Leadership

A number of team leaders have emerged.  Paramount has been Pastor Jane, who played a critical role in planning the trip and who has led all of the debriefing and handled a few crises. Jane also preached a great sermon Sunday night and has delivered a short message (eventually at eight congregations), coupled with a Bible reading from Philippians, which has essentially distilled and localized a partnership message.  She has generally tag-teamed with Ben Langley, who planned most of the details of the visit and has been a strong personal presence throughout.  Ben has also done plenty of translation, and he preached a sermon at the Altar de Noe church about.  Doug has been involved in worship leadership, by - with his flute - essentially serving as the team's music director and accompanying the singing (as well as doing some translation).

New leaders have also emerged.  At the top of the list might be Cara and Elisabeth.  Before missing one day, Cara was really the driving force behind the children's and youth workshops, as she planned and led many activities and applied her charm/leadership skills.  Elisabeth has translated a lot for Pastor Jane or Cara (with the two of them, or the other two of them, often emerging as an all-female leadership duo).  In translating, she - as well as Ben and Doug - have helped shape decisions and insights through translation.  Ben Bridgman worked a lot with the kids - even outside the formal kids' workshop - and took a leadership role with caring for a sick team member.  Shannon claimed to be the most introverted of team members, but he also exercised worship leadership, accompanying other team members as they sang on either on his ukelele or Pastor Raul's guitar, and served as a king of group conscience.  Ben is a bit of a newcomer, but he led the 2009 visit also.

Old-timers Soni and Stephanie - along with Ben, Elisabeth, and Jane - both took leaderhsip roles helping care for the sick team member.

Gracias a Dios, for all the team leaders, old and new.

-Perry