a pile of nails

"Beginning to study" hardly describes what I have been working through this past week. For example, how is a pile of nails similar to what I hope to accomplish? The problem was to figure out a way to balance all 17 nails on one nail. How we solve this is like what we hope to accomplish in research.
Actually, the analogy of nails is similar to the challenges I face in my own ministry. How can Christians from one culture and background work together with others without one culture exerting control over the other or defining what is acceptable or bad? In other words how do we balance ourselves together…? (It's hard enough for any of us in our own culture to do this ...much less from different cultures?! )

There are 14 of us who are beginning our research at the same time. We have been getting set-up, oriented to the process and prepared for the challenges. Yesterday, we received library cards to use the Oxford Bodleian library. We had to read an oath to the librarian that in the library among other things, we would neither beg steal or borrow, eat or drink, nor "light a fire and kindle a flame." Here I am waiting to read the oath.

study in Oxford

I began my studies yesterday at OCMS the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. The center was begun over 25 years ago in order to help Christians research issues especially related to the developing two thirds world. There are 15 of us starting in this term from at least 9 different countries.

This is the start of a long and important journey that I feel will help me to understand the role of the refugee highway in the life and mission of the church in Europe. If I am successful I will be working on this subject part time and in connection with my ministry for the next several years.

I take the bus in from where I am living and walk up the street in the photo about a mile to where the centre is located.

relief aid

Our pastor and friend from Lynchburg, VA, Wayne Meredith, led a tour group through Innsbruck on Sunday. The group was made up mostly of members from Rivermont and Northminster churches. They invited us to supper and brought us" relief and aid" from America, -including zip lock bags, brown sugar and dryer sheets. Here we receiving the care packages.

access training

Last week, I helped at the IT training for new workers here in Austria. We met in the Vienna area and there was a core group of 4 new workers and a number of visitors. I taught four subjects including: "Faith Hope Love -foundations for ministry" as well as an introduction to refugee ministry -"Why we do what we do?"
One of the workers is Hamid (photo below) who is joining IT. He was a refugee himself and many people have prayed for him over the years. He finally received his Austrian citizenship after 7 years. He is married to Debbie on the Innsbruck team. They will go to Canada to raise more support and return next summer to work in Innsbruck.

bitter cold

The picture is proof that it's been cold here for at least a week -in the 40's with rain and snow on mountains.

Let this cold picture remind us all to pray for e in Italy. After four years in Austria his appeal process ran out. Overnight he had to leave a place of belonging or risk deportation. The risk of being killed if returned is too great. Despite the incomprehensible longing to be with his wife and child. He has gone undergound and is now in Rome where winter is coming. He sent me an instant message today.

"Dear sir, calvary blessings! I don't know when you will visit rome. please sir kindly assist me with cold winter clothing. please don't let my request offend you, because noone to ask and because I trust you. God bless"

Happy Birthday

Tessa turned 14 today! The Lord has blessed us all through her life these past years, and we look forward to the next 14!

cyclists pass through

Friends and supporters, Geoff and Margy from BCF in Backsburg, VA passed through Innsbruck. They actually road tandem across, up and down and all around Austria! We were impressed, inspired and blessed to have them with us for a few days!

flourishing fellowship

A refugee from 10 years ago together with his family visited us this past weekend. They are in the middle. (The other couple is from the Innsbruck team) They still live where I used to minister. He is one of the leaders at the ethnic fellowship there that now has about 40 people from week to week.

I met him originally, when he came to a bible study that I had at that time with several others. Some moved on to america, but he stayed in Linz and continued to grow as a christian. That bible study grew into the fellowship it is today!

It was such a joy to have a taste of heaven. The Lord knew I needed that visit. N shared how the fellowship grows and grows. They see people healed and regularly experience other miracles. They have founded a bible school in their own language and last month they sent back their first very own missionary!