Disregard Above This Line

Module One – For all Task Force Members

Introduction

Working with people in another country is a challenging experience. Because God has blessed our country, as Americans, we may tend to think our ideas and culture is the only and the best way. Perhaps a better way to help anyone in any country is to help through the eyes and sensitivities of their own culture by helping to empower them, in the ways they know best.

During the upcoming small group sessions, we will be on a journey, starting at the base of the pyramid:

Section 1

• Level I: GAINING KNOWLEDGE & INFORMATION: You will want to have the right information close at hand to acclimate yourself with the country you’ll be visiting. To start gaining a knowledgeable perspective on the country, you’ll want to learn as much as you can. The fastest and easiest way is to click on this link*: Specific Country Background Data, which will take you the a website that will display 30 dimensions about the country:

What to do with all this information: Knowing this information is essential, You’ll probably not become an expert, becoming an expert is not important. With the help of our Lord and preparation you can prepare as a caring coach that can help empower others.

A suggestion that may be helpful would be to divide the team (small groups) into sub-teams. For example, if there are 10 people in the group, each person could take 3 components from the above list, Each person could explore their three components in depth, gathering enough data to have a reasonable level of expertise.

Each person could write 1 or 2 short paragraphs highlighting key issues about that dimension. This consolidated information can then be put into a Short Briefing Paper that can be handed out in hard copy to each of the mission team. Keep It Simple, or you will be overwhelmed.