Photos from EASC

Photos from EASC are up in the photo gallery!! Enjoy and check back soon for more!

August 2006

A Glimpse of Agapé Ministry And Finishing Details

To view letter in PDF format, click here

We are okay!

We are not sure if you have seen the news today, but there was a terrorist plot to blow up trans-atlantic airplanes travelling from the UK. Jana and I are not flying out today, so we are unaffected so far. This may become an issue on Monday, as we may not be allowed to take on carry-on luggage and will also be a little nervous to travel. Please pray for us for Monday. As well, we know several people that we saw at EASC who are flying back to the states today and tomorrow, from various countries including the UK. Please pray for them, as they may be quite delayed.

We will keep you updated on our plans, but for now, we are just fine and having a great time in London!!

"On the Road..."

"On the Road..." the theme for the 2006 EASC. Throughout the week we studied chapter 24 in Luke, the story of the road to Emmaus, where two men encounter Jesus but do not recognize Him at first. Tonight, Javier concluded our week with challenges and encouragement centered on the stories of the road to Damascus, the road to Capurnum, and the road to Emmaus. For Damascus, he challenged us to remember our calling, the moment when the Lord said "I want to send you." For Capurnum, he challenged us to remain humble and continue to serve following Jesus' example (Mark 10:45). For Emmaus, he encouraged us to remain hopeful, keeping our eyes on the Lord.

We have both commented on how amazing it is to see so many people from so many nations and languages, not only gathered for the purpose of serving the Lord, but willing to work together across cultural barriers, so that others will know and glorify His name. Just looking around this room, small groups are gathered for one last chat over coffee. We ourselves have sat down to dinner with a couple from England, a man from Germany, and a group of friends from Switzerland. In the hallways, we have visited with people from Spain, the Netherlands, Holland, Estonia, and Latvia.

Our faith has been challenged to think big, pray big, and hope for great things to happen. As Deb Heefner, Agape's Campus Director, said "Big things are happening in Europe, God is up to something."

Dan's French

Dan says "I will never speak refined French." He asked me... no, told me to put that on our blog. If you do not know who I am talking about, I met Dan at MinistryNet: Budapest last year. Dan and his wife, May, serve in Kandern. We look forward to serving with them in Kandern, however, they are moving to Rennes, France. Dan works with http://www.everystudent.com/. Please visit the site! It is a great tool within the Campus Ministry of Crusade.

Saturday Update at EASC

As I sit in the Cafe in the main conference center, I am reflecting upon my time here. Some details are fuzzy, either from jet-lag or a massive volume of information, but the feelings we have about being part of something big in Europe is very clear. Europe is moving forward. Agape Europe is changing to match the road ahead.

Being Prayed Over

Well, my promise of posting to our site yesterday, never came to pass!

A couple of highlights...we continue to meet tons of people from all over Europe! I am learning some very unusual names (well, unusual to us at least) and how to pronounce them. We have been able to visit with several people from the office during the meal times. A couple of folks brought photos of apartments for us to look at, so we have now been blessed with a few good options for places to live. We had an office meeting this morning and had the opportunity to meet new folks and to share our story with them. They are very excited and anxious for us to arrive...that certainly makes us feel loved!

No "Men in Tights" here...

Well, we arrived in Nottingham yesterday at around 1pm which would have been 7am in Texas. The flight was very good, and arrived only a few minutes late. From Gatwick airport we hopped on a train that took us into London, where we transfered to another train (um, had to carry 4 heavy suitcases up 3 flights of stairs and wheel out on the London streets for a couple of blocks to get to the other train station!!!), then arrived in Nottingham where a taxi took us to the University.

The conference started last night, and my first impression was of how exciting it is to see so many people from several nations gathered together. We heard from a lady from Greece, a man from Germany, a man from England, and were introduced to the lady from Estonia who is in charge of this year's conference. A group of musicians from Switzerland led the worship time, and I sat next to a lady from the Netherlands who works with Athletes in Action. We are in the AOA (Area of Affairs) dormitory, so everyone from Kandern is staying near us, and we have the opportunity to eat with them during the meal times as well.

My thoughts are still a wee bit foggy from Jet lag, so I think I will save you from having to read babble. Keep us in your prayers, we don't know where our support numbers stand right now and are definitely worn out!! We will try to post again soon!