Progress...

We were able to get a couple more weeks (that is, one more now) to work on the initial New Program Proposal, since one of the key people who will need to see it is out of town. That's great because it seems to take me awhile to find the right words to put things in... and I don't want to leave anything key out of it. Also, while the proposal itself isn't so complicated to write, the process really helps me wrap my mind around the larger principles of what is best for this kind of educational expansion. Even though it's easy to get wrapped up in this particular goal (online ICCD!) - and I do - I'm using also it to refine my vision for what ought to happen globally in higher education. And the best way to do that is to look at the needs and talk to some key players in those areas of need, globally. For instance: the fight against human trafficking. I'm thrilled to be making some amazing connections in these areas and having some great conversations about how this kind of education can affect that particular big picture.

What's your take on this?

• When you think about things that can transform the world, how does education fit in?
• Who are the people who most need a program like International Care and Community Development in order to be more effective?
• What are the obstacles stopping them from being in the program? (Any besides the obvious - money, accredited education, and language?)
• What creative solutions can you think of to these issues?
• How might social entrepreneurship provide answers to these issues - starting with finances for students? How could a program like ICCD really work that in from the beginning?

Crunch time!

We have set a timeline of just a week and a half for my New Program Proposal form to be written - and we've brushed aside the clutter of half a dozen less-important pieces of research that could have fed into it, but needn't for now... Yay! Thank You Lord... I am nervous that after all I may not have done enough real research to write yet. Both audience (intended student market) and product have been like a moving target at times! Talking with Professor Barry Otterholt today I realized that these two affect each other: the product must be adapted to fit the audience/market, but the audience/market may change to fit the newly created product as well.

Who is our ultimate market/audience? For whom we are creating an online ICCD anyway?

For the development-minded leaders who really are in a place to make a difference... all over the world... and for those they can bless through their work done right: creatively, humbly, with cultural competence, critical thinking, and attention to issues of justice.

And for those they can bless. For those who need empowerment. For those who would otherwise be harmed by development or mission done poorly. For those are suffering. For those who can rise up and empower others tomorrow.

So Lord, I pray that you would strengthen my hands in order to write these words and to wisely organize the related tasks… and to do this for you... and I pray for the students who need a perspective change and a paradigm shift in order to be transformed and to become transformational leaders within cultures, and to do the kind of work that brings wholeness into a culture, a church, a city, or a country… Please bless the work of my hands Lord (and the sacrifice of these rare sunny days!) – do a good work through me in this project and let it be for you… something that accomplishes on earth the things that are truly important to you. Fill me with your Spirit and the joy of your Spirit and the creativity of your Spirit (ha – and the efficiency of your Spirit!) in this work. I love you Lord! Amen.