Praying Pelican Mission Staff Retreat / Summer Trip Preparation

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I recently copied and pasted an old blog that I kept during the summer of 2007. '07 was my second summer being on staff with Praying Pelican missions. I believe I was a part of six or seven mission trips in Belize. I wanted to import the post but could not remember the login information for my old account- no surprise. I hope to post frequently throughout the summer of 2009, updating friends and family on my work in Jamaica.
During the first weekend in May Praying Pelican Missions held their spring staff conference in Shakopee, MN. There were probably about forty PPM staff at the conference, while we have nearly fifty five on staff as a whole. I had the chance to meet quite a few new staff members, including those who will be a part of my leadership teams this summer in Jamaica. It was great to be able to meet new leaders and see some old faces. We spent plenty of time singing worship songs and fellowshipping, going through training sessions led by our full time PPM staff, hearing from our president and my cousin Matt Pfingsten, socializing and playing games.
Over the course of the past weeks i've been preparing for seven mission trips to Jamaica this summer, this includes working with about ten different pastors or what we call "Group Leaders". My trip preparation includes:
  • Organizing logistics such as lodging, transportation, meals, specific ministries, finances, and recreation.
  • Communicating with our host pastors and our group leaders
  • Working with part time leadership staff of PPM
  • Setting goals and clarifying the purpose of our mission trip

The work of setting up seven mission trips takes up the majority of my time. I'm looking forward to heading down to Jamaica and diving into the ministry which i've long been preparing for. God is going to do great things through our teams and ministry this summer. I'm reminded of one of my group leader's for this summer who said, "We don't want to be a thorn in your side." That's my goal this summer, that genuine relationships are created and fueled and that our teams have successful trips that are highly effective from all aspects of ministry and relationships.

I leave for North Carolina to see my brother and his family on May 29th. I'll be there until June 2nd, when I fly to Jamaica. My first trip will take place in Westmoreland, west of Montego Bay. Until next time- Jon.

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