This is a workshop to prepare (or in some cases - refresh) families for work in a cross cultural environment. It is operated by a team from Andrews University, USA.It was a very rewarding three weeks covering topics such as Third Culture Kids, culture shock, language, conflict resolution, IDE policies, serving in a mission environment, stress management, communication, learning more about ourselves with temperaments and self assessment, learning more about each of our countries and of course sharing stories and laughs together.
There were people from all over the world.
On our table there were Cherie and Elde (Phillipines (been in Afghanistan for four years) to Malawi in the medical field), Edith and Sohail (Pakistan to The Gambia in finance field) and us (Australia to Nepal with ADRA) It may not be obvious to all why we called our group the IED's...
Greg and Sue (USA to Thailand) and Eric and Francois (Switzerland in Bangladesh, Administration. Actually this couple had been serving overseas for 38 years! The record for serving before attending IWM!). Their table were called the 'Young Methusela's'.
Karl (USA to Thailand in education) was a great trumpet player and an excellent story teller. Karl telling a story at the banquet.
Ken and Gizelle (Canada to Guam in pharmacy field) were one of many excellent singers.
Leif and Patrizia (Finland to Lebanon in education administration) are presenting gifts to the facilitators L to R Enid, Cheryl and Wagner at the final agape dinner. Eric is sitting on the left.
Chanmin and Sukyoung (Korea to Lebanon in media production) were great fun, photographer and singer extraordinaire 
Marco and Virginia (Colombia but have been in Thailand for 5 years) are going to Pakistan in IT field.
Sima, Brankica and their daughter Ana (see teen group) from Serbia (Canada) are going to Georgia.
There were a couple of other ADRA families that we got to know as good friends.
Jair and Hanlie with Joshua and Isabella (South Africa to Thailand with ADRA, although they have been in Mozambique)
Michael and Angela with their daughters Lisa and Johanna (Germany to Mali, although have lived in Morocco before)
The girls had their own program with some lovely new friends (Moon and Lisa) and Miss Enid and Raene to help.
While we were in Chiang Mai it was Songkran, Thai New Year. It involves a country wide water fight for two of three days. The kids had to get involved.
Even the little kids had a program, with very dedicated group of ladies who looked after them.
There was also a teen group that had their program too. Here they are presenting an item at the talent night, with Vernita introducing them. Martha, Ana, Johanna and Amos.
At the talent night all the families had to do an item... what to do as Aussies? So we acted out "Give me a home among the gum trees" 
"Veranda out the front and an old rocking chair" - Mazz
Two guys from General Conference visited to help us out with policy issues and questions, Jose and Claude. Here they are with the Awoniyi family (Nigeria to Zimbabwe in education) and Karl... after the talent night banquet.
There was great food at the Park Hotel. Sunny Rafi had his 6th birthday there.
On the last Friday night we had an Agape Meal. Very Special memories, especially Cherie and Virginia singing Via Delorosa. Thank you both. 
The best memories were of friendships made, leesons learned and a new found passion for working in Nepal.
Glad you introduced a little bit of Australia to them all! You guys are awesome!
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