Simmons 4 Africa

Since November 26 we have been attending Missions Training in Palmer Lake, CO along with nearly 30 other missionaries slated to go to various points all over the planet. It has been a pleasure to get know each of them as they prepare to answer's God's call overseas. We have learned a lot in the short amount of time being here, especially about ourselves personally, inter cultural communication and how to deal with our worst fears. Yesterday we participated in a real life simulation that challenged all of us and caused us to look deep inside ourselves and face the worst of fears. The simulation was based on a hostile take over of missionary conference by military rebels opposing the host country's government. We hid a small box with about 10-15 in the box (standing room only) and were told to wait. We were eventually found by the rebels and were given instructions with a few (3-5) in each box taken out form the group and guns shots were fired indicating the ones taken were executed. It stirred up a myriad of emotions among both the the men and the women in the group. It was quite frankly gut wrenching and caused a great deal of reflection on what it meant to give your all for the gospel. The exercise was designed to test us under extreme stress and to face our worst fears. Mission accomplished. What it did for us personally was to look at ourselves and answer the question are we in fact to willing to risk undue hardship, persecution and death in essence risk it all to share the eternal gospel to a dying hostile world. The answer is Yes!!!