This has to be the latest recap in the history of mission trips

Especially since some of you that will be reading this probably have been wondering... "why hasn't Chris blogged about the trip since that Wednesday in camp?" and now... "why blog something now?"  Perhaps I can provide a little bit of an explanation for my tardiness:

1.) Of course, life took over at full tilt when I arrived back in the States last July.  Having left a lot of balls up in the air I needed to get back and start to juggle.  Unfortunately, that didn't leave a lot of time for reflection as God was still very much working in the "here and now" of the summer...

2.) Why now?  

Well... as I mentioned in my regular blog, a few of the folks we support through our time, prayers, and vacations came to the States a few weeks ago to share about what they were doing, what they are sensing and learning from God, and obviously sharing some of their own lives with me again.  Peep, Mart, Tarmo, Anna, and Daniel were all around Atlanta and had a chance to catch their vision in a couple of desserts... one of which was a Josiah Venture dessert in which a lot of pictures had been included from English Camp (a few folks from JV came by the camp to interview students and take pictures).  

One of these pictures was of Ragnar, who was baptized on the last day of camp.  Tarmo, his cousin who slowly invited him closer to relationship with Jesus, got the opportunity to help baptize him... it was a moving moment.  The pictures brought back the memories, and they were really really good.  

My last blog was on Wednesday (or at least that's what Blogger is telling me) of Camp... the camp was a blast, the students were even more of a blast, activity was non-stop, and we didn't have much margin for getting online.  But, like I said as fun as the students were, I didn't really notice.  

What I got to see in English Camp this year was God bringing students (and at least one American... ME!) through the process toward greater intimacy with Him... and this in a culture that isn't really into Christianity.  For all of us, this is a process but I can see it more clearly there because in a sense church, Jesus, and such isn't part of the culture like it is in the U.S., which makes it really neat to see when people catch this relationship with Christ what an amazing difference it makes in their world.  I was blessed to see it.  And also, the processes of refining that God uses to shape a man or woman into someone who shines forward with His character.  

I'm also writing this because I am seriously praying about next year... and possibly being back at English Camp again with these awesome students in 2009.  Knowing that our trip (as well as some others within GlobalX) had troubles meeting our financial objectives in this tough year... I wanted to encourage you to give to GlobalX's work in Estonia if God puts it on your heart.... not to our trip or to me... but as a gift to support this ministry so that the partnership continues and is strengthened through Northpoint's partnership with Peep and his team.  No link here... you can find it on other pages or on Northpoint's website if you're interested.  I did want to lay it out there because seeing this ministry partnership continue is obviously very near and dear to me.  

I hope you are having a great 2008 Holiday Season.  

Chris <>< 

Wednesday at English Camp

Hi friends,

Most of Wednesday's activities are coming to a close, and it has been a very good and a very hectic three days of English Camp so far. We just finished our small group discussions and everyone is now dispersing to play sports, games, and cards around the school. I am having a great time hanging out with these students and the time has flown by so fast here.

There are no shortage of opportunities for me and my teammates to connect with the students and build relational equity through this week. They are doing the same with me... I'm not really wanting to leave at all and I really love these students we are getting a chance to hang out with. Now, one of those means is through me and my teammates taking opportunities to act crazy and do some goofy things to make things fun... such as impersonating Brittany Spears or a really (and I mean, really) bad singer that Simon would throw out of American Idol. I personally have enjoyed letting my hair down this week.

Pray however that the deep connections also happen... one thing that God has blessed me with is a great Risttee/Estonian small group partner in Kati and a group of students that are really open and sharing. We are talking about being human, which includes our unique value in Christ, our inability to measure up even to our own standards, and thus our need for grace and forgiveness which is offered freely and richly by Christ. We are going to be talking about that in our small groups tomorrow night. I am encouraged that spiritual conversations have already started in our group and really pray that they deepen tomorrow.

We are also a little tired. Sleep came at a premium last night and I'm feeling it a little, so pray that my rest is good. Also, we had a couple of injuries at camp yesterday... two students hurt their ankle really badly playing sports... they are in really good spirits but I also hope that we don't see any more first aid needs. LIke I said, the two students who twisted their ankles are in good spirits and have gotten a LOT of support and I pray that they continue to have a great time at camp and that God uses those experiences in their lives to encourage them in some way.

I'm off to hang out more. Hmmmm.... caffine?

chris <><

Good Morning Sunshine!

I've got a little time to blog before we begin our morning team worship... dubbed "Good Morning Sunshine" to the camp. We've invited the students to come and check it out and hope that many of them do come and see us worshipping our creator. Good times.

The camp is going very well. The students arrived en-masse on a bus to the school at 11AM yesterday morning and we greeted them with cheering and excitement. A lot of the Estonian students are excited to be at camp and are having a lot of fun. Kati and I have a good small group for this camp... one guy that is a really deep thinker (which I like). We had a really good conversation last night in our small group. The theme of the camp is on "being human" - and what that means. We talked about our uniqueness and our need for belonging last night.

We are having a lot of fun as well... there are a lot of games (both sports and board) to be found around the camp and I've learned a new card game this week already. The camp sessions are really fun even though all of these "elimination" games like "Titanic" find me getting eliminated early (this could be a good fusion game... hmmm). They're having us Americans do a lot of crazy things on stage right now. Terry and Sara were up impersonating Ozzy Ozborne and Paris HIlton in a mock up of "Celebrity Squares," we had to improv/act out the 5 basic rules for the camp, and I got on the Hot Seat for the first session and had to answer all kinds of penetrating questions about myself. I tried to "plead the fifth" on one but was quickly reminded that I'm not in American anymore ;)- darn!

Prayer requests... 1.) we continue to connect with our students, and that everyone gets a chance to connect with us and participate. 2.) Continued energy level. This is going to be a high energy week and we all need our sleep :) (or decent substitute).

I'm out. Later. Good morning Sunshine! :)

Chris <><

We're here!

Whoo-hoo! We're here at the English Camp and training for what we'll be doing over this next week. The school that we're holding the camp at is pretty neat... we're going a little rustic (as I had mentioned in a past blog) which is okay with me.

Little did I know that, when I started out on this new adventure, that we are not holding the camp very close to Tartu at all. There are students from Tartu coming here but we're actually staying at a place called Otepaa, which is a "ski" town about 40km south/southwest of Tartu. I was slightly concerned, having been here (not here/here, as in this camp, but "here" as in Estonia) when we passed Tartu and just kept on going, and kept on going, and (yes) kept on going at 3:30 in the morning (we landed and left Tallinn at midnight).

Yesterday's team bonding time in Amsterdam was really good. We toured the Anne Frank Museum... it was really moving for me AND a little "creepy" walking through the house as if I was stepping back in time to when Jews were being persecuted by the Nazis and feeling a little "in hiding" myself. I had a few interesting thoughts go through my head as I walked through the tour but I'll save them for future conversations. We also walked around town (didn't go into any "coffee houses" - to alleviate anyones' fears) and checked out the architecture of the city and ate at a couple of cafes. The weather wasn't so great (off and on rain) after we left the Anne Frank Hais so we ended up taking the train back to the airport a little early.

Everyone here has been really cool so far and our team has bonded (even failing at an - in my opinion - unfairly hard team-building challenge earlier today). What we really need prayer for right now is for REST (of the sleeping/napping variety) as it really appears that sleep will be a precious and rare commodity this week. The travel has taken something out of us so we need to catch up :).

But that's me... catching up with you. More to come! :)

chris <><

19 hours and counting...

Oh my... I can't believe that our date to leave for Estonia is coming up so quickly :). 19 hours to go till we're heading to Tallinn via Amsterdam.

This week has been a little crazier than I expected... on Tuesday I was asked to go out on a last-minute trip for business (an interview with a sales director at my company) and just turned around a less than 24 hour jaunt to Salt Lake City. What time zone am I in? I'm going to be asking that same question on Saturday morning... but this time in Europe. What's cool is that we have a 12 hour layover in Amsterdam and I'm hoping to do/see some cool things... the Anne Frank house has been talked up a lot and I'm hoping to see that. In the meantime, I still need to pack and check everything off of my to-do list for tomorrow. As in the last two trips, there is no shortage of rat race busyness right before leaving for a trip.

And this trip is going to be rustic :). No hotels or hostels, it's going to be sleeping on the gym floor baby! I'm actually looking forward to this... it brings me back to the old A&M BSU Mexico Mission trips... or camping out in the woods at Philmont (but we will have a roof)... there's nothing like bonding when you're all sleeping on the same floor :). Fun times.

My thought on the trip, as if you thought I'd leave without one... of course I'm in the SLC airport this afternoon and watching all of the Mormon missionaries as they are heading out... and here am I leaving for less than 2 weeks on a trip halfway across the world. It makes my dedication (if you want to call it that) seem a little small, given that these guys give up 2 years of their life for their religious movement. The other thing was hearing about the dedication that successful sales people give to getting great at their trade and giving up things like rock music in the car before a sales call (probably not altogether a huge sacrifice). And here am I giving up only a week of time off to go serve the Lord. Seems small? Yeah, it probably is... but what I know is that God really wants for me to think of it as more than "just one week" and to look at it from the eternal perspective.... that He's doing the work and not me. Also, while these guys at the airport are giving up 2 years for a religious movement and sales guys (which may include me soon) give up little pleasures to get good at their trade... they are small in comparison to the sacrifice of our lives that Christ has called us to. Dietrich Bonhoffer (btw - who was also oppressed by the Nazi's -- see Anne Frank house comment above --) was quoted as saying, "When Christ calls a man, he calls him to come and die" - meaning that we give our all to Him... what is really cool about that is when we DO, he gives us back a life that is much greater that we couldn't have had if we held onto the decaying life that we once had.... and it's that life that we offer to a dying world in whatever role we find ourselves... whether that is "on the mission field" or in the cubicle.

Chris <><

Seasons of Preparation

Today, I was out with about 8 friends (and some other people) at a Habitat for Humanity build in South Atlanta... something that I had been committed to for about a month or so. It was a good time... the house that we were in the process of building was for a Sudanese refugee who fled religious persecution (from the Islamic regime/forces that were forcing "conversion by the sword") and had the opportunity to have this house built for him and his family by Habitat. His was a really cool story. But that's not the story I'm telling here... I just thought it was cool that we were doing this build for a guy with such an incredible story...

But, back to my story. How selfish, huh? ;-)

Today was the "painting day" for the house that we were building. I found myself, for almost all day, outside caulking (sealing cracks) and painting siding on the house. Part of this house, which was the most difficult to paint, was the backside because the house was built on a slope so this side was almost completely unreachable without the ladder. Right before lunch, we got to this section of the house, in which we had to plant a sliding 20' ladder to go up and seal and/or paint the house. The ground that we were placing the ladders on was not very... what's the word? FLAT. So, almost every time we had to reposition the ladder I had to get a shovel out and create a new foundation to lay the ladder in. It was a lot of seemingly unproductive work, I tell you.

So, after lunch I'm back in the back painting the back (not my back) of the house and was talking to a fellow Habitat builder (whose wife is from Lithuania... and having discovered that I was going to Estonia next week created this cool cultural conversation about the Baltics) and I made this comment that "It seems like I've spent more energy shoveling for this ladder than actually doing any work" (almost in a frustrated sense). I'm not sure when-after I made that statement that an "ah ha moment" hit me that if I hadn't spent the time preparing the ground for the ladder, that I couldn't do the work on the house AT ALL because I would fall down on my butt (a long ways too). In a sense, the "unproductive" work of preparation was just as important, and necessary, for the productive work.

This was a cool moment for me because I feel that's the way my life is right now.... that God's preparing me for something huge but what he has me doing is shoveling dirt and I feel like I'm spending a lot of energy for something that's not producing anything... be it in my career, or in relationships, or even in the preparation for this trip because most of what we have done has been to create unity as a team... most of our training will happen in Tartu when we arrive. What God gave me a glimpse of with the ladder is that the fact that even thought don't feel that I'm doing what I want to be doing career-wise, or in a relationship, or whatever in the present tense... the experiences He is giving me is preparing me for a greater work that will be incredibly fruitful. For the career example, I never set out to build a career in finance, but the role that I've been in for 2 years has moved in that direction and in the trees I'm not seeing things going my way but from the forest seeing that the financial skills I've honed in this season will differentiate me as a sales and marketing professional and make me more successful in my future endeavors. I have also seen life circumstances this year that don't seem to have any purpose in the moment but when I lay over the context of Estonia, of ministry, and of seeing God's faithfulness have incredible value in shaping my faith and character. The season of preparation, while in the moment doesn't seem pleasant or even productive, is a tool that God uses to shape us and our character for the great things He has planned.

It's easier to see that with an eternal perspective :-). I'm in the woodshop... and the sandpaper is being applied. It's all good.

chris <><

Post Retreat Home Stretch

Okay, starting off... one night at the beach is not enough. I could use some more chillax time.

Our team retreat at the "Redneck Rivera" was good. Five of us (Clete, Melissa, Jennifer, Terry, and myself) road tripped down to Panama City for Saturday night of the July 4th weekend to retreat, bond, dream about the opportunities that God is going to give us when we are on the ground, and tour multiple restaurants in the greater Panama City Beach, Seaside, Grayton Beach area. More on that soon... As far as the road trip was concerned, we relied on our rented (on points, thanks Terry!) seven-seat Ford Explorer cleverly disguised as a five seat Chevy Trailblazer and the navigation of an Australian voiced "Ken" (Melissa's Tomtom GPS system), who was quite the demanding type (especially on the trip back as we decided to detour to avoid the LONG line in Euphala, AL with Ken screaming at us every 500 yards to turn around and get back into line in Euphala ;).

What was especially interesting as we worked through our trip preparation and bonded as a team was the theme of our prayer requests... a lot of busyness and a lot of job stresses and prayers for direction. That included not only the team at Panama City but also those that were unable to make it to the beach. So if you could pray for anything, it is that confidence that God is in control and is taking care of those situations as we are on the ground. As a note, I AM going on the trip and am trusting God for his provision as I set out to serve. This is something that He has been gently nudging me toward this weekend.

Speaking of nudging... I needed to mention the "PCB Restaurant Tour" - which started with our road trip to Grayton Beach on Saturday to go to The Red Bar (which I have heard SO much about but haven't been), which had no parking and an hour and a half wait... so the tour began with us landing at another place in Grayton after Clete checked out an Italian spot which only would allow seating for two. The tour continued for breakfast in the "Redneck Riviera" as we explored our breakfast options. First was a place that Clete recommended but unfortunately it was closed on Sunday... followed by our two options: 1.) The Waffle House, which had too long of a wait time, and 2.) the breakfast buffet that we eventually landed at. Good times to be had by all.

Well, one more team meeting to go... and we leave a week from Friday. Crazy!

chris <><

Team Retreat this Weekend

Man, how time flies! I can't believe that it will be only 2 weeks until we are flying to Estonia for English Camp.

This weekend is our team retreat, which is something that I have been looking forward to. Because we have been so geographically separated as a team (one team member in Australia, one in Mexico, one at Panama City Beach, and a couple (me included) traveling their tails off for work, it will be a great opportunity for us to all settle down from our crazy busy lives and bond, pray with one another, and dream about what God wants to do in Estonia through the trip. One cool thing is that we are doing our retreat via road trip to Panama City Beach since Clete our fearless leader is doing his BigStuf camps there. It's a little beach time, but it's still beach time :-).

Every trip that I've been on has been preceded by some sort of adversity... I think that just comes with the territory, and this one is no different. In fact, it's been really intense. I appreciate your prayers for me for wisdom and discernment in my life endeavors before and during the trip... and for protection. Most of all, I just want to keep Jesus and His passionate love for me at the forefront of my mind. Oh yeah, wisdom and discernment are huge too... I think I mentioned that. For all of you Cloud fans that have read "The 9 things..." I have a couple of movies running in my head right now.

On the support front, I got a note from Terry our treasurer that we are a little slow in our support raising. From the last report I saw, I am personally at $600 of the $2,300 goal. I appreciate your support for what God is going to do and your support for me and my teammates both in prayer and, for those that are called, financially.

Please use the online link (2 posts ago) to donate online. Talk to you all with news from the retreat :-).

chris <><

Seeing ministry as grace

This morning as I am sitting down to have my quiet time (and) to also prepare for my small group discussion on Ephesians, God showed me something really cool.   I thought I would share :).  We are, this week, in Ephesians 4:1-16, where Paul is transitioning from (in my honest opinion) one of the best descriptors of our high calling, position, and value in Christ into the practical "how do you apply this in your world?" section.  This should be a cool section, because we as guys are into action even though I love the "look at who you really are" stuff :).

So, I'm reading through this section and I get to verse 7, which says:  "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it..."

And then describes our calling to be unified and to reflect Him through our gifts. 

Earlier in this letter, Paul uses the word "grace" in a very similar way:

"Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you..." 3:2, 

"I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power." 3:7

Same word.  Same meaning.  Not grace = salvation and I get a cool relationship with Jesus and go to Heaven when I die... but something else.  

Here's my thought... or at least how I felt God speaking to me... God has given me (and you if you know Him and are called according to His purpose) the grace (gift) of getting to participate in what He's doing in the world.  That, in fact, the ministry (aka - work) that He's got you doing is in fact a gift of grace and not a "job."  That was the context that Paul used the word grace to mean in chapter 3 and by all context is the purpose of the word that he uses to spur us on in chapter 4.  Furthermore, the focus of this letter is not on salvation per-se, but the manifestation of salvation in the life of the believer.  

What does that mean?  Well for starters, that going to Estonia to serve High School students, volunteering in Upstreet, and showcasing Christ through my life is not "work" but is instead a privilege that God has given me, which He has already empowered me to do.  It is as much a part of my joy in Christ as the cool, warm-and-fuzzy stuff I get to do like sing and hang out with my friends.  Thinking out loud, it also has to be a cure for ministry burnout... because generally I get burned out by what I "have" to do, and when ministry becomes a "job" or something that I am "volunteering" for, then my attitude tends to reflect that.  However, if I see it for what it really is... God's grace that's been given to me... I can do all of these things with joy because I am living out my calling and participating with Him in reflecting who He is to the world.  

That's my epiphany for the day.  

------------

Additionally, thank you for all that have given to the trip so far :).  We are still in support raising mode and I found out that the cost of the tickets went up (thanks to oil prices, of course).  Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!    If you haven't given yet and want to, please use the online form.  It's fairly easy :)

https://ssl.northpoint.org/ssl/globalx/giving.html

Country:  Estonia

Trip:  English Camp 7/17-27/08

Individual:  Chris Willis

It's official! I'm going back!

Most of you that are reading this probably knew I was going back to Tartu this year because you got my support letter :). But perhaps you just randomly found my site... so perhaps the news is not so new.

But in case you haven't heard, I'm going back to Estonia in July to support one of Risttee Church's high school English camps. The skinny on the trip: We will be traveling from July 18-28, 2008 (as of now) and will be hanging out with Estonian high school students allowing them to practice their English and relating to them with the hopes that they will be exposed to Jesus Christ in a real way that will pave the way to their exploring and engaging in a life-changing relationship with Him.

God has been working in and through Risttee over the last months and has pushed them out of the nest in a way... forcing a move from their previous "suburban" location to a new location in the heart of Tartu. There is more to come but I wanted to keep this as a short blog as an announcement and a request for support.

We are leaving in less than 2 months and fortunately, NorthPoint has set up online donations for mission trips this year (welcome to the 21st century ;) ) so I'll provide the 411 on how to give online to my efforts (as well as my teammates). We have been asked to raise about $2,100/each to support travel expenses and materials for our mission efforts in Tartu.

To give online: Go to the following URL:
https://ssl.northpoint.org/ssl/globalx/giving.html

Under "GlobalX Trip Information" provide the following details:
- Country: Estonia
- Trip: "English Camp Trip 7/17-27/08" (not the NPCC High School English Camp.. this is for NP HS students)
- Individual: Chris Willis (yah).

I'm looking forward to sharing more. Glad to be back :)