Fusion Update!

IT'S OVER!!!

Well its over!  The first semester of Fusion has come to an end.  It's hard to believe that four months could pass so quickly...   

To think that, WAY back in August, a group of kids who had never met each other before would grow into such an amazing family sharing so many unique experiences. From their rude awakening at 4:00 AM on the first day of Ground School to hiking above twelve thousand feet in Colorado. From traveling five thousand miles across the USA in Public Transportation and being stranded in the mountains of Alabama for a 48 hour survival experience, to being held hostage by “terrorists” in Contingency Training. What amazing experiences these young people have shared together. No one would have ever believed so much could be crammed into such a short amount of time. 

 
Most of all, the Gospel was shared over 300 times by these young people! We can even report that we were able to see our first Somali Muslim bend his knee and surrender his heart to Jesus Christ thanks to the faithful witness of these “kids”!

I am so proud of these Candidate's commitment to study to show themselves approved workmen unto Christ Jesus; They have studied and memorized the Word of God in preparation for travel to the nations. They have also worked tirelessly to learn foreign language, culture, church planting, and personal leadership excellence. Not bad for four months work!

Finally, I must say that my hat is off to the Cadre of Fusion Class 2009-2010. For starters, breaking in a new director is never easy. Shawn Branscum distinguished himself as he took the reins of leadership and proved without a shadow of a doubt that he is God’s man for the job and a truly exemplary leader. 

The Advocates: what an overworked and underpaid group of people! These individuals exemplify the words “personal sacrifice.”  Their hard work leading their cohorts, as well as ministering personally to the needs of their candidates,  has set the example for others to follow. Andrew, Anne, Caroline, Chris, Erik, Jason, and Rebekah;  I would be honored to serve under your leadership anytime. WELL DONE!!!

 As these candidates prepare for the next phase of their journey, please join us in prayer as we beseech the Lord’s protection over these young workers and that He would make the harvest plentiful as they serve the Lord of the Harvest around the world; So Others May hear... And Live

 May God richly bless you this Christmas and see you next year!

In Christ, 
Scott Brawner

Contingency Training

Contingency went really well. It is a shame that we have to train "m's" that way today, but I praise God that we have the means available to prepare in this way. 

It was as difficult for the leadership to put the candidates through this as it was for them to go through it. 

We finished a week long training event that included lots of classroom time focusing on risk management, abatement and mitigation, and training for certain contingencies. We also went through an evasion course and learned how to survive in difficult situations. 

The candidates were pushed to the limit, but learned developed a learned hopefulness through this limited, graded experience. 

We are so proud of all of them and wish everyone a wonderful Advent and celebration of the New Year. Enjoy your break together. 

Warpath II

Public Transportation training went well! Candidates traveled across the United States from St. Louis to Chicago, Little Rock to New Orleans, Richmond to Birmingham, and everywhere in between! Planes, trains, busses, and even a paddy wagon were the different modes of transport the kids used over a five day period. Most of all, the Gospel was shared by the kids across the USA with on gentleman accepting Christ as his Savior!

The last three days found everyone meeting in Birmingham, Alabama for the final 48 hour experience; a survival exercise putting to the test what the kids learned in their wilderness survival course. The candidates were dropped off in their country groups with the word that their airplane had crashed in “enemy territory!” Armed with whatever they had on their backs, the kids had to follow a specific “evasion route” (read: we made them walk 20 miles overland through a state park taking pictures of lakes, waterfalls, mountain tops, cliffs, etc…) for two days as they made it to the final pick-up area. Upon reaching the finish line, we celebrated with a bonfire and hotdog and marshmallow roast. 

 

I cannot tell you how important training like this is to the kids. They may not know it now but interfacing different modes of transportation is critically important internationally. Also of great importance is knowing what to do when flights are canceled and re-booking becomes necessary (as several of our kids learned the hard way during the training…). These little hassles pay great dividends when you know how to respond proactively during travel snafus.

I have heard it said that wisdom comes from learning from mistakes and mistakes come from lack of experience. Well it this case, perhaps these kids will have the “Wisdom of Solomon” when it comes to travel (and navigating the many roads of life). Time will tell!

Colorado

Colorado was an amazing experience!  Candidates were challenged and pushed out their comfort zone as they hiked and camped over 12,000 feet above sea level. Most of all we watched as the cohorts came even closer together as each candidate worked hard to ensure that everyone made it to the top of the mountain.

A very special thank you must be given to Larry Dramann, Senior Pastor of East Boulder Baptist Church and his son Aaron, Fusion Alum 2009, for their hard work hosting forty Fusion folks at their church AND putting together such a beautiful and amazing hiking experience in the Sangre de Christo Mountains in Southeastern Colorado.  

Public Transportation Training is underway! During Public Transportation Training One, candidates travel around the Kansas City area putting to use the navigation skills they have learned over the past several weeks.  PTT 1 prepares each candidate for PTT 2 which is a five day, five thousand mile travel experience utilizing planes, trains, busses, and of course their feet! This training prepares candidates for the rigors of international travel and teaches them how to utilize and integrate different transportation networks similar to what they will encounter overseas. 

The end of October sees each candidate being stretched and strengthened as they take more and more responsibility for themselves and each other. Experiences like Public Transportation Training and other challenging opportunities compel candidates to push themselves to succeed and to make certain that everyone in their cohort succeeds as well. Training of this type ensures that trust is established between team members and proves the mettle of individual candidates as they prepare to journey to the other side of the world to proclaim Christ!

IMPORTANT!!!

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