Dear supportive & praying friends,

With the first quarter of 2010 already behind us, it's time to update you on life with the Borthwicks, ministry through Development Associates (and beyond), and some of the challenges ahead. Because this letter might be a little longer than usual, we'll start with an overview.

SYNOPSIS: in the paragraphs that follow, you'll find…

• Updated comments on the Borthwick SCHEDULE ahead
• An explanation of some new responsibilities for Christie & Paul in DAI STAFF DEVELOPMENT
• A word about STUDENTS & the lives we get to affect through DAI teaching as well as teaching at Gordon College, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
• A report and update from SRI LANKA and the DAI relationship with Lanka Bible College
• And a request for help in developing our financial SUPPORT

SCHEDULE: we sent out our most recent prayer calendar earlier in April, and this gives you a basic idea of where we are investing ourselves; you can find this at www.borthwicks.org/calendar.php. The BIG trips ahead include:

• MAY: Colombia Pastors' Training
• JUNE: DAI International Leadership Team meetings in Cairo, Egypt
• JULY: Teaching in the DAI MA program in India
• SEPTEMBER: Teaching in the DAI MA program in Nigeria
• ?? JULY: A leadership training ministry in Grenada is in discussion – and we'll write to request prayer if this comes to pass.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT @ DAI: one of the greatest challenges we face together in 2010 is our work on a plan to assist in the ongoing development of our DAI team around the world. We (DAI) are committed to being a LEARNING organization, but learning together - especially as a 'virtual' organization – takes work, initiative, and encouragement.

We're working on this in conjunction with our President, Jane Overstreet, and the other members of the DAI team who bring experiences from around the world as well as expertise in technology. We hope to build on our past experiences caring for missionaries, our training in counseling & spiritual direction, and our exposure to many other ministries globally to develop a plan to help our widely distributed, multi-cultural team (more than two-dozen cultures in a relatively small organization) to build up DAI team members in three areas:

1. Connectedness: so that we can feel more a part of each other's lives.
2. Care: so that we can be more supportive of each other – especially for those who serve in isolated places.
3. And Challenge: so that – as a learning organization – we can exhort each other to maintain a healthy growing edge through reading, sharing resources, and encouraging new thinking.

Our hope is to develop a plan – including ideas, better use of technology, and agreeing together on goals – to present to the DAI staff team when we meet in October in Capetown, South Africa before the Lausanne 3 Conference.

STUDENTS: the first four months of each calendar year provides a great opportunity for investment in younger lives and in other leaders. 2010 began with the conclusion of papers and then the Final Exam of Nepali students in the DAI MA program. In March, Paul introduced the DAI Course "Culture, Ethnicity, & Diversity" in Sri Lanka (see below), and April includes preparation time to introduce the DAI "Spiritual Formation" course in Colombia in May.

In addition to these and other non-formal mentoring relationships for both of us, Winter/Spring 2010 has included teaching one course on preparing for cross-cultural service at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (10 students) as well as teaching three courses in the "Global Christianity" concentration at Gordon College (81 students). What an AMAZING privilege to get to invest in these lives!

SRI LANKA REPORT: in March – before teaching the week-long "Culture, Ethnicity, and Diversity" course – Paul joined Dr. Sam Thomas (DAI Ministry Center Director from India) to discuss with the leaders of Lanka Bible College (LBC) an official agreement which will result in DAI partnering with LBC to offer the M.A. in Organizational Leadership. A few remaining fine-point details are being worked out, but if all goes as planned, the official MA at LBC will launch in early 2011. Obviously, we are thrilled with this outcome because we have grown to care for & love many Sri Lanka leaders since our first visit in 1996 (since then, Paul has visited Sri Lanka 9 times, Christie 5), and now the partnership-in-training at LBC will become official. Here's the March 2010 class:

Other Sri Lanka highlights included:

• Visits with former LBC students who are pastoring or teaching now in Sri Lanka
• A student who wrote, "This was the most un-boring class I've ever taken." J
• Personal time with long-term friends Ajith Fernando and Adrian de Visser.
• Having Prashan de Visser (Adrian's son & Gordon College graduate) come speak to the class about "Sri Lanka Unites" – a youth-led, peace-building multi-faith initiative bringing together younger leaders (Buddhist, Hindu, Moslem, Christian) to work towards 'a new Sri Lanka.'
• A student who wrote that the DAI "Culture, Ethnicity, & Diversity" course has "helped me make many changes in my thinking towards those who are culturally & religiously different – in my own culture!"
• An older leader in transition who wrote "Thanks for meeting with me. I think I will come to regard my conversation with you as a pivotal event in fashioning this new chapter in my life."

SUPPORT: it's been quite a while since we've mentioned our financial support other than in passing, but here are a few significant updates:

• Like almost every ministry, DAI has experienced reductions in donations over the past two years, and – though all of our team (including us) have adjusted budgets to stay within income – ministry opportunities are sometimes forfeited.
• Our personal support (which includes salary, some benefits, over $18,000 for medical insurance, administration, and virtually ALL of our international travel) has been adequate, but looking ahead, we realize that it's time to intensify our financial support team.
• To our existing regular donors: THANK YOU! Your faithfulness has helped us maintain a freedom to serve. In 2010:
  • Would you consider encouraging someone else to join our support team?
  • And/or would you consider increasing the support you give monthly, quarterly, or annually?
• To our occasional donors: THANK YOU! Every year we've been amazed at the way special gifts have contributed to our overall needs! In 2010:
  • Would you consider becoming regular donors – monthly, quarterly, or annually?
• To others receiving this e-letter: we are grateful for your interest, but in 2010:
  • Would you consider joining our financial support team through DAI?

SUMMARY: Thanks for taking the time to read this. We deeply value your prayers and – as noted – we consistently need your financial support. If you'd like to join us in financial partnership, tax-deductible contributions (designated "Borthwick Support") can be made online at http://www.daintl.org click "Donate" & follow the directions or checks can be made payable and sent to:

Development Associates International
P.O. Box 49278
Colorado Springs, CO 80949

Gratefully,

Paul & Christie