Spain in March + Israel in May

Spain Team: March 13-25 (Total Need Left $3100)

Lindsey and I are leading a team from CAM International to Spain in March. This team is composed of Mexican believers, CAM Missionaries from Mexico, and some Americans that are also committed to learning about Spain, serving there for 2 weeks, and getting some great plans made regarding future church planting efforts in Spain that Lindsey and I would like to be a part of.

With the following conversion rate: 1 Euro = $1.48 US, our financial need for this trip has gone up. Our total need now for Spain is $3100.

Please consider making a contribution by sending checks to:

CAM International
8625 La Prada Drive
Dallas, TX 75228
PLEASE PUT IN THE MEMO LINE: Account #060288

Israel Team: May 12-June 3 (Total Remaining Need: $3990)

As the capstone of our seminary studies and an opportunity to further prepare for ministry, Lindsey and I are going to Israel with Dallas Theological Seminary. We hope to come away closer to our Lord, with a better understanding of Biblical lands, and also more prepared to describe the Bible to those we serve in ministry now and in the future.

Currently our financial need is: $1495 (Brad) + $2495 (Lindsey). Many of you have already given and we simply ask that those that are able and feel called would consider this opportunity to join us in ministry. Our total need for Israel is: $3990 which is less than the total because we've already paid some and also received a scholarship that brought the price down.

Would you consider helping us with the cost of this time in Israel? Your donation is not tax-deductible but know that we promise to be good stewards of our time there by studying, taking pictures, growing closer to Christ, and also planning ways that we can take what we learn and apply it to ministry. You can send a check directly to:

Brad and Lindsey Bridges
3909 Swiss Ave. #228
Dallas, TX 75204

Thanks for your support and know that even if you are not able to give financially, we'd ask that you keep us in your prayers as we seek the Lord's provision!

Brad and Lindsey

Nine to five is the worst time to fish

I heard a presentation this morning that started with, "Nine to five is the worst time to fish." I sat and tried to figure out what in the world was his point. But then it clicked when I read the next line "Adapt your schedule to reach the lost."

Just like in fishing we must adapt our schedule to the best times to catch fish, when we are involved in ministry we must also take an in depth look at what type of schedule we live. Most of the people that we are trying to serve are at work from 9-5. Am I willing to get up early and stay up late in order to spend time with people when they are available? Is a typical work schedule always the best thing for a person in full-time ministry?

Thoughts anyone?

Did you know? (lessons learned in travel planning)

Today I learned something that may seem like common sense to some and something very surprising to others. While planning a trip for a team going to Spain that Lindsey and I are facilitating in March, we of course purchased the plane tickets for our team composed of Americans and Mexicans. However we ran into a snag. When a Mexican citizen flies to Spain and has an hour long layover in an American airport, they must have previously gotten a transit visa or else the airline will not let them on the plane. We should have thought of this but for some reason it came as a surprise.

Lesson learned: be careful to always investigate the visa requirements even for quick connections in not only any US airport but also in any other airport especially when you are making plans for someone who is not an American citizen.

As I think through all this, I find myself wondering how beneficial this is for the US economy to not be able to somehow allow foreigners to sit in a secure area of the airport while awaiting connections. The reason the US government requires the visas is that the foreign national could theoretically (and some probably have) leave the airport and enter the US even while holding a plane ticket. This would pose a security threat. However I'm sure in many cases like the one I just experienced, it would benefit the US economy to find a way to make this type of situation work without visas being required. After all, today $2500 worth of flights was taken out of the American economy and put into the British economy because the UK will allow a Mexican to get a transit visa on the spot to enter the country after a flight with British Airways.

If you find this confusing, you are not alone. We sure do live in a confusing world.

Extreme Cold

Have you ever experienced an 83 degree temperature change in one day? Today I did. It was 80 degrees in Dallas today and by the time I got to Moody in Chicago today it was -3 degrees! -3 degrees!

It was a wonderful day in Dallas with perfect weather to go out to a park and have a picnic with Lindsey or play sports. Now here in Chicago (where I'll be until Friday) it is freeeeeezing cold. It is so cold that your fingers start to get numb after just a couple minutes. Let's just say that I will be spending lots of time inside this week rather than outside.

Brad

Rain...Lots of Rain.

It was incredible today to see the rain pour down at CAM in Dallas, TX. My coworkers and I just decided to take a break from work for about five minutes and proceed to ooh and ahh about the rain. It really is easy to take rain for granted especially when it is coming down all the time. But it is during the times that we don't have it that we realize how thankful we should be.

My father shared with me in the fall about how NC and other states were experiencing extreme droughts that were making life very difficult for full-time farmers.

Enjoy the video. Be thankful. Rain.