As Gina and I prepare to end our first year of service and begin our second upon returning from the Christmas holiday, we are raising funds in order to be able to continue the work God has called us to in Europe.
We have learned in the past year that Europe is an expensive place to live. Also, when Gina became sick throughout the autumn season, we experienced a number of unexpected medical bills. Finally, as our first year comes to a close, most of our ministry fund has been depleted on the regular expenses associated with serving here: such as health insurance payments, phone and utility bills, normal medical bills, and meals eaten with students and faculty in the dining hall. Fortunately, God has provided for us in several ways such as free housing at EuNC in exchange for Andrew's work at the school, and vastly reduced costs for the medicines we both take regularly.
The work we are doing at EuNC and for the Eurasia region is not our work any more than it is the Nazarene church's work. We are firm believers that it is God's work, in which he invites us to partner with him. Since this is the case, we are extending that invitation to YOU to participate in God's continuing work by giving financially to this ministry. We are praying for at least 20 people who will faithfully commit $60 per month to sponsoring Gina and I as we continue the work God has called us to in Europe.
Please pray about becoming a monthly sponsor. All the resources in the world belong to God, and he is able not only to provide for our own needs but also to provide the means by which we may bless the lives of others through our giving. He is able to do more than we could ask or imagine if we simply make ourselves available to him!
If you would like to partner with us in ministry by becoming a monthly sponsor, there are two ways by which your tax-deductible gift will be used for the work God has called us to in Europe:
1. The simplest method is to donate online through Mission Corps' secure website. Simply click on the link "Support Our Ministry" located at the left of this web page and follow the instructions.
2. Checks should be made out to General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene, and mailed to Global Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene, PO Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184-3116. Checks written in our name will not be eligible for a tax deduction. Be sure to write "Pottengers/Mission Corps/Switzerland" in the memo line, or the gift may not be credited to our fund.
We are also seeking to do some creative fundraising for the coming year that could cover all of the expenses mentioned above, as well as food and gas.
One of the ways we hope to do this is by offering for sale some of Gina's photographic prints taken throughout the Eurasia region this past year (Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Bangladesh). With the holiday season approaching and many people searching for meaningful Christmas gifts, we hope you might consider purchasing a unique print for a friend, co-worker or loved one as a gift. At the same time, you will be contributing toward ministry on the Eurasia region during 2011.
The photos are available on Gina's website at Shutterfly.com. Email her the link to a photo you are interested in purchasing, along with the size of the print and whether you would like a glossy or matte finish. She can order the print through Shutterfly and have it shipped directly to you.
The following sizes are available at these prices (please add $2.50 for shipping costs):
1. 5x7 ($10)
2. 8x10 ($30)
3. 11x14 ($45)
4. 16x20 ($60)
When the photo has been ordered, Gina can let you know how to make your payment. Please feel free to share Gina's website with anyone you think might be interested in a purchase!
For those of you in the Colorado Springs area, Gina and Andrew are planning to return home for Christmas between Dec. 8th through the 30th. If you would like Andrew to shovel snow or perform any sort of "odd job" around the house, feel free to e-mail him at ajpott@hotmail.com and schedule a time for when you would like him to be available. Your donation for his work will go entirely to our ministry fund for the coming year.
May God bless all of you in new and amazing ways this coming year!
Love,
Andrew and Gina
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
A November Update
As it has been just about a month since our last post, I thought it was time for a bit of an update.
The last thing Gina and I were expecting on Halloween night at a European Bible college campus was any trick-or-treaters. Halloween is not so big a deal in Germany as it is in the U.S. - whether you are for or against the holiday. It didn't occur to us to expect any costumed children at our door, so we hadn't bought any candy to give out. However, a pair of them knocked on our door just as we had sat down to watch a movie. Gina scrambled to find something in our cupboard to substitute for candy bars or M&M's, and managed to send the kids away happy. It seemed funny to us that in the U.S. we had never gotten any trick-or-treaters, but over here in Germany where the holiday isn't widely thought of, we got surprised by a couple of them.
November has been a pretty hectic month.
Gina has struggled with her health since September, and the mysterious illness, fatigue, and dizziness worsened to the point that she was basically flat on her back, sleeping, and unable to do much of anything. (For any of you wondering, yes, we can rule out pregnancy as a cause.) She was able to take a week away from her work and volunteer responsibilities in order to recuperate. During that week, we saw a doctor in a nearby village who was able to diagnose Gina as having a lactose intolerance. Last week, we went to see him again for a glucose test to see if Gina is hypoglycemic, and have yet to hear the results. The doctor has treated her very well, listening carefully to her complaints, and working with her in order to find out the root of the problem so she can return to full health. We have also had a lot of prayer support both here in our community and in various places at home where our friends and family are keeping us uplifted before God regularly. We believe your prayer support is the most significant reason that Gina has enjoyed relatively normal good health for the past week!
A challenge I have faced this month is related to the computer technology on campus. As much of my work teaching an online course, creating course material for the next class, and assisting students and faculty in research requires the use of the Internet, I depend heavily on a strong wi-fi signal both in the office and at home. The library book-keeping system, Heritage, has proved a constant challenge to my patience-level all year - but particularly in the past month it has broken down in some way almost daily. I've kept I.T. pretty busy with these problems, and they are able to temporarily get me back up and running. However, there seems to be a mysterious root problem that no one seems able to figure out just out yet. We are working constantly to get to the bottom of this, but in the meantime, I am generally able to keep up with my work load.
The on-campus students enjoyed a week of Fall Break at the end of October, followed by a study week with no other classes in preparation for a two-week course taking place at one of EuNC's learning centers in Romania. They spent the first two weeks of November in Sighisoara, Romania. The town has a population of roughly 30,000 people, and part of their time was spent experiencing the compassionate ministries work taking place among the elderly, children, widows, the sick, and the gypsies. They returned this past weekend, and a new four-week session of classes began on Monday. Gina and I continue to enjoy developing close friendships with these students, and enjoy every chance we have to spend time with them. During the Fall Break, we invited the only three students still on campus over to our home for dinner and dessert. We spent several hours talking, laughing, and playing a lightning-fast card game called "Dutch Blitz." Two of the students who went to Romania brought us back souvenir coffee mugs (which we collect from some of the places we've visited). I've led a lectio divina group among the students for the past several weeks ("lectio divina" is a devotional method of reading Scripture "deeply" - Google it to find out more). I also watch a television show called "Stargate Universe" regularly with another student and one of the other volunteers. Coffee breaks take place twice a day, and we eat lunch with the students two or three times a week. There are many opportunities to spend quality time either in a mentoring capacity or simply enjoying the company of these incredible young people who are preparing for ministry.
This past week was particularly busy, as the EuNC campus hosted the meetings of the International Course of Study Advisory Committee for the Eurasia region. These men and women dedicate a portion of their time each year to evaluating and approving educational programs for the training of those called to ministry. They came from Britain, Romania, and India to name just a few. Gina and I met Dr. Kent Brower from Nazarene Theological College in Manchester, England. Over lunch one day, Dr. Brower told us about NTC and did his best to recruit me as a graduate student. Time will tell how successful he was at this! We appreciated his willingness to take time with us and answer several questions as we took advantage of the opportunity to explore one possible option for after Gina and I end our service in January 2012. Of course, if Dr. Brower had his way, I would begin at NTC as soon as June of next year! I was particularly struck with how down-to-earth and approachable, and almost "fatherly" Dr. Brower was: he is the author of several books I've read as an undergrad and at seminary, and so he's something of a "big name" to me. I was pleasantly surprised, though I shouldn't have been, to find that he was a very normal, approachable man with a fantastic sense of humor.
We also met two faculty members - Simon Jothi and Prakesh Nemade - from South Asia Nazarene Bible College in Bangalore, India, with whom we had a number of enjoyable conversations. They were interested in having me spend a couple of weeks in India helping them develop their library. I don't know what, if anything, will come of that or NTC, but as always Gina and I are open and attentive to God's leading in all things. Gina also interviewed Monica Boseff, who assists her husband in pastoring a church in Bucharest, Romania, who shared an amazing story - you will have to read an upcoming edition of "Engage" magazine or "Where Worlds Meet" to hear it.
The month of December will find us returning to the U.S. to spend Christmas with our families in Colorado. We will spend three weeks there, and will return to begin our second year of service here on New Year's Eve. Aside from the much-needed time with our families, we are looking forward to visiting Starbucks, Borders, Barnes & Noble, and joining my extended family for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner at Fargo's Pizza before meeting up with Gina's family to share and open Christmas gifts. Christmas Day will be spent doing the same with my family. We love having both sides of the family living in the same town - and so near one another, as well! Upon our return, the month of January will begin in a rush of activity as EuNC's Leadership Conference 2011 takes place. Author and scholar Leonard Sweet will be our seminar speaker. Students and faculty from the campus and many of our learning centers will be participating in this conference. I will also begin teaching an online course for the Netherlands learning center called History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene, which is one of the required classes for those seeking ordination as ministers in our denomination. The six-week course will connect the Nazarene church within the broader Christian tradition, and cover such historical and theological matters related to who we are and where we come from as a particular faith community. The "polity" aspect will cover our denominational organization at various levels, and include an emphasis on the local church and pastoral ministry.
Thank you so much for your continued support through prayer, encouraging words, and financial giving. We have seen the importance of your participation in these regards particularly in seeing Gina through this difficult time with her health. Thank you for your faithful dedication to joining us in serving the work of Christ in the Eurasia region!
The last thing Gina and I were expecting on Halloween night at a European Bible college campus was any trick-or-treaters. Halloween is not so big a deal in Germany as it is in the U.S. - whether you are for or against the holiday. It didn't occur to us to expect any costumed children at our door, so we hadn't bought any candy to give out. However, a pair of them knocked on our door just as we had sat down to watch a movie. Gina scrambled to find something in our cupboard to substitute for candy bars or M&M's, and managed to send the kids away happy. It seemed funny to us that in the U.S. we had never gotten any trick-or-treaters, but over here in Germany where the holiday isn't widely thought of, we got surprised by a couple of them.
November has been a pretty hectic month.
Gina has struggled with her health since September, and the mysterious illness, fatigue, and dizziness worsened to the point that she was basically flat on her back, sleeping, and unable to do much of anything. (For any of you wondering, yes, we can rule out pregnancy as a cause.) She was able to take a week away from her work and volunteer responsibilities in order to recuperate. During that week, we saw a doctor in a nearby village who was able to diagnose Gina as having a lactose intolerance. Last week, we went to see him again for a glucose test to see if Gina is hypoglycemic, and have yet to hear the results. The doctor has treated her very well, listening carefully to her complaints, and working with her in order to find out the root of the problem so she can return to full health. We have also had a lot of prayer support both here in our community and in various places at home where our friends and family are keeping us uplifted before God regularly. We believe your prayer support is the most significant reason that Gina has enjoyed relatively normal good health for the past week!
A challenge I have faced this month is related to the computer technology on campus. As much of my work teaching an online course, creating course material for the next class, and assisting students and faculty in research requires the use of the Internet, I depend heavily on a strong wi-fi signal both in the office and at home. The library book-keeping system, Heritage, has proved a constant challenge to my patience-level all year - but particularly in the past month it has broken down in some way almost daily. I've kept I.T. pretty busy with these problems, and they are able to temporarily get me back up and running. However, there seems to be a mysterious root problem that no one seems able to figure out just out yet. We are working constantly to get to the bottom of this, but in the meantime, I am generally able to keep up with my work load.
The on-campus students enjoyed a week of Fall Break at the end of October, followed by a study week with no other classes in preparation for a two-week course taking place at one of EuNC's learning centers in Romania. They spent the first two weeks of November in Sighisoara, Romania. The town has a population of roughly 30,000 people, and part of their time was spent experiencing the compassionate ministries work taking place among the elderly, children, widows, the sick, and the gypsies. They returned this past weekend, and a new four-week session of classes began on Monday. Gina and I continue to enjoy developing close friendships with these students, and enjoy every chance we have to spend time with them. During the Fall Break, we invited the only three students still on campus over to our home for dinner and dessert. We spent several hours talking, laughing, and playing a lightning-fast card game called "Dutch Blitz." Two of the students who went to Romania brought us back souvenir coffee mugs (which we collect from some of the places we've visited). I've led a lectio divina group among the students for the past several weeks ("lectio divina" is a devotional method of reading Scripture "deeply" - Google it to find out more). I also watch a television show called "Stargate Universe" regularly with another student and one of the other volunteers. Coffee breaks take place twice a day, and we eat lunch with the students two or three times a week. There are many opportunities to spend quality time either in a mentoring capacity or simply enjoying the company of these incredible young people who are preparing for ministry.
This past week was particularly busy, as the EuNC campus hosted the meetings of the International Course of Study Advisory Committee for the Eurasia region. These men and women dedicate a portion of their time each year to evaluating and approving educational programs for the training of those called to ministry. They came from Britain, Romania, and India to name just a few. Gina and I met Dr. Kent Brower from Nazarene Theological College in Manchester, England. Over lunch one day, Dr. Brower told us about NTC and did his best to recruit me as a graduate student. Time will tell how successful he was at this! We appreciated his willingness to take time with us and answer several questions as we took advantage of the opportunity to explore one possible option for after Gina and I end our service in January 2012. Of course, if Dr. Brower had his way, I would begin at NTC as soon as June of next year! I was particularly struck with how down-to-earth and approachable, and almost "fatherly" Dr. Brower was: he is the author of several books I've read as an undergrad and at seminary, and so he's something of a "big name" to me. I was pleasantly surprised, though I shouldn't have been, to find that he was a very normal, approachable man with a fantastic sense of humor.
We also met two faculty members - Simon Jothi and Prakesh Nemade - from South Asia Nazarene Bible College in Bangalore, India, with whom we had a number of enjoyable conversations. They were interested in having me spend a couple of weeks in India helping them develop their library. I don't know what, if anything, will come of that or NTC, but as always Gina and I are open and attentive to God's leading in all things. Gina also interviewed Monica Boseff, who assists her husband in pastoring a church in Bucharest, Romania, who shared an amazing story - you will have to read an upcoming edition of "Engage" magazine or "Where Worlds Meet" to hear it.
The month of December will find us returning to the U.S. to spend Christmas with our families in Colorado. We will spend three weeks there, and will return to begin our second year of service here on New Year's Eve. Aside from the much-needed time with our families, we are looking forward to visiting Starbucks, Borders, Barnes & Noble, and joining my extended family for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner at Fargo's Pizza before meeting up with Gina's family to share and open Christmas gifts. Christmas Day will be spent doing the same with my family. We love having both sides of the family living in the same town - and so near one another, as well! Upon our return, the month of January will begin in a rush of activity as EuNC's Leadership Conference 2011 takes place. Author and scholar Leonard Sweet will be our seminar speaker. Students and faculty from the campus and many of our learning centers will be participating in this conference. I will also begin teaching an online course for the Netherlands learning center called History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene, which is one of the required classes for those seeking ordination as ministers in our denomination. The six-week course will connect the Nazarene church within the broader Christian tradition, and cover such historical and theological matters related to who we are and where we come from as a particular faith community. The "polity" aspect will cover our denominational organization at various levels, and include an emphasis on the local church and pastoral ministry.
Thank you so much for your continued support through prayer, encouraging words, and financial giving. We have seen the importance of your participation in these regards particularly in seeing Gina through this difficult time with her health. Thank you for your faithful dedication to joining us in serving the work of Christ in the Eurasia region!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Andrew isn't the only one teaching
When you're teaching English to people in another country, the last thing you want to see in the ESL workbook is a reading and comprehension story on snake-handling churches in America.
A few weeks ago I agreed to substitute teach an introductory English class that our church offers to people in our community. When I looked at the section we were going to be doing last night, I couldn't believe it when I saw the paragraphs written about the "Holiness movement" in which congregations handle snakes because of a passage in Mark (16:18) where Christ says his followers can handle snakes and not be hurt.
Considering that our denomination is part of the "Holiness movement," along with mainstream denominations such as the Wesleyans and Methodists, and that as far as I know, not a single one of these churches encourages people to play with poisonous snakes, I was not thrilled with the impression this would create with Europeans, in whose culture Evangelical denominations are already viewed as cultish (I am told).
Wow, that was a long sentence.
Well, at first I thought about skipping the section and going on to something else. But then I figured, hey, any opening for a spiritual discussion is better than none, even if it's weird. So I decided to go with it and see what happened.
While we read other little "stories" about snakes, sure enough, nothing elicited as much interest in the meaning of the text as the snake-handling anecdote. One of the men had even read the story in advance of our class and gone to his Bible to look up the section referenced for himself. They seemed confused by the story and did a lot of talking amongst themselves in German as they tried to figure it out. I didn't have any idea what they were saying. But finally, one of the ladies asked me if the people in this American sect misinterpreted the Bible or if the passage really does mean that Jesus is promising his followers that they can play with snakes and not get hurt.
I said that this passage reminded me of another one, in which Jesus says if you have a very tiny seed of faith, you can say to a mountain, "hey, go jump in that lake" and the mountain will do it. I said, "of course, that would not happen. So it is a symbolic meaning, and it means that with God's strength, you can overcome problems in your life as big as mountains." I said this may be what is meant by Jesus' words about snakes, too: that a problem in your life as tricky and problematic as a snake you can handle with confidence when God gives you the strength to face it. They seemed satisfied with that explanation. They also asked me how many people in America would do something like this, and I emphasized that it is very, very few.
Upon closer examination, I see that Jesus' words about snake-handling, speaking in tongues, driving out demons and being immune to poison were fulfilled amongst his followers shortly after his death, particularly in the life of Paul. And I know that in many countries around the world, such signs are still being fulfilled today. However, it was somewhat difficult to explain in the most simple English that while these things are certainly true, Jesus was not encouraging his followers to seek out dangerous situations, such as playing with poisonous snakes, as an end in themselves or to prove anything. So I left it at the symbolism.
At the end of the class, one of the participants said, "We think you are very easy to understand; you speak slowly and clearly, and you explain things well." That reassured me, because I really wanted to be an effective substitute until the real ESL expert returns from a teaching trip. They said they were glad that they are forced to speak in English with me most of the time because it is helping them practice more.
Afterward everyone stayed for cookies and to talk in English more informally. This is a great time for me to get to know people from around our village in casual conversation, and it's super fun.
I'm really happy that I have something to offer in service here, and I do hope to continue being part of this, whether subbing, teaching or just showing up to make new friends.
-- Gina
A few weeks ago I agreed to substitute teach an introductory English class that our church offers to people in our community. When I looked at the section we were going to be doing last night, I couldn't believe it when I saw the paragraphs written about the "Holiness movement" in which congregations handle snakes because of a passage in Mark (16:18) where Christ says his followers can handle snakes and not be hurt.
Considering that our denomination is part of the "Holiness movement," along with mainstream denominations such as the Wesleyans and Methodists, and that as far as I know, not a single one of these churches encourages people to play with poisonous snakes, I was not thrilled with the impression this would create with Europeans, in whose culture Evangelical denominations are already viewed as cultish (I am told).
Wow, that was a long sentence.
Well, at first I thought about skipping the section and going on to something else. But then I figured, hey, any opening for a spiritual discussion is better than none, even if it's weird. So I decided to go with it and see what happened.
While we read other little "stories" about snakes, sure enough, nothing elicited as much interest in the meaning of the text as the snake-handling anecdote. One of the men had even read the story in advance of our class and gone to his Bible to look up the section referenced for himself. They seemed confused by the story and did a lot of talking amongst themselves in German as they tried to figure it out. I didn't have any idea what they were saying. But finally, one of the ladies asked me if the people in this American sect misinterpreted the Bible or if the passage really does mean that Jesus is promising his followers that they can play with snakes and not get hurt.
I said that this passage reminded me of another one, in which Jesus says if you have a very tiny seed of faith, you can say to a mountain, "hey, go jump in that lake" and the mountain will do it. I said, "of course, that would not happen. So it is a symbolic meaning, and it means that with God's strength, you can overcome problems in your life as big as mountains." I said this may be what is meant by Jesus' words about snakes, too: that a problem in your life as tricky and problematic as a snake you can handle with confidence when God gives you the strength to face it. They seemed satisfied with that explanation. They also asked me how many people in America would do something like this, and I emphasized that it is very, very few.
Upon closer examination, I see that Jesus' words about snake-handling, speaking in tongues, driving out demons and being immune to poison were fulfilled amongst his followers shortly after his death, particularly in the life of Paul. And I know that in many countries around the world, such signs are still being fulfilled today. However, it was somewhat difficult to explain in the most simple English that while these things are certainly true, Jesus was not encouraging his followers to seek out dangerous situations, such as playing with poisonous snakes, as an end in themselves or to prove anything. So I left it at the symbolism.
At the end of the class, one of the participants said, "We think you are very easy to understand; you speak slowly and clearly, and you explain things well." That reassured me, because I really wanted to be an effective substitute until the real ESL expert returns from a teaching trip. They said they were glad that they are forced to speak in English with me most of the time because it is helping them practice more.
Afterward everyone stayed for cookies and to talk in English more informally. This is a great time for me to get to know people from around our village in casual conversation, and it's super fun.
I'm really happy that I have something to offer in service here, and I do hope to continue being part of this, whether subbing, teaching or just showing up to make new friends.
-- Gina
Friday, October 15, 2010
One more way to get involved
While we are talking about ways that anyone can get involved in God's mission, a big opportunity is coming up this fall.
Our denomination gives an annual offering each fall to missions. In the U.S. it is usually given at Thanksgiving. In other world areas it can be given anytime between September and December. The offerings go to our World Evangelism Fund, which is what lays the foundation for our entire mission enterprise in 157 countries. These funds support missionaries and ministries.
Even though we, as volunteer missionaries, do not receive direct financial support from WEF, the ministries in which we work would not exist at all if not for giving to this fund.
Because of the weakening economies in many countries, the fund is 20% short of what is required to simply maintain existing ministries and personnel this year. Many ministries' budgets have already been cut significantly in the past two years, and some mission personnel have had to go home sooner than planned. Much more drastic cuts are on the immediate horizon.
Yet, Andrew and I fervently believe that sometimes God must wait for us humans to recognize we've reached our human limits before He can step in and demonstrate his infinite power and resources. So many times we try to do God's work in our own strength, and that allows us also to take the credit.
It's time to step back and tell God we can't do this, but that we know He can. We are excited to see how God will work through our church during the upcoming Challenge 2010 offering.
This fall, talk with your pastor and Nazarene Missions International (NMI) president about when your church will give this special, one-time offering called WEF PLUS. There are videos, a planning guide, printable brochures and posters, clip art and other resources to help promote the offering at www.nazarene.org/challenge2010. There is also a prayer schedule here. This page goes into a lot more detail about WEF and how it works.
Consider praying about what God would ask you to give. Remember, He sometimes asks us to give more in faith than we believe we can give, and then He provides the resources to make it possible. When that happens, we know it was not something we could do, but only what God could do. These opportunities increase our faith.
Our mission leaders have asked each Nazarene to consider giving $10 to the offering, or an equivalent in one's local currency. Some may feel called to give one day's salary. Andrew and I have already given our offering.
Giving to this "WEF PLUS" offering is a chance for Andrew and I to say "thank you" to God for His blessings in our lives, and to pass that blessing on to others. It is because others invested in our lives when we were kids that we had the privilege to grow up knowing Christ personally. Not everyone has received that chance, and we want to pay it forward.
Besides giving, you can also pray for this offering, and for God to increase our faith as a church through our sacrificial giving.
Read more about Challenge 2010 here.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Mission Corps: How to Get Involved
Along with staying informed and giving sacrificially to ministry in Europe, there may be some of you who want to do even more to get involved.
Recently, I was contacted by someone interested in teaching overseas. I was excited to share our experience with him, along with some helpful information. I was particularly excited to refer him to Mission Corps, the volunteer mobilization department of the Church of the Nazarene.
Many of you may already be familiar with short-term missions activity through the Work & Witness program. W&W trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, and France are how I was first introduced to foreign missions. Work & Witness teams are sent all over the world at all times of the year, usually for 1-2 weeks at a time. Two teams helped out at EuNC over the summer, and we have a third team here this week as well.
Mission Corps, like Work & Witness, is a missions-minded volunteer program within the Church of the Nazarene. But Mission Corps is also a bit different. Unlike W&W, Mission Corps deals specifically with individuals and couples, rather than groups. Also, Mission Corps volunteers serve for anywhere from 6 months to 1 year at a time, rather than 1-2 weeks.
The old paradigm of foreign missions no longer applies. No longer is it merely those specifically called to full-time church ministry in a foreign context who are considered "missionaries." You do not have to be a minister or seminary student in order to offer yourself for overseas service. People from many areas of interest and expertise are needed to contribute to what God is doing through the Church of the Nazarene across the globe. Whether you are a full-time minister, Starbucks employee, accountant, teacher, journalist, medical professional, or construction worker, or whatever - your skills and experience are needed somewhere in the world.
If you are looking for a cross-cultural experience beyond Work & Witness, Mission Corps is where you want to go in order to match your skills with the needs that exist. If you are willing to serve as a Mission Corps volunteer, check out their website TODAY at: http://www.missioncorps.org!
Recently, I was contacted by someone interested in teaching overseas. I was excited to share our experience with him, along with some helpful information. I was particularly excited to refer him to Mission Corps, the volunteer mobilization department of the Church of the Nazarene.
Many of you may already be familiar with short-term missions activity through the Work & Witness program. W&W trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, and France are how I was first introduced to foreign missions. Work & Witness teams are sent all over the world at all times of the year, usually for 1-2 weeks at a time. Two teams helped out at EuNC over the summer, and we have a third team here this week as well.
Mission Corps, like Work & Witness, is a missions-minded volunteer program within the Church of the Nazarene. But Mission Corps is also a bit different. Unlike W&W, Mission Corps deals specifically with individuals and couples, rather than groups. Also, Mission Corps volunteers serve for anywhere from 6 months to 1 year at a time, rather than 1-2 weeks.
The old paradigm of foreign missions no longer applies. No longer is it merely those specifically called to full-time church ministry in a foreign context who are considered "missionaries." You do not have to be a minister or seminary student in order to offer yourself for overseas service. People from many areas of interest and expertise are needed to contribute to what God is doing through the Church of the Nazarene across the globe. Whether you are a full-time minister, Starbucks employee, accountant, teacher, journalist, medical professional, or construction worker, or whatever - your skills and experience are needed somewhere in the world.
If you are looking for a cross-cultural experience beyond Work & Witness, Mission Corps is where you want to go in order to match your skills with the needs that exist. If you are willing to serve as a Mission Corps volunteer, check out their website TODAY at: http://www.missioncorps.org!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thank you, German ingenuity
Under our missions insurance, the regular prescriptions that we take are considered for pre-existing conditions and therefore are not covered by the insurance we have. This means we have to cover the cost of our refills out of personal money or Mission Corp funds that are generously donated by our supporters for such purposes.
Between the two of us, we have three medications that we take regularly. Both of us had stockpiled medicine in the U.S. before coming, but over the months we've been here, each of them has run out and we've needed to begin filling them here.
In the States, without insurance, our combined medications cost over $600 per month. Here, we can get a three-month supply of one for about $50.
This week, when at the doctor to get a refill on the final medication, I asked why they are so much cheaper here. He said, "Oh, that's because we manufacture them in Germany."
This is just one way that God is taking care of our financial needs during this time we're serving as volunteers in Germany. When we came in faith, we certainly didn't know our budget would be downsized so easily.
And thank you, also, to our Mission Corp sponsors, whose generosity and sacrifice is making it possible for our continued service on the Eurasia Region. You know who you are. :-)
At this time, in spite of the lowered medicine costs, expenses have become a little tight for us. As we look toward another year of teaching and mentoring European Christian young people at EuNC, and helping to produce the regional publications that continue inspiring Nazarenes around the world to become involved in God's mission, we are grateful to anyone and everyone sensing God's leading to become involved in His work here.
1. Online giving to our work here is available through this website: http://web.nazarene.org/site/TR/Events/MissionCorps?pxfid=2740&fr_id=1090&pg=fund
2. Checks for our work can be made out to "General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene," and may be sent to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
PO Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116.
Checks written in our name are not eligible for a tax deduction. Be sure to include Pottengers/MissionCorps/Switzerland on the memo line.
In the meantime, we just published the October edition of the regional newsletter, Where Worlds Meet. You can download it here: www.eurasiaregion.org/index.php/where-worlds-meet
-- Gina
Between the two of us, we have three medications that we take regularly. Both of us had stockpiled medicine in the U.S. before coming, but over the months we've been here, each of them has run out and we've needed to begin filling them here.
In the States, without insurance, our combined medications cost over $600 per month. Here, we can get a three-month supply of one for about $50.
This week, when at the doctor to get a refill on the final medication, I asked why they are so much cheaper here. He said, "Oh, that's because we manufacture them in Germany."
This is just one way that God is taking care of our financial needs during this time we're serving as volunteers in Germany. When we came in faith, we certainly didn't know our budget would be downsized so easily.
And thank you, also, to our Mission Corp sponsors, whose generosity and sacrifice is making it possible for our continued service on the Eurasia Region. You know who you are. :-)
At this time, in spite of the lowered medicine costs, expenses have become a little tight for us. As we look toward another year of teaching and mentoring European Christian young people at EuNC, and helping to produce the regional publications that continue inspiring Nazarenes around the world to become involved in God's mission, we are grateful to anyone and everyone sensing God's leading to become involved in His work here.
1. Online giving to our work here is available through this website: http://web.nazarene.org/site/TR/Events/MissionCorps?pxfid=2740&fr_id=1090&pg=fund
2. Checks for our work can be made out to "General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene," and may be sent to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
PO Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116.
Checks written in our name are not eligible for a tax deduction. Be sure to include Pottengers/MissionCorps/Switzerland on the memo line.
In the meantime, we just published the October edition of the regional newsletter, Where Worlds Meet. You can download it here: www.eurasiaregion.org/index.php/where-worlds-meet
-- Gina
Monday, October 4, 2010
We're Staying
Gina and I would like to thank you for all of your prayers, encouragement, and support over the last eight months! We have some big news to share with you.
We have made our decision about whether or not to remain in Europe for another year. We're staying.
No sooner had we got off the plane eight months ago than people almost immediately began asking: "Do you think you'll renew your contract? Do you want to stay?"
We kept responding with a flustered "Let's see how the year goes first."
As Gina and I settled into our responsibilities and became a part of the community, we increasingly wondered - sometimes aloud to one another - what we would do if we were seriously asked to stay. Earlier this summer, the question was in fact asked: Will you stay? At the time, we responded that we were leaning in that direction but wanted more time: time to allow God to change our minds, and time to see how the semester went.
Later, the question was asked a second time: Will you be staying? Again, we asked for just a little more time. Gina had just learned her grandmother had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we were traveling in Switzerland with her dad over a weekend, then Gina had a friend visit from the U.S., then Gina got sick, then Gina went back to Ohio to spend a few last days with her grandmother who passed away just after Gina returned here. All the while, I was running to keep up with the class I'm teaching as well as being a support for Gina in various ways. It was not a good time to sit down and have a serious discussion, or make a concrete decision.
Realizing that those in charge of us here needed to know our decision soon, we talked a bit after Gina returned here and spent the weekend praying, and trying to be sensitive to the Lord's contradicting of our desire to stay. The following Monday, just last week, we informed our supervisors that we would indeed like to renew our volunteer contract for another year. As we prayed and waited on the Lord, it seemed that He, in fact, was simply waiting on us.
We will now plan to return to the U.S. on January 31, 2012.
With the extension of our contract comes the ever-present need for your encouragement and support. You can continue to be a part of what God is doing in Europe first and foremost through your prayers and encouraging words. You can read articles from the Eurasia Regional newsletter, "Where Worlds Meet," as well as keep up with "Engage" magazine in order to stay informed, as well as checking our Facebook group "Pottengers in Germany" and keeping up with this blog.
We also would like to request that you pray seriously about becoming a financial supporter of ministry on the Eurasia Region of the Church of the Nazarene. We are praying specifically for those who are willing to become regular sponsors since, as Mission Corps volunteers, we must continue to raise our own funds for ministry. Yet, there is no such thing as a small gift! We believe wholeheartedly in God's ability to multiply the sacrificial gift of anyone who will give any amount cheerfully and willingly out of your love for Him.
Giving to ministry in Europe is easy. Simply follow the link on the left-hand side of this blog, titled "Support our ministry." This will lead you to our secure Mission Corps website where you can donate online.
Checks should be made out to General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene, and may be sent to: Global Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene, PO Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184-3116. Your gift is tax deductible. Be sure to include Pottengers/MissionCorps/Switzerland on the memo line.
Thank you so much for your continued support of Gina and I as we continue giving our time and energy to His work for His purpose! We look forward to hearing from you in the weeks and months ahead. Keep checking back here for more updates!
We have made our decision about whether or not to remain in Europe for another year. We're staying.
No sooner had we got off the plane eight months ago than people almost immediately began asking: "Do you think you'll renew your contract? Do you want to stay?"
We kept responding with a flustered "Let's see how the year goes first."
As Gina and I settled into our responsibilities and became a part of the community, we increasingly wondered - sometimes aloud to one another - what we would do if we were seriously asked to stay. Earlier this summer, the question was in fact asked: Will you stay? At the time, we responded that we were leaning in that direction but wanted more time: time to allow God to change our minds, and time to see how the semester went.
Later, the question was asked a second time: Will you be staying? Again, we asked for just a little more time. Gina had just learned her grandmother had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we were traveling in Switzerland with her dad over a weekend, then Gina had a friend visit from the U.S., then Gina got sick, then Gina went back to Ohio to spend a few last days with her grandmother who passed away just after Gina returned here. All the while, I was running to keep up with the class I'm teaching as well as being a support for Gina in various ways. It was not a good time to sit down and have a serious discussion, or make a concrete decision.
Realizing that those in charge of us here needed to know our decision soon, we talked a bit after Gina returned here and spent the weekend praying, and trying to be sensitive to the Lord's contradicting of our desire to stay. The following Monday, just last week, we informed our supervisors that we would indeed like to renew our volunteer contract for another year. As we prayed and waited on the Lord, it seemed that He, in fact, was simply waiting on us.
We will now plan to return to the U.S. on January 31, 2012.
With the extension of our contract comes the ever-present need for your encouragement and support. You can continue to be a part of what God is doing in Europe first and foremost through your prayers and encouraging words. You can read articles from the Eurasia Regional newsletter, "Where Worlds Meet," as well as keep up with "Engage" magazine in order to stay informed, as well as checking our Facebook group "Pottengers in Germany" and keeping up with this blog.
We also would like to request that you pray seriously about becoming a financial supporter of ministry on the Eurasia Region of the Church of the Nazarene. We are praying specifically for those who are willing to become regular sponsors since, as Mission Corps volunteers, we must continue to raise our own funds for ministry. Yet, there is no such thing as a small gift! We believe wholeheartedly in God's ability to multiply the sacrificial gift of anyone who will give any amount cheerfully and willingly out of your love for Him.
Giving to ministry in Europe is easy. Simply follow the link on the left-hand side of this blog, titled "Support our ministry." This will lead you to our secure Mission Corps website where you can donate online.
Checks should be made out to General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene, and may be sent to: Global Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene, PO Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184-3116. Your gift is tax deductible. Be sure to include Pottengers/MissionCorps/Switzerland on the memo line.
Thank you so much for your continued support of Gina and I as we continue giving our time and energy to His work for His purpose! We look forward to hearing from you in the weeks and months ahead. Keep checking back here for more updates!
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