Wednesday, January 21, 2009

And so, the journey begins...

What started out as a small seemingly insignificant idea is transforming into an exciting reality! Part of our small group that meets regularly for Bible study, prayer, and support is going to Salzburg, Austria on a 10 day missional opportunity.

Our purpose will be to serve and work alongside long-term missionary couple, Richard and Hazel Funk, with intercessory prayer walks and acts of service. It is our hope that we will be able to encourage and bless them in their work, connect with their churches, as well as grow in our own faith as we relate with the Funks and the Austrian people in their own culture.

Each of our team members bring unique gifts which God has given to us to use for Him. This is an opportunity to see God at work in a different culture, join Him in what He's doing, and hopefully return with a new view of God's work around the world.

You can be part of this adventure!
Journey with us.
Check our blog as we prepare.
'Travel' with us as we go.
Walk along with us as we return home.
Feel free to encourage us through
your prayers, or support us financially.

And so, the journey begins...

Monday, January 12, 2009

INTRODUCTION...

STAY TUNED

for lots of information, testimonies and fundraising opportunities and other exciting information about our adventure to AUSTRIA!

Come back again soon!

Monday, January 5, 2009

LeRoy & Phyllis: As "Team Austria" prepares and travels to Austria in May, we will remain at home to be much in prayer that God helps each one of the team as they ready themselves physically as well as spiritually for this exciting time spent with Richard and Hazel. We will be in prayer for safety of travel and God's blessing on each and every one as they see what God will do in their own hearts and also the hearts of those they will meet in Austria.

We know from His Word that prayer changes things and with God all things are possible. We will be faithful prayer warriors for the rest of the members of our Life Group as they join with Richard and Hazel, and will be looking forward also to their safe return.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Leo & Sandy: We are excited to be part of Team Austria. Over the years we've been interested in mission work... with involvement in summer camps, support of missionaries and travelling overseas with missions.

When Leo was younger, he went to Holland on a one-year assignment with MCC. At the same time, Sandy went to Austria with a team from Bible School on an 8-week summer mission trip with Greater Europe Mission. Last year we visited Sandy's sister and husband who are missionaries in a third world country. It was an incredible experience to meet the nationals in their churches and see their love for Jesus Christ even in the midst of poverty. Our eyes were opened and our hearts blessed as we saw how God is at work in other countries.

A year ago when the idea to go on a mission trip as a Life Group started, we needed to decide if we would be involved. It was not a difficult decision at all. Because of our previous experiences, Europe already has a special place in our hearts. It is especially significant because back in 1976 when Leo returned from Holland and Sandy from Austria, we met for the first time in the West Portal College and Career group. Our mutual interest in Europe is what drew us together at the start of our relationship. So now it is an understatement to say how excited we are to go on another mission trip to Europe... back to Austria... together!!

As we talked with Richard and Hazel and felt their excitement of our group going there, it was confirmed in our hearts that this was something beyond us. It's about God. We haven't even left yet, and God has already been working... answering our prayers, working in our hearts, and teaching us to walk more closely with Him and trust Him completely in every circumstance!

We are going because we want to encourage, support and bless Richard and Hazel in their Austrian community. We want to pray for them, connect with the people in their churches, intercede for their "community" in Austria, and grow - both in our relationship with the Lord and with the Funks.

Please pray for:
-hearts in tune with the Lord as we prepare, go and return
-hearts ready to hear from the Holy Spirit; and
-a willingness to do whatever God asks of us.

Thank you so much for your encouragement, prayers and support!

Philippians 2:13,15b - "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him... let your lives shine brightly..."

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Ben: Well, here we are - close to leaving for Austria. I always wanted to do a mission trip of some sort after our kids would often go. Then one day my wife said, "When is it our turn to go instead of always our kids?" Somehow our care group picked up on this and said, "Why not?!"

So here we are in the middle of planning and preparations. We are going under MBMSI. Wow! I am excited to go help Richard and Hazel in whatever way I can. We sent them out to do church planting many years ago and they have been faithful workers resulting in many churches they look after and encourage. I hope to make an impact on the lives of people I meet and work with in Austria. This is with God's help and support from people praying for me back home.

Linda: Never would I have thought that I would be able to go on a mission trip at this stage of my life. As a child I dreamed of going to a far off country to be a missionary and read many books and stories about missionaries. I lived that dream through our four girls who all went on at least two mission trips each throughout the years. Our youngest daughter is in Africa right now volunteering in an orphanage. I am so thankful to God for this opportunity. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for me as we work with Richard and Hazel and the people of Austria. May God be seen shining through me and the group as we serve there.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Dorothy: When I was a young girl, our church would have missionaries coming from foreign lands and talking to us about their work. It always interested me as maybe it does a lot of young kids - - thinking of the adventure. I don't know that I was ever "called" to be a missionary and the life choices I made during my younger years did not put God as #1 in my life.

As time went on and I got older I saw many older couples go out on short term mission projects and it interested me again. But then seven years ago when my husband and I split up I remember thinking I would never be able to do that. Since then I have connected with an awesome care group and a year ago the idea of going on a mission trip was brought up in our group... kind of jokingly. But the Holy Spirit moved us all and we got serious. Looking back, the Lord has definitely led us to this point and I truly believe this is God's plan for us.

I am very excited and believe God is doing great things. The scripture that comes to mind in all this is Ephesians 3:20,21 - "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen."

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Tim: I grew up in a Christian home, and went to church every time the doors were open. I was exposed to missionaries and missions at a very young age. I always wondered what it would be like to be a missionary and hoped that someday I would have the opportunity. But life, work, commitments and other things got in the way, and I thought that going on a mission trip had passed me by. It all changed when my father-in-law passed away on September 12, 2007. This caused me to evaluate things and realize that only what is done for Christ will last. Since I want to live my life with purpose and for His glory, He has given me a new perspective. This has started me on an adventurous new path. He gave me and my wife the opportunity to help start an outdoor summer church at Christopher Lake last summer and has now led me to go on this mission trip to Austria. Even though I have never gone on missions before and am a bit apprehensive, I just want to be available to God - "Here am I, send me."

Diane: I guess I'm a lot like my dad - quiet and reserved - one who's supportive of mission/missionaries by pulling out the cheque book when asked upon. Things changed after he passed away in September 2007. His legacy is now changing me to things beyond that.

Tim and I have been involved with starting "Campfire Church by the Lake" at the Quest Bible Camp on Christopher Lake last summer. Also numerous youth (including many nieces and nephews) had gone/are going on Missions trips and it moved us to contemplate this in our own lives. Many times we give God excuses like time, responsibilities, inadequacies, etc. I know my gifts aren't to get up and speak in front of people, but I do know I've got a heart for lost souls. That's where I'm like my mom and become very emotional. She's the prayer warrior!

Our family has seen prayer work. Many of you know that my nephew, Tarrell, was one of the boys injured in the Osler accident which involved the basketball team from Borden on Dec. 13, 2007 (just 3 months after my dad died). Tarrell was in a coma (along with other injuries) for several days. The doctors gave little hope on what his outcome would be - but he came out of his coma with no serious problems and was released on Christmas Eve. He went on to finish his Grade 12, graduated with his class and is now attending CBC in Abbotsford. PTL!

How does God want to use me (also, quiet and reserved) - - not sure!? All I know is that He asks each of us to be available to heed His call when prompted. Therefore, all I can do is totally rely on Him for what I need. He will provide. This year and a half has been hard and I've had to work out a lot of things in my life. Right now, He's teaching me patience as I'm waiting on Him to find a job. In September, I lost my job after 15 1/2 years working as an accounting clerk. Needless to say, it was a shock. God's still working on me.

Philippians 4:13,19 - "I can do all things through Christ which stengtheneth me. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."