Is it possible it’s only been a week since Residents arrived? What a week it has been! We are all tired from the packed days of orientation and the emotional weight of hearing everyone’s stories- the challenges, the victories, the goals. It is the best kind of tired - the kind that knows God is at work in mighty ways and we can trust in him completely. 

Check out this video of the residents first two days, complete with Get-to-know you activities, Home-church, Intro to East Mountain, and the Welcome Braai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUS9gqAYJzc.

After that fun and full weekend, Residents had the first of their daily group Bible studies Monday morning. Over the next 15 weeks, we will read key passages of every book of the Bible with them (and watch several Bible Project videos) to get a feel for the overarching story of scripture. We went through an orientation to residency and admin items, and then Michael led them in a Bible Overview workshop. The Bible Overview  looks at the overall theme and story of scripture focusing on how God worked through covenants to redeem mankind back to him and God being glorified in the process. Participants do interactive activities as they discover this theme from Genesis to Revelation. 

On Tuesday, Residents had their first Spiritual Formation class. Our weekly Spiritual Formation sessions lay a foundation for a life of growing intimacy with Christ. Residents learn about prayer, spiritual disciplines, and practices to help them grow in self awareness. Through the process, we hope they discover more deeply who God is and who they are so they can better join Him in His work in this world. Tuesday afternoon Residents and mentors met as a group to discuss what mentoring is and then divided into their mentor/mentee pairs to have an introductory session. 

On Wednesday, Residents went to their first weekly Theology class. East Mountain partners with Hope Training Institute for our Theology courses. Hope is geared towards helping anyone interested in Bible teaching ministry. The three elements include: Interactive training, practice with feedback, and encouraging relationships. The curriculum covers interpretation of Scripture specific to genres, Biblical theology through an overview of the Old and New Testaments, and topical workshops that are foundational and contextually relevant such as “systematic vs. Biblical theology,” “What is the Gospel?,” or “Sin.” In addition, they are taught how to do both Bible studies and Bible talks and given the opportunity to prepare and lead these in small groups and receive feedback and input.

On Thursday Caleb led a Budget workshop and residents had the opportunity to begin considering how they will manage their money for this term, and even beyond East Mountain, after discussing it through a biblical lens of generosity and stewardship and a practical lens of leadership best practices.

On Friday our Resident Leadership team consisting of Caleb, Sharon and Marisa, checked in on each resident individually to see how they were doing, process the week, provide any wisdom or resources or prayer that they were needing, and encourage each of them. They have all been doing such a great job coming out of comfort zones, taking in a lot of new information, dealing with many people and emotions, and doing it all with joy and gratefulness and eagerness to grow.

On Saturday they got to have some much-deserved fun taking the "Red Bus" around Cape Town on a scavenger hunt together and enjoying the Waterfront. Each evening this week they have also been eating dinner at a different staff house and hearing their testimonies and the Residents have been inspired to share their own stories with each other so as to build team unity and understanding. They've been asking great questions and making connections between the testimonies, lessons and scripture.

Overall, we are praising God for such great conversations and the beginnings of some deep relationships and transformations. We are also looking forward to next week, especially with ministry partnerships starting up! Please pray for our Residents as they begin this journey that these amazing attitudes of eagerness to grow and compassion for each other would continue and that God would meet each of them where He wants to and lead them on the right path.