Fatten The Calf

We're on break before the evening meal and heading into the PFO portion of the orientation. PFO meaning Pre-Field Orientation. No one knows what it really entails other than it's supposed to be challenging, tiring, stressful and at least 48 hours long...they promise us we'll live through it but if we don't...Tim and Michele, please take good care of our dogs...

But the Ashburnham kitchen staff are fattening us up for the kill, so to speak. Look at this from lunch!They call it "Bakewell Tart" and then you eat it like this. Covered in HEAVY cream. Oh man....and it was only one of two desserts offered. Throw in "bangers" for breakfast, "biscuits" for morning tea, "cakes" for afternoon tea and more double desserts for supper, and there you have it: we've gained "half a stone."

But really this orientation isn't about food. Graham, Senior Finance Manager for the Africa Region, led us in several of the most interesting financial sessions we'd ever sat through. We now have a full understanding of all the "management" roles that fall under the "finance" heading and have a grasp of their financial structure from board level to field program.

Tony spent the afternoon with us discussing spiritual aspects of service and transitional considerations related to cross-cultural adaptation. We'll have a photo of Tony up before too much longer as he's assisting with the PFO. He's also led our morning devotions. Tony serves as MAF's Pastoral "Carer" and visits each field program once every year to minister to the missionaries. Although we're here for the purposes of MMS, God is using the things that Tony has shared to minister to our hearts as well. Praise the Lord!