What?  This course is basically missionary training for students interested in serving as missionaries later on in an international setting – both short and long term. Although not its main purpose, it will also prepare students to serve in cross-cultural settings in the United States.
 
This is both a classroom and travel course. We will meet once a week (75 minutes) throughout the semester and engage in important readings on missions through discussion and writing assignments. We will learn about biblical foundations of missions, fundraising, cross-cultural training, missionary survival 101, living & working bi-culturally, and other issues on the mission field. Then we will travel together to Africa for a three week learning/missions trip during which you will put your learning into practice by interviewing missionaries, analyzing local cultures, interacting with locals, carrying out service projects, journaling daily, etc.
 
An important goal of this course is that you intentionally embrace “vulnerability” as one of the keys to effective culture crossing ministry. For this reason we will visit rural French-speaking Africa where you will be challenged. You will be forced out of your comfort zone to at least briefly experience the world from a completely different perspective. You will be uncomfortable and vulnerable. And that’s where culture learning happens. Then we will ask the question: How can I communicate the Gospel in this radically different place where God has sent me?  
 
When?  Spring semester 2018 with travel to Africa: May 7-31 (approximate dates)
 
Where? Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Dapaong, Togo. (Note: This is NOT tourist Africa!)
 
Who? Ten students max with a waiting list of four students. Priority will be given to the applicant who is:

     - An active member in good standing of a Christian church (recommendation of pastor required)
     - Interested in serving as a missionary overseas, here in the States, or coordinating short term missions; especially interested in inter-cultural/global studies, anthropology,                  missiology, and mission leadership;
     - At least somewhat experienced in foreign travel and mission work;
     - Sensitive to other cultures and willing and open to learning other cultural norms;
     - In good health and able to endure the rough conditions of rural West Africa;
     - Comfortable with working with Lutheran missions and churches in Africa (though do not have to be Lutheran);

Note: Ability to speak French will prove very helpful, but is not required. 

How Much? Total costs = $2,750. This does not include textbooks, immunizations, and personal expenses while in Africa (souvenirs, occasional meals/snacks, etc.). It does include airfare and group expenses in Africa. It also includes a $250 donation per student towards the support of a mission project on the mission field that we visit (to be selected from a given list of projects in consultation with missionaries on the field).
 
All mission work involves raising support – both prayer and financial – and you will be expected to raise your own support network. We will go over fundraising strategies, raising prayer partners, reporting back to sending churches, etc. Although it’s not required, we would like every student to raise the total amount and pay nothing out of pocket.
 
Deadlines?      Application due:                     Sept 1, 2017
                        Initial Deposit ($750) due:      Sept 30, 2017
                        Full Payment ($2000) due:     Dec 1, 2017
 
How do I find out more information? Please contact:  Samuel Fluegge        samuel.fluegge@eagles.cui.edu
                                                                             Abigail Fluegge          abigail.fluegge@eagles.cui.edu
                                                                             Glenn Fluegge           glenn.fluegge@cui.edu