Team Change Interviews

Karen and I had the pleasure of getting together with Scott and Lela for about an hour and a half this afternoon. Scott and Lela have five boys, have been at MMS for a year now and will probably serve with us for another year in their preparation for field service. They have a high level of interest in Alaska as a mission field.

Scott is a "trainee" mechanic at MMS. That's in contrast to an "apprentice" mechanic. Apprentice mechanics are working toward gaining the experience they need to qualify to take their FAA exams to receive their airframe and powerplant (A&P) certificate. A trainee mechanic already holds an A&P and comes to MMS for our Advanced Training program.

Scott & Lela (L) and me and Karen (R).

We met today as part of the "team change" process at MMS. Every six months, based on their ministry start date, apprentice and trainee mechanics change from one maintenance team to another. Right now MMS has three maintenance teams. This helps vary the experience gained by our mechanics, provides the opportunity to serve under varied leadership styles, and exposes them to different maintenance approaches.

Part of that team change is an interview with me and Karen. Approximately every six months (ideally on or about their actual date of team change) we check with them to find out how they're doing, how they're adapting, discuss their perceptions of MMS at this point of their service, address concerns, provide encouragement and answer any questions they have. It's a great time to chat, laugh, take notes, and yet cover some rather serious components and realities of mission service at MMS and beyond. Their feedback helps us better prepare people and our feedback, Lord willing, helps them be better prepared!

Next Wednesday we're scheduled to interview David & Amy, and the following Wednesday we'll interview Gertjan and Glenda.

Thank you for your gifts and prayers which allow us to serve in this way.