What should you do and what can you expect if you are kidnapped? What types of scams do criminals pull to try to get into your hotel room or take your money in the US and around the world? How do you survive in a remote area if you are stranded due to a plane crash, getting lost, or other unplanned emergency situations?

These were all topics covered last week in our Safety, Security, and Survival for Missionaries class at the Center for Pioneer Church Planting. It was an amazing week of learning and best of all Betsy got to participate with me throughout the entire training. We learned how to identify, avoid, and react to different scams and other ways criminals try harm people around the world. We also learned what to expect and what to do if we were kidnapped by the “bad guys” and how to survive if we were stranded in a remote area due to an emergency situation. The course was taught by Brian Webb of IHS Training and was a great mix of classroom and field training. It was truly an amazing week!

Below are some pics from the field training:

That is me in my “Immediate Action Shelter”. Essentially it is an oversize garbage bag that one should carry if going remote. You can see I am totally protected from wind, rain, and cold – it got pretty hot in that thing when it was 90+ degrees outside.

We learned how to tie four different knots that have great value in building a survival shelter. Betsy is showing off her mastery of these above.

Betsy, myself, and missionary trainee Nati, pose in the lean-to shelter complete with a water catcher that we made. An important part of survival is being prepared with essential equipment one may need. We built all of this with two oversize garbage bags, called Immediate Action Shelters, and some para-chord. Not bad for a few rookies.

Did you know you can start a fire with a cotton ball and Vaseline? Good things to have along when out in the wilderness.

Ethan, Titus and Nora even got inspired to do their own field survival training. What do you think of their shelter?

Prayer Requests for our trip to Village EZ this week:
1. This is our last trip to EZ until September so pray our impact for the gospel bears fruit in our absence.
2. Opportunities for gospel proclamation in people’s homes, on the soccer field, and with the children in our VBS.
3. Ability to ministry freely and safely while there and to return home safely.
4. That Betsy does not go into labor while I am gone (she is 38 weeks now)!!!!

A quick praise regarding our church plant in Village CD – There were 16 people there today and there seems to be a solid group of eager believers forming. From a human perspective, more than anything we need more time there with the people – time for more teaching, training, and fellowship. Please pray for myself, my family and Garry & Jan Weaver as we labor together in this endeavor. Please also pray for the believers and “seekers” in Village CD.