Bari Special Training - August 2013

August 5, 2013

Last time we had zone conference, we met with the combined Bari and Taranto zones.  This time around, we chose to split the two groups and meet with them separately.  It's time consuming and expensive to have the missionaries travel great distances to meetings.  In an ideal mission, the missionaries wouldn't have to travel very far, but the Italy Rome Mission is a huge mission.  We find ourselves on the road more than we are at home.  When we are at home, we bring the missionaries in to the villa as much as possible.

During one six week period, we have traditional zone conferences and President Waddoups interviews each of the missionaries.  During the next six week period, we have what is called Specialized Training.  We concentrate on areas that missionaries seem to need specific help in.

This round, we are talking about specific ways to help them do "Finding", or ways to reach out to others to help them "Come Unto Christ".  We did role playing to help them feel comfortable using a pamphlet to introduce the gospel concepts.  Role playing amongst themselves really helps them be prepared to do the same thing on the street.  They are quite tentative the first time they practice something, but after three or four times practicing it, they feel much more comfortable and you can see and hear the difference in their approach.

Another finding tool we are really excited about is a new way to teach English.  It's called Daily Dose and gives the missionaries poster boards, handouts, and an outline of what lessons to teach.  We are really excited about being able to use this new program.  We are the first international mission to use it. If it's as successful as we think it will be, it could be used in many more areas in the future.  The areas that have been doing the pilot program are super excited.  Missionaries who have no experience aren't quite as excited yet, but we're positive they will be once they actually try it.  We are delivering it to each companionship during our Specialized Training and it will go into effect on September 1.