Team Retreat - Day 01

So, the National Missionary Convention ended this morning and our Team Retreat started this afternoon. It was a great first day, breaking the ice, doing some Team Building exercises and hearing from John & Judy Webb, Team Care Pastors. We are looking forward to a full day tomorrow and a half day on Tuesday. We'll post more pictures soon.

First Day with the Team - some pictures

First Day with the Team

First, Brandon & Savannah arrived last night. Then the rest of the team started arriving in waves today. Brandi arrived around 11:45 AM, April about 1 PM and John, Ann & their kids arrived around 1:30 PM or so. When the last of our team got there, our team was complete. We had a group prayer to start things off right. Then the Blackburns unpacked and it was off to downtown to set-up for the reception at the Doubletree Hotel. It was really cool to see our team working together to set up for the event. It was the first time that our team collaborated together on a project in person.

After setting up, we went to a Team Expansion meeting then dinner at Qdoba's on 15th, four blocks East of Peoria. After dinner we headed back over to the convention center, got our name tags and headed back over to the Doubletree banquet room for some final touches for the reception. People had already started arriving and it was 7:40 PM (it wasn't supposed to start until 8:30 PM). As the night went on, the people streamed in. Not sure what the final count was, but I wrote down the names of everyone I talked to, as well as few that signed the guest list that I didn't talk to and I came up with 85!!! So, assuming there were a few people who I didn't see, didn't remember or didn't sign the list we probably had 90-100 people come to the reception! That totally blew me away, I was hoping for maxing out the room with fifty, but thought maybe thirty or more would show up. It was very encouraging to see the support and interest about what God is doing and wants to do in Verona.

Team Arrivals

In about ten minutes, the first wave of our team members are arriving in Tulsa for the National Missionary Convention. Brandon & Savannah Eaton are staying at our apartment tonight and with another family the rest of their time in Tulsa. More come tomorrow...we are excited!!

Thanksgiving

So....how often do you celebrate Thanksgiving. Most Americans would say once a year. When we were in China this was one of our favorite holidays. We would get together with a lot of friends and just spend the day. We would eat and play and share our blessings with each other. We would thank our dear heavenly Father who gave us these gifts. Really, it wasn't much different than here....except it was usually 80+ degrees!

I learned something new the other day though and I realized that I celebrate Thanksgiving waaay more often. Do you know what the word Eucharist comes from? It comes from the Greek Eukaristos which means grateful and is often translated as thanksgiving. Some place way back when, the Lord's supper came to be called the Eucharist. That is the thanksgiving meal!

So every time you gather around the Lord's table for communion it's Thanksgiving time. I know I am certainly grateful for what those emblems represent; my salvation! God's grace, mercy, faithfulness, and goodness are well worth celebrating!

Just a'Swingin'!

He'd fly through the air with the greatest of ease, That daring young man on the flying trapeze.

A trapeze artist has to do three things: Let go, wait, and be caught. Sometimes I feel like a trapeze artist. Especially these days.

I have let go of America. I have let go of China.

I am now waiting. Waiting for support to come in. Waiting to get to Italy. On a deeper level, waiting to be with my Lord in Heaven for all eternity.

All that is left is to be caught. Caught by the grip of my God who will carry me on to Italy and -- one day -- to Paradise!

In the meantime, Lord, help me to enjoy the adventure and to rest in the knowledge that you have never, ever failed me.

Surround Sound

I recently bought a cheap surround sound set of speakers. There are (hold on, let me count) six speakers. I can't believe what a difference it makes. Right now I'm listening to Berliner Messe and I feel as if I'm sitting in the middle of a cathedral with the voices playing on the marble columns. I feel wrapped in sound. That's how I feel when I remember that hundreds of people are standing around us in prayer. Their voices are dancing under and over, twirling to the left and now the right. I feel delightfully secure.

Go Verona reception and prayer event 2008

If you are going to be in Tulsa for the National Missionary Convention, we want to invite you to a special night with our team and ministry.

Our Verona Team is looking forward to having an informal gathering for all those involved with or interested in our team’s mission in Italy. It will be an opportunity to meet our entire team, pray for the Italian people and see how God has brought together a great support network. If you are a supporter, prayer partner, family member, friend, etc…. we hope to see you at the reception.

Where: At the downtown Tulsa Doubletree Hotel in the Gilcrease room; next door to the convention center.
When: During the National Missionary Convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Thursday, November 20th at 8:30 PM immediately following the evening session.
** please email us or post here for details**

Grieving for the lost

Read these three passages: 

Matthew 7:1-3

"Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? "

My job is not to judge, but to be gracious toward others for Christ is to us.  Accountability toward other Christians must be done with love and compassion, not harsh judgement.  

Galatians 4:19-20 

"my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!  I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you." 

Let us have passionate urgency for the lost in Verona!  Let us pray for open hearts and convicted spirits for those who don't know Jesus.  Having this mindset helps us steer away from spiritual pride.   

Colossians 4:2-6

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.  At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ , on account of which I am in prison-that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.  Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best us of the time.  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."  

We must pray for wisdom in how we act around non-Christians, every moment with them is precious.  Let our message be told with grace for it is a message of ultimate grace.  If it is told in judgement, then the message could be interpreted as judgmental.  These actions should be done with Christians as well to embrace spiritual integrity. 

I love these verses for they convict, comfort and encourage me to be a gracious Christian filled with the message Christ's grace and truth.  Prayer and accountability are essential in this area. The gospel message is a message of authenticity and grace that should not be tampered with by the messenger.  

For the lost people of Verona, let us grieve with compassion and hope.  

This is to my beloved Team!!

For Jesus,

Brandi Shea