Crossroads Bible Church, Team Holland 2006 Official Blog Site
Dates of our trip: July 12--July 30, 2006.
The team has been assembled and preparing since January, 2006.
Departing Flight Information July 12: British Air Flight #2192, Departing DFW 4:20PM. Arriving London Gatwick 7:20AM. Connecting flight from London Heathrow, British Airways flight #434 to Amsterdam Schipol arriving 1:45PM.
Return Flight Information July 30: British Air Flight #8110, Departing Amsterdam Schipol 7:00AM, arriving London Gatwick 7:10AM. Conntecting flight from London Gatwick, British Airways flight #2193 to Dallas/Fort Worth arriving 2:30PM.
You can also use the links on each of these sights to find out even more information!
In order to prepare for the nature of direct outreach in a postmodern culture, our team read the book "How Should We Live Then" by Colson & Pearcy. It's an excellent read for an introduction to worldviews, their effects and their results.
Some of the most influential books on the subject of postmodernism would be by Francis A. Schaeffer, including "The God Who Is There," "Escape From Reason," & "How Should We Then Live" (which obviously influenced Colson). If you're interested in some basic quotes on postmodernism, you can get them here:
2003: Brent McKinney, Rob Edwards, Deb Stevenson, Jess Semmelbeck, Liz Stevenson, Alicia Garcia, Jude Miniat, Christy Thrasher, Abby Lorenc, Cristina MacGilvra, Matt Eaton, Justin Bascue, Faith Oldenburg, Kayti Edwards, Kim Church.
2006: Brent McKinney, Steve Davis, Debbie Schmidt, Michelle Davis, Thomas Egbert, Schuyler Crabtree, Kayla Russell, Alex Ehrich, Keila Lorenc, Bailey Price, Olivia Schmidt, Maria MacGilvra, Alicia Garcia
First and foremost, this trip is 17 days long and for many team members it's the longest they've been away from home. We'd love to hear from you, so feel free to check back often and comment by clicking on the spaces beneath each entry!
Secondly, pray for the team members and those they'll come in contact with. This ministry is entirely relational...and each day we'll simply be waking up and trying to find someone to share the Gospel with. We'd truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers!
Finally, when this team left, we were short of our financial goals. If you're so inclined to donate, simply go to the church website and click on "contact us," send an e-mail saying you'd like to contribute, and you'll be given the necessary instructions.
Monday, July 10, 2006
When I filled out the application for this trip I was completely stoked about the idea. The thought of traveling across the ocean to a foreign country in Europe to tell people about Christ absolutely floored me.
I filled out the applications and waited.
When the email came that invited me to be a part of it I freaked.
I was so excited. I wanted to leave right then.
But now, 51 hours from checking in at DFW airport I am almost sick from nerves.
I want to be excited, and part of me is but I am only able to focus on the bad things.
I have to leave my family, my friends, and my boyfriend. I have to leave America, cars, and U.S. dollars. I'm supposed to tell people about Christ and my faith.
But I have no idea how to do that.
I should have been more honest in my essays and told the missions board that I have no clue how to talk to people about God. I should have said that my life in no way represents the way to walk by faith. I should have told them that I'm scared of airplanes and I get homesick easily. I should have said that I am probably going to feel inadequate and scared the whole time.
I'm not ready for this trip.
I know we'll have fun and take pictures and make memories that very few people will ever get the chance to make. I know I am traveling with people who love me and care about me and will encourage me when I'm down. I know that I love and care about and want to encourage those same people and I plan on doing that to the best of my ability.
But I'm just not ready.
God is good and merciful and wonderful and perfect. His timing is perfect. His plan is perfect.
And I should find comfort in these things because He has a purpose for placing every single person on this team including myself.
But comfort is far from my heart.
Lets just all praise God that he is active in our lives and constantly working and loves us. Lets remember that He is all powerful and is about to use a group of Texans to make a difference in Alkmaar, Holland. Lets remember that God loves us no matter what.
Yeah, lets just remember that.
bAiLeY 4:24 PM