Various Thoughts Before the Trip (Part 1)

Well, after a few days in bed sick, I am back at the planning and preparation for the trip.
Some have asked me last week, "What all goes into planning a survey trip and why are you going on a second survey trip?"
These questions are very good questions and I will attempt to try to "start" to answer in this post and in the future.

Let me start with the second question, "Why are you going on a second survey trip?".
In no particular order I will list and explain the objectives for the trip:

1. Survey the Northern part of Chile - In the last several years, our mission board has been praying about opening up the northern section of Chile. They have asked us (and others) to pray about the possiblity of serving in the north (after our orientation time in the capital). In order to be better informed to pray and make a decision, I feel that a trip to the north to gather information would be beneficial.

Some of the items of information we will try to gather are the following:
-Maps of the region
-Who is in the region already (missionaries? preaching the Gospel?)
-How long have they been there?
-What advice could they give us as a young family going into a new ministry?
-What is the economy like?
-What are the implications for each opition for housing? (renting or buying)
-What is the standard of living like? (heath care, schools, shopping, crime, and so on)

2. Survey SouthEastern Santiago's growing communities - Since the metro (subway) line has been completed on the eastern side of the capital, many new communities have been established and have been growing. Using the same above questions, we desire to find out more about the possiblities or hindrences to ministry in this area. There is a GMSA camp close to this area and would be a great location for a new church work.

3. Attend the annual GMSA Missionary Conference - Each year, every missionary family from our mission board (from three countries: Chile, Argentina, & Uruguay) get together for one week for encouragement, enrichment from God's Word, and business meetings. As an appointee and rookie on this GMSA team, attendence at these conferences are very helpful and very informative. It is a chance to sit and talk with each missionary family and learn of thier ministries. A time to ask questions. A time to participate in the business meetings. A time to pray together.

4. Additional photos for me and GMSA - I have been asked to take digital photos for the mission while on this trip. There is a constant need for quality pictures to be used in official mission publications and individual powerpoints. During my time at the Missionary Conference, I will be taking pictures of each family, each couple, and each person for the purpose of an updated pictoral directory and for upcoming publications.

5. Meet with the Chilean Field Counsel - This is helpful because I will get a better sense of the pulse and temperature of the current field situation and ministries. They will have an opportunity to let me know of some of the pressing needs. I will have an opportunity to let them know about God's leading in our family.