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..."

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