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European Preparation Trip Informal Report April 29 - May 11 Return to Mission Page England Thursday We had a fine trip from Dallas to New York and on to Manchester. There is no way that the flight is not hard on you! There was a 3 hour layover in New York. That is the first time I have been through Kennedy in some time, and I thought (I guess because I haven't been there) that it was not so busy. Quite the contrary! There were airplanes and construction cranes everywhere. It was busier than I have ever imagined. Friday We arrived in Manchester (that's the price of a "free" ticket) and got our tiny rental car and headed off for London. Then there was this sign that said something about tours of the Wedgwood china factory. Well, when Janice saw that, my car steered itself off the next exit and through the woods (literally) to the factory in the forest. Since I had not slept on the plane on the way over, it seemed like our quick 1 hour side trip lasted 1 day! But after only 2 1/2 hours, we were back on our way to Stopsley. Our directions were great and we found the hotel without a hitch. The IC coordinator was kind to invite us to his house for tea later in the afternoon, so we took a quick nap, got up and dressed just in time to get to the pastor's house on time. We had a great visit with them and also with Tracy's dad, John Grant. He had met with us before, but I did no know that he was Bryan's father-in-law! John is leading the team from Stopsley to Hungary. Saturday We had a planned meeting with the key leaders in the UK at 8:00 AM, but Clive Garton's car broke down and he missed the whole morning. We ended up with an enlistment meeting for Stopsley's team for Hungary and it went very well. England may be able to man 3 teams for Hungary, based on the enthusiasm of the meeting. We also talked about having a meeting with more pastors in November, once the teams return from Hungary. That would let them give some testimonies and help communicate the opportunity. We left about 1:00 and headed down to Battle, East Sussex, near Hastings. It is named that because that is where the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1061 when William the Conqueror took control of England and proclaimed himself the King. On the way we stopped again at the house of Winnie-the-Pooh and his real forest: Ashdown (in the book called the "100 Acre Wood") The Ashburnham Prayer and Conference is a beautiful place and ideal for a planning retreat. It was great to see some old friends and make new ones as we participated in a workshop for IMB Volunteer Coordinators from all over Western Europe. They were a great group of people. Bed looked good and the sleep was great! I drifted off listening to the geese saying their prayers. God's blessings on you all... Sunday, May 2 We had a worship time with whole group at the Ashburnham Prayer and Conference Center. The setting is like you have always thought of the English countryside. It felt as though we had finally found our rich relatives in England and they were hosting us for a few days. The forest and lake was beautiful. The tranquility was contagious. We prayed for missionaries, just as we do at home, then for our own work. God has called out a wonderful group of [mostly young] folks to impact the spiritual frontier of Europe. Since all were volunteer coordinators, volunteers were the heart of the matter for the meeting. Most of the meeting was focused on sports and recreation volunteers. led by Rick Mitchell of Alexandria, Virginia. He is very helpful to see how to deliver a sports and recreation ministry that moves beyond touching people to reaching people. I hope we can have him at our church some time. he is very, very good! In addition to Eddie Cox, the convenor of the meeting and IMB regional coordinator for Western Europe, those in attendance included David Moench(Scotland), Darwin Bacon(Germany), Butch Oglesby (Germany), Lisa Dye (Holland), Terry Willett (England), Steve Springer (France), Rusty Alums (Spain), Sandra George (Portugal), Steve Brubaker (Germany), Earl Pinkston (Malta), and Michael Hester, from Richmond at the Volunteers in Mission Office. The group was so engaged during our presentation. Several had never participated before they went to the mission filed on anything like what International crusades (IC) does, so there was a lot of good information. I (and then Eddie, too) encouraged them to use the opportunity for the nationals to go to other countries and a tool for spiritual growth. Eddie's earliest hands-on mission effort was with IC on a trip to Panama. It was on that trip that he met Craig Wright, the missionary with whom our daughter, Rebecca worked for 2 years in Portugal (small world!). Earl Pinkston, from Malta, was very excited about getting a team from there for Hungary this fall. All indicated that it was a concept that could work in their area. I look forward to praying through how best to use their enthusiasm to accelerate what we both are doing. My presentation concluded with an honest assessment of problems, trends and opportunities. That time seemed to go especially well. We had a very upbeat dialogue and I felt we were of one heartbeat. What a pleasant time we had there with them. From the tranquility of that place we jumped into the car and raced to Gatwick airport, chased down the rental car return location (3rd time is always the charm) and ran through the airport like O.J. Simpson used to do. We got to the gate just in time to help them close the door (not the first time I have ever done that). Sunday, May 2 (continued) When our flight arrived in Paris we waded and waited through endless lines and finally got our bags, grabbed a shuttle bus (not like the space shuttle, more like a rocking chair shuttle) to the train station at the airport. Ran through that huge barn and got to the track just 4 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train. Only problem was that the train was 25 minutes late. Oh well, I sure that will average out somehow. We arrived in Poitiers after about 2 1/4 hours on the train -- smooth ride at 150 mph. Then into a taxi, practice my French and on the second try and one phone call arrived at the home of our dear friend, Pat Hogan. She is, and her late husband, Jim, was, dear and special friends and partners in the gospel. We have gone around the world sharing with so many lost people. Their home in Atlanta was a special place for my children when they were young. This house was her childhood family home. Although she was raised in Paris and met Jim there, she was born in Poitiers, just behind the house where we are to stay with her. Of course we visited and reminisced for several hours. Then again, the bed called and deep into the night I found needed rest, listening to the lullaby of the creek outside and the occasional praise chorus from the nearby trains. Long day -- sweet rest! Monday Have you heard the question, "How long did it take the Lord to create the earth?" Perhaps you answered six days. But that is wrong: He took seven days, because part of creation was rest. We enjoyed great rest in the beautiful French country-side. We drove to Limoges where they make the beautiful porcelain. Then had dinner at a country inn that evening on the way back to Poitiers. Tuesday We spent the day with Pat Hogan as she went around say "good-bye" to her home and home-land. Janice had a flare-up of her shingles, so we included a quick trip to the doctor and pharmacy in the day. We also visited one of the oldest Christian structure in Europe, the Baptistery of St. John in Poitiers. We ended the evening at a wonderful (Pat Hogan's favorite) restaurant in the nearby woods, having dinner with a former member of the French underground! His wife had to begin the meal with an expression of gratitude for my parents generation for the sacrifice of D-Day. My, that was a first for me and so very touching. Wednesday Off by train to Paris. Quick taxi to my new favorite hotel, the "Jeu de Paume." It is on the small island just behind the big island of Notre Dame Cathedral in the midst of the Seine. Although it was across the street from the "Taverne du Sargent Recruiter", we skipped eating there, since we ate so much the night before. Chinese, here we come: different, but good. We spent a little time looking around that afternoon and Janice even ventured out alone and got back just fine! Continue praying. We are back to the task at hand starting Thursday. Thursday The angels were sweating by the end of today. They must have put in industrial strength overtime. We got a taxi to go to our meeting with the Executive Director of the French Baptist Federation, Etienne Lhermenault. Traffic was terrible due to a commuter train strike today. Finally we arrived; much more expensive than planned (that's the motto of Paris). We had a wonderful meeting with our brother Etienne. His spirit is so insightful, yet kind. We went over the entire program of the workshop to be in Prague on Sunday-Monday and he provided his insight. And insightful it was! We will share his thoughts with the others this week-end. He, too, believes that the best strategy is to have some regional campaigns in France (like Spain is planning). He also thought about doing a language/cultural "region." God is doing a lot of awakening, it seems, with Arabic congregations in France and Belgium. Perhaps the first IC campaign in France will be with Arabic churches! We took a taxi to the beautiful Opera (where the "real" Phantom of the Opera supposedly played), then stood on the hot, hard sidewalk while two buses left to the airport, but finally caught the third. After boarding, I counted the bags, and one was missing. I rushed outside and there is was sitting, all alone on the Parisian sidewalk. Miracle # 1. When we arrived at the airport (finally), we discovered that our tickets had been issued incorrectly -- they were for the previous day! The first discussion yielded a position of Air France that we would need to cough up about $900 to get a flight to Budapest, since our tickets could not be changed. Then, oops! No matter, the flight was full anyway. After a little whining and mucho humble words and body language, she checked with the supervisor and he agreed to give us a sticker on the ticket authorizing "Standby, since the flight is full anyway." Miracle # 2. We got back to the check in counter and the man there said no matter, he would confirm us on the flight. Miracle # 3. Then he advised that the plane was delayed out of Budapest ("Due to the war in Kosovo," he said) and we would be 2 hours late. I got a call through to Tivadar (Miracle # 4) and we rearranged the retreat on the phone and he agreed to preach a day early and I on Friday night. We would go straight to the hotel upon arrival. Thursday (continued) We talked to him after the service, and he said it was a high spiritual time and the group was ready for tomorrow. Now its time to drop into bed for some rest. While we sleep, I am sure the Lord's army is polishing its weapons after a day of full-battle and complete watch-care. "He careth for you [and us]". Good night... Friday Today was a great day of preparation for the 5 churches who are receiving teams in Hungary this fall. Every church was represented, some by 5 or 10 people! The discussion of planning, execution, conservation and mobilization was terrific. In each area of discussion, the participants absorbed everything like a sponge. Janice gave a reflection of her experience here in Hungary in 1992 and also led one of the sessions on using the visiting team. I thought she did great! We had a wonderful Hungarian lunch at a nearby restaurant and continued Baptist style snacking all afternoon. We collected pictures of each church and will post on the Internet. After the evening service, which was somewhat somber: subject--the urgency of evangelism and bombs are being dropped 200 miles south of here, we were taken to Janos Kelleman's home where 15 or so young people were gathered to watch a movie and discuss it. We ate another dinner and then talked and prayed with the young people. So respectful! Wow, it was great being with them. Not all are believers, but it seemed as though all were becoming. Thank you for your prayers for the preparation here in Hungary. It is evidenced by the advances that took place today. Goodnight & God bless each of you. Saturday What a wonderful conclusion of the preparation retreat in Hungary! There were 22 Hungarians in attendance (plus 2 Americans). There are only 5 churches participating, so the attendance was very, very good. The spirit was wonderful and the interest and willingness to focus on conservation of decisions and follow-up was stirring. We are trying to give more attention to the follow-up component during the preparation. In the past, it seems that almost all the work has focused on getting ready for the week of evangelism, and almost none to prepare for discipleship and integration of the new believers after the campaign. We also spent some time today discussing mobilizing Hungarian churches and believers to go to other countries and regions (all nations) and teach, baptize, and disciple. The closing time was very special as we sought empowerment. There was a time of doubles and triples in prayer. Then they gathered the pastor or a representative of each church in a ring at the front of the church, connected at the hand and heart. Then they asked everyone else to surround them in a demonstration of unity of purpose and prayer. And then they prayed! Such fervor! It continued on and on and almost every appeared to plead with Father on behalf of the work or reaching their fellow Hungarians. What a wonderful time.... One of the pastors then took Janice and I and Tivadar to the airport, where Tivadar' wife was waiting. The four of us checked and "hung-out", waiting for the flight that was about 45 minutes late departing. The flight only takes about 50 minutes (compared to 6 hours on the SLOW train). Wow! The new Prague airport is dazzling! Planes from around the world (where are American Airlines?), including the Concorde. The International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) representative was there to meet us when we came out of customs and give us a quick lift to the seminary. This is such a beautiful campus. Wonderfully restored buildings in a forest setting near a small village on the outskirts of Prague. The facility was the home of the Gestapo during World War II. Now young men and women being prepared to impact East, West and Central Europe and beyond. After dinner, we met for a time of introductions. Janice observed that this was the first time she knew everyone in the meeting. She and I were the only ones who know everyone else. Each person, including the wives who were able to come, shared their testimony (our Spanish interpreter wasn't to come until Sunday afternoon, so I tried to translate for Pepe Carmet--oh my!). Those in attendance were some of God's choicest in Europe: Jose Carmet, Pastor (former Director of Evangelism-Spanish Baptist Union), Spain Ettore & Patricia Zerbinatti, Long-time partner in Evangelism and Layman, Italy Robert Breustedt, Director of Evangelism-Scottish Baptist Union, Scotland Bryan Doyle, Pastor and former participant on campaigns, England (& S. Africa) Tivadar & Agnes Macher, Pastor (and former Director of Youth Ministry-Hungarian Baptist Union), Hungary H. L. "Luke" & Jenny Nieman, Retired pastor & evangelist, Netherlands Gary & Shirley Baird, President of International Crusades, USA Three could not come: Antonio dos Santos, Pastor (of largest Baptist church in Portugal), Portugal Joseph Horak, Pastor, Croatia (and all former Yugoslavia) Etienne Lhermenault, Executive Director of French Baptist Union, France Hearing of the work of the Lord in each life and hearing how God had redeemed them touched our hearts and bonded the group together for what was to come in these next 3 days. Thank you for your prayers, Sunday We began the day with a wonderful worship service at the International Baptist Church in Prague. It was a wonderful, and clear presentation of the gospel. After that we went to a restaurant nearby to the church for a authentic Czech meal. You haven't lived until you have had Czech Squirrel soup. Yummy! We returned to the Seminary to begin the published agenda for our meeting. There was a direct and open discussion of many unique issues facing evangelism in Europe. Our basic agenda was to discuss the two basic responsibilities of the national coordinator: hosting a campaign and enlisting others to go. First, we presented the "standard" International Crusades approach, then discussed needed to be adjusted for Europe. We also spent a great deal of time in discussing the adjustments for IC to change from being a North American organization and if it were to become a global organization. The spirit was great and the sharing was powerful. It is obvious that God is stirring our hearts and preparing us for a great leap forward for Him in Europe. Monday The final day of the workshop in Prague was a high spiritual time. We had come together 3 days earlier: 13 strangers, unclear of the agenda, unsure of what God wanted, and unable to see where we were going. However, in these 3 days, God's mighty, yet gently loving, hand reached out to where we were and touch each heart, forging something new, something unified, from the group of wonderful individuals who arrived the previous week. We started the day with a walking tour through the old palace of Prague. Incredible! I went there 20 years ago, when the country lay under the communist regime. Then, all the buildings were gray -- concrete or soot-covered, or both -- but as uniformly drab as the political philosophy under which the people languished. But today! Building have been cleaned and/or painted and the city is a dazzling garden of colors and freshness. surely, no other city in Europe can boast of such beauty and so-o-o-o many tourists! And they are not done yet. In every direction more is being done to make Prague the jewel of Europe. Although tired from too much walking, we reconvened and set about clarifying the Strategy International Crusades should adopt to help Evangelize Europe and Mobilize Europeans. The group did not lack in ideas and suggestions. Let me give my remembrance of the key ideas and concepts: It should be European (or Global), not North American It should have European ownership It should have European terminology It should have European materials It should have the clear presentation of the Gospel at its heart It should be local church-centric It should be pastor friendly It should be existing organization friendly (EBF [European Baptist Federation], national conventions, regional associations, etc.) It should do all it does with Excellence, no compromises, no "make-do" efforts, and by doing so, glorify God to the fullest It should have a broken-hearted view of the lost It should have a broken-hearted view of countries and regions where the Gospel struggles It should be empowered with hope, expecting God to transform the people of Europe It should be patient, balancing growth and God-honoring Excellence It should be patient, giving God time to change the hearts of leaders who are disinterested in Evangelism It should be patient, but proceeding with campaigns and mobilization opportunities for those who are ready to advance now The group determined that it should meet again next year. The date was set for May 12-15 and the location is most likely Prague or Budapest. The agenda will be: Report from Gary on IC response to the 1999 meeting Report from Hungary and Netherlands on 1999 campaigns in each of those countries Report from Scotland, Spain and Hungary on plans for campaigns in 2000. Adoption of the European strategy Other items identified by group. The community developed so strongly through the afternoon and evening that when Robert Breustedt suggested that we close the evening with the Lord's supper, it seemed like the only reasonable choice. Ideas and opinions about the workshop, the location and the agenda were shared. In keeping with the fact that it was a Baptist meeting, the opinions varied widely. But the underlying current was that God had called us together. The people there humanized the needs and put a face on the circumstances of each country. It was valuable and worth doing again. After some discussion, it was suggested not to broaden the meeting to include Eastern Europe, but to include any new IC coordinators from the current area (Central and Western Europe). As total darkness fell over the rich green forest outside the window, the group passed bread and wine to commemorate why we had come. God then prepared a banquet: the bread of life, a cup of the new covenant. Amen and Amen Then a thousand hugs and kisses ...... |
