From this point on it's going to be difficult, because I have to go largely by memory and what scattered pieces of written information I have. This first part isn't so crucial, but eventually details will be pretty important, so I'll do my best to recreate what happene
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So we left off that I had decided to apply to go with European Christin Mission. I was accepted to their orientation, which was just the first step in the process and was not a guarantee that I would be accepted (or, I suppose, I could also have at that point not to proceed). I think I also mentioned that that week-long orientation took place June 1985.
I mentioned here that one political/economic jab at Communist countries, but other than that (which I may not have thought much of at the time, anyway, actually) I really liked what I saw and I liked the people and the spirit of the organization.
I guess it was pretty much what you'd expect in that kind of a situation. There were 12 of us applicants, including some couples, all interested in different parts of the mission's operation. Our formal classroom-type sessions included such topics as: Bible study, European studies, cultural adjustments, church planting, strategy, religions, mission structure, and finances, for example, all of which we were tested on. We also had social events and individual meetings with the leadership, where we could get to know each other better and discuss relevant topics of interest.
It was actually a very busy time and went by quickly. There were a couple other things about this time that might bear noting here.
The first one is a little ironic and only indirectly actually relates to the mission, something that happened on my way to the orientation. To get to the orientation I had to cross the Canadian border. Now you understand, this isn't supposed to be like going through Check Point Charlie or leaving the USSR escorted by gun-toting border patrol in the middle of the night. But here I was trying to get into Canada with a passport and whatever other ID they might request... and, oh no! Christian literature! Yes, I had difficulties entering Canada when my stacks of Christian literature was discovered in my trunk. Believe you me, I never expected this kind of thing, but there I was having to argue with a border guard because I had too much Christian literature. Maybe Canada is in need of missionaries more than Europe.
The issue was that when this literature was discovered I was asked what it was for, so I told him I was going to an orientation. So he locked onto that and asked if it was a school or if it was for work, and I really got the nth degree on that one. At least in Germany (West) I could be a student there for 89 days or less and not have to have a visa, but 7 days in Canada is enough to warrant a lot of suspicion. I eventually got through the border, though, literature intact.
The other thing was that during my turn having a private meeting with the leadership one thing I do remember mentioning is how I had so arduously looked around to select them and I'm afraid I did mention a few things about SGA, although I can't remember what exactly I said. Generally speaking, in job interviews (which this was sort of, if you think about it) you shouldn't knock previous employers. I think the point in me bringing that up, though, was not so much to knock SGA (and what about all those horrid responses - or non-responders - to my questionnaire!) but to express my desire to make sure I find a mission that shares my values and approach to missions.
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I'm going to quote from my human rights report again (a lot of what I wrote was mainly background information as a lead up to the main "human rights" issues):
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During Candidates' Course we had "lessons" introducing us to the mission and European missions (ECM works in many countries in West Europe... as well as in Eastern Europe). We also had opportunities to use the skills we might need in working with ECM... Generally a decision would be made as to acceptance for work with the mission and specific assignment by the end of the week.
During a couple of meetings with board members (formal & informal meetings) I was honest when asked about why I wasn't pursuing work with SGA. I think this reputation followed me to Vienna. It's one thing to avoid spilling genuine 'professional' secrets, it's another to be required to be quiet in the face of unethical dealings. Many evangelizal ministries, especially non-denominational or interdenominational ones are really under no ecclesiastical authority - are not accountable to anyone. Therefore it is not difficult to see ow such organizations could easily go awry and be undetected as such for some time...
These issues that I discussed with the Board members I had long since discussed with people at SGA, including one talk I had (I requested it) with Peter Deyneka, Jr. I got no indication that there was any intention on their part to change, but they wanted to (evidently) keep these matters secret.
At the end of Candidates' Course I was told that since I had gotten my application in late they couldn't give me an answer right away. Later, I learned that the BEE Board, Ester European Council (of ECM) and ECM's International Board of Directors all had to meet at their appointed times to make a decision regarding my application.
I didn't learn until 5 months later that I was accepted to work with [the composite mission in Vienna] as the assistant director's secretary for a 2-year term. During those 5 months I lived with my parents and worked as a bookkeeper.
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I'll leave off there for now. I'll take you through my deputation time (right up to before I leave for Vienna) and then we'll look at another file before starting in on my time in Vienna.
Good night!
~ Meg
