Next Steps - Aways Forward

It is almost over. My head is full of acronyms, things to do, not to do, personality traits, spiritual warfare, right vs. wrong=just different; how to be part of a team, what I need to do to learn a language, interpersonal skills and facilitating a church planting movement. Yes, ”IT IS WORTH IT!” as the UWM logo says.

One of the deepest things I am learning is that the heart of the Christian WILL suffer. The greatest movements are those where persecution and suffering precede it. All of us have our own disappointments and shattered dreams. Mine seems to come in the form of rejection within my own family. Although it hurts deeply, I know that God is still working in me (that is good for it tells me I am still here).

I also know that He is getting me ready for something else or He wouldn’t even bother (that is good too for I want to be ready in and out of season, whether here or there). Most of all, I am learning what He must have gone through for me—even if only a small part of His suffering. (This is wonderful for if my hurt is only part of what HE suffered for me, then His love for me is more wonderful than I ever imagined). It IS a privilege to suffer for Him, but to be honest; I don’t really like it; even though it is exciting to know that He is at work in me.

When I return home I must finish raising my needed support—approximately $700.00/month. I will be taking a class called Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), visiting friends and family, packing and preparing to go on July 22, to Central Asia.

Would you pray for me? I covet your prayers for all of the above. You are an integral part of my life, for without your prayers and God’s grace, I cannot go. Thanks for being so special.

Delighting in Him,
Mickey

The RICHES of my time at The Center for Intercultural Training

Oh, it isn’t Rich because of the surroundings—in fact the place is a group of red brick buildings set in the center of what is left of a little town, lots of cemeteries and churches and trees.

But RICH it is to me; for my time here has included building RELATIONSHIPS with others who are called to a foreign land; who have stories to bless our hearts and like me, need only a little more support to go.

It has been a time to REFLECT on God’s call, His Sonship and how to live out the Gospel in the lives of others-here or there.

There has been some dross to REMOVE as I, like others, have endured some heat in order to understand what suffering can mean for us who desire to be conformed to His will.

I have been REMINDED that I am not an orphan, but a beloved child of God with all the riches found in Jesus as His child.

The power of the RESURRECTION is ours. Do you realize what that means? Wow, He doesn’t need anything from me to accomplish His will here on earth. I want to experience that power!

It has been a time of REST as I’ve enjoyed Him and others and the quiet surroundings.

REFILLING has been the RESULT as I take the next step in going where He is leading.
Delighting in Him,
Mickey

CIT Web Site

Belgium Newspaper Article on Religious Belief

Le Jour, a newspaper, published a poll about religion in the French-speaking part of Belgium. The afterlife was polled, and the results are interesting.

37% said there was something after death, but don't know what
23% said there was nothing at all
9.7% said there was the judgment according to deeds
8.4% said it was the reincarnation on earth, but in a different life
7.3% said it was heaven
5.7% said it was the resurrection of the dead
4.6% said they weren't sure
4.3% said it was something else than what has been stated above

Team Belgium

Well, here we all are. (back row l-r) Brent, Rich, Lindsey, me, (front row l-r) Kevin, Keith (our X237 director), Daisy (Brent's wife), and April (we are missing Daniel, our team leader, but he wasn't with us the day we took this). We had an amazing week together as we traveled around Belgium to meet with pastors and leaders to get a sense of their vision here. I think I learned more about Belgian culture in a week than I have in sixteen months. Rather maybe, what I understood about the culture was confirmed or modified as I evaluated what I have experienced and what I was hearing. All good stuff. If you would like to read more about our adventure together, I gave a day-by-day summary of our week at www.amycgreene.blogspot.com.

Russian English Camps

Our English camps are June 28-July 12 ($1450 plus airfare) and July 27th-August 10 ($1400 plus airfare). We'd love to have you come and meet the 'Ksenias' and adults of Moscow and show them the love of Christ. Qualifications: Speak English, have fun, make new friends, age 16 and up. (WAY up.) E-mail us to sign up or if you have any questions. (photo of a Winter camp class end of this message)

Sonnet, do you think there is hope for us in Russia? Can we be successful and hold onto our values and not become vulgar? If we swim with those who are vulgar do we not become as they are if we want to be successful? My friend said he would become like the vulgar ones if it means to be successful.

These questions come from a 22 year old bright, beautiful, young woman named Ksenia.

To a Russian, you must have money to be defined as successful. And they also believe that if you have money, it was probably gained by being vulgar, (without morals, ethics, or values). For most Russians, there can be no connection of success and values. Their role models of the 'New Russian,' have made their money by questionable means. For most Americans, even with all the Enron and Anderson scandals, we still believe that it is possible to be financially successful and hold onto your values and not become 'vulgar.'

So, what was my answer to Ksenia? Yes, I have hope for you in Russia. Yes, I believe you can develop values, hold onto them and be successful in Russia.

But to you dear Americans, I really don't know if it is possible for this generation of young Russians. It may take a generation modeling a desire for change, for their children to truly bring about change.

Ksenia is one of the young women invited to attend a student house church plant being started by our intern, David Young. David and 2 interns from a partner ministry built relationships with Russian students at our Winter English Exchange Camp in January and these relationships are the nucleus of this group. They will meet every Sunday afternoon - Moscow time -- so please remember them in your prayers. (*see photo at end)

Jon and I thank you for the opportunity to share Christ in Moscow Russia.

When we reach out
We are His hands
When we speak a kind word
We are His voice
When we cry for them
We shed His tears
When we laugh with them
We show His joy.

Jon and Sonnet Barr
The English Exchange
United World Mission

Passion Conference 2007

The first four days of the New Year for me were spent at Passion 07 in Atlanta, Georgia. There were some 20,000 college age students in attendance that worshiped together and heard great messages about spending their lives for global impact to make Christ’s name renown among the nations. There were also about 100 of us from different mission agencies who were available to help coach people toward mission’s opportunities. In one since that’s my job. Helping people who desire to play a role in the great commission. But in reality it’s my passion, my hobby, and my heartbeat. Along with two other people also with UWM I got to talk to people like Andrew who graduated last year with a degree in finance and is working at a bank. But every time he hears about people in East Asia his heart breaks with the thought that they have absolutely no access to the Gospel that he’s surrounded by every day here in the south. He’s praying about what steps he needs to take next. We also talked with Summer who desires to be the finger prints of Christ to a broken world, anyplace in the world, doing whatever, for however long… She just wants to do something. We had a blast connecting with people who understand deeply what God has done and continues to do for them and want to see that Gospel bear fruit all over the world.

We also talked to people like Tiffany and Laura. Tiffany’s an advertising major and Laura is an art major. Both will graduate in May. I asked them if they were interested in serving cross-culturally. Both said yes, but that they weren’t sure how. I told them to look around the room at all the banners and signs that were advertising missions. Who do you think did these signs? Advertising majors! What about Belgium? Who do you think can best relate to all the artistic students there who don’t go to church? Art majors can!

What passions and skills has God gifted you with? Maybe you’re still figuring that out. We’d love to help you as you process through where and how God could use you and together we can discover where, what and how. Look at the pictures of where we are and keep an open heart. Read the about the different opportunities and imagine yourself as a part of the story. Then, prayerfully check out the steps in the journey and ask God what steps you need to take.