A Whole New World

TURKIYE

Once again, Andy had the opportunity (and joy) to serve the international operations staff members of Campus Crusade at the 4th bi-annual Operational Leadership Conference.  This year it was held outside of Izmir, Turkey, southeast of Istanbul. (Notice the spelling above—the Turkish people don’t like the way we spell it since it’s the same as the bird!)  Izmir sits on the Aegean Sea, just north of the Biblical city of Ephesus.  Andy got to swim in the Aegean! – perhaps an historical setting, but not too different from Florida’s Atlantic coast.

Our first concern was Andy’s safety, but the area staff were adamant that the conference workers and attendees would be safe.  And, thank God, they were.

During the conference about 85 staff members from around the world gathered to be trained, share best practices and encourage one another in the operational side of the ministry. It’s their job to be sure the people ministering on campuses, in cities, in businesses and in churches worldwide have the resources and tools they need for the ministry to flourish.

Andy’s job at the conference was leading the production crew — audio, video (PowerPoint), recording and internet distribution of the conference. The attendees spent the mornings learning coaching skills — helping these technical leaders with personal growth and personnel interactions.  In the afternoons the attendees met in small groups to discuss how their team members could help the countries in their area have more vital ministries. There was focus on how ministry around the world is at different stages (some countries have thriving ministry work, some are struggling) and how to grow the ministry in each country from where it is today toward a more vibrant ministry environment.  This is the one time each year that the global leadership team is all in the same room — an exciting opportunity for God to do great work.

One afternoon the conference attendees went sightseeing to the nearby ruins of Ephesus.  The picture is Andy and many of the attendees in front of the famous Ephesus Library (Andy is front row, left side, with the hat on).  This library was built in 117 A.D. and was the third richest library in ancient times, after the Alexandra and Pergamum libraries.  Andy enjoyed linking the ruins to Bible times.

Andy brought home Turkish Delight, a local candy — a lot like a gummy bear that tasted like… rose water — authentic Turkish, but not a big favorite around here.  And probably the only new food he ate was lamb.  Lots of lamb.  I’ve not served lots of lamb.

SIDE OUT

High school is somewhat like a foreign country; one must learn to navigate a new place, learn a new language, and meet new people.  Rachel has survived (and thrived) in her first few weeks of University High School.  Funny thing is, Andy and I are learning new things as well.

A month before Rachel began high school, she tried out for the volleyball program.  Thanks to her hard work, she earned a spot on the junior varsity squad.  Then, to our surprise (well… we’re not that surprised!) as a freshman she was chosen as co-captain!  Andy and I had a lot to learn about being “Athletic Parents.”  First,bleachers are MUCH harder than theater seats (where we sit to watch Becca).  Second, the parents at volleyball games “slide” with their team — if your girls are playing the first game of the night on one side of the court, you sit on that end of the bleachers.  For the next game, when the girls switch sides, you move to the other end of the bleachers.  This gets tricky as both sets of parents try to switch seats.  We are learning the locations of various high schools around Orlando — there are more than 15 in our county alone!

Rachel is beginning to make friends at her new school, and in addition to volleyball, is working on the fall theater presentation of “Evita” (she is behind the scenes doing lighting) and finishing up my favorite class, P.E. online.

In other news at home, Rebecca will soon be finishing her Associates Degree in Tallahassee, and is working on her application for University of Central Florida, School of Education; she plans to move back to Orlando after Christmas.