Field Personnel Orientation, or FPO is where we are at the moment. This is the 2 month training course the IMB has for all missionaries before they go to the field. I have always been Southern Baptist but up until now I have never been more proud. The leadership is top notch. They are some of the most servant hearted people I have ever met. They have decades of combined service on the field and the willingness to share any and all of their knowledge. I am proud to serve as a missionary with the IMB and feel that we have leaders who are worthy of following. I love their leadership, vision and guidance.
Let me tell you a little of what goes on around here. We are learning about where our money comes from and how we get paid. They have explained the cooperative program and the Lottie Moon Christmas offering to me in such a way that I never knew before. They help us to put money aside for retirement. They explain our medical, life, personnel and property insurance. We have had classes on good health, malaria, grief, leaving home, and family separation. We have had classes on Spiritual warfare, personal quiet time and Bible study. We have met with the folks from our country and gotten specific information on our destination country. We have read books, memorized scripture, shared our faith and done church the way our destination country will do church.
We have been so prepared to go and share the gospel it is amazing. And to think we have only been here 2 of 9 weeks. Things are fast paced here and very secluded. There is no TV, the net connection is in certain places and the cell service is sketchy at best. But this breeds the best possible situation for learning. Lesley and I grow more and more excited as each day passes to go to Zambia. I will attempt to put some pix up soon and very soon. Until then, please pray for our health as there is a flu bug making the rounds here. Pray that we may remain healthy and attentive to all that God has for us to learn from our time here. Lastly, let everyone at church know that they may feel proud of the IMB and the process they use to put all of its missionaries through. God bless.
The Vines Family 