World Concern Country Managers Meetings
For two weeks World Concern hosts an annual meeting for the country directors here in Seattle at CRISTA's Shoreline campus. It is a highlight of the year for me. The directors come from 16 different countries. I want you to have a taste of how this actually looks and feels. Prodip is a Bangladeshi who oversees 350 staff in Bangladesh. Christon is a Haitian who oversees staff in Haiti. Three Kenyans live in Nairobi, Kenya: Hesbone oversees the work in Kenya, Peter the work in Sudan, and Elias the efforts in Somalia. Fatima looks over the work in Bolivia. Ian is a New Zealander who leads the work in Laos and in Sri Lanka. Other individuals committed to leading World Concern efforts include Richard, the director of the Asia area; Robin, leading work in Vietnam; Chamba, who oversees progress in Tibet; Francis, Country Director for Laos; Diane, who leads World Concern efforts in Africa; Nick, the Deputy Relief Director; and Saranya, Manager of the Child Protection Program in Thailand.This is a little bit like heaven to me. These people all speak several languages, are educated, articulate, and deeply spiritual leaders. You can feel the buzz daily as they have only two weeks to talk together to encourage each other, to plan, and to pray together in order to gather courage for the work ahead in the next year. Their stories of God’s working through them in these difficult countries inspire and humble me. We spent every morning the first week working on what truly is the work of transformation ministry. How is it that we assist people to grow and develop spiritually, culturally, and systematically into truly self-sustainable countries? I am very proud and pleased to be associated with such quality people. They do make a huge difference in the world.
Last night Kathleen and I hosted all 40 of these leaders in our home for dinner. We ate, laughed, prayed, and encouraged each other. I wish you could have been there.
