Poland Video on YouTube

Mark has already posted some videos of the team on YouTube. Enjoy.

Saturday Poland Team Update

After an hour an a half delay leaving Chicago, we arrived in Munich with only 45 minutes till departure. We made it just in time.

Arrived in Krakow safe and sound. All luggage here except for 4 peoples: Chase, McVey, Ziegler, and Jorgensen. No problem though because theirs will be on the next flight which lands in 3 hours and they will deliver it to our hostel.

Team is in great spirits. Going out for lunch and sightseeing in Krakow.

Mark

Poland Team Info

Hello, Poland Team Supporters!

We are truly overwhelmed by the support our Poland Team has received. In a relatively short amount of time, God has put a team together and raised $18,144.84 to send us on our way for the cause of Christ. So many of you have assured us of your prayers and have said you'll be setting out the "Poland Spring" water bottles as a way to keep us in mind.

Some of you will be interested in getting reports from the field. We're planning to communicate the following ways.

1. Gina, our Administrative Assistant, will be sending out a few brief emails, briefing you of major developments in our trip. These will automatically come to your inbox. For most of you, that is the extent of the detail that you will be interested. James Wartian, our Missions Pastor, will also post these on his Missions Blog. [But you know that because you are already here!]

2. For those of you family members and others interested, we plan to upload video reports, hopefully daily, on Youtube. The most recent video will be enlarged and at the top.

3. We will upload the best of the best photos to my Flickr account for anyone interested.

4. For those of you wishing to leave encouraging messages for our team or post comments on the videos, you'll need to establish your own Youtube username. (Note: to avoid becoming distracted by concerns of home, the team will not be checking personal emails, Facebook, etc, during the camp, so this will be the means of communicating with us.)

Pray for a powerful experience for us, the missionaries Przemek and Julie, the struggling Polish believers whom we will encourage and for the Polish unbelievers who will be hearing the gospel soon! And pray for the remaining $6,485.16 that would come in to complete our full support.

OUR ITINERARY

1/25 (Fri) Team flies to Krakow

1/26 (Sat) Arrive Krakow, Przemek to meet team at airport, overnight in Krakow Hostel

1/27 (Sun) Travel to Czchow ("choove"), camp planning

1/28 (Mon) Camper registration until lunch, camp begins with lunch at 1:30

1/28-2/7 Evangelistic English Language Camp

2/1 (Fri) Day trip to the quaint village of Krynica (home of Zuber Water!)

2/5 (Tu) Ben Ziegler's birthday

2/6 (Wed) Banquet in evening

2/7 (Thu) Camp ends with breakfast, team travels back to Krakow

2/8 (Fri) Debriefing, rest, shop, sightsee (perhaps to visit Auschwitz)

2/9 (Sat) Team flies home from Krakow. Scheduled to arrive in Cedar Rapids at 5:49 pm on United Flight 5858

2/10 (Sun) Poland report for anyone interested at 6:30 pm in the Sr. High room.

The time in Poland is 7 hours ahead, by the way.

Blessings on you all!
Mark Forstrom

Poland Team Departure

Our Senior High Poland Team will leave in roughly 12 hours to lead an English Camp. If you want to see them off at the Eastern Iowa Airport, their flight on United to Chicago is scheduled to leave at 1:34 PM. You can meet them at the airport around 12 Noon on Friday, January 25.

Planned Violence

The Dallas Morning News Religion Blog alerted me to a chilling story in the New York Times that suggests the killing and violence in Kenya may have been at least partially premeditated. Please continue to pray for peace and that the truth would come to light.

Kenya Post Election Updates

Ushahidi.com is a website that was created for people who witness acts of violence in Kenya in these post-election times. I don't know that the things posted are independently confirmed, but it is a quick way to see what is being reported all over that country.

Global Prayer Digest

“When man works, man works. When man prays, God works.”

Do I really believe in prayer? The opening quote is a real challenge to me. I pray. I have preached on the importance of prayer. I help put out a monthly prayer update for all of our Kingdom Partners. But there is something about the unseen hand of God that I sometimes don’t trust. Prayer can easily become a routine rather than a fervent pleading with the God of the universe who is actually in control of absolutely everything (see Colossians 1:15-20). I find it hard to pray and then rest, secure that God has heard and will answer (Philippians 4:6-7).

I can remember back when I was a student at Moody Bible Institute in the mid-80’s. I was part of a weekly prayer group focused on the Soviet Union and other countries behind the iron curtain. Each week I prayed that the iron curtain would fall and that there would be freedom to share the gospel in the Soviet controlled lands.

Ten years later, I went to Russia on a mission trip. When I stood before a Baptist church on a Sunday evening, I had to confess that I had very little faith my prayers would be answered. Even though I was standing in their very presence, it was almost like a dream. I couldn’t believe it was really happening.

I have learned three things about prayer. When I pray, I need to only have faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). When I pray, I must be persistent and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). When I pray, I should be specific.

Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples of all people groups (Matthew 28:19). But that was never meant to be done in our own strength. He specifically reminds us that he is in control of everything (28:18) and that he is with us to the very end (28:20). It is crucial that we do more than just send and support Kingdom Partners. It is essential that we are praying for those who do not yet know Christ.

If you want to join me in praying specifically and daily for those who have yet to be reached with the Gospel, go to www.global-prayer-digest.org. It may very well revolutionize your understanding of how God uses prayer to change the world.

MAF in Kenya

Christianity Today's website has a great article about the work Mission Aviation Fellowship is doing in Kenya during the current crisis. I encourage you to take time to read it.

If you want to help make a long term difference, I suggest you check out the ministry of African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries (ALARM). I have been friends with Celestin Musekura, the founder and president of ALARM, for many years. He has seen firsthand how tribal violence can turn even those who claim to be Christians into lethal enemies. As the Christianity Today article mentions, ALARM plans to be actively involved in helping bring the true peace and reconciliation that can only be found in Christ.

Christmas

Without Christmas, there would be no missions! Because of Christmas, we have the supreme example of the obedience we should show as we follow Christ’s command to make disciples of all people groups. Let me invite you to take a few minutes and mediate on Philippians 2:5-12 (taken from The Message):

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.

Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God.

Kingdom Partner Websites

I have added links at the left for our Kingdom Partners, the Griffiths and the Leveringtons (which is still under construction).

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Go to the the International Day of Prayer website and learn how to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. The second Sunday of November has been set aside as a day for all of us to remember those who do not have the religious freedoms we take for granted here in America. Be sure to go to the PRAYER REQUESTS link for specific prayers for strategic nations.

The Observation Deck

One of the benefits I enjoyed while attending Moody Bible Institute was living just north of downtown Chicago. I was a short walk or subway ride from many wonderful places. I could window shop on Michigan Avenue, enjoy the lake and Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park, see the animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo, or experience a ballgame at Wrigley Field. But my favorite thing to do was to go up to the observation deck of the John Hancock Center.

When you live downtown in a big city like Chicago, you live and move in man-made canyons. With the limited view, it is harder to see the bigger picture of your surroundings. In that urban jungle, the only places you could truly rise above to get a clear perspective was by going to the top of either the Sears Tower or the Hancock Center. Although the Sears Tower is taller, the Hancock had a spectacular view of both the lake and some of the most beautiful parts of Chicago. Even when it was cloudy or overcast, I still marveled at the view.

I suspect we usually live our busy lives in our own version of “downtown man-made canyons.” We focus on the next project we need to finish for work, the next activity our kid needs to attend, the laundry that needs to be done, or the vacation that seems to not come soon enough. Rarely do we rise above the hectic pace and the legitimate needs in our daily lives to see things from God’s perspective. But only then do we truly see things as they really are.

I want to invite you to join me on the observation deck of life to see God’s grand plan for all of history. It will require some time and even some money. But the view is breathtaking—and quite possibly even life changing. You will see the beauty of what God has been doing throughout human history and the role that God would have you play in making it a reality. In fact, I would suggest that every decision you make will most likely be faulty until you see the world from God’s perspective.

Next January we will host Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. For more information on this incredible 15 week course, go to Perspectives.org or pick up a flyer from the Kingdom Partners table in the lobby at New Covenant.

The Family that Blogs Together...

The McCollum's have become a family of bloggers! You not only can keep up with the family at their website, you now can read a blog by Connor and Ariel. The links are also permanently posted on the right if you need to find them again.

Enjoy!

Tammany is Home

After a long and hard day of travel, Tammany safely arrived in Cedar Rapids -- 10 minutes early! Be sure to make her feel welcome when you see her at church on Sunday.

Tammany Is in the Air!

According to the American Airlines website, Flight 3579 took off at 3:51 PM. The estimated arrival time in Cedar Rapids is 5:45 PM. (Personal experience says she could be 15 minutes earlier or 30 minutes later than that time!)

See you at the airport to welcome Tammany!

Tammany Block Return Info

Tammany Block, who has been one of our Kingdom Partners serving with Operation Mobilization on the Logos II, returns to Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, September 19.

For those of you who wish to meet her at the airport you have two options. Pastor Mark Forstrom will be taking a shuttle bus of friends from New Covenant down to the Eastern Iowa Airport. The bus will leave at 5:15 PM and return before 7:00 PM.

Or you can come join us at the Eastern Iowa Airport. Tammany is scheduled to arrive at 5:55 PM on American Airlines Flight# 3579 from Dallas.

Muslim Prayer Focus

It is easy to fall into stereotypes about what it means to be a Muslim. Some people ignore them while others demonize them as all being terrorists. As Christians, we are called to love both our neighbor and our enemy, so whatever your view of Islam, our response should be the same. We should love them into the Kingdom.

How will we reach the Muslim world for Christ? Is it even possible? There is no easy answer to the first question, but I do know one element that is essential: Prayer. The Bible is clear that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Those who don’t know Christ have been blinded by our true enemy, Satan, and so we must depend on the power of God to remove that veil (2 Corinthians 4:3-6).

Reaching Muslims for Christ is most assuredly possible. It is happening all over the world. And in every story I hear, prayer is what truly made the difference. So let me invite you to make a difference by joining with me in praying from September 13 to October 12 for Muslims around the world.

For the next 3 Sundays, you can pick up a copy of the 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus from the Kingdom Partners mission table in the lobby at New Covenant (a kid’s version is also available). This prayer guide coincides with the Muslim month of Ramadan. Here is a short explanation from the introduction in the prayer guide: “The goal of this prayer guide (while far from being comprehensive in its portrayal of Islam) is to inspire and guide each reader as s/he pleads for Muslims before the throne of the Almighty. We encourage you to seek further information and to gain a greater understanding of the Islamic world and God’s activities among Muslims, as well as firsthand knowledge by developing friendships with Muslims.”

If you do not attend New Covenant, or if you prefer to use an online prayer guide, the website www.30daysfire.net has videos, photos, and music from the various countries, cities, and people groups cited in the prayer guide. You can order your own copy of the guide by going to http://www.30daysprayer.com/muslim/2007/default.htm.

Team Reports

If you are in the Cedar Rapids area, make plans to come and hear what God has done through the Czech Business English Camp Team and the Emergency Landing Team. The reports will be shared on Sunday, September 9, at 12:30 PM in the Activity Center at New Covenant. A pizza lunch will be provided ($2/person).

Missions Is About...

Finish this sentence: “Missions is about…”. What would you say is at the heart of missions?

Some might answer, “Missions is about the missionary. Our goal is to pray for and support those who are serving all over the world.” That is understandable. Without a missionary who goes, there would be no missions.

I suspect that many would say, “Missions is about the unreached, those who do not know Christ. The purpose of mission work is to make disciples of all the people groups.” That, too, is a worthy goal. Jesus commanded us to do this very thing.

There are a few who would say, “Missions is about the glory of God. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. The purpose of missions is to see God glorified as people from every tongue, tribe, and nation worship before the throne.” I am one of those few. While missions requires missionaries who go to make disciples of all people groups, the primary focus of missions is not on the missionary or the people group. The focus is first and last upon God and his glory (see Psalm 67:3-4; Isaiah 56:6-7; John 17:1-5; Romans 15:15-17; Revelation 7:9-12).

Does this really make a difference? Is it really crucial that God’s glory be at the core of mission work? As I study the Bible, I have come to the conclusion that it makes a world of difference. Focusing on the glory of God provides the fuel and the foundation for mission work. When we make the missionary our primary focus, we can easily miss the bigger picture of what God is doing by becoming attached to a person rather than to the goal to make disciples. When we make “the lost” our primary focus, we tend to operate out of guilt and obligation. But when we make God and His glory our primary focus, we value his servants who serve as missionaries and we share his love and compassion for those who have never heard.

One day missions will be no more, but giving God glory is something we can and will joyfully do throughout eternity. Missions is the means—it is not the end.

Emergency Landing Has Landed!

Emergency Landing is safely home! Of course, the return trip had its own challenges. They barely made their connection in Chicago, so their luggage did not arrive. But their families and friends are just happy they are back.

Check back in a week or two for a few more pictures and stories about the trip.

Emergency Landing -- No News Is...

As the saying goes, no news is good news! I have not heard of any delays or difficulties with the team's return, and their British Airways flight# 299 is on schedule. So I expect Emergency Landing to arrive at the Eastern Iowa Airport on American Airlines flight# 4005 shortly after 10 PM tonight. If I hear anything different, I will post an update here.

Emergency Landing Week 2 Update

We have just returned from Southern Kyrgyzstan where we played 4 concerts. The first was outdoors and the other 3 were indoors.

So far the people have been quite open and friendly. We had an altar call in Jalalabad and 15-20 people came forward. That was a pretty awesome moment! While in Osh we climbed Solomon Mountain - the Muslims believe that God will hear their prayers when they pray on this mountain. Legend has it that this mountain was part of King Solomon's Kingdom.

We have our final concert tomorrow in a prison. It's hard to believe our time here is almost over. We have learned so much about being dependent on God and of His constant faithfulness. We look forward to sharing with you all when we return.

Emergency Landing Team

Emergency Landing Scheduled Return

I will post any updates I receive in the next few days, including any changes to the return plans for Emergency Landing. So check back often!

Emergency Landing is currently scheduled to return on Thursday, July 26 at 10:05 PM on American Airlines Flight# 4005. Be sure to check the American website or call to make sure the flight is on time before heading down to the airport! :-)

Emergency Landing Update

We have arrived safely in Kyrgyzstan, although a day late due to the flight cancellation. But praise the Lord that we were still able to play our first concert! We've been unable to connect to the internet or call before now so it looks like contact may be rare.

We had our first concert last night in Naryn. It went very well -- good turn out and receptive crowd. Tomorrow we head to the southwest and do four concerts over the next 5 days. Please continue to pray for the people who come to our concerts so that the work that God has already started will continue. God has already done some amazing things in the just the first few days of our journey so we are excited to see what the next week holds.

Thanks!

Angie and Jess for the team