October 2007

Taking New Steps and Learning to Lead

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We are thankful for:

~ safe travel for Thad to and from India
~ the Lord’s daily provision
~ beautiful Autumn weather and the opportunity to see God’s creation in a new way
 

We are praying for:

~ wisdom for Thad
for the GMA
Kandern Leadership Team
Building/Office Move
~ patience amongst staff helping with the GMA
~ God’s provision as the dollar continues to weaken (currently 1 € = $1.44)
~ ongoing agapeeurope.org website redesign
~ opportunities for Thad to be in God’s word more regularly
~creative ways to feel connected with our families during the upcoming holidays (we will be staying here in Germany)

 

Over the past month, Thad has experienced many blessings from the Lord. In September, he began a year-long commitment to serve as part of a 3 person leadership team for our office. This team is leading the Agape Europe office in many ways. Part of his job is to provide technical help for anyone in the office, but he also committed to being the lead for a potential office move. It has been a great way for him to ‘practice’ his German (with some help), and before long you will likely be able to ask him how to translate words such as: electrical wiring, energy saving, and door hinges. For his first two months of serving on the KLT (yes, we use lots of acronyms in Crusade!) the Lord has challenged him to not carry his burdens on his own. He has enjoyed serving alongside his other two teammates, and while he knows there is a lot of work ahead of him, he is excited to see what the Lord will teach him in the next year.

In addition to his responsibilities on the KLT, he continues to work as a Technology coordinator. In mid-October he attended another Global Technology Leadership meeting in Bangalore, India. These meetings are held twice a year, and Thad looks forward to them every time (though he really wishes I could go with him!). When sharing with our office upon his return to Kandern, one of the questions asked was “So Thad, did you enjoy meeting with other techies, since they understand everything you say?” While his answer was of course positive, he also shared that these meetings encourage and challenge him in his relationship with the Lord. He had the opportunity to lead an hour long devotional on one of the mornings and was greatly encouraged through the preparation and the time itself.

The Global Measurements Application will continue to be an ongoing project over the next few years. It is an important tool that allows for ministries to be both encouraged and challenged by the work the Lord is doing through them and their fellow staff. Thad is in charge of implementing the GMA in all 14 Western European countries.

The next countries he is praying for are England, France, Germany, and Cyprus. Please be in prayer for Thad as he begins each process. When installing new applications as complicated as this, there are always hiccups. Pray for patience amongst the staff who are learning and for wisdom for Thad as he problem-solves along the way. Pray also for Thad as he tries to find volunteers amongst staff who are willing to translate the application into other languages.

What a joy it is to serve with you in reaching Europeans for Christ. Please continue to keep us and the Agape Europe ministry in your prayers.

Sincerely
Thad and Jana