What perspective should I take towards missions training?
What types of training should I consider?
Can I become a missionary if I don’t want to learn another language?
» more related questionsQ: What training for missions should I get to serve people with special needs?
A: Consider social work
There are endless skills needed for working with crisis situations – but one person doesn’t need to have them all! Perhaps you are aware of the handbooks I have developed on various aspects of children in crisis: war, sexual exploitation, street children, etc.
There are some basic areas of study all should have as well as areas of specific interests and expertise one brings into a project. One does need to understand trauma issues and its impact on children developmentally—socially (including discipline, attachment, boundaries), spiritually, intellectually and emotionally. That first requires an understanding of normal, healthy childhood.
A degree in social work (at least in most programs I know) is better suited to trauma care than psychological programs. It is hard to define, but the Western psychological approaches generally aren’t helpful for crisis care. They rely on formal methods of measurements, testing, etc. Trauma care, however, depends more on observation (a child’s play, emotional responses, etc.); observation often is the main key in determining trauma. Counseling courses can be very helpful. Social work should also give one the skills needed for project development. In any program there are three aspects of need to address: children, projects and the caregivers. Caregivers often need care, too, due to the stresses and demands of crisis care.
Other areas that are needed in projects, according to one’s interest and/or expertise could include: vocational training skills, sports/play therapies, non-formal education, medical, music therapy, etc.
There are some basic areas of study all should have as well as areas of specific interests and expertise one brings into a project. One does need to understand trauma issues and its impact on children developmentally—socially (including discipline, attachment, boundaries), spiritually, intellectually and emotionally. That first requires an understanding of normal, healthy childhood.
A degree in social work (at least in most programs I know) is better suited to trauma care than psychological programs. It is hard to define, but the Western psychological approaches generally aren’t helpful for crisis care. They rely on formal methods of measurements, testing, etc. Trauma care, however, depends more on observation (a child’s play, emotional responses, etc.); observation often is the main key in determining trauma. Counseling courses can be very helpful. Social work should also give one the skills needed for project development. In any program there are three aspects of need to address: children, projects and the caregivers. Caregivers often need care, too, due to the stresses and demands of crisis care.
Other areas that are needed in projects, according to one’s interest and/or expertise could include: vocational training skills, sports/play therapies, non-formal education, medical, music therapy, etc.
A: On-the-job training; just reach out!
Spending time with the people God has already placed around you is number one. I believe we have opportunities daily to serve those who need special assistance. Look around and and take note, your mission field is all around you! You can get on-the-job training, because ultimately our first job is to love one another. Just respond to the need at hand, God will work through your compassionate heart (He gave it to you) with this purpose in mind.
So help that parent with a special needs child. Give the much needed break. Befriend that special needs adult and treat them to a special dinner out with you. Make them feel useful, needed, accepted by giving them some responsibility they can handle, or just spend time with them. God will redeem that time and use it as your training ground.
So help that parent with a special needs child. Give the much needed break. Befriend that special needs adult and treat them to a special dinner out with you. Make them feel useful, needed, accepted by giving them some responsibility they can handle, or just spend time with them. God will redeem that time and use it as your training ground.
