blast the music,
pack the bags,
steal away the time that lags

see you later
see you soon
dodge the sun and skirt the moon

catch a vision
catch a plane
let's go together to insane

together crazy
twice the fun
make this journey
worth the run

1. Tell us briefly what you are going to be doing over the next few years

I'm going to be working in Europe as a photojournalist with missions teams and tour groups, essentially. There'll also be some travelling, language, and volunteer work with NGO's - non government organisations.

2. Why is this important to us?
I'll get to tell stories about the various cities and what God's doing with the nationals and groups, using photos and videos and websites. God's doing so much in Europe! in america, we tend to think of Him doing amazing things in africa or china or south america, the *needy * places. and they are needy- physically and spiritually- but Europe isn't saved by any means. And people need to know that they can pray, and give, and go to make a difference there!

3. What would you like us to know about serving in a cross-cultural mission project?
It's challenging. You go for a few days, for a few weeks or months, and you come back changed. You're suddenly looking at your life in the States and saying, 'Wow, I have so much and they have so little!' or whether you come back and say, "I *needed* God when i was gone- and I need Him with me still! Sitting in church once a week (or month?) is not enough for me- I need to wake up and make Him big in my life!" Going on a cross cultural mission project opens your eyes, to what God's doing in other peoples' lives, to what He wants to do in your life.

4. How can we pray for you?
That i won't lose track of the bigger picture when I'm studying language and working. I love media, but I need to love God more. Please pray that I'll take the time to keep up good networking with people here and overseas, because those connections are too valuable to lose.

5. What would you say to those who say that they cannot join in a mission program because of school and work needs?
I met a girl two months ago who's moving as a missionary to the jungles of Peru. She's got a student loan. She thought about working it off and then going overseas, but realised she couldn't wait, that the people there couldn't wait to hear about God. So she gave her family power of attorney, and is sending most of her paycheck every month to that student loan for the next two years. By the time she leaves the jungle, her loan won't be gone but it'll be smaller, and she'll have been faithful.
As far as school and work needs, another thing is that God can use- wants to use- the skills you have. We hear about medical personnel and the great work they do overseas, but there's so much more. I'm a media person, so that's what I'll be doing, and I love sports, so I'll be volunteering in sports ministries. I personally know businessmen, english teachers, musicians and artists, athletes, and tour guides who have just transplanted their lives overseas and are serving God daily. Some of them go over independently, or with Shell Oil or Nike, and they just live transparent lives as committed believers. And some go overseas with a sending agency, which is pretty cool. The Lottie Moon Christmas offering? Also very cool. That's what supports workers around the world so they can focus their time on the lost, before they focus on anything else. FBC is such a deliberate acts 1:8 church, right? "Go into all the nations..." How and where we go makes a difference, but the most important thing is that we're following God obediently.

6. What would you say to those who say that they cannot join in a mission program because they would miss their family?
For one thing, you can miss your family anywhere you go. I know I miss mine whether I'm working three states or three countries away! This is, by the way, where skype and emails and facebook come in handy - i'll be able to wave at my parents and hear their voices via videocamera!
For another thing, in separation, the people overseas and your teammates become your family. My little brothers had six or seven women who considered themselves surrogate grandmothers! Sometimes families and friends visit - and you get to show them firsthand what you're doing.

And sometimes you just have to say, "I'm sorry, but God has called me to go to a certain place. and I can't turn back. I love you dearly, but this is where i need to be. "

What is done has been done for the best
Though the mist in my eyes might suggest
Just a little confusion about what I'll lose
But if I started over I know I would choose
The same joy the same sadness each step of the way
That fought me and tought me that friends never say
Never say goodbye...

- Road To El Dorado

We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.

- Woodrow Wilson

"You can always trust the information given to you by people who are crazy; they have an access to truth not available through regular channels" - Ballantyne

This week pretty much saved training for me, made me feel that this time of language/culture/overseas preparation wasn't wasted. Learned a lot in class- challenging things about how to live out your faith and the price others pay for theirs.

Thanksgiving was good enough to be one of my top three, if not my favourite one yet. Fun times chatting or gaming with people- no agenda, no time constraints-and then just playing with the preschoolers and bouncing babies for hours and basking in the warmth of of our 'family' here. Marvelous day.

The fact that we played volleyball Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/Wed didn't hurt either... lots of good time with friends. Wednesday I was actually an hour late for volleyball, but that was because I was talking seriously with a younger friend of mine back home who's really close to surrendering it all to God. Which of course helped me realise that, even if I wasn't excited about our D.C. trip and 'cold witnessing', I really am passionate about people finding God, becoming who they're meant to be. And today ended up great... ate at a cozy Polish cafe with my team and had some good intentional discussions with people there, at the Basilika, and at the station. Sunday we have European cultural worship, which should also be cooI...

In other words- hope renewed that I'll hit the field running with good memories *and* good preparation at my back.

Peace and grace out!

Today was satisfying, but very long... very long.

When i'm tired enough to want to skip volleyball, that's saying something... but right now, this is bigger than tired.

One of my friends left me a phone message saying she wanted to talk with me, so she caught me on Facebook chat a few minutes ago. And now I'm late for volleyball and late for sleep and I don't really care because we're having a talk that's what we should be about.


"yea but i have to give my whole life over to god and thats just something i am not ready to do
i can't trust him with my whole life"

"i didn't think i could either, honestly
but He's worth it
way worth it..."

And I'm leaving it at that while I'm trying to talk her through it, hear what she needs.

This is where it's at. Please be praying for my friend - I call her my adopted little sister - and that she'll realise that God's waiting for her.

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.”
-Stanley Horowitz

Hello!

Third weekend arrived... so glad for it to be here :) This week was really challenging, and not in a concrete, this-is-what-you-need-to-work-on way, either. To be honest, I'm finding it increasingly hard to sit in class and listen to the theoreticals of cpm, etc., and to know that 'real' life for me starts after class when I can study language, play sports, or pick others' brains about overseas and what God's been teaching them. I did really enjoy the days of hearing stories and insights from the field, especially ones who were in support staff positions....

Polish is going well.... Exercise... mostly just walking and running around campus, but there's been some good volleyball going on, and - w00t w00t - some of the new people headed to Europe later play good volleyball too! "See you in April!" is becoming a definite watchword around here. As far as 'telling the story', that's mostly just been in good conversations with friends here, but I did share yesterday online with an Iranian friend for about half an hour. I never thought I'd get this comfortable with saying, "I hear you, and I value our friendship, but this is what I believe, no hedging." Reading through Acts and hearing how bold the 'sent ones' were is really working on me. Our small group is still amazing- so many great stories and perspectives during the discussions.

Prayer needs... mostly just that I'd be able to focus on who God is and what He has for me, here and now. Was a little rebuked by what one of the Xtreme leaders said- "This is not just preparation for the journey - this *is* part of the journey. Make the most of it."

Peace and grace out!
Lee G

Another week almost done!
All of us trainees are defiitely settling in, getting a better feel for what we'll be given every day (lots of information, eye openers, and promises) and what's expected of us (learning, communication, and godly living.) Formal sessions include taxes, language, and cross-cultural witness; informal learning covers everything from practicing testimonies to sharing personal stories...

It's been good, but not that challenging so far. There's some pressure in the deadlines and following this schedule, but it's not generally till the after-class hours that life really begins. That's when friendships solidify, when the session hightlights are seriously talked through, when the books are read. (I know I'm partial to books, but a lot of the session hours could have been condensed into reading material!)

Anyway. Overall, it's been really good. Overachieving to the point that a lot of my homework is already done (or half-done) and spending some quality time with other learners. That's pretty much what my life's going to be for the next six weeks.... :)

The Night Before the Party Begins.

Tomorrow I'll be back in the Bronze Valley again. Quietly, crazily, excited. "One of these days, maybe," I thought. Left the Valley last winter, thinking it'd be months or a few years before I saw the place again. "We want to see you back," said Professor El, when I said I was moving to a different state, different job, different life. "Of course you'll see me back," I smiled, "even if it's just for a visit one of these years." "No, as in, back for the eight weeks." In other words, for training. I just shrugged.

And tomorrow I start that training. In a deliciously unstressed state of mind, because I've 'gone through' four trainings, as it were, already, just by working there and hanging out with the trainees. Yes, it's going to be challenging. Yes, there'll be tons of surprises. But I'm a high need-to-know person when it comes to work and study, and knowing ahead of time what I'm getting into is a huge blessing. The more I know, the better I can prepare, right? I sound like such a stick-in-the-mud... should probably add that, "the more I know, the more fun I can have". And I'm not gonna add any more along that line, because, see, some people just aren't a fan of mischief. Alas for them.

And I don't intend to distress anyone or harm property, but let me say this - me and my 'mates are going to rock out training. Ace the papers. Throw ourselves into the learning. Rock out the volleyball courts and other sport times. Give God that "white hot worship" that He deserves. That was a John Piper reference, by the way - I'm almost done with my first book report (overachieverrrrr) which means I get to hand it in early, do the second one, and then not stress about those writings when there's homework to be done, cookies to bake, or adventures to have....

2008/06/04

Many people got the opportunity to see Jesus Revolution in action when concert team Central came to Wisla in Poland, with it's 11 000 inhabitants and hotels with space for 26 000 tourists. The team started the day by visiting the high school in the city.... They performed dances and invited the students to the concert that same night. As many as 145 youth found their way to the city’s cinema, where the concert was located. "I came because I saw the school visit", says Pawel, a 14 years old student. "I pray to God every night, because I know that He is there, but today I understood that Jesus loves me," he added when the concert was finished.

-http://www.jesusrevolution.com/jesusrevolution/?pid=News&id=176

Getting closer to overseas again. More info from my boss... good stuff on what to expect. Drafted back the beginning of an email, which I'll fill in with more questions as I come up with them... "Thanks for taking the time to answer all these questions- I'm a huge information person, so the more I can find out ahead of hitting the field ... the happier I'll be :) "

So, language. Culture and city study. I've already done some, and now I need more.

She had a pink hibiscus on her shoulder by her ear
It caught my glance because tattoos aren't common around here
I asked her why she had it
And she grinned without surprise
Then rubbed half off with a blue-nailed finger
And laughed with green-rimmed eyes

Why not take a chance, she asked?
What else are colours for?
If they're not used to paint your life
What do you save them for?




-random jotting from today

Old Town

Spent yesterday wandering the old town... honestly, I'd have enjoyed it more if I wasn't *living* here. And if there had been more people around- anywhere in the world, there would have been more people out enjoying the sunshine and breeze. Even on a Sunday afternoon. Especially on a Sunday afternoon.

Why does it still surprise me to hear people speaking English?

Subconsciously I still expect to hear the neighbors talking in Dutch across the fence. Schoolkids walking by should be speaking German. Shopkeepers should be arguing politely in Arabic. And I should *especially* not understand anything going on around me in airports. That I do is a little unsettling. It's been almost a year... two more weeks? And the time between hearing a voice and having those tones translate into Anglicised words is still... odd.

The only excuse I have for the delay is that hardly anyone in the southern United States speaks proper English anyway.

Travel Snapshots

No language homework today... yet. Might still happen, might not. I've been pretty good about it, especially considering there's no one to make me or even really care. Which is encouraging when I wonder how I'll do when I get overseas. To be sure, I could be travelling so much I won't be sent to language school, but I'd still want to do well whatever country I lived in,and I absolutely hate being an obvious foreigner. In Holland, I didn't care if I stood out, as long as it was for the right reasons- height, sports passion, multilingualness.... And some accent was okay, especially when they said I sounded more British or Canadian than American :P But not to stand out as an awkward, 'visibly unassimilated' outsider. And I don't really see that changing. Which means extra study here and now. *shrugs*

I'm a little curious as to whether some of the recent tax law changes in europe and friends leaving are going to mean any changes in leadership or timing... is there *any* chance I could make my way over before next year? I realised today, while out on a run, that I've still got a footlocker or two in storage over there, wondering how I'm going to get it out. Or if, you know, I even really need it anytime soon. Was reading about Rebekah at the well (Genesis 24) yesterday- I never caught the speed of the story before. She saw the situation as God's hand on her, and left her home for the future in about 24 hrs. I've read that story several times before, and yet I'm at an age and place where God could very easily send me out as well. And would I be as graceful about it? For the adventure, definitely! In full trust in God and His timing in the surprise invitation- that would be harder. And could I make ready and be gone in 24 hours? She probably had servants, lol, but it's still a good challenge. Should we ever be to the point where we couldn't leave everything behind in 24 hours to follow God's call?