January 7, 2009—I speak French.  It's a skill I've developed over many years of studying French vocabulary, many hours of French videos, many conversations with other students who also study French, and many instances of doubt, frustration, and difficulty.  There were a bunch of times I thought about just giving up.  It was so much work, so much time, so much blood, sweat, and tears—and who knew if I'd ever even use it?  But then, as I was traveling to live in France for four months to solidify my knowledge—I had my first conversation with an individual in Paris.  I was just asking for ticket prices for a bus, but in that first conversation everything became real to me.  It was like all those years I'd secretly believed that what I'd been studying was fake, that it was too far away, that it had no real use in my life, and then suddenly I was using it every day.

By Andrew Lyon

January 6, 2009—Every time I fly overseas, I hate the first few hours. My eyes are dry from sleeping in the recycled air of an airplane, my back is sore from the seats, my body is angry with me for changing time zones, and I think I go through a mild mix of homesickness and depression until at least the first meal. I always have to remind myself that traveling really is worth it, that this too shall pass, and that this person inhabiting my body isn't the real me—it's a fake travel me. And so it went last night when I arrived in Israel for the first time with 32 other individuals from all over the country. Though I was excited to be here, the magnificence of the country hadn't hit me yet. It was dark. I was tired. And who cares about Israel anyway? But then....

Jim Lyon, host of ViewPoint, is leading an Eye on the World trip to visit the Holy Land, January 4–15. Joining Jim for the experience are thirty-eight listeners from around the country. And you can be a part of this inspirational trip by reading their travel blog.

By Susan Kane
Church Multiplication

It has been docu-
mented that those who have a coach to walk alongside them report significantly better results than those who have to go it alone.

It was out of this dynamic that a group of individuals came together in December 2005 to provide this proactive approach to deal with escalating church health issues across the Movement.

By Pastor Drew Wilkerson

There are rare moments in this life when you realize that you are in the midst of a miracle. I know that every day is a gift from God, but then there are times when God shows up and we are amazed. That is what happened on a bright and beautiful Sunday morning in the spring of 2007.

Just before service, Don, the leader of our mission’s team, came to me. He said that he had openings he really needed to fill for the trip going to South Dakota. Every year we send a team to work with children on the Lakota Sioux Indian Reservation located in Allen. There was a group going out in June, but we were short two people. I told Don that I would make an announcement during worship and we would see what would come of it.

By Chad & Diane Davenport

Auckland, New Zealand—The new creative arts team has been busy the past few months. Recently, we’ve presented some special outreach Sunday services that would connect with young unchurched families, including Dr. Seuss Visits Westside Christian Fellowship (WCF).

Our first “family service” was titled “The Mythbusters’ Challenge.” Children were given the opportunity to pose questions to a panel of somewhat-dubious “experts.” After hearing the answers, the children were then asked to pick the right answer. Although there were plenty of humorous moments, this helped to crack some common misconceptions about Christianity, even among some of the visiting adults who do not attend church.

By Sherman & Kay Critser

The light has dawned on Mariam Lougue and she is no longer walking in darkness. A year ago November, this fifteen-year-old girl was rushed in a taxi to the local hospital for emergency surgery. She had peritonitis. After six months and three unsuccessful surgeries, Mariam’s health had deteriorated to the point that her parents had lost hope.

With intentional intervention, Mariam was diagnosed with tuberculosis and given treatment for six months. Within two months, she had gained eighteen pounds and the fissures had begun closing. A year to the month from when it all began, the last fissure sealed itself.

A world-renowned expert in leadership will keynote the Mid-America Leadership Institute, Feb. 3-5, 2009, sponsored by Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City.

Dr. John C. Maxwell is an internationally-recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 16 million books.  His organizations have trained more than two million leaders worldwide. 

by Colleen Stevenson

The last weekend of November, the Women of the Church of God in Uganda held their annual Women’s Retreat at the CHOG headquarters in Kampala. Joining us were Rev. Arnetta McNeese Bailey, executive director of WCG (U.S.), Che-Che Mobley, incoming president of WCG (U.S.), and six other women who were dynamic in their relational skills, teaching, preaching, and singing.

The last day of the retreat was combined with the celebration of the Ugandan church’s twenty-fifth year of existence. Everyone was wearing bright yellow cloth printed with the “Church of God of E.A.(U) celebrates 25 years,” and the day began with a march around the village and headquarters with a band. The place was simply glowing with yellow.

It is with a very heavy heart that we inform you of the death of JoAnn Tate, special assignment missionary to Trinidad.

JoAnn’s untimely death occurred December 20 at the Arima Hospital in Port of Spain, Trinidad, shortly after returning there from overseas travel. The cause of her death is unknown at this time.