International Children's Education Orientation (ICO)

 In preparation to support Bible translation as School Librarian with the Field Education System (home schooled, village based families) program and Parent Run School in Yaounde, Cameroon, I received ICO training June 19-24, 2011 at the Dallas International Linguistics Center. What a blessing this week and the people are to my journey!

ICO is presented by  International Children’s Education  (iCHED) who shares resources, supports families and teachers overseas. This week-long orientation helps prepare us for our assignments with missionary kids/third culture kids (MKs/TCKs).

Topics included: Teaching Overseas, Dynamics of Family Issues; Education, and Care; Cultural Differences in MK Education; Integrating Faith, Culture, and Academics; TCK Profile and MK Issues; Children in Crisis; Language Acquisition; Preparing MKs for Re-entry; Clarifying Beliefs and Values about MK Education; Child Safety, and more ...

First evening team exercise, one of many similar to reality shows; we debriefed each exercise for application to missions. .

Dessert Fellowship in home of former Cameroon missionary family.  Learned so much about specific life in assigned country - including important do's and don'ts.

Mystery Trip: Simulated unexpected airport stop in country not familiar with -  learned  about overcoming traveling obstacles. I was pick-pocketed; glad that happened in a pretend exercise...I will be more careful in the real travel.

Africa bound: Teachers and librarians with assignments in various countries of Africa.

Communion and Commission: Prayer for missionaries bound for Africa.

"Soul Journers" small group share song we created to summarize some of the day's concepts - a fun interactive technique for review.