Monday, November 20, 2017

Al & Mickey Williams' November Praise Bulletin

PRAISE:
AL’S TRIP TO KANSAS CITY - Occasionally, I (Al) have the opportunity to assist other crisis managers / trainers with their programs. My trip to Kansas City (Nov. 7-12) was one of those times and I greatly appreciated your prayers.
I had been invited to be part of the final training segment of the “Fusion” program at Midwestern College. This school year more than 50 students are engaged in one semester of intense preparation for missions service and one semester of overseas assignment in an outreach ministry. Some of the countries where these students will be going are some of the most challenging locations around the world. You can read more about this program by clicking on this link.

The days I spent with the students provided them with the experience of many simulations such as flying into a foreign country, dealing with immigration and customs, having weapons and drugs found in their luggage that were planted by someone else, and being detained for several hours by the police in this foreign country and interrogated several times. 
                                                
In another simulation, they found themselves in the middle of a war zone and having to flee through the wooded countryside to an escape point while being hunted by armed soldiers from an invading country (we were using blank ammunition). While fleeing the war, they experienced being captured by a criminal gang and held for ransom and then being held by a terrorist gang with very different motives. This and much more filled those days and very late nights. It is our desire that the lessons they have been taught in dealing with security and crisis events and the experiences of these simulations will serve them well in the days ahead.
                                                                    
Through the various roles I played and the interactions I had with many of these students, I developed a deep appreciation for the dedication, effort, discipline and endurance they demonstrated as they prepared to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to some very difficult places early next year. As they celebrated their well-earned success in completing this training, I said goodbye and told them I will be praying for them as they go and will look forward to hearing more as they set out on their journeys around the world. I know they would appreciate your prayers as well.

PRAYER:
OUR FAMILY – Since Jeremy and Jillian’s divorce earlier this year, life changed dramatically for us, for our kids, and for our grandkids. Holidays and family gatherings will never be the same and that makes our hearts ache. Please pray for God to work in all of our hearts - individually and as a family - and draw us closer to Himself. We need His strength, peace and wisdom for the days ahead.