The Caucuses

Living Conditions Climate Workers on the field live in a Georgia has all 4 seasons: Soviet block apartment with three bedrooms and a balcony. We get a little snow in the winter.

There is rain in the Spring. It can get to 90 degrees in summer.

Leaves change colors in the fall.

How to Dress Shorts are inappropriate for both men and women.

Many women wear knee-length skirts.

Men wear jeans and nicer shirts. Tank tops are somewhat immodest but not strictly prohibited.

Georgians wear whatever they want; Azeris are a bit more modest.

Georgian Culture

Georgia in many ways is like its neighbor Turkey. East meets the west here as well. Orthodox is the largest religion and Islam is secondary. Georgia is known for its wine, mineral water, cheese bread, meat dumplings and traditional Georgian dance. In the culture you can feel like you can easily relate while you see snippets of Arab and Indian culture mixed in.

Site Leaders

Unreached People Number of People Groups: 39 78.67% Christian People Groups unreached:15 (38.5%) 11.30% Muslim Total Population: 4,414,000 Unreached Population: 320,000 (7.2%) 9.58% Non-religious "Georgia :: Joshua Project." Georgia :: Joshua Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. .

Prayer

1. Following the Rose Revolution, economic and political progress treated in 2004 and helped lift the country out of some of its woes. Much of this progress was reversed in the August War of 2008, when Russian troops briefly occupied much of the country. Pray for an end to Russian belligerence, for peace to be established and for the economic situation to once again stabilize and make progress. 2. Inter-ethnic conflicts of the past decade within the autonomous regions have displaced nearly a quarter of a million people from homes and villages. Pray for effective witness of various church and agency personnel working among these struggling families; pray for provision of physical needs. 3. The Georgian Orthodox church which dating back to AD 150 faces Communist repression, infiltration and subversion bringing both martyrdom and compromise. Since Communism’s collapse and Georgian independence, many have returned to the Church of their ancestors. Some minority groups converted as well. For most Georgians, this is mostly an expression of nationalism and cultural identity, not a living spiritual faith. Pray for access to the Word of God, and that through it many find the truth of the Gospel. Pray also for renewal among Orthodox clergy. 4. The small Protestant Church struggled under Communism and, since independence, at the hands of some factions of the Orthodox Church. Pray for a relationship of mutual respect and understanding between the Orthodox and other church; pray that Protestant and Independent churches and believers might conduct themselves in Christ-like ways, even amid hostility. 5. Village unemployment/underemployment is nearly 100%. Pray for creative ideas for church meetings and outreach, and pray for God’s provision in the daily needs of pastors, and church members living in poverty. 6. The small but deeply divided evangelical community has taken significant steps toward unity and collaboration. Pray for a greater willingness among all churches to put aside their own plans and to work together for the benefit of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. 7. Young Georgians have lost interest in the Church, with a majority leaving during teenage years. Pray for churches to thoughtfully share the gospel with young people in relevant ways. 8. Pray for the spiritual need of ethnic minorities such as the Abkhazian, Jews, Kish, Mingrelians, and Svaneti people. Mandryk, Jason. "Georgia." Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation. 7th ed. N.p.: n.p., 2010. 355-58. Print.

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Ministry

English, music, sports, crafts classes/clubs at local community center.

Friendship evangelism,

Young Life Georgia,

Business, etc.

Language Learning

Azerbaijani or Russian are the languages here.

We will most likely have interns learn Azeri.

Transportation

The Bethany mission family has bought a car; (most likely interns will not raise funds for a car) But there are buses and vans called “Matshruka” that go from city to city. Taxis are very common since it’s just a dollar or two to travel within the city. But there is a lot of walking too. In Tbilisi there is a subway system.

Schedule

‣ You will take a variety of Bible and Cross-cultural communications courses, including Ethnographic Research, Local Area Schedule Religions, Evangelism and Discipleship in Context, James, Philippians, Ephesians, Galatians, Language Competency, ThisHistory will of thevery Region, because Local of Ministry different Study ministry Lab, Missionary opportunities. Life Practicum, Most weeksMinistry will Practicum, involve etc. personal devotions, study of language and culture, relationship building in the community, team meetings and ministry. ‣ All of your BGU classes will be primarily online, with some onsite group discussions/meetings. Practicum courses will be in-country.

Travel

Places in country such as: Mid internship two Mtskheta (the birthplace of Christianity in Georgia week break 4th century) Batumi, which is a coast city on the Black Sea, Mid internship retreat Svaneti, which is up in the mountains.

Debrief Retreat toward Out of Country Visa Renewal after 360 days: the end of internship Turkey with your site leaders

BGU Courses

‣ You will take a variety of Bible and Cross-cultural communications courses, including Ethnographic Research, Local Area Religions, Evangelism and Discipleship in Context, James, Philippians, Ephesians, Galatians, Language Competency, History of the Region, Local Ministry Study Lab, Missionary Life Practicum, Ministry Practicum, etc.

‣ All of your BGU classes will be primarily online, with some onsite group discussions/meetings. Practicum courses will be in-country.

Funds Accessibility Out of Pocket Costs

Ø There will be personal trips to Tbilisi, as well as a vacation for the two week break. ØThe budget includes basic needs; however, additional purchases (i.e. clothing, electronics, etc.) would be “out of pocket”. Most interns are able to live comfortably within the budget without challenge.

Culture Shock

Culture shock affects everyone differently. Learning a language and new culture can be very challenging. You can expect there will be times when you are uncomfortable, frustrated or emotional in ways that do not seem to fit the moment. Much of culture shock comes from a loss of identity and who you are in relating to the world around you. As you can imagine, moving to a new place, new culture and new language takes you through a time of not knowing how to relate to the world around you which causes a loss of identity, this brings up feelings we often call “culture shock”.

Testimony from Former Interns

Internship will be one of your greatest experiences you will have. The ability to live overseas instead of just visiting will give you cultural understandings you couldn’t have any other way. The cross-cultural relationships will make you into a more rounded more flexible and more understanding person. The skills you will learn on internship are priceless. But it is going to be difficult. It's going to take a lot of work. It will push you like you’ve never been pushed before. But do not give up. It's worth it. And you may never have a chance like this again. But if you apply yourself and not give up, you will finish being capable to do effective work anywhere in the world.

Tim and I have done internship in 2009-2010. Tim went to Garissa, Kenya and I went to Nantes, France. We both had very different experiences but learned similar skills. No matter where you go on internship it will teach and equip you in different ways. Some skills that you will learn and should focus on learning: How to be cross-cultural How to learn a language How to be thrive in a different culture other than you own How to work in a team How to deal with stress and anxiety How to be a flexible person How to understand and learn culture How to be effective in advancing His s kingdom anywhere in the world Your personal theology of the work How big G**is and to grow deeper in your relationship with him.