interpretation) says Manuel Cortes, a pastor who has pastored for over 25 years in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

“But the difference between 60 hours of lecture in Seminary and being taught in this IFI-3, then accompanied as you exegete (interpret) and prepare a series of Bible studies on Eph. 6 is a world of difference.”

Pastor Manuel Cortes with Bessy Macotto looking on

“The knowledge in my head finally got worked out and applied as I was prompted to practice and apply what I’d learned. Ever since Bob Sabean introduced me in the 1970’s to this approach to studying the Bible, I have been struck by how practical, hands on CCI /LA is in its teaching. I am discovering this is part of an entire educational philosophy and it’s prompting me to re-evaluate how I pastor and how I lead other pastors in our denomination.”

What a joy and challenge it was for the team of professors to have amongst the participants five pastors!