One of the challenges of being a missionary is training nationals to do the work and releasing the ministry into their hands.  We are in a crucial phase right now of  getting ready to hand over several ministry projects to people we have been training.

One of these transitions has already taken place.  The radio program recording and editing work that I have been doing for the last three and half years is now in the hands of a worker by the name of Ivan.  This was not too difficult to let go as it was never something I wanted to do full time anyway.  Ivan is starting from a better position than when I started.  He comes with experience and a solid grasp on computer and audio work.  I am available to help out if Ivan and Ab get into a bind but judging by the way things are going I don’t think they will be calling for my help much.

Another area that we are turning over is the Bible correspondence course program.  I have been training several part time volunteers to handle the data entry, copy room and mail room tasks.  I’ve also trained one young man to help with the graphic design for course and CD covers.  It will take a few more months but we should be completely phased out of this ministry by mid spring.

Another ministry that we helping to start and working on handing off is the community center in Malaga (Centro Cultural Luz).  In this ministry we have one key person that we are working with in the hopes that he will become the new director/coordinator.  He is a Spaniard by the name of Antonio.  Right now he is only part time but we are hoping to raise some funding to be able to hire him full time.  He has a great gifting set for the job and I am convinced that he will do a great job if we can find a way to have him supported.  He has a family with one young son and other child on the way.

The web based ministry that I have been working with as part of the ministry here in Malaga is also going to be handed over to nationals.  At the moment we are exploring several options that would simplify the work and bring it more into line with some of the trends on the internet.  Specifically we are experimenting with some of the tools used in blogging, podcasting, videoblogging, online forums etc.

So are you wondering yet what we will be doing if we hand over all our current work load to others?

The truth of the matter is that we will be bring our time in Malaga to a close in about six months and will be returning to Madrid.  In Madrid we will be starting a new ministry based on the many lessons that we have learned during our four years in Malaga.  In the next post I will go into greater detail about what our preliminary plans are for the next phase in Madrid.