Paving

I've been pretty bad about keeping this blog up-to-date, but here is a summary of my time in Germany...

This spring while I’ve been here helping in the EuroTeam office, we have had two teams come to help with the parking lot paving project. In April, the team spent a week removing the hodgepodge of old pavers and a shed to make way for the new parking lot. Later in May another team was here for a week to level the underlayment and place pavers. Even now with the parking lot completed there are still many tasks remaining. Robin, a local missionary who was here with the first team (from one of her supporting churches), told me this last Sunday it was hard to feel like they had made a difference until she came by the office and saw the parking this last week. I’ve been thinking about my time here and realized much like the team in April, my three months here in the office have been spent mostly preparing for the people who will be coming after me. Sometimes you have the opportunity to see the “finished” product and sometimes you have to leave that for the next person God has in place. I’ve been privileged see some things I worked on put into use but I have also spent a lot of time on things that will help those who are working on the next step:
1. There have been two other teams this spring and there are some that will start about the time I go home. I have been able to assist with the last minute preparations the Project Supervisors do before a team arrives.
2. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Resources office has been working on a new online cultural training course being developed for teams. I helped some in the editing of country content and inserting it into the courses. I’m excited about seeing this course ready for use for all TEFL & EuroTeam teams!
3. During the last couple weeks I spent a lot of time on the ‘Welcome Manuals’ we give to teams when they arrive (these were created about 5 years ago and were due for a fact review/update). In addition to this update, they are also being revised so that they can be used by all GEM short-term teams not just EuroTeam! It is great that with some minor changes something we have been using can be used by other ministries.

I’ve enjoyed my time here “removing of old pavers and laying new ones” and am glad that I had this opportunity to help. I would strongly encourage you to consider coming and working with the EuroTeam ministry either through GEM’s EuroQuest program (as I did) or serving longer term. There are many opportunities for either removing the old pavers or laying the new ones to create valuable tools for others in furthering His church in Europe.

August 17th, 2009
I thought since schools and church ministries are getting ready to "kick-off" their new year it would be a good time to recap my current ministry activities.

Missions

• A couple years ago I started to attend the missions ministry meetings at church. Last fall I focused my attention on the Short-Term Missions ministry team. Over this year the team has been reviewing how we support short-term teams from concept through the completion of their trip. My skills have been usful in redesigning the forms and helping to revise the previous documents with the updates we have made this year.
• Last fall I also volunteered to help keep the missionary prayer letter board up to date with the most recent letters received. I love reading all the letters as I am completing this task each month.

The Mix Ministry (formerly 20/30 Something)

• I have been a part of the leadership team of this class/ministry for several years. My involvement in the STM ministry team over this last year has made it hard for me to keep up the level of commitment that is expected of a member of this team. So - I resigned my position on the leadership team in May, but plan to remain an active member of the class and participate on the worship team until I am ready to leave for Europe.

For those of you who are wondering... Yes, I am still trying to raise my support to go to Europe. I have spoken to three groups and one-on-one with several people over the last couple of months. In spite of these opportunities the pledges have been slow in coming. I would really appreciate prayer for the following:

• That the Ministry Partner cards which were taken from the meetings will not be lost, but will be sent in with pledges. I am currently at 27% of the monthly pedges needed.
• For the meetings a couple of friends are trying to schedule for me with their pastors. The focus of these meetings will be short-term missions trips, but will also be new connections for me.
• How much you can pledge to support me in this endeavor.
• For the short-term teams that are currently preparing to go to Europe.

Great Day!!

Today I shared with the King's class at my church (it is one of three adult classes that are comprised of mostly retired people). I think my sharing went pretty well and I enjoyed talking to several of the ladies after the class. Then I was able to spend some time with some other GEM missionaries that are supported by my church (they shared in my regular class today and I know that some of my friends are considering leading a short-term team to help them). After the service was over, I went to lunch with a friend and was able to catch up with her.

Sharing about my mission

The last couple of Sundays of May I have the opportunity to share with a couple adult classes at my church. Last week I spoke in Crusaders class and I think it went well. Tomorrow I will be visiting King's class and sharing with them - this is one of the largest adult classes at my church so I'm a bit nervous!!

Tool Party Fundraiser

The party was a success and a donation of over $350 has been sent in to my account.

Tool Party to help my Missions Funds

My good friend and supporter, Tara, has offered to donate her portion of the sales at my tool party on May 15th to my missions account. If you are a lady who is interested in tools ergonomically designed for you send me an email and I can give you more information about either the party, or placing an order online that will count toward the party. (You will have to receive and evite with a link to order online so that will be included in my party.)

Winter 2009 Newsletter now in Photo Albums (Newsletter Album)