Mission log: stardate 3/20/2011

OK, so kind of nerdy in a Star Trek kind of way, but it does state the purpose.  This is a copy of the first support letter that we are sending out this week.  The status of the mission trip will now get much busier as the summer is getting closer!  Exciting times ahead!

60%!  We have broken through the halfway mark.  Support raising has been a true challenge for Jodi and I, but has definitely strengthened our relationship with each other and our walk with the Lord.  He has shown us his presence through situations and people in ways that we couldn’t have dreamed of.  The finances sent in have allowed us to complete our “set up trip” to Brazil and fully schedule the teams and churches we will be working with in June.  More of that to come later in the letter...

Names:  One of our biggest needs is references.  If you could send us 5 names of people that you think would like to hear more about how God is working in our lives and on the mission field, we would greatly appreciate it.  We are trying to meet more on a “one to one” basis with possible supporters, but need your help in doing so.  If you could send any names to tgerlach@charlotteeagles.com we would be very thankful!

Tour group:  We have 12 girls signed up for the trip, and as of now, 6 guys.  There are several more that have expressed interest, but have not fully committed.  Please be praying for a full roster on both teams.  We would like to take 15 girls and 15 boys, if possible.  There is the option of using some of the Brazilian Christian teens to play with us, but we would rather have a full US roster.

Pre-trip:  I just recently returned from a week in Brazil, doing the “set-up” trip for the summer tour.  I met with several pastors, coaches, and leaders to make our schedule.  There were so many interested groups that wanted to work with us that we had to turn some away!  We were able to secure our transportation, accommodations, and most all of our games.  We talked with high school principals, who were very excited about us coming and speaking to their students.  It is very different than in the states.  We also set up a visit to Sao Paulo stadium, which is one of the biggest professional teams in Brazil.  We will be watching a pro-game, taking a tour of the stadium, and also scrimmaging their u-17 club team! 

We were able to connect with about 500 Christian teens while we were there. We spoke at 2 camps that occur during the week of Carnival (which is the Brazilian equivalent of Mardi Gras).  It is so amazing to see God working in teens across the world.  There was a tremendous youth speaker, worship band, and fun and crazy games.  Teens are teens all over this planet.  While most of them are much better than me in soccer, I was able to teach them the game of American football!  90% had never thrown a football before.  We had a blast playing “two hand touch” for hours one afternoon.  (My “prowess” as a football player made up for whatever I lacked in soccer skills!!!) Some of these same teens will be working with our group when we come down to share Christ with the soccer clubs across Brazil.  My favorite activity, however, was called soap soccer.  They had a blow-up soccer field, filled with water and dish soap, and teams played some of the craziest soccer you have ever seen!  Hopefully we will be able to get this for our summer tour!

 

Prayer requests:

1.       Recruiting the full squad:  Time is running short.  We really need at least 6 more guys to commit to the trip. 

2.      Support:  60% is great, but we need 40% more to be at full.  If you could pray about some people that you could send our way, we would really appreciate it.

3.      Visas:  This is the biggest hurdle for the team.  I personally went through a rough time getting mine approved.  Now we will be sending in about 40 for approval!  Please pray that it goes smoothly.

4.      Please pray for the hearts and minds of the teams.  And I don’t just mean the ones in Brazil!  We really want God to work with the American kids who are going, as well.  I pray that they all will have open hearts to see God in action.

In our next letter, I will introduce you to some of the team members you can be praying for.  We have a fantastic group of leaders and some equally incredible teens.  Giving you names and faces will hopefully aid you in making your prayers more personal.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us an e mail or a phone call. 

Thanks so much for your support and your prayers! 

Strangers are just friends waiting to happen. ~Rod McKuen

Some friendships take years to happen.  Yet, there are others which seem to blossom overnight.  Such is the way of mission tours.  I find it so amazing to be in a foreign country for such a short time, yet leave behind a bit of my heart each and every time I go. 

I just got back from a week trip to Brazil, the main purpose of which was to set up the longer tour in the summer.  I got to see some dear friends which I hadn't seen for many months, yet also had the joy to meet some new Christian brothers and sisters.  Even though most didn't even speak any English (and my Portuguese wasn't much better) I still felt as though I had known them for years.  

Take, for example, Neto (in the picture above).  Neto and I had the joint vocabulary of about 5 words that each of us understood.  Yet, after only 2 days, there was a teary goodbye when we had to leave.  We really didn't have much in common.  He didn't play soccer.  He didn't speak English.  He was in to hip hop (both American and Brazilian).  But we did have 2 things that we shared. First and foremost, he was my brother in Christ.  That alone brought us closer than anything could have.  We also shared the joy of laughter and good times.  Anytime we were together, we were laughing.  Laughter is a language that needs no interpreter. 

I got to spend 3 days at a Christian camp for kids ages 12-25, who wanted an alternative to Carnival (the Brazilian equivalent of Mardi Gras).  While most all of the country was indulging in so many carnal pleasures, these 300 young people were delving into the True meaning of life.  Worship, followed by an AMAZING youth speaker, was always followed by fellowship and crazy games.  Unsurprisingly, teens are teens all over the world.  We had so much fun.  Designing a 300 yard zip line, a 30 foot climbing wall, and my favorite, was blow up soap soccer (which I have yet to see in the United States, but is a MUST HAVE).  Basically, it is a "jumpy house" with two soccer goals at each end.  But the best is that they put dishsoap and water in the base, so you slide and fall while trying to score goals.  It was amazing!

The relationships that we built in those 3 days will last a lifetime.  The Relationship that some of the kids received in the worship will last into eternity.  I think this is how God wanted the world to work.  Putting aside all preconceived notions, ambitions, and judgments, and just loving each other.  What a blessing these people are to my life. 

This is what I want my tour team to accomplish this summer.  And, Lord willing, develop the same deep relationships that amazingly are seeded in just a few hours of being together in Christ.