Gazing outside the window of our thirteenth-floor room, gray hazy views limited visibility to the downtown Chicago skyline. Faint burning smells permeated the inside of our room. Morning television news anchors declared, “Worst air quality in the world today!” Melanie, Elle and I were present in Chicago, IL on that day as Canadian wildfires raged. Chicagoans continued life under the smokey-dimmed sunlit skies.
Last month, Melanie and I were invited to XTrack 2023. Chicago hosted Cru’s cross-cultural training for our International Staff going abroad. Melanie and I attended XTrack 2013 with our three older kids. The instruction we received prepared my family for our time abroad in South Africa. A decade later, XTrack leadership asked us to co-lead the 2nd week of this five-week training. Twelve years, my family lived abroad reaching different people groups with the gospel of Jesus Christ, but with some trepidation we accepted the invite to instruct the XTrack 2023 participants on how to learn their new worlds.
South America, North Africa, Middle East, and Europe were the ministry destinations thirty-six individuals decided to live uncomfortable lives. Melanie and I taught over the course of three days while Elle engaged with the MK2MK program. Elle enjoyed her time with other missionary kids learning life lessons. She repotted a plant, and hers is doing well.
“Missions, Theology, Power & Colonization,” “Ethnic, Cultural and Racial Identity,” and “Honoring Cultural Differences,” were the seminars we led during our time at XTrack. It was difficult to discuss modern missions’ mishaps, but a pleasure sharing Paul’s missionary heart. Participants heard how everyone was created in the image of God, and in desperate need of the Savior. They self-examined to address prejudices that may be smoldering in their hearts, which could hinder their evangelism and discipleship efforts. It was a great time of reflection.
After each training, Elle explored “The Windy City” with us. As we discovered Chicago landmarks and parks, bright gray skies provided an eerie backdrop. I knew blue skies were beyond the foreign smoke, however, everyone only saw the filtered sunlight from gray skies.
My desire teaching the XTrack missionaries was to help them create more welcoming and inclusive environments at their ministry assignments. This will help them be more effective building relationships and sharing the gospel with locals. Because foreign smoke hinders one from seeing the blue skies of the gospel.
Sincerely,
Leon Best
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