2. Vision (Monday)

3. Church Focus (Tuesday)

4. God Dependence (Wednesday)

5. Caring Community (Thursday)

6. Lifelong Learner (Friday)

     The seven day training costs $700, including room and board. Thanks to all of the supporters for taking care of the expense as well as plane tickets!  We are humbled by your generosity.

Friday - Lifelong Learning

February 22, 2008

Wheaton, Il

     One of our favorite things about TEAM is that it expects it's missionaries to be lifelong learners. What that means is that every TEAM missionary is required to take a day of prayer and reflection to come up with a Personal Growth and Development Plan.

     Today we said goodbye to our new TEAM family. We are sad to be leaving, but excited to hear the stories of what the Lord is going to do through this exceptional batch of people.  

     Joanna and I wanted to thank Bob Wright for his part in the week. We leave every interaction with you inspired and assured.  We appreciate you.

     A special thanks to Beth Wyse for being the grand administrator of Phasetwo. You did an exceptional job and we appreciate your willingness to help us with the smallest thing in the middle of the big production.

     Also, Roger Luce you are a kindred spirit to Joshua.  Thanks for leading some great discussions, even some impromptu ones. Your insight and gift of teaching was a blessing to all of us.

Thursday - Caring Community

February 21, 2008

Wheaton, Il

    Today we are learning about how TEAM cares for missionaries' emotional and physical needs while they are on the field. "The caring Community" was something that we were immediately able to discern from our first contact with TEAM. It is not surprising that this obvious part of the ethos is also built into the organizational structure.

Wednesday - God Dependence

February 20, 2008

Wheaton, Il

    Today Joanna and I met David Hannah. David and his wife Nicole are headed to Italy in six months or so. It was exciting for us to meet someone who is in the same place in life and shares our passion to see Italy reached for Christ. Click here to visit their website.

     Dal Cogdon, a WWII vet and lifetime missionary in Swaziland and South Africa, started the day by encouraging the group with testimonial after testimonial of his rich life of walking with and depending on the Lord. He is a special pillar of the faith and shining example of someone I want to be like.

     Practically, today was a great day for Joanna and I. We got unto the "nuts and bolts" of the procedures and policies of the financial life within TEAM.  Honestly this is what causes anxiety for me and it was great to address my fears. The policies and personnel have really reinforced our confidence in TEAM!

     One issue that we have had this week is that there is no outlet for exercise. We are in lectures, great lectures mind you, but mostly sitting and snacking all day. Running is treacherous because or the "black ice" (The lows have been at or near 0ºF). Yesterday we walked to Wheaton College and found out that we could use their gym for a small fee, and today we were able to spend two hours exercising! It seems like a small thing, but it was a real blessing.

Tuesday - Church Focus

February 19, 2008

Wheaton, Il

    Today was a great day of training. The theme for today was "The Church" with sessions by Jim Rathburn and Bob Wright. These two people are great men of the Lord who are gifted communicators, thoughtful, and encouraging. When we go through one of their sessions it is a confirmation that we are with the right organization! The day seemed to fly by and we learned much about TEAM and practical information. For example, TEAM recognizes that it is the Church that sends missionaries. TEAM provides logistic and strategic support to enable the church in this endeavor.

Monday - Vision

February 18, 2008

Wheaton, Il

    As I am writing this the wind is literally howling outside. The temperature without the wind chill is 8° F (-11 with the wind chill), but our hearts are warm with expectation of moving one step closer to serving the Lord as church planters in Italy! Thanks to our generous supporters, Joanna and I were able to fly to TEAM's headquarters (saving us 2 days of driving) for our "Phase 2 Training" and Joanna's aunt and uncle, Kathy and Jerry Soen, have loaned us a car for the week! We are with about 20 other "Appointees" who are learning about TEAM and where we fit within the organization.  Today (Monday) we focused on TEAM's vision.  We were excited to hear Charlie Davis, TEAM's international director, use TEAM Italy's vision statement as the model for all ministry areas. What a blessing it will be to work with a ministry area that is (we are told by many sources) doing so many things well and reaching ambitious goals.

     We just finished the first day: 12+ hours of mostly sitting through very informative lectures.  My favorites were two sessions with Charlie Davis and one with Bob Wright. Please pray that as the week progresses we will be able to process and remember the massive amounts of information we are being inundated with. Also we got some news from my brother...

    Congrats to my baby brother, Gabriel and his wife Kelly on their third: 7lb 14oz Suzanna Jane.

Sunday - Passionate Service

February 18, 2008

Wheaton, Il

      Joanna and I started our day going to church with Joanna's aunt's family (The Soens) at Grace Community Bible Church.  Once again we were blown away by the likeminded congregation and powerful preaching. It seemed as though David Sunday prepared his sermon to confirm our call to Italy and encourage us toward that end. 

     Back at TEAM, the day was mainly a day of introductions. We had several speakers and activities that centered around knowing each other and TEAM, as well as encouraging us toward the theme of the day: Passionate service.