Final Stretch!

Tomorrow night I'll be talking at my church here in Atlanta about the plans for Berlin. They are having a missions conference and want to hear what they are paying for. lol It'll be a good chance to share everything that God's been doing through Chi Alpha here at Tech and what I would like them to pray about regarding the mission.

Now I just gotta pass this horrid final so I can make sure I pass all my classes. Oh! And last Plug (Chi Alpha worship service) of the semester tonight! Lord, do I need it!

Hope!

The last few weeks have been crazy..scrambling to get the last few dollars in and raising extra support via my internship this year as well as work, studying, tests, ministry school and leading worship multiple times a weak and a recent comeback of the allergies this season... All these things can keep one busy but God is stirring me steadily.. Stirring my heart for more, to see more and desire more depth. As we are getting ready for Berlin I am excited to see what God wants to do, the people he wants us to reach and touch with His love..He keeps reminding me of this hope, this hope to which he has called us as is written in Ephesians, this hope is not just for ourselves He is the hope of the nations! Let's take this hope to the world!

Something Great

Hey everyone!!! My name is Brittany Watson and this is my second time going on the Reach Europe trip. I went to Berlin last year and God completely rocked my world!! I have never been so spiritually stretched before, but I feel like I grew so much as a Christian. I am so excited about going back to Berlin this summer and seeing people that I met last year, and seeing where God has taken them on their spiritual journeys.

This trip this year means so much more to me this year than last year, mainly because it has been one struggle after another this year. The enemy has come at me with everything he could think of this past month.  Two weeks ago I lost vision in my right eye and then lost feeling in my right side. I was rushed to the hospital, where I was told I was having a stroke. After running tests, they told me I wasn't having a stroke, but that I had a major tear in my carotid artery that needed surgery to be fixed. All of this came as a major shock to me. I mean stuff like that doesn't happen to 21 year olds. While in the ICU, I called everyone I could think of and asked them to pray. The next day the doctors did some more tests and came in a few hours later with the results. The doctors could not understand how the tear had just disappeared, but I told them that God healed me. I have never been so scared before, but through all of the fear God gave me such a deep peace. Coming out of this experience has humbled me in a way I never knew possible. We truly serve a God that works miracles!! After that all of that, I know that God must have amazing things in store for this trip, because the enemy wouldn't be fighting us so hard otherwise. So, I continue to thank God everyday for this miracle I have been given and I thank God everyday in advance for all that He will do through all of us that are going to Europe.

I can not wait to see everyone in less than three weeks!! I am so excited! See you all soon!

Easter

So it's the night before Easter and I have been thinking.  There is such a strong and powerful connection with resurrection Sunday and missions.  I mean, it is really the good news of Christ's resurrection that becomes the Good News of the Gospel.  We are headed to Europe this summer, but it not just another trip.  We are celebrating and spreading the Good News of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection.  We are taking part in God's plan for global reconciliation which is only made possible because of Easter weekend.

SO READY!

 This is me, for anyone who doesn't know already! God is still preparing me for the great things that are to come out of this trip. Over the past week, my alpha group spent some time dwelling on Luke 7. In which we once again found Jesus setting an example, a standard for everyone to follow. Acts of LOVE in all kinds of forms but most importantly, sharing the good new with someone! Telling someone something that could save them from suffering both in this life and the next is possibly the best thing you can do for them. Along with telling them about Jesus, showing them love in the form of giving, listening, connecting, teaching, encouraging, praying, etc. is equally as important in order to reinforce Christ's message (which is to love all people no matter who they are). So lets reach Europe!

Lets reach Europe. Make disciples. And Glorify God with our acts of love! With prayer that it would not end in Europe but reach the ends of the Earth! So encouraged by God and all who are preparing for Europe.

Love God. Love People. Serve the World. Through Prayer!

Thanks again for everyone supporting us. We really could NOT do any of this without you. Praise God!

Its Coming..

It's hard to believe we are only a few weeks away from Berlin. I get more excited every day. This is my first missions trip. I always said I wouldn't go on any missions trip that I didn't feel drawn to, as soon as I heard about this trip I knew this was the one for me. God has done amazing things to get me on this trip and I am ready to see the things He will do through all of us over there. I'm excited to see and meet the team(the ones I haven't met already)

May's coming out of nowhere!

It's almost overwhelming to see all the support I've been getting financially and, more importantly, spiritually. So many people from back home (Jacksonville, FL) and at my church are excited for me. I can tell because it's the first thing they ask about when they see me. I've been imagining what these next 3 week's are gonna be like. Run a million experiments, write a million papers, finals, a week of family time and packing... Then, (what?) I'm on a plane on my way to Europe! Crazy! I think I will really be shifting gears once I sit down on that first plane.

Next Friday, I'll be speaking at my church conference here in ATL about our plans in Berlin. I'll let you know how it goes.

Journaling Homework 4 weeks out!

Y'alls blog is great - Ok - we are four weeks out so you should begin journaling if you haven't already. Record your impressions, fears, excitement, etc. Be aware of how God is involved in your preparations. Share your vision and fears and concerns with your prayer team so that they know how to specifically pray for you. Blessings - Kirk

German Lesson #1

The week after I returned from Berlin last year, I decided that I really wanted to learn some German!  I bought the generic version of Rosetta Stone and a German dictionary!  Long story short, I got busy and haven't learned much at all.  My first German lesson last year was on the plane...let's start earlier than that this year!!

*I'm going to spell things exactly how they sound
Hallo = Hello
Off-vee-ter-sane = Goodbye
Choos (like the ending of goose) = Goodbye
Choos-ee = Goodbye (mine and Brittany's 2nd favorite German phrase)
Bit-ah = Please
Dank-ah = Thank you
Vo ist dee... = Where is the....
Ick murk-tah ine = I want a
fahn-kook-en = jelly doughnut (mine and Brittany's 1st favorite German word and favorite food.  That powdery substance on the top is slightly addictive.  It may not be sugar...)

Ick murk-tah ine fahn-kook-en bit-ah (I want a Jelly doughnut please)

Ick murk-tah dry fahn-kook-en bit-ah (I want 3 Jelly doughnut's please)

Anxious...

I'm anxious to leave for Berlin. Recently, my heart for missions has been turned all the way up.
Since I don't know a few of you, I'll kinda tell you about myself:
Well, again, I'm Hannah Schuerman. I am 19 years old and about to finish my second year in college. I am currently at Georgia State University in the heart of Atlanta, where I was born and raised. I am still deciding a major, but I am looking at double majoring in Education and Applied Linguistics. I am pursuing a career as a missionary and right now I feel a calling for the Middle East. I would consider myself very artistic, as I am always drawing or doodling. I am also very passionate about photography and I feel my greatest artistic strength lives there. I am the youngest of four children. Growing up, my parents were youth leaders and let many friends who were kicked out of there houses to stay at ours. I believe that is where I learned my compassion and love of helping people. I work with children at the daycare at my church and I am heavily involved in a leadership position in my youth group. Previously, I have been on a missions trip to Bogota, Colombia to work with Mike and Naomi Lawrence and I have also been to Thessaloniki, Greece as part of Reach Europe 2010. I believe God has called me to not only be a missionary, but to serve as a leader as well. I have a lot to learn about missions and am excited about any opportunity to help me do so. 


Can't wait to meet you guys!

Wouldn't It Be Sad...

Our Reach Europe team is all doing a weekly devotion to prepare for our trip.  They include bible verses, things to pray for, things to write, suggestions of what to read during the week, and also a "missions quote of the week".  This weeks quote is:
"In our lifetime, wouldn't it be sad if we spent more time washing dishes or swatting flies or mowing the yard or watching television than praying for world misisons?" - Dave Davidson
Will you take some time today (maybe even just a minute) to pray for our Reach Europe Trip!

Changing the Future, Changing History

Hey Gang,

It's Ouida, Chi Alpha Director at CSU. Just wanted you all to know that we spent time praying for the trips at our leadership meeting last night. As we were praying, I thought about the legacy of pain, torture, cynicism, and ultimately evil that Europe has inherited. Those seeds sown all throughout the past have sprung up in countless ways in the lives you will encounter there.

I kept finding myself praying that God would change history. Now if history is in the past it is unchangeable, right? Well I believe that what God can and will do through you will change the future and ultimately change the course of Europe's history....through the students in Berlin and the children in Romania.

For so many Europeans, the story seems to have been written already. Our God is a God who wipes the slate clean as if that history never happened.

God, will you change history through reachEUROPE? Will you use us to do it?

Consider...

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1:2-8


I know this is longer than the limit, but these verses have been on my mind recently. Don't know if this connects with anyone else, but really meditate on it. 
Can't wait for Berlin!! 

So much to Learn!

God is always preparing me for the unknown. It is easy to look back and see all the things that have been applicable. Whether in talking to someone, prayer, sharing a testimony, relating to people, or whatever the case; looking back I can clearly see how God always gives me what I need and puts words in my mouth in order to bring Glory to Himself. Preparing for this Berlin trip seems to be no different. I know God is working great things for this trip and although I have no idea what those things are, I have peace in the fact that I can depend on him to give me everything I need. It is by my past experiences that I have faith in God to provide for me and send the Holy Spirit to make my weaknesses stronger than "my" strengths. So to encourage each of you, do not fear the unknown but instead rest in the Lord and he will glorify himself through you. Each of us is on this team for a reason and we all have something to learn. So be open and paying attention, even now. 
 God bless!

If you want to learn a little more about me stay tuned, email (msbarnes11@yahoo.com), message me on fb (Mark Scott Barnes II), or check out my Tumblr (http://psalm3.tumblr.com). Look forward to this trip that is only a month away!

Success Story from Last Year's Trip!

         

Religion is a taboo subject to talk about in Europe.  We are told that to talk to someone about religion in the first meeting is the equivalent to asking someone about their sex life in the first meeting here in the US.  Because of this, our goal is connecting Berlin students to Studenten Für Christus (Students for Christ, for those of you that don't speak German, haha!), the ministry we are working with in Berlin.  I received a facebook friend request from a student we met playing football (yes the American version) in Berlin last summer.  He informed me that he is really involved with SFC and cannot wait to see us this summer!!

here we go!

Hey yall! I'm Lydia, I'm 23 years old from Auburn, AL. I can't wait to meet all you guys on the Berlin team! I know you all are amazing people and I'm so excited to be serving with you guys! This will be my first mission trip, and I can't wait to see what God is going to do!

I finished raising my budget THE DAY OF the deadline. I raised nearly 1/3 of my budget on that last day. Even though it came down to the wire, I was never really worried... I knew that God would provide if He wanted me there.
The same day I reached my full budget, my passport came in the mail. Woohoo!

So now that I've got the fundage and the passport, this trip has become a reality. I'm actually going to be in Berlin. For 2 weeks. For real. Ahh!!! Excited!

So Lord, bring it. Whatever You have in store for us while we're there, whoever you want us to meet, talk to, pray for, or encourage... have Your way. Do what You do best, God. Amen!

Supporters: I made this picture to say a resounding THANK YOU for helping me train for my future!

  "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21


  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Hello there!

It's Hannah Schuerman.
It's about 5 weeks until we leave for Berlin and let me just say I am SO EXCITED!
I went on the Reach Europe trip last year (only I went to Thessaloniki) and it was life-changing! Can't wait to meet all of the group members and see what God has in store in Berlin!

Hannah

5 Weeks Away!!

We are only 5 weeks away from leaving for our Annual Reach Europe Mission Trip!!!

Standing Firm

Prayer meeting was great last night!  You're always suppose to say that right?  I mean, unless a fist fight breaks out amidst the praying, one always says, "Prayer meeting was great..." but let me tell you WHY it was so good, because it was so much better than the generic "Great Prayer".  Mark, Rachel, Bailey, and myself (Jenna is on Spring Break and was praying...just not in my backyard!) all were reading our bibles and praying, but at the end we took some time to share what we felt God was speaking to us...and we all ended up sharing the same idea using different scriptures!  What we all felt was that God was telling us that we will need to "Stand Firm"when in Europe and that we need to start preparing to stand firmly now.

• God showed me Isaiah 7:9 "Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm." 
• Bailey was reading Acts 4 where Paul is in prison.  She was talking about how Paul was always "ready" and he never wavered in his calling because he stood so firm.
• Mark shared a story about a mission trip he went on where his well-being was endangered.  He said that he felt that he should share it because God gave him strength in that moment to not be afraid or scared, but bold...standing firm!

God, we are asking that you prepare us to STAND FIRM in our FAITH while in EUROPE!

Second Prayer Meeting Tonight!

The Reach Europe Team from Georgia Southern will be getting together tonight at 7pm for prayer for our trip.  We will be asking God for some specific things:

• To prepare our hearts for this Mission Trip.  We are not "mustering up" compassion for Berlin or Romania.  We want to partner with God's heart, which is breaking for those we will have an opportunity to minister to
• To Open Up His Word to Us.  We want God to show us scriptures to encourage, motivate, and challenge us over the next five weeks!
• To Give Us Specific Visions of What We Will Be Doing.  We want God to give us scriptures to share, words to say, people to meet...before we get to Berlin or Romania and God can show us that now!
• To Show Us What He Wants to Teach Us On This Trip.  Often times, God works in me even more than those that I am going to help.  We are asking God to show us the things that He is wanting to teach us!

Why Europe...

Gettin' My Backpack!

Last year was my first trip to Europe.  It was awesome except for one thing.  Lugging around my giant suitcase onto/off of planes, taxis, cars, vans, trains, hotels, houses, etc.  So this year I got a little smarter!  My backpack just came in this week.  This trip is getting more and more "real" each day!!

6 weeks away

Can't believe we are 6 weeks away from starting the Mission!!