Challenges of the Road

Sarah: Where have you been this year, Jean!? I hear that traveling is a major aspect of your 'new' job. Can you give us an overview of where you've been geographically, the diversity you've seen, and the bumps and challenges of constantly 'being on the road'?

Jean: Thanks for asking about travels. This year has been marked by it. I’ve been to Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and most recently Wisconsin, training staff from all over the nation. I thank my local library for providing hours and hours of books on tape as I drive cross-country.

Here’s a picture of me at our National Staff Orientation where we were preparing 130 brand new staff to step on the field all around our nation. In addition to helping new staff prepare a solid support network, I guided the 30 or so Asian American staff through engaging their Asian American Churches. One consistent challenge that Asian American staff face are the cultural issues that stem from being bicultural. How do we help the older generation understand our fervor for God? How do we communicate in our often stilted mother tongue the profound and deep concepts of our journeys with Christ? How do we come alongside the many Asian American churches across the nation that desire to help rising AA youth?

Some of the staff came up with these ideas:
• encourage their student bible study leaders to lead a small group of their peers at their church over the summer
• teach their students how to be “cross-cultural” at home to engage their parents more intentionally
• offer themselves up as support to parents and pastors during the summer to help better understand this rising generation
• offer the extensive resources that InterVarsity Press has to offer
• teach a Mark study to the college students over the summer

Do any of you have more ideas to offer the AA staff? It’s been a real joy to help these staff see the church as a partner and supporter of their ministry.