20 December 2014

Christmas Greetings



Recorded while visiting the (DMZ) North/South Korean border – 13 December 2014.
Please take a moment to pray for the men, women and boys and girls of North Korea. Pray that just as the Berlin Wall fell 25 years ago reuniting East and West Germany, that soon the DMZ and the Korean border will be removed and the two Koreas, North and South will be reunified. 
That the suffering and persecution will end and that the Gospel will have free course. 


07 October 2014

EVERNOTE or DAYONE?

This is the question I have finally reached a decision on after several months of going back and forward testing both platforms. My decision is that EVERNOTE and DAYONE both have their strengths and weaknesses that's why I will continue to use both. So have I really made a decision? Well yes, because I believe the key is to decide which App is best for which task - and to be consistent in their use, no matter what. In case you have not a clue what I am talking about – let me explain! EVERNOTE and DAYONE are both applications available for computers and digital devices. They have been created to help you organise (and even replace) your paper notes and records. There are many such Apps available but as these two would seem to have made their own dent on the App store, I will give you my impressions of both.



EVERNOTE

EVERNOTE is very powerful, provided you think long and hard at the outset about the storage categories you want to use. Another key, is to understand the difference in notebooks and tags. I have set up notebooks for the different organisations I am involved in as well as separate notebooks for bigger projects. Tags are then used as subheadings to attach to the notebooks. For example I have a notebook called “CEF”, then I have separate tags such as “meeting” and “NW Advisory Group” which can then be added to an individual entry. Both EVERNOTE and DAYONE have powerful search and display capacities, providing you take time to assign the correct labels when creating your entry. Both Apps automatically record the location the note was created and can attractively display these on a world map. 
There’s not much EVERNOTE cannot do and I will not try to mention all its features here, however the importing of handwritten notes using the camera on a smartphone/iPad is worthy of particularly mention. This feature works extremely well and with the premium option, a search will also turn up handwritten words. I found it quite impressive.




What do I do with EVERNOTE?

  • sermon notes (my own "ready to speak" manuscripts)
  • meeting notes (my own notes. Later I import the official minutes from Word files)
  • research cut and paste (store quotes from articles)
  • clipping webpages (using the one-click clip function available as an extension for most browsers) 
  • songs and sheet music (for when I have the guitar but don't know what to play)
  • store all my highlights in Kindle books
  • receipts, bills, costs, documents (can all be photographed, scanned in or imported


Cost

Free with 60 MB/month of new notes, unlimited total storage, and sync across all devices. For the past year I have been using a complementary 12-month subscription to "EVERNOTE Premium" which gives you some additional search features, presenting tools and 1GB/month. However most people will find the EUR5/month to be too pricy and will be very happy with the free version.

DAYONE Journal

The DAYONE journal is a really nice, clean, clutter-free interface that is designed to inspire you to write creatively with the minimum of distraction. It won an Apple Design Award in 2014 and won the Mac App Store "App of the Year" in 2012. 
This is a great outlet for journaling down those thoughts that, let’s be honest, shouldn't really appear on Facebook or Twitter. If you later decide to share your thoughts, simply clicking on publish will create a link to your post that is not restricted to the 140 twitter characters.
Each entry automatically records the date and time, weather at that moment at your location (which it also records), the title of the music track in the background, your motion activity and you can add one photograph per entry (Evernote allows multiple photographs).
There are many things that DAYONE doesn't do but it's the simple interface that is so pleasing to the eye that invites you to write. Even this blog post started out as a draft on DAYONE.


What do I do with DAYONE?

  • sermon notes (when I am the one listening)
  • noting down key points of conversations as a memory aid 
  • journaling (as a way to record and order thoughts)
  • taking notes (anywhere I find myself thinking)
  • ideas / brainstorming
  • drafting ideas for an article or seminar/sermon
  • travel log (writing a text to accompany a photograph)

Cost


A one time charge of 8,99 € thereafter free. Sorry this App is only available for Apple products. However if you are using Android, then you will not have the dilemma and to be honest, with Evernote you have an “all-singing all-dancing” product in one package.


In a further post, I will share about some other essential Apps and how I use them.

15 August 2014

The biggest trail run of my life

A few weeks ago while camping in Les Vigneaux in the Hautes-Alpes region of France I went on what turned out to be the biggest trail run of my life - the Trail du collet la Salcette. The area is a paradise for outdoor sports with local tourist brochures dedicated to trail running, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, rafting and canoeing. The trail I chose was the red route, number 10 from the brochure Station de Trail with the following stats:
  • Km : 20.31
  • Ascent : 1389 m
  • Descent : 1389 m

My equipment


  • suncream applied, quick-drying shorts and t-shirt, trail-running shoes, bandanna, a 2 litre hydration pack filled with water, wind jacket, sandwiches, chocolate/muesli-bar snacks, emergency foil blanket, tissues, wet wipe, walking-map, GPS watch and smart phone.

The route

I was grateful for the smart phone App from Station de Tail which I could use to check my current location and reassure myself that I was still on the intended route. The signposting was not great. Some junctions had signs for several different routes and at other junctions the all important red square with a black number 10 was missing. You will see at the top of the map that on one occasion I missed my turn and had to retrace my steps (after doing a serpentine climb). By the time I consulted the map and returned to the point of error, I had lost about one hour. So what should have been 20.3 km ended up being a gruelling 26.55 km in the summer sun.
The constant climb on the trail and the warm conditions pushed me to my physical limits. Further up (around 2000 m) the effects of altitude meant that for longer stretches I could only walk. The advantage being that I was able to better take in the view. Towards the summit, the wind was cool and I was glad for my jacket. Realising that I would have to keep moving to keep warm, I took only a few photographs on the summit and started the decent looking for a sheltered place to have my lunch. I then ate the two nicest cheese sandwiches I have ever had!

Five minutes after continuing the descent I saw a red sign with the number 10, but after following that route for 2 minutes I could see from the terrain and the campsite, which was now visible, that the sign was pointing the wrong way. I retraced my steps and continued on the zig-zag trail down the steep slope.

The terrain changing constantly from single grass/dirt trail to forest road limestone with potholes, craggy outcrops, gravel, scree (which moved liked a avalanche), pine cones, mixture of roots and rocks, peat, several river crossings (where I could refill the hydration pack), and surfaced roads back to the campsite.




Not only was it physically challenging but it demanded all of my mountain navigational skills and running experience.



Why do I do it? 
Sorry, if you are asking that question I don't think I can answer it to your satisfaction. I am thankful to God for a healthy body to enjoy locations in his creation that most people don't get to see. That's what drives me on.

27 May 2014

Trail running the Blue Ridge Mountains


The CEF International Conference was located at the Ridgecrest Christian Conference Centre in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. In between the many meetings, there was opportunity to get out and explore the Tranquillity Trial System - a wonderful network of steep trails rising from 800m - 1100m within and just outside the conference grounds. But it wasn't the terrain that kept the pulse high, it was the knowledge about the local wildlife, particularly bears, copperhead and rattle snakes that kept me fully alert and cautious while running. Another creature which needs to be shown respect here as in other parts of the world is the simple 'tick'! They came in all shapes and sizes and required a thorough check over after each run. Despite the dangers, the scenery was very rewarding.






Looking down on the conference centre





20 May 2014

Billy Graham interview when he was 92

Q. If you could do it again, would you do anything differently?
A. I would travel less and read, study and pray more.

Q. Why would you travel less when you have been able to preach all over the world.
A. I would accept less speaking engagements at conferences. Concentrate on the crusades and winning people to Christ.

Q. What advice would you give to young preachers?
A. spend more time in study and prayer


08 April 2014

Mission Website - Strengths vs Weaknesses




Mission Website - Strengths vs Weaknesses
The Web is a major part of anyone's search for a mission opportunity. It only makes sense. We do our school research, shopping, photo sharing and relationship building online. So why would we not use the Web when it comes to seeking out how and where we will serve in the Kingdom? But what makes for a good experience when looking for mission opportunities? Explore some of the strengths and weaknesses in this Missiographic.

27 March 2014

The challenge of reaching the Unreached



http://www.asialink.org.uk/
http://www.historymakers.info/
http://www.facebook.com/historymakersmission
http://twitter.com/missions2asia

Unapproachable, inaccessible in location or situation, untouched, untouchable, disconnected, unable to be met or out of touch. These are all words and descriptions given for yet another word: Unreached.

17 March 2014

Leadership Matters Course at Kilchzimmer

The team of instructors at the 'Leadership Matters Course' in Kilchzimmer. (From back left) David Cummings (former International Director of Wycliffe Bible Translators), Chris Lorimer (OM France), Susana Turnbough (FWBIM), Carlos Diaz (Guatemala), Edward David (OM and LMC coordinator), (front) Rachel Johnson (OM), me and Jeff Turnbough (Director of Field Operations at Free Will Baptist International Missions).
I count it a tremendous privilege to have been able to serve as a trainer at the LMC course for 23 participants who are leaders working with various agencies across the world. I have been able to sharpen my own skills as well as investing in the coaching of other leaders from USA, GB, Ireland, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, Austria, Spain, France, Barbados, Czech Republic, Malaysia and several other nations.

18 February 2014

Instructor of Teachers Course in Kilchzimmer

Students, instructors, helpers and translators at the IOT 1+2 in Kilchzimmer.
In February the IOT2 and IOT1 were held in Kilchzimmer, Switzerland. We are thankful for the instructors (from Denmark, Finland, Austria, N. Ireland & Germany) and the students who came (from N. Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Holland).

01 February 2014

Bootcamp for CMLC teachers

25 people joined us in Kilchzimmer for the CMLC Teachers Boot Camp. Together we looked at how to improve the CMLC which is our main 12-week training course for children's workers. During the five days together we looked at the themes: 'How does it all fit together', 'CMLC Curriculum', 'Student Culture', 'Developing Effective Assignments', 'Self-evaluation', 'Trends to be Aware Of', 'Evaluating and Grading', and 'Life-long Learning'.


Bible Teaching from Czeslaw Bassara

The challenges of getting European missionaries connected!

Those who went for a walk up to the Belchen enjoyed a wonderful view of the Alps.

Serge Varga from the FES school shared with us about 'Kid Culture' and gave us a fresh perspective and new ideas.


14 January 2014

Giving in 2013


And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:19-20, ESV)

The above chart shows the total giving to our ministry in 2013. Each segment represents a donor (individuals or churches). If you are one of those people - THANK YOU!

What does the chart tell us? 

Well about half of the gifts we receive come from 5 or 6 larger donors. However the other half is made up of about 60 individuals/couples who pledge a monthly, quarterly or annual donation. The average gift from this group is around 30 GBP (50$) per month.

What's the message?

In missions, we need both the larger and the smaller donors. Everyone is important and everyone has a part to play – as the supermarket slogan says "every little helps". If you would like to find out more about joining our support team* click here.

We also need people who will support us in prayer. There are 600 people who receive our quarterly prayer letter or monthly update. To join these people in praying for us and the ministry of CEF click here and complete the short form.

*we do need new regular supporters

07 January 2014

Mission-net Congress Attracts Almost 3,000 Young Europeans

Italians who attended the CMLC in Kilchzimmer last year were helping us promote "the next" course.

The CEF stand looked very professional and attracted a lot of interest. 

Over 100 mission agencies were represented at 3 main locations.

There was an amazing atmosphere at the New Years Eve party.


A group of Italians came and asked me about CEF. At the same time, Gary (same name but originally from Bolivia and living in Italy) was walking past. I grabbed him and said, "you did the course 2012/13, tell these people all about it - in their own language."