October 2009
Ministry Update
To view letter in PDF format, click here
Praying for
continued safety in travel...
connection with others in the midst of many trips...
guidance for the coming years...
continued good health for our family...
Furlough planning for 2010...
We are thankful for
Jon (UK IT Guy) see below...
safety in much travel this year...
change of seasons...
Kürbissuppe (pumpkin soup!)...
our newest niece, Emory!
Laugh Out Loud Moment
Recently, while in the airport, we crowded into an elevator with Oliver, his stroller, three men, another stroller, a little girl, and their empty airport cart...remaining family waiting. We push “0” to go down, but the elevator goes up to the top. We apologize to the waiting crowd. We go back to Floor 1. Their family is confused. We close the door, push “0”. Up. Crowd still waiting. Down. Family still waiting. Hit “0” 10 times... up, again. After arriving back at floor 1 yet again, Jana notices a sign. In large writing both in the local language and English, the sign states that the elevator will not work with an airport cart on-board. We open the doors, the man discards the cart and finally, we go down to Floor 0!! Too bad we couldn’t say that was ‘lost in translation’.
Collaboration
From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16
col·lab·o·rate \kə-’la-bə-’rāt\ v. to participate or assist in a joint effort to accomplish an end
We are co-laborers. This is a phrase we use a lot in Campus Crusade. The idea is that only with help can we accomplish the mission. We cannot do it alone.
During my time in the “Dot Com” era, we would use the term synergy, perhaps too much. For at least those of us in the tech industry, it lost its meaning, but the heart behind it is true.
syn·er·gy \’si-nər-jē\ n. combined effort being greater than parts: the working together of two or more people, organizations, or things, especially when the result is greater than the sum of their individual effects or capabilities
As I go forward planning the future of IT ministry in Western Europe, these 2 words are becoming very important.
In September, I worked with the UK IT guy for two weeks. His office joked with us a lot that we were “geeking it out” during that time. The fact that we spoke the same language, used only phrases to talk, and other “geeky” things showed that we worked well together. For everyone to recognize that became a badge of honor.
We finished a project and started a whole new one. Our 2 weeks showed me something I already knew, but could not act upon until now. Jon had the realization that by helping the European ministry as a whole, he could as well be help his own National ministry. The 2 of us working together can do more than we could individually.
Now, as I go forward, I am looking for others that can join our “team”. This has opened many possibilities that I could only dream of 2 years ago. The Lord continues to make realities for this “IT guy” to use my gifts to make a difference for HIM. Would you pray alongside us, as co-laborers, for more staff with IT skills to partner with Jon and me?
3 Years in Germany, what next?
Our plan is to take a furlough in 2010 that will involve both a debrief time at Campus Crusade Headquarters in Orlando, a chance to connect with family and friends, and as well take time to raise more financial support. We need to arrange with our European leadership when that exact time will be, but we plan to make it during the fall of 2010.
What's new with Oliver?
Oliver began scooting when sitting, but while he gets excited about moving, he also gets a little pouty when he realizes he only went in a circle, always counter clockwise. One morning during breakfast he gently started clapping his hands together, and now he bubbles with excitement when we turn and clap with him. His current favorite toy: whatever necklace is on Mom’s neck!
Take a look at Oliver's website to see some recent photos and videos of him.
