It is said that first impressions are often the most lasting. We found this to be true in reference to our arrival at the Missionary Training Center (MTC).
The first impression we had of the place was the welcoming atmosphere that was displayed. All across campus there were signs scattered that reflected the attitude of the staff toward us new students.
At the entrance was a huge banner that proclaimed, "Welcome to the Missionary Training Center!" Along the various roads around campus were signs that read, "Thank You For Coming," & "We are glad you are here!"
The most significant sign of all was the one that declared, "We are praying for you!" We quickly discovered that the sentiments reflected by these signs were more than mere words.
As we met various staff members & introduced ourselves, they would often show immediate recognition of who we were. It turned out that these people had actually taken the time to look over the information available on each of the 105 new students in order that they might be praying for us!
This spoke volumes to us. It is seldom that you find this kind of commitment in the Lord’s work. Yet here were more than 100 staff members who were not just going through the motions.
[To see more pictures around campus, click here.]
The staff here is composed largely of veteran missionaries who have served many years in the Lord’s harvest fields. Now they have dedicated their lives to training other missionaries for the arduous work of reaching the millions of unreached tribal people of the world.
It would be easy for them to sit back and rest on their past accomplishments. But they pursue the training of more missionaries with the same vigor that they poured into their work on the mission field.
A perfect example of this is the Staff couple who was assigned as our arrival Hosts. They helped us move in, gave us our first tour of the campus, & answered our questions. As we got to know them in those first days, we learned something very significant about them.
He lost his first wife suddenly & unexpectedly to illness while they were on the field in Africa. She lost her first husband when he was killed by South American insurgents after being held captive for 3 years. Yet neither one of them gave up on the Lord or His work. They both persevered & the Lord blessed them by bringing them together here at the MTC. Now they are happily married & their combined families are moving forward for the Lord’s glory!
Our first impression of the Missionary Training Center, and most especially of the staff here, will definitely be a lasting one for our family. And it encourages us to carry on & move forward no matter what the odds!
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2Ti 1:12)
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