Arrival in Torrington

I have finally arrived in Torrington, WY, have moved in to the new house I'm renting, and have successfully connected myself to the Internet, so that I may communicate with the outside world. All in all, a good setup.

In the time since I arrived (I actually got here on Sept 3, but it took a while to get everything set up), I have already attended a seminar at the nearby First Christian Church located in Wheatland, where I was invited to talk about the Insight Seminars. I need to thank Ken Smyth of Cross Cultural Connection for providing this opportunity. Ken is a great guy I was able to meet at an Insight Seminar in 2003, and has been a strong advocate on our behalf.  I encourage anyone interested in bible study to take a look at his Inductive Bible Study material. It is a great tool for critically examining and understanding the Bible. Ken has incorporated several Insight Seminar concepts into his approach, and I think the IBS method is a great way to approach the Bible without getting bogged down in other people's viewpoints or exegetical dogmatism. It is also simple enough for someone who is a newcomer to bible study to use while being robust enough for experienced theologians. Go check it out.

In addition to the unexpected speaking opportunities, I have been planning for my first trip to South Africa to present at least two seminars. Right now, we have a number of individuals and organizations interested in participating in the seminars, both from South Africa and Mozambique. Al Corson from Safari Insight Mission is hosting the seminars, and helping me with the logistical details. Current target date: sometime in March of 2011. Interest in the seminars in Africa is booming, as the local population see how seminar training can benefit local individuals and businesses, and excitement about what we can do is building. With any luck, March won't be my only trip to Africa next year! 

There isn't much else to report at the moment. I am spending time working, trying to unpack (my goal is a box a day), and helping out at Riverside Church of Christ, where our offices are being built. There have been a few delays on the construction, so I probably have at least another month or two before I can move into the office, but the church is letting me use another vacant room until everything is in place. I really have to thank everyone at Riverside, as they have been a great help while I've been settling in and they have made me feel very welcome.