DAY 7: Sessions and more

A full day of sessions meant that our team was tired but somehow energized. 

God allowed us to see Him work through each of us as and allowed us to encourage one another as we continued to push through any struggles we may face. 

By the end of the day, we cleaned up the room, and let the students take home their "encouragement bags" we have been using thus far to put notes to inspire and encourage. It was so much fun these past few days to watch these grown adults go and check their bags for new verses, toys, and candies. Their smiles for such simple things made our hearts happy. This trip proves that they may have an okay life, but everyone, and I mean EVERYONE needs a little encouragement every now and again. Words of affirmation received are joyous occasions for any believer, especially those who serve Him so faithfully with kids. 

After  a great day of classes, two times of tea/coffee, and two meals, it was time for all to head home; however, Trisha and I did choose to hang out with the staff for some fresh squeezed Pomegranate juice at a little Turkish shop. Store was small, but the juice had Big flavor!

After wandering around town for a short time with a few of the staff, our team of three chatted for a while, shared, and caught up on emails here at our hotel before hitting the hay.

So that's where I'm headed now friends. I know it's only afternoon there but it's quite late here in our neck of the woods. Please keep praying as tomorrow will be a day to rest, attend the Iranian church. The last time I was here, these people of this church challenged me to love the Lord more fully, not withholding anything. Looking forward to seeing them all again tomorrow. 

Blessings to you all and Good night for now!

~mindy

Day 6: Second Day of Sessions

We had been hearing from the staff here in Turkey about how wonderful the breakfast at our hotel was, but we had missed it. Today we finally went and we all said, "WOW!" The room is up on the roof. Gaudy carpet and gigantic glass windows with a view of the coast, sea, and city is summed up in a great one sentence description by Trisha. "It's like being on a cruise boat that hasn't left the dock!" Wow...who knew Best Western could be so classy. :) 

Anyways, the day was filled with sessions. It's been neat to see how each of our giftings and specialties has been used in different ways. Tracey has been used mightily with her gift of counseling. The attendees have been scheduling appointments with her. This body of believers has only one licensed counselor from what I understand who is not always in this country, so her services to listen and guide have been greatly appreciated. Trisha has been having a blast by teaching these teachers how to reach Teens as well as giving them practical tools/applications to get Teens involved in Bible Study and such. And I, well, I have been simply "crafting it up" if you will, from finger painting on paper plates to tying balloons and teaching a variety of games and such. 

Other than Breakfast we eat our meals with the students at the church. What fun it has been to see these new believers, as they are learning new tools to pass on their new found love for God to the next generation. They are truly inspiring people, truly heroes of the Faith. In Heaven, I am sure their names will be written on the "Hebrews Hall of Fame."

Day 5: Sessions start

Sessions started. We have brought lots of tools to teach kids and resources to help these teachers teach children about Him, the One True God. 

Changes to our program had enabled only a few of the original attendees to come and participate, but our group grew large enough now that we have about 22 of us together. What a sweet time of sharing tools, tips, and discussing some of the difficult topics that come up when dealing with children of any culture. 

Day 4: Travel to Turkey

Well, we got in late from London after a very quick but fun afternoon/evening in the city. Once we returned to our England home we talked with friends there at the ministry for at least another hour, then on the 28th we were up and out the door before the sun shone. It was a typical England morning when we left, rainy and cloudy. 

We got through Terminal 5 with all our baggage fine with no fines. :) YAY! :) This was the leg of the trip I was a bit worried about, but no worries, all of our clothes and tools made it to Turkey with us. 

We arrived in Turkey in the afternoon which made us seven hours ahead of Virginia. Thankfully we had a few days in the UK to help us adjust because our days since arriving have been pretty packed. 

We were welcomed by our new sister who had traveled just ahead of us and who has been our translator this whole time.  They brought us to our hotel, a Best Western with an emphasis on the "best." So nice and has been our place of refuge during our stay thus far. 

We went for dinner out practically "on the street" with many of the staff here in Turkey and had traditional Turkish dishes, yogurt salad and kabobs. Believe it or not, I actually saw some people I knew at dinner, which is a funny feeling when arriving in a foreign country. But actually, it was a few of the students I had met the last time I was here in 2007. They were back here in Turkey visiting friends before returning back to their homeland to continue ministering. 

DAY 3: London

After morning meetings regarding our program in Turkey, which started the following day, we went on an afternoon/evening quick tour of London. It was a lot of fun because neither Tracey or Trisha had ever been to England much less London, so it was a day of "first's." 

FIRST...

...ride on a double decker bus

...float down the Thames

...time to 'mind the gap'

...ride on the tube

...30 pence for the loo

...British fish and chips

...London show

...ride in a "Supernanny" taxi

All in all a fun day...but can we say, "COLD!" :) 

On this day we also saw the Lord work many miracles in regards to our upcoming "program." Too much to type, but in short it was very sobering, humbling, and very neat to see the Hand of God work and move. 

DAY 2: More Travel and arrive in London

What day is it? What time is it? :) 

Well, those were our main words the first few couple of days traveling. Nevertheless, we found ourselves five hours ahead in London. Once we joined our ride, we traveled to the headquarters of the ministry we are visiting. This native ministry is based in England for translation and such duties, but is truly a ministry where Iranians are trained to reach more Iranians with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

After visiting with the staff, a few naps and a few changes in our program, we finally laid our head down for the evening. Our jetlag made it hard for us to stay awake however, we enjoyed every moment with the staff there. What wonderful, Godly people...truly, God's family is one body, no matter where you are born. 

DAY 1: Travel

Day one of our travel and Moma wasn't feeling well, so changes were made and the Parkers were kind enough to drive us to Dulles airport. I left my house around 12:30 today to pick up Tracey then Trisha. At Trisha's house we very scientifically weighed our luggage by her standing on the scales with the bag...but hey, it worked.  :) 

Once we picked up the Parkers in Afton, John drove the rest of the way and we stopped at Pei Wei for good 'before airplane food" dinner. Our check-in process went very quickly and we had time to just chill out before getting on board, which was very nice. 

We arrived in England at 9am their time, which is about 4am our time. Our ride from the ministry was a little late, so we enjoyed a good cup of Costa Coffee. 

Prayer, Games, Crafts and Teaching Tools

Hello friends,
I am writing because I need your help. I need your prayers as well as your creative juices. :)

In two weeks I will be leading a mission trip to England/Turkey. Our purpose for going to these places is to teach at a Sunday school conference to encourage and equip teachers who teach little kids to teenagers in the Middle East about Jesus Christ. Many times, the children they teach are first generation Christians, so their task is difficult and trying, but rewarding at the same time. The children they teach do not grow up in the Bible belt where there are churches on every street, therefore the most simple Old Testament story may be new to them.

At this conference, we are anticipating having about 50 teachers attend. We will be there for a five day conference as well, one or two days will be spent with refugee children/moms in the area.

The ministry that is putting this conference together is one of the native ministries that we serve at Advancing Native Missions. I have been to this ministry before and it is a wonderful, thriving, Bible focused ministry who is reaching so many of the world's most unreached people in some of the most challenging of circumstances.

Please be praying for us as we travel Jan. 25 - Feb. 6.

Also, if you have any Games, Crafts, and or Teaching tools that you think would be helpful for us to pass on to these teachers, please send them my way. Knowing that they may not have ready access to every convenience we have, I am trying to pick games that do not require lots of things, keeping them as "non-plastic" as possible, but are more "organic" in you will, meaning they don't require lots of "tools, etc."

Below are a few things we are hoping to discuss while we are there:

1- How we can teach children about difficult subjects like trinity, creation…..
2- Children Psychology and counseling
3- How we can teach children effectively through games, crafts….

All ideas, resource links, thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.
I look forward to writing and telling you how God works in and through our team when we return.
Thank you and God bless! :)
~mindy