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.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Reverse, Reverse!
So, as my title says life is a little crazy right now, I think we had more fun than should be allowed it was so great. A few of the Dutch came over (including the Hays family which I missed and LOVE so much!) and we played a great game of uno! During the game we would randomly start singing out whatever song came to mind and any stupid comment that was still in our head from staying up longer than any human being should have too. I absolutely LOVE this country, everything about it is so different, I feel like I can breathe again. I woke up at 8 this morning and looked out the window and just took a deep breath, and I felt this calmness sweep through me, like I finally get the fact that God truly wants me here, no matter what obstacle was trying to get in my way. God is so good. I think its so funny how we stick out like a sore thumb here, we don't even have to say anything just the way we walk and how we carry ourselves. Even though, if words did come out the Dutch would definitely be able to tell because we are quite vocal. One way we stand out is we smile. When we were biking around, some of the team were shouting out hi's to the Dutch riding by and they didn't even smile at them. After awhile they were like what's wrong with us! And I had to explain, the Dutch aren't like us, they do their own thing and they don't have hope. So they don't have a reason to smile, but we do have hope. We know why were are here on earth. Which, when you really think about it, is SUCH a blessing
so, I love everyone and thank you so much for the comments. I feel bad when some team members talk about missing someone back home because I haven't felt that homesickness. In a way I want to feel that but then I don't. I feel like the other team members must love everyone that they know more because I am not missing home. But then I hit myself and I'm like you idiot, stop it. This is how God made you. But I do sincerely love all of yall back home and it will be so great to see yall and show you all the awesome pictures and share all the stories. Sister, thank you so much......I know I wouldn't be here if God hadn't used you and you hadn't accepted the call, I'm so blessed to have a sister that loves me....Thank you, and by the way Esther says hi! Mama Bradley, thank you for the comment, I consider you a second mom to me and its so encouraging to hear from you. Lisa, I LOVE YOU! hehe, we will be having some crazy fun when I get back. I know all things must come to an end but I'm so excited for this opportunity to be back and share God's love. So I am gonna live in the now, making the most.
A window of God's indescribable Love,
Maria
Maria 6:48 AM