Bonjour!
We invite you to come to a night of a little cultural fun with French music in the background. Visit the wonderful missionary home supplied to us by First Baptist Church in Raytown, MO. We are having a soirée on Friday, February 16th at 7:00pm.
Enjoy some fromage (cheese), sparkling juice, a slice of baguette, and taste a délicieux French dessert. Hear, and get the feel for French church planting and how you can get involved.
Please comment below or call us on our landline, 816-356-3383, or my cell, 785-218-1717, to let us know that you would like to come. What a great "Date" night! Ooh la la! -Carol
Here are some of the highlights of our life in France.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Moving In!
Update on our teammates, Erica and Nate: They were able to get an apartment near the language school finally and moved in on Saturday thanks to so many new International friends. - Carol
Monday, January 17, 2011
Trying to find a place to live in Paris these days...
Here is a post from a couple of our team mates, Erica, Nate with toddler Kaden, who arrived in France on Dec. 28th. Our staff locates apartments ahead of time for new missionaries arriving to help them acclimate quicker. But times have changed. Read on:
"As of this weekend, we remain without any apartment in sight. We have visited three more since the other fell through on Tuesday, and after submitting all necessary paperwork, all three fell through as well.
It's given us a bit of a lesson on France's legal system with laws constantly changing and people constantly finding more ways around them. So many laws have been created to protect renters that it has become next to impossible for landlords to kick out tenants if they are not paying their rent. (ie: You can't be kicked out in the winter, because it's too cold. You can't be kicked out if you have kids. And that's just the start.) As a result, landlords have started renting through insurance agencies, letting these agencies decide who the best tenants will be, and then landlords are guaranteed to get their money. The problem is, these insurance agencies seem to have something against foreigners--perhaps because this town has a large immigrant population with a bad track record, or perhaps because they expect foreigners to move on fairly quickly.
Add all this up, and it means we can't get into an apartment, even though we can and would pay the rent! We promise! We've unfortunately missed out on some pretty perfect places, too."
On top of that, Erica is 4 months pregnant so in the mean time they are either staying with someone from the team and having to take buses and trains to get to language school that started the first week of January. Our apartments for school are supposed to be within walking distance. Visualize Nate holding Kaden with a 30 lb. backpack on the back and Erica outdistancing them to catch this transportation. Everything in French to get to language school and drop Kaden off to his child care on time. Please pray for Erica and Nate to find housing soon. - Carol
"As of this weekend, we remain without any apartment in sight. We have visited three more since the other fell through on Tuesday, and after submitting all necessary paperwork, all three fell through as well.
It's given us a bit of a lesson on France's legal system with laws constantly changing and people constantly finding more ways around them. So many laws have been created to protect renters that it has become next to impossible for landlords to kick out tenants if they are not paying their rent. (ie: You can't be kicked out in the winter, because it's too cold. You can't be kicked out if you have kids. And that's just the start.) As a result, landlords have started renting through insurance agencies, letting these agencies decide who the best tenants will be, and then landlords are guaranteed to get their money. The problem is, these insurance agencies seem to have something against foreigners--perhaps because this town has a large immigrant population with a bad track record, or perhaps because they expect foreigners to move on fairly quickly.
Add all this up, and it means we can't get into an apartment, even though we can and would pay the rent! We promise! We've unfortunately missed out on some pretty perfect places, too."
On top of that, Erica is 4 months pregnant so in the mean time they are either staying with someone from the team and having to take buses and trains to get to language school that started the first week of January. Our apartments for school are supposed to be within walking distance. Visualize Nate holding Kaden with a 30 lb. backpack on the back and Erica outdistancing them to catch this transportation. Everything in French to get to language school and drop Kaden off to his child care on time. Please pray for Erica and Nate to find housing soon. - Carol
Sunday, January 16, 2011
You get what you pray for.
This morning's Bible study centered around the non-existance of the "sacred/secular divide." In other words, according to the Bible there is no such thing as a "secular" job. When we work, we work for the Lord first—our "boss" second, period. While the motivation for work may be a varied as, "I need to eat." and, "I'm trying to save a third world culture from starvation," the ultimate goal is to bring glory to God in the marketplace—and sow the seeds of the gospel in the process. (When we leave the workplace at the end of the day it should be plowed ground.)
As I was listening, a thought suddenly occurred to me. In the past, I've often thought how different I am than most people I know. (You can stop snickering now.) Let me explain what I mean. I grew up in a Christian home. I was in church every time the door opened. Growing up, one of my dad's jobs was to clean the church. After high school, I went three years to Evangel College, a private liberal arts college run by the Assemblies of God, before transferring to Truman State University. When I graduated, I started an advertising agency catering to Christian businesses. Most of my career in business has been more of the same, working for Christian ministries, or gathering Christian clients. We've worked in the art departments for Campus Crusade For Christ, Scripture Press, and Moody Bible Institute. I do have secular clients but one of my biggest clients over the last decade has been the Nazarene Publishing House, for whom I design elementary children's curriculum. I've had to purposefully go out of my way to rub shoulders with non-Christians.
That has often concerned me enough to ask God to give me opportunities to witness to my faith in Him, and as I listened to the lively banter back and forth between the teacher and the class this morning, I realized that where Carol and I are heading we may be the only Christians in sight. Some of the people we will rub shoulders with in Paris have never met a Christian, ever. And, that, once again, God has snuck one in on me. I will have nothing but opportunity to meet; work with; and minister to non-Christians.
Of course, I will be surrounded by the rest of our team of missionary church-planters, but my focus will have changed. It sheds a whole new light on the "sacred/secular divide" for me. -Russell
As I was listening, a thought suddenly occurred to me. In the past, I've often thought how different I am than most people I know. (You can stop snickering now.) Let me explain what I mean. I grew up in a Christian home. I was in church every time the door opened. Growing up, one of my dad's jobs was to clean the church. After high school, I went three years to Evangel College, a private liberal arts college run by the Assemblies of God, before transferring to Truman State University. When I graduated, I started an advertising agency catering to Christian businesses. Most of my career in business has been more of the same, working for Christian ministries, or gathering Christian clients. We've worked in the art departments for Campus Crusade For Christ, Scripture Press, and Moody Bible Institute. I do have secular clients but one of my biggest clients over the last decade has been the Nazarene Publishing House, for whom I design elementary children's curriculum. I've had to purposefully go out of my way to rub shoulders with non-Christians.
That has often concerned me enough to ask God to give me opportunities to witness to my faith in Him, and as I listened to the lively banter back and forth between the teacher and the class this morning, I realized that where Carol and I are heading we may be the only Christians in sight. Some of the people we will rub shoulders with in Paris have never met a Christian, ever. And, that, once again, God has snuck one in on me. I will have nothing but opportunity to meet; work with; and minister to non-Christians.
Of course, I will be surrounded by the rest of our team of missionary church-planters, but my focus will have changed. It sheds a whole new light on the "sacred/secular divide" for me. -Russell
Monday, January 10, 2011
1974
A friend of mine told me the cover I illustrated for my 1974 Blue Springs High School Yearbook was posted online. Here it is. It was drawn from a picture of me leaning against the flagpole out in front of the school. Saddle Oxfords—can you believe it? (I was considerably thinner then.) —RussellTuesday, January 4, 2011
Off to School
This is not your typical off-to-school photo. I snapped this picture of Carol this morning just before she drove off to her new part-time job with PC Kidz, teaching preschoolers how to use the computer. My keyboard isn't nearly as cool as the one she gets to use. She works a couple of mornings a week. This is a real answer to prayer because BARRgraphics hasn't generated much income for the last three months.Monday, January 3, 2011
For the New Year
Carol and I want to wish all of you a year filled with blessing and a renewed sense of God's presence in your life. - Russell
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Night in Bethlehem Pics
Here are a few pictures of me getting to do what I love to do. And I got to talk about the Lord in the process, which was the point. I really enjoyed being a part of Independence First Assembly of God's first annual "Night in Bethelehem". In spite of the frigid weather it was a great effort to get the reason for the season presented to the community there.
Pageant Pictures
Carol and I helped to paint the new sections of backdrop shown in these scenes. It was a privilege to be a part of First Baptist Church of Raytown's production of "I Need a Silent Night". It was amazing!
Russell
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Happy New Jumpstarted Church Life
Paul talks about Christ loving the church by “giving himself up for her, that he might sanctify her (sanctify means to make holy - we are set apart on this spiritual journey as Christians.) It doesn't mean we are better than anyone else. When we profess Christ crucified and the Savior of the world; he made us holy, he saved us from eternal separation away FROM God when we die to be WITH Him in perfect peace for all of eternity! That's huge. Then he begins this spiritual process in us - this journey of continual sanctification of holiness, knowledge, peace, and true love beyond anything we can imagine. It doesn't mean we can't enjoy life. Jesus promises that he came so we "can have life and have it to the full!" John 10:10
This enables us to have a relationship with Him and thereby a relationship with others that's really special. I'm not kidding! A real relationship with God who is alive and loves us!, The apostle Paul calls the church the “pillar and foundation of the truth” in our world today (Eph 5:25-26; 1 Tim 3:15). Scripture focuses so much on community. People want community today and you hear about it. —In biblical terms it means, the many parts of the body of Christ or the believers being built together into a holy temple—all of which implies that all of our labors should be spent on the building up of the church. He called us to be together to take care of each others needs. If we truly lived out what Christ commanded about assembling together we wouldn't need all this "social justice" that needs to happen. Churches have stepped up for generations in taking care of people.
There is a trend today where many Christians don't see the need for meeting together as a church body. (I'm not talking about a church building but as a group of believers coming together on a continuous basis). This is crucial to having a relationship with God and each other that goes deeper much faster. We meet as a group to love and serve each other, grow in the knowledge of Him and serve those in the world. These people become an extension of our physical families. It gives glory to God and he asks us to do it. This is how we meet those needs of people who do not have families that care for one another.
This enables us to have a relationship with Him and thereby a relationship with others that's really special. I'm not kidding! A real relationship with God who is alive and loves us!, The apostle Paul calls the church the “pillar and foundation of the truth” in our world today (Eph 5:25-26; 1 Tim 3:15). Scripture focuses so much on community. People want community today and you hear about it. —In biblical terms it means, the many parts of the body of Christ or the believers being built together into a holy temple—all of which implies that all of our labors should be spent on the building up of the church. He called us to be together to take care of each others needs. If we truly lived out what Christ commanded about assembling together we wouldn't need all this "social justice" that needs to happen. Churches have stepped up for generations in taking care of people.
There is a trend today where many Christians don't see the need for meeting together as a church body. (I'm not talking about a church building but as a group of believers coming together on a continuous basis). This is crucial to having a relationship with God and each other that goes deeper much faster. We meet as a group to love and serve each other, grow in the knowledge of Him and serve those in the world. These people become an extension of our physical families. It gives glory to God and he asks us to do it. This is how we meet those needs of people who do not have families that care for one another.
If you haven't met with a group of believers in a while, or never at all, to worship the Lord and grow in the knowledge of Him—maybe it's time in the New Year to jumpstart that again. Worship as a group the one true God and allow him to work in your life. Bring a friend.
That's why Russell and I believe in planting churches in areas that have none. One church for 80,000 people in the Paris region. It's critical for the life of the believer. They are spiritually poor in France and God has made us spiritually rich to share what we know.
Carol
Carol
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Video Presentation Complete!
Check it out. In the column to the right click on "Video Presentation." There is also a DVD version we can ship to anyone who wants one.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Heart of America Christmas Pageant
We just got back from the pageant at First Baptist Church in Raytown, Missouri. Amazing! What we saw was not just a performance, but what 31 years of love and devotion to a project can accomplish.
At some point they will be streaming the performance on their website. I'll post the details when they become available.
Blessings to you in this Christmas season!
At some point they will be streaming the performance on their website. I'll post the details when they become available.
Blessings to you in this Christmas season!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Two New Design Projects
Recently Russell completed two important assignments.
He was asked to design a new general brochure for World Team and a new logo for France V.I.E.
He is also working on a third assignment—a World Team training manual for church planters that will be available the first of December for staff worldwide.
He was asked to design a new general brochure for World Team and a new logo for France V.I.E.
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| Cover for the World Team General Brochure |
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| New logo for World Team in France |
He is also working on a third assignment—a World Team training manual for church planters that will be available the first of December for staff worldwide.
Meeting News
In response to a letter we sent to several people requesting help in setting up group meetings, eight couples are going to invite friends and family to their homes and host presentations. Nine more couples are praying about the possibility of hosting.
We need to multiply our audience since we cannot multiply ourselves. (Actually we are trying even that.) A DVD of our presentation is in the works for those people outside of our driving range.
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| This is a postcard invitation available to anyone who is planning a group meeting. Contact us if you would like to have us send you some. |
French Christmas Cards
Carol and I met the young French couple, Baptiste and Emilie Margaillan, during the Paris Prayer Conference in 2005. Baptiste is an artist and Emilie teaches French sign language. They are also now fellow church planters working in the Paris area. He has designed Christmas cards using some of his paintings to help raise funds for their ministry in France.
To purchase some of his cards log on to: www.baptistemargaillan.fr
He has both Euro and Dollar price lists. This would be a great way to support our team in France.
To purchase some of his cards log on to: www.baptistemargaillan.fr
He has both Euro and Dollar price lists. This would be a great way to support our team in France.
Friday, November 26, 2010
A Night in Bethlehem
Russell will be a potter in Bethlehem for three nights during the Christmas season! He will sit in his "shop" at the potter's wheel and produce pottery during the event put on by First Assembly of God in Independence, MO.If you would like to attend please go to the following URL:
http://firstagindependence.com/605490.ihtml
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Christmas Pageant
We are blessed to be staying in missionary housing provided by First Baptist Church in Raytown. We live less than a mile from the church and have enjoyed becoming involved in the very active life of this wonderful, worshipful congregation. We didn't have to think very long about the request to help paint new sets for the upcoming Christmas pageant. Since we no longer have a studio, the chance to do something art related was just too good to pass up.
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| Carol adding shadows. |
Tickets for the 2010 Heart of America Christmas Pageant, I Need a Silent Night, are now available. Order by clicking here or by visiting the ROC Bookstore (inside First Baptist Rayown). Pageant tickets are complimentary and available to the public. If you have questions about performances or ticket information, call the Pageant Line at 816-778-1153.
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| Russell Blending colors with a damp cloth. |
2010 Performances:
Friday, December 3 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 4 -3:30 sold out & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 5 - 3:30 p.m.
Friday, December 10 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 11 - 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 12 - 3:30 p.m.
Friday, December 3 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 4 -
Sunday, December 5 - 3:30 p.m.
Friday, December 10 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 11 - 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 12 - 3:30 p.m.
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| Workspace |
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| Detail |
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| Detail |
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Fun-House Pizza
Aimed at France as missionary church planters, we feel a sense of place and purpose we couldn't have imagined sitting at Fun-House all those years ago trying to figure out our relationship.
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