Movements

Movements

We are all part of movements. Right now sitting in the passenger seat of our car as Lindsey drives and we are part of constant movement here on the Chicago highways. Things here seem to never stop moving.

But what about movements in society? You know, the ones that effect lives. I read about a man recently who started TOMS Shoes in order to initiate a movement geared toward bringing new pairs of shoes to kids around the world. He has begun a movement.

Some movements are within our own families. My great uncle Edgar and my grandmother Margaret initiated a movement in my family. They loved, welcomed, and treated with respect. They started a movement that extends through the many lives they changed over the years.

What kind of a movement are you involved in? May there are movements around you that you can simply join and be a part of?

Some people join movement teams. Our friends Mark and Michelle annually have movement teams leave their homes and make an impact on the people in need in Honduras.

We are taking part in a new movement in Uruguay. A movement of people who are served, who serve others. Join us in prayer. Join us for a one week movement team. Join us by partnering with us financially on a monthly basis. Join the movement! Join any movement!

Just make sure there is a movement.

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Franklin Graham in Montevideo, Uruguay - March 19-21

Guess what?? There will be a Franklin Graham festival this weekend in Montevideo, Uruguay that has as its primary goal to "bring hope" to the secular country of Uruguay.

This event has the capacity to be huge for the country of Uruguay where many who are serving there sometimes refer to their work as an uphill battle. When big names like Franklin Graham invest their time and notoriety in countries like Uruguay, we can all have hope that tens of thousands of Uruguayans will consider the claims of Christianity this weekend.



Please consider praying for the entire team with Franklin Graham and the rest of the Christians from all sorts of denominations in Uruguay who will have an opportunity to share their faith with many Uruguayans, many of whom have never entered a church or heard the story of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection all on our behalf.

Take a minute to read this article about the big event happening in the nation of Uruguay this weekend. Then pray that many would not only hear about the hope of Jesus Christ but also place their trust in Him as their Savior this weekend and in the months ahead.

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The Eberline's Third Week in Montevideo

Our team leaders for Uruguay have now been in the country for 3 weeks! Here is a note from them to get a taste of what their experience has been like so far. . .ENJOY!

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It has been an INCREDIBLE week . . . what a ride ! !! !!!

We have shopped for HOURS looking at furniture and appliances. We searched for the best prices and purchased scratched and dented furniture since it was so much cheaper. We have bought everything on sale. When you pay with cash here we get at least a 10% discount! Yesterday had to get lots of money out of the bank. Yes, it made us nervous to be carrying cash around that day in Jim’s little “safety pouch” he wears on his belt & tucks inside his jeans!

On Tuesday & Wednesday we had the thrill of going across the river to Buenos Aires to see our kids and grandkids!!! What a JOY!!! It is truly a gift from GOD to be able to live so close (relatively speaking). The trip took us 4 hours…2 hour bus ride, transfer time, and 1 hour boat ride! Once we got off the boat we walked about 3 miles to meet them at a specified spot. Have any of you figured out yet that Jim LIKES to walk?!

In preparation for our journey we thought we needed some snacks. On the way home from furniture shopping on Monday evening we stopped in a small grocery store. Jim has eaten mixed nuts for YEARS as we travel so I thought we should buy two bags of peeled walnuts….he did not like the idea but never said why (and they DID cost $4 dollars a SMALL bag). He also bought some peanuts! When I opened one bag of walnuts during the transfer between bus and boat, Jim politely commented, “I don’t care for walnuts!” It reminded me of back 23 years ago in 1982 in Honduras. That was the last time Jim ever told me he did not like something to eat. Back then Jim shared with me he did not care for cantaloupe juice!!! We laughed and I ate the walnuts!

On the boat ride home there was a storm coming in from the southeast Atlantic Ocean and so the bay was really ROUGH!!! Everyone of the 75 or so passengers filled their vomit vouches (puke pouches, barf bags, whatever) EXCEPT Jim and a teenage girl who were laughing together. On the bus ride after the horrible boat ride, they carried on a good conversation. We hope to meet this young lady’s family tomorrow at a concert where she will be singing.

Thursday found us walking all day in the sprinkling rain to do government paper work. In the “Registro Civil” building Jim went to 9 different windows in the 45 minutes we were in their offices. He has been so KIND and to let me sit whenever possible. Oh, by the way…. I used that same “historic” restroom again! Before leaving the “Registro Civil” building we were instructed to walk “ONLY” another 6 blocks to the Interior Affairs office. A very helpful lady in the Interior Affairs office corrected us and sent us “just around the corner” (yeah, right) another 6 blocks to the Immigration. After a lengthy visit, we were given an appointment for Feb 19th for an interview to begin our residency process. HOWEVER, ….before that date we have to gather and compile about 12 different documents, including a doctor’s certificate of our health!!!!

We have been able to talk to our daughter Judi and granddaughter Hayden on Skype quite often---even with the 6 hour time difference. The MOST fun part is when Hayden kisses us by opening her mouth and kissing the camera on Judi’s laptop!!! Jim sings to Hayden and we get to even watch her playing in the living room while Judi and I talk! It is another gift from GOD!

TODAY we signed the contract for one year for the apartment on the Rambla….”our target area.” We met the landlady, a young woman who has moved back to Paraguay with her husband and two children. We are so thankful for the Youngs, missionaries here with Baptist General Conference, who co-signed for us (they own a home here in Montevideo). And our realtor was so helpful. He wants to meet with Jim again next week in order to just talk!!!

After the formal hour and one half signing process, we took Dick and Bev Young to see the apartment and pray. While checking out the apartment Cheryl thought she was going to have a heart attack. Yesterday we purchased a refrigerator which is 1 meter and 70 cm tall. In attempting to measure in the dark, she measured the spot for the refrigerator as only 1 meter and 7 cm. After calling the appliance store, she realized she made a mistake….the spot was 170 cm not 107 cm!!! (Ddaaaaa!).

To show our appreciation to the Youngs, we took them to lunch in a large mall (“Shopping”) just up the hill from our new apartment. While in the mall, we made extra house keys, made photocopies of the contract and changed the telephone line to Jim’s name.

Rather than walking, we took a bus (and then walked some more) to sign contracts to have the Internet and Cable TV connected to the apartment. By the time we had finished talking with the young man who helped us, I got the giggles and had a hard time stopping (I was so tired yet happy)!

We still have to change the contracts for gas, water, electricity, etc as well as gather those documents (and see a doctor) for our residency! But we are definitely feeling more at home here!

We are eager to move into our apartment but will wait until it is livable!!! On Monday with the help of a Biblical Ministries Worldwide family, we hope to haul our various suitcases out of storage and up to the apartment.



On Tuesday we will be receiving a new CAM family (the Parkers...Bill, Linda, and Matthew) at the airport at 5AM and helping them get settled in their home at an SIM camp just outside Montevideo. On Wednesday our furniture and appliances are to be delivered.

We thank God for you all often. We could not be here reaching out to people without you! THANK YOU!!!

Cheryl and Jim



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The Value of Experience

On Thursday night, I turned on the TV and saw that a US Airways plane had landed/crashed into the Hudson river adjacent to Manhattan Island. When I saw the footage of the plane after that unimaginable event, I could hardly believe that it didn’t explode or break apart in some way. Then they announced that all the passengers on board and the crew survived which was a miracle.

Many questions were running through my mind. How did this happen? Is it true that not one single person died? How did the pilot effectively land the plane in the water?

One of the most striking bits of information they shared was that although pilots have extensive training in the air in planes and also in simulators, they can’t actually practice landing a jetliner in water. That may sound obvious, but it wasn’t something we’d ever thought about before. After all if a plan hits the water it is going to be destroyed, right? Wrong.

This pilot however was a man who has extensive flight experience, safety training, and knows what he is doing when he gets into the cockpit. We can’t underestimate the value of his experience in that situation. It prepared him to be able to make wise decisions in a situation where most people would have panicked.

This event reminded me of why Lindsey and I have chosen to spend our first year(s) on the mission field in Uruguay. We have the opportunity to serve under Jim and Cheryl Eberline as our team leaders who have 30 plus years of experience under their belts. We are comforted by the fact that they are in charge and we have the opportunity to learn from people who are experienced and will be able to guide and direct our team through any tragedy, difficulty, uncertainty, etc just as effectively as the pilot for US Airways was able to land his plane.

Going to the mission field isn’t near as scary as landing a plane in icy cold water. However there are many unknowns and uncertainties. We have confidence though that not only do we have Jim and Cheryl as our team leaders, but we also have God in whom we can rely on, depend on, and trust in each day as we navigate life.

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LAUNCH and LANDING in Uruguay

On Tuesday night our team leaders Jim and Cheryl Eberline entered American Airlines flight #989 from Miami, Fl to Montevideo, Uruguay. On Wednesday morning they arrived at 7:12am Central Time safe and sound into Uruguay.

This means that our team going to Uruguay has officially LAUNCHED and LANDED. We are very excited to see things happening and be a part of such an historic team. For the first time in CAM International's history we have long-term missionaries in Uruguay. In two weeks we will have another family there. Hopefully soon after Lindsey and I along with Kendra Cervantes and Rebecca Zurbrick will be there.

Enjoy the video we made for Jim and Cheryl to launch them out to Uruguay and encourage them.

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Gas Prices: It's all about perspective!

In DALLAS, the gas prices are around $3.73.




While we were in IOWA, the gas prices were about $3.48.
While in INDIANA, we paid $3.75 for gas.



In CHICAGO, we have been paying between $4.19 and $4.35...sometimes more!



When we get to URUGUAY, gas prices are about $6.20/gallon*.
In SPAIN it is around $8.15/gallon.
(*The unit of measure for gas is actually liters, but this is the converted rate.)

Looking at just the cost of gas can give you a good picture of the sort of standard of living that we will be introduced to in Uruguay and Spain. The value of the dollar, plus the problems with gas contributes to this increase in gas prices. Right now, the exchange rate in Spain is about 1Euro = $1.51. Because of this exchange rate, the monthly amount of support that we are raising is $8,024.19. The currency rate is one of the many challenges that we will face as we serve in ministry in both Uruguay and Spain. One thing's for sure...we won't take the $3.73 gas in Dallas for granted :)

Chicago

Last week, we arrived in Illinois for some time in Chicago. We have had a busy, but great week! Kendra Cervantes one of our teammates for both Uruguay and Spain) lives in Aurora - just outside of Chicago. Lindsey has had a great chance to spend time with her, as we work on support raising together, preparing for leaving the field (aka - sorting through belongings: purging, giving away, and selling!), and continuing to build out friendship. We have also been able to spend time with lots of Kendra's family, which has been awesome to learn more about the people she always talks about!

Last Wednesday our Uruguay team leaders - Jim and Cheryl Eberline - were coming through Chicago on their way from Wisconsin to Indiana. They joined Kendra and us for some time together chatting over coffee and a yummy dinner at Cracker Barrel. It was awesome to touch base with one another, discuss future ministry and Uruguay, and continue to build our team together. You can't beat the fried okra and veggies from this place!


Cheryl and Lindsey - Rocking on the porch at Cracker Barrel


Jim and Brad - what a duo!


Jim, Brad, Lindsey, Cheryl, and Kendra

Last Days and First Days - Part II

This post is the second part of posts entitled "Last Days and First Days." Don't forget to read part I after reading this post.

Friday entailed a couple First Days that are particularly memorable for us:

Welcome Home Jackie - Our friends Aaron and Carrie Kraft welcomed home their little daughter Jackie Kraft from Guatemala. (http://www.bradandlindsey.com/blog/2008/08/welcome-home-jackie.html for the complete report).

When it comes to bringing your baby daughter home for the first time after many, many months of wading through government paperwork, there aren't many better feelings in this world, I am sure. We are all excited for the Kraft family as they are enjoying getting to know, hold, and play with their daughter Jackie (as well as get up in the middle of the night when she's crying :).

Partnership Development Ministry - Friday was our official LAUNCH into our ministry of partnership development. Some of you have asked what in the world we are talking about when we say the words "partnership development."

Our ministry from now until we leave for the mission field is focused on providing opportunities for other people to get involved in missions. We've outlined some of the ways that you can become involved on our website (www.bradandlindsey.com/partner.htm). Check it out!



We have the privilege of welcoming you onto our prayer team, our financial team, or our service team. Some of you want to pray for us and those we'll be serving and serving with. Others of you want to contribute towards our monthly financial support that we'll live on as missionaries (it is our only means of support). Yet others want to use their talent of encouragement, crafts, video editing, writing, or some other gift to serve on our team. We've already gotten to know a few of you who are serving in all three ways. THANK YOU!


Join the journey. Be on our team. See God work!

Learn more at http://www.bradandlindsey.com.

Moving Out...Moving On

Done! No more packing, cleaning, organizing. Our stuff is in about 25 boxes + our bed. That is all we own, period. Enjoy the video.

Uruguay

Lindsey and I are moving to Uruguay. Yes that's right. Uruguay. Why? Good Question.

Mentoring. Training. Team. Fellowship. Business. ESL. Church Planting.

Jim and Cheryl Eberline. Brent and Le'Ann Downs. Bill and Linda Parker. Mike and Nancy Blake.

Why not Spain? Spain is still coming...just later. Would you want a doctor that skipped his/her residency and just jumped into surgery?

Departure is set for January! Is the Lord working in your heart to pledge monthly financial support? If so, we need you!

Pray for us as we navigate many transitions right now. Pray for our marriage. Pray for our walk with the Lord. Tell us how we can pray for you.

Email us with how you'd like to partner with us. Prayer. Serving. Giving. Connecting.

Brad