Isn’t it great when you step out in faith and obedience to God and He affirms that you’re doing it well?! This is how I have felt the last few weeks in providing missionary care. Last week, I attended a conference up in Hume Lake called “Building Member Care Skills With Excellence,” hosted by Link Care. I walked away with specific tools and skills in caring for marriages, individuals, and missionary kids (MKs) on the field. These are intervention and prevention techniques I’ll use for years to come in providing missionary care. In fact, I’m already finding ways to apply what I learned to the unique culture of Alternative Missions through our online conversational blogs.
Praise the Lord for such practical resources.
I also spent the week networking with 50 other missionary care providers. It was so helpful to dialogue regarding similar issues we’ve faced and made it obvious that the teaching we received had immediate and practical uses. One of my greatest memories, however, was time spent with an older missionary named Jean. Towards the end of the week, Jean pulled me aside and spoke these encouraging words to me:
“TJ, I’ve been watching you these three days and believe you show a maturity in your interactions, your ability to actively listen and encourage others. I think you’ll make a great counselor.”
WOW! What an encouragement! In fact, there were a couple other people who spoke similar words to me throughout the week and it was so reassuring. I am confident of this new ministry God has called me into and look forward to what is in store.
Pray for Me
Please pray that I would continue to build on the relationships and resources gained from this conference.
Praise the Lord with me for the practical resources and people He has given me. God is purposeful to teach me and mold me into a great missionary care provider.
It is evident that God has used you, my supporters, in helping to accomplish His purposes in me. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Serving Joyfully,
TJ Gause
Picture: Me, enjoying Hume Lake at the conference
TJ;
I appreciate your heart for our missionaries, the hours you are putting into AMU and the Missionary Care Team, and enjoy working with you to provide care. You are an important part of the team!
Tom Hackett - Director of Alternative Missions