"The World Mission Workshop was so incredible and inspiring, getting to meet missionaries that have lived across the world," freshman Zak Kelly said. "I'm more excited than ever to be a missions major." Kelly was just one ofthe many people who participated in and was moved by the 2010World Mission Workshop sponsored by Harding and held at Harding University Tahkodah (HUT). According to Dr. Monte Cox, director of the 2010 workshop, the event was in need of a fresh sense of direction. For the first time since the program's beginning 50 years ago, the workshop was relocated to Tahkodah, increasing attendance and giving visitors a hands-on experience. "Putting flesh on the words of Christ is just a beautiful thing," O'Neal Tankersley, director of HUT, said. "Those of us who have served in third world countries - we love that." HUT was originally established to familiarize students with the most basic necessities, such as water, food, shelter, transportation and economics. Understanding how basic systems, such as latrines and available water supply, worked in underdeveloped countries helped prepare those who would be going to such places, enabling them to then share their knowledge with native residents in turn .This was the goal of the World Mission Workshop at HUT: Christians seeing a need and acting upon it. HUT workshop sessions taught everything from impact well drilling to beekeeping to programs such as Pioneer Bible Translators, aiding the illiterate and 204 organizations Earth Bag Construction, prpmoting better building designs for places prone to earthquakes. One of the most unique and beneficial aspects was the market, a realistic replica of a busy third world country market designed to give visitors an idea of how to barter and buy food with a small amount of currency, as well as how to communicate despite language barriers. Living quarters were designed to simulate the environments of the different countries, featuring African-style huts, European cafes and Southeast Asian refugee camps. The workshop still provided more traditional classroom-style lectures with keynote speakers.The theme of the workshop was, "That They May Have Life" from John 10:10, meant to emphasize the holistic agenda of God, and Cox expanded on this concept and "developmental ministry" during his keynote lecture on opening night. "We can teach a family how to grow more food on a small piece of land," Cox said. "That's why we built HUT. We thought "perfect setting to do an event like this where we focus on developmental ministry or holistic ministry."" With approximately 700 attendees, the event was considered a great success by Cox. Cox believed the best part of the workshop was being with so many likeminded people, learning about mission work together, and many of the students who participated agreed. "It was very exciting to learn how to supply things very important to life such as food and water," sophomore Claire Moody said. "And after we feed the physical life, doors are open to feeding people's hungry spiritual lives." Gabrielle Pruitt
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