MTI's SPLICE August 2009

I just spent 3 amazing weeks in Colorado at Mission Training International. We were in the program that is meant to be predeparture for those going across the world to share Christ. There were 42 people (Adults and kids) going to 19 nations!! It was an incredible time of building community and learning about myself. I wish I could accurately describe what those 3 weeks mean to me but, alas, words fail. If any of you are moving to another cultre for the Gospel and your organization doesn't have a specific training to send you to, I would highly suggest going to MTI. If I have one "take-away" (obvioulsy I have way more than just one), it would be that all of the emotions that have flooded over me in the past 2 years of living here and all of the stuggles and joys, etc, etc, are completely normal! I am not going crazy! People, this is great news! Hallelujah!! Here are some of the pictures from my time there:


S'mores!


Glowsticks!!


The Mak staff that was at MTI: (l-r) Garrett, Anne, Lauren, Holly, Jody, Myself, Ashely, Kim, Charlie, and Kendall


The MTI property backs up to the most active train track I have ever seen. Seriously, there were trains passing every 15 minutes all day. It made me think of Emiko!


Garden of the Gods. So beautiful!!


Our hiking group around Garden of the Gods.
L-R, T-B: Neil, Scott, Garrett
John, Shelly, Courtney, Ashley, Holly, Kendall, Anne, Lauren
sitting: Jody, Emily, Laura, Marggy


Visiting my step-gramma George Ann. We looked through tons of photo albums of her life spent traveling the world!


Kind of cool/kind of creepy mushroom cloud.


S'mores!! Again! Delish!


lovely fire for making delicious s'mores.


Watching the sunset.


Our entire MTI group. FREESTYLE!!


I think this was the "look surprised!" picture


MTI's got talent! It was hilarious!!


Anne did an interpretive dance to Lydia's poem about MTI



Jody played and Robb and Sheila had to make up the words to the song. SO FUNNY!



Karel and Lori did some Salsa Dancing. That's how they met...so cute!



After the talent show we went to the local coffee shop and listened as Jody serenaded us.


We got to see Layne and Caitlin and meet Lucy Layne! They lived in the DR for about 2 years and moved home at the beginning of the summer to welcome Lucy Layne into the world. They were coming through MTI for the Debriefing and Renewal program for those who have returned from the field. It was so great to see them!


Beauty


Oh the mountains and the cooler weather they bring. I will miss you.


Walking on the path to get ice cream our last night together. So lovely!


Sweet little Anna eating ice cream...have you ever seen anything so cute?