Mediterranean Team

Who needs our help?

2008-07-13T23:58:00.003+02:00

NGOs play a strategic role in meeting the needs of some of the world's most needy people. There is really no way for person with any sense of social responsibility to close their eyes to some of the glaring needs in the world today. One does not have to do in depth research to see that there are people all around who are in need. We may speculate extensively as to the causes of the poverty or perhaps even desperation. It is not reasonable to think that it is possible to meet every need of every person around the world. But one thing is for sure, we can all do something that will make a difference in the life of at least one person and perhaps even hundreds or thousands.

Let's take a quick glimpse at some of the more pressing needs in our world today:

This is David

2008-07-04T13:16:00.007+02:00

Our team has a summer intern. His name is David, but sometimes we just call him the intern. ;-)

He decided several months ago to spend his summer in France to learn about life here, the culture, the language, and what our team is up to. He will receive college credit for some of what he accomplishes this summer, but more than that he will learn what life might be like in a different country for an extended amount of time and what that means for him now and possibly his future.

There are three families on our team, and he has spent a couple of weeks living in each of our homes observing our daily routines and participating in the different things we do. He has spent significant time "taking it all in" and learning why we do things the way we do them here in France. He has not been afraid to venture out on his own and get involved. He is also not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them.

He has been with our team since mid May and is not scheduled to leave until the 1st week of August. Currently he is down in the city of Marseilles working on a project that is putting the Truth into the hands of many who have never heard as they travel across the Mediterranean Sea.

A Thousand Gifts

2008-06-27T12:36:00.004+02:00

A thousand gifts

Not too long ago after reading a suggestion in one of my favorite blogs, I embarked on creating my own “list of a thousand gifts”. It is not a list of a thousand gifts you would like to receive, but rather a list of the gifts you receive every day from the Giver of all gifts. It is simply my personal effort to recognize the extraordinary in the ordinary and train my heart to be grateful for the seemingly small things so that I can be grateful for the big things as well.

I decided today would be a great day to catch up on office work seizing my last few hours without my precious children interrupting every few minutes to ask about something. So, I thought my most thankful moment would be at the end of accomplishing lots of tasks. As I downloaded various reports saving them to permanent files and printing copies, I felt a surge of gratefulness as I scanned through our list of “gifts” to our account. I was quickly overwhelmed with gratitude as my eyes moved from group to group and individual to individual that gives faithfully every month without regard to the rising price of gas and milk thinking only of their commitment to give as freely as they have received. Those precious people are being recorded right now in my list of a thousand gifts. And I am also so thankful that I get to have a front row seat for all the amazing things He is doing here, that is priceless.

INTO THE HIGH ATLAS

2008-06-17T13:51:00.002+02:00

Do you know where to find the mountain range called the High Atlas? They are in the country of Morocco. I, Clint, just got back from a visit into those mountains. The purpose of the trip was to explore possibilities for future HANNA PROJECT work in that area.

I have see some wonderful sites in my life and the view from up there has won a spot among the top 5 places to go. Now getting there is another story. I have traveled on some treacherous roads before but those roads are in a class of their own. They reminded me of the roads in Cote d'Ivoire.... rough....narrow.....rocky....and at times very difficult to maneuver. the roads up to the mountain villages were all that plus one major variable, they were perched on cliffs about half the time. There were times when the drop off looked like a 1,000 feet or more. We began to classify them as: 'tumble and roll' = not too dangerous if the vehicle slipped over the side because trees would eventual top you; 'pancake' = a slip could flatten someone, and I don't have to tell you who were the potential pancakes; to 'stack of pancakes' = a drop off the side would probably 'divide' you into a few few pieces and stack you at the bottom.....none of the options were very pleasant.

But the 'stomach in the throat' feeling was quickly diminished after arriving at the villages. We visited 5 different locations and each and every one gave us a royal greeting. The village officials as well as the general population came out to greet us. We drank tea....ate delicious small cakes....had lots of 'cous-cous' and 'targine' [a Moroccan dish of lamb /carrots/ dates / peas / carrots/ olives / and spices cooked in a special clay pot].....then we had more tea....fresh fruit and tea......Whew! No weight loss program for us.

We were very moved by the needs in those villages. The number one concern was clean drinking water followed by a deep concern for the education of the children. It was really encouraging to see the efforts already being made to meet these needs. We were invited to partner with local organizations to help provide some of the essentials of life for the people in those isolated mountain communities.

What can we do? We have not made any commitments to the people except to study the needs carefully and then do our best to come along side them to eliminate some of the life obstacles that the people are facing.

As we pulled away from each village our heads and hearts were clogged with memories of the people, their needs and their desires. The scenery was exceptional but the people were incredible. I am truly grateful to have had the privilege of going into some of the more difficult areas of the world. It really helps us to put things into perspective and reflect on our affluence and how it can be more effectively appropriated.

Impact for a Lifetime

2008-06-10T19:41:00.005+02:00

One of the greatest impacts that can happen to someone is the experience of a culture that is totally different from their own, and being immersed into that culture. I know this from my own personal experience, having the privilege of traveling to five different countries. A few weeks ago, a team of five college students packed their bags after months of anticipation, and headed here to spend nine days in France working with the Hanna Project.

Each morning, Clint spent time teaching the importance of cross cultural communication, and helping them to understand more of what the Hanna Project is doing here in France. They were then given several practical application activities to be completed. One of the practical applications involved splitting the team into 3 groups, giving each member of the team a bus pass, and a list of different places and monuments to look for on a map. After being told how to get to downtown, the team was to find their way down there, search for the different places, and take a picture of it. Another activity involved the team looking for French words that looked like American words, and then they had to make a list of 111 words that they found.

Not only did they spend time learning about the culture here; they were able to see it first hand. They were able to visit a city of old Roman ruins, take a walk up the base of Saint Victoire, eat at a Tunisian restaurant, experience the North African market, and to end the trip they spent the day in Paris. During their time here, they were also able to spend time fellowshipping and building relationships with the people, whether it was at English classes, a preschool, or hanging out with kids or teenagers.

Going through the experience of a different culture can be very emotional, but at the same time very much worth it. The things you see, experience, and are a part of can change you, and have a lasting impact on who you are as a person. When you experience another culture, it changes the way you look at life, and opens up a whole new global mindset that you may not have had before. The team took the step to come to France to experience this culture, they stepped out and embraced the culture, and as a result, they have been impacted through this experience.

David Gibson

Ridin' in Style

2008-05-10T16:17:00.005+02:00

Recently our team was able to purchase a "previously owned" 9 passenger van. We have been price checking and shopping around since the beginning of the year. We desperately need one for the summer because we have some teams from the U.S. coming to visit. (The first one arrives next week!) A van would mean less vehicles to carry people around in, which means less gas, which means less money spent! Woohoo! Besides, it is always more fun when everyone is in the same vehicle. ;-)

Darren and Dana were out driving and spotted one that looked really nice. A little too nice, if you know what I mean. ;-) They stopped and inquired, and it turns out the people selling the van were willing to make a great deal. It was in great condition, had low miles, and the price tag was just right. What were we to do?

Dana crunched some numbers to make sure the team had enough money because the euro/dollar exchange has been CRAZY lately. We were good to go in that department and voila, a team van. Isn't it pretty!

We want to thank everyone who has ever given to the Mediterranean Team vehicle fund. You know who are! THANK YOU!!! This van will be a huge help to our team, and we could not have gotten it without YOU. Merci Beaucoup!

Leaving a Legacy

2008-03-30T15:18:00.005+02:00

Leaving a Legacy

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to leave a legacy. I know that my thoughts have partially been along those lines due to the sudden passing of Joy’s mom, Christina. She was young and was suddenly taken into eternity in a fraction of a minute. Some people have more time to prepare, time to say goodbye, time to be sure that they have left an inheritance for the ones that come behind. Looking over her life, through my friend Joy’s eyes, she didn’t seem to need that time all that much really. She invested herself in her family, her friends, and her church. She didn’t need months of suffering to be sure that she had invested wisely or to impart one more word of knowledge. She really liked to talk (and laugh), so she must have said all that she needed to say here. She left a legacy to those near to her, showing them how to invest wisely pouring their lives out to improve the lives of others. She was a big cheerleader for our team and above all for Shane and Joy, always supporting in every way she could. She will be dearly missed by all of us.
Another reason that I have been thinking so much about the subject is that I have just finished reading Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. It has much to say about many things, but it paints such a beautiful picture of the type of family legacy that I want to leave. The book focuses on a family, where one generation after another stood firm in their beliefs despite persecution. Behind the scenes in the book, you get a glimpse (albeit fictional) of what the great cloud of witnesses might be doing as they observe us, cheering us on to walk worthy of our calling. It has made me think about how my everyday choices impact my children and my sphere of influence. Am I showing them that I value community by placing the needs of others before my needs? Am I showing them that I trust Him more than all other things by releasing control (or the appearance of it) over the things or people dearest to my heart?
This past month, our account dipped fairly far into the deficit. Normally when our account takes a big plunge, I immediately feel panic and fear, especially when I know that the very people that He will be moving to give more are enduring a strong economic recession of their own. But this time, I tried my best to look at the situation with regard to the legacy that my actions will leave. If I allow panic, fear and discouragement to set in, then I am choosing a legacy of distrust or self-trust. If I rest in Him by trusting that He is in complete control and limit my own actions to ones that honor Him, then I am choosing a legacy of trust. I am choosing to rest in the knowledge that I serve at the pleasure of my King, whenever, wherever and however it pleases Him. I am thrilled that it pleases Him for the moment to have us here in this place working among these people. What a joy it is to watch His hand move among them, we have had a small victory lately with an employee of a man tutored by Darren (head on over to our site to read more if it pleases you). Thank you for being a part of all of this and for serving at His pleasure as well.

Should I Paint My Vehicle Yellow?

2008-02-23T14:04:00.001+01:00

Recently I have been thinking about painting my vehicle yellow. I have been making a lot of airport runs and train station runs lately. It is not that big of a deal really. I just thought, “Hey, if I paint my vehicle yellow I might be able to make a little extra cash!” Actually, I can’t do that. That would be against the policies of my present employer. ;-)

It is interesting, taxi cab drivers, here in Aix anyway, are self-employed. They do not work for a taxi company. I don’t know if it is the same all over France, but I am pretty sure that is how it works here. The drivers use their personal vehicles, and everyone pays into a “phone service” that actually calls them when someone calls the “phone service” looking for a taxi. Well, I think it is interesting.

I really don’t mind being a cabbie for my friends. I know that my “customers” will gladly return the favor the next time I need a ride to the airport or train station. It just hasn’t been my turn in awhile. ;-)

Waves or Ripples?

2008-02-05T13:45:00.000+01:00

One of my favorite stories paints a beautiful portrait of people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, different walks of life, different everything who have come together united with one focus and one song. Specifically, this story foretells the end of the story; at the back of the book chapter seven verse nine. Privileged are the few of us who catch a glimpse of this story while we are here. I am overjoyed to be part of those privileged few. A few weeks ago, I stood in a large room with many others, so very different from me, but also very much the same. We spoke different languages, and sang in all three of them, together in harmony. The interesting thing about this story is the differentiations specified; almost saying, no matter how you personally divide the world (whether by language, culture, etc.), all those divisions will be represented, meaning they all had the opportunity to accept the gift or refuse.

I heard so many amazing stories that warmed my heart and encouraged me; I wish I could share them all with you. In some places where there were once only shadows, there is now a great light. Some places are experiencing waves, fierce and explosive; while other places are experiencing ripples, quiet as a whisper and gentle. Hearing story after story about the waves and ripples sent a chill down my spine and stoked the fire in my bones.

Some days, some events crash in like waves and the resulting effects are dramatic, quick to be noticed. Some days, some events wash over you gently making small ripples with resulting effects that are difficult to see on the surface, slow and steady. I think most things in life are ripples rather than waves, seemingly insignificant at first sight but the effects are far reaching and deep. At the end of the story we will know in full and be able to see completely, until then I will be satisfied with the glimpses.

Jumping Through the Hoops

2008-01-15T21:53:00.000+01:00

Clint Morgan here. Lynette, my wife and I are the 'youngest and oldest' members of the M-Team. 'Youngest' in that we have only been official members for less than a year. The 'oldest'.... well, I am sure that you can figure that out.

For several years we have been working with the M-Team as friends, mentors, advisers and Hanna Project co-workers. From the beginning we told them that wherever they chose to live we would move there also. When they decided to establish their base in Aix en Provence, France, we began to make our plans to move there too. In July we arrived and we are finding the work challenging in many, many ways.

Our first couple of weeks were filled with lesson after lesson of 'jumping through the hoops' as we tried to find an apartment, open a bank account, etc. We knew that we would be facing a whole new way of getting 'things' done, but we could not have imagined that so many documents would have to be acquired....signed....re-signed....decorated with official stamps....photocopied.... presented to the 'right person' and then be told that more documents would be needed. The Davisons and the Portells were indispensable during those days. They had already 'jumped through the hoops' so they knew what to do and willingly guided the 'youngest /oldest' couple through the process. Our 25 years in CI helped in that we speak French, but didn't help with French bureaucracy.

Now that we are past the settling in stage we are seeking to register The Hanna Project with the French government. We have sought advice from several Frenchmen and they have each told us to 'have patience' because of all the new 'hoops to jump through' in order to get permission to work in humanitarian efforts in this area. So, we are at it again, 'jumping through the hoops'. Keep looking at the blog and follow the progress.

Meanwhile we are getting established, learning the area and making contacts. Three times this week we have had afternoon "coffee" with different French that we have met. They have been so helpful in giving advise and insight into getting a center started. We plan to visit different social centers in the area soon to get an idea of what is here and the direction we want to take with our center.

Our apartment is on the 6th floor of an apartment building. Each morning we are privileged to look out on a beautiful view of Mt. St. Victoire.....a reminder that victory is ours!

We will keep you posted....

Honey, let's practice our English!

2008-01-11T13:41:00.000+01:00

Each Monday night our team gets together to do what we do best. TALK!! Actually, we do more than talk. We teach English while we are together as well. Monday nights for our team means English Class. This class is an opportunity for us to reach out into our community, help those interested in learning English or improving what they already know, and build relationships with those around us. We currently have 7 students from 3 different countries. There is a beginner class, as well as one for those who already have a little experience in speaking English. We also have a class for the kids that come with their parents. While their parents are in class, the kids are learning English too!

We started classes back in mid-November. After a couple of weeks off for Christmas break, we resumed classes just last Monday night. Everyone was glad to be back, teachers and students. We all wished each other a Happy New Year and were busy catching everyone up on what we had been doing since the last time we had been together.

There are three students in my class. We have been working on the past tense, so I asked them to share a little bit about what they had done during the Christmas break. Then the rest of us would each ask that person one question about what they had told us. That would help us practice the past tense, and get us to work with question words like who, what, when, where, why, and how. What a great concept! That is an excellent idea Shane! Thank you. ;-)

OK. So one of the students told us how he and his wife took a trip to Tunisia for her birthday. He said they rode camels, relaxed, and had some great food. I had to tell him about my camel riding experience in the Sahara desert a few years ago (another story, another time), but my question for him was, “What was your favorite thing to eat while you were there?” He said, “I liked a cake with…miel.” Miel is the French word for “honey”. So, I wrote the word “honey” on the board so everyone would know how to spell it. Then I said, “This is also a word that you can call your husband or wife.” I gave them a couple of examples like, “Honey, give me a kiss,” or “Honey, let’s go.” They got a kick out of that. Two men in my class have wives in the beginner class. They told me that they were going to start calling their wives, “Honey.”

Sure enough, when class was over and we were all saying goodbye, both men found their wives and said, “Honey, let’s go home.” I don’t think either wife knew what their husband had called them, but everyone was all smiles and having a good time.

Global Warming

2007-11-20T17:53:00.000+01:00

Thursday afternoon during a team meeting we received one of the biggest surprises ever! Out of absolutely nowhere it started SNOWING! I couldn’t believe it. It had clouded up a little earlier, and I thought we may get an afternoon shower, which is actually pretty rare down here in Southern France. We just don’t get much rain. It has been cold lately, but it never crossed our minds that it might snow. IT DOESN’T SNOW HERE! That is what everyone has told us. When we lived here a couple of years ago there was a light sleet/snow flurry that lasted about a half an hour one day, but that was it for the whole year.

Not this time. This was snow. I mean real snow! Big fat flakes that could be mistaken for nothing else. We had to stop our meeting and go outside! It was so exciting! After the meeting Joy and I made plans to watch “White Christmas”. There is nothing like a little Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye to get you into the mood for Christmas. I had to stifle some feelings of wanting to get out the Christmas decorations right then and there. I’m sorry, but before Thanksgiving is just too early. ;-)

I knew no one would believe it when I said that it has snowed here in Aix, in mid-November none the less, so here are some photos of the event! We even got Clint Morgan, our warm blooded brother who doesn’t leave the house in the summertime without a jacket, to go out with us.

Hockey Anyone

2007-11-20T17:46:00.000+01:00

Now I went to several hockey games when I was in college. First it was the Nashville Knights, and then came the Predators. The best part was when someone would get into a fight on the ice. I think that is still the best part of a hockey game, if you don’t mind me saying it. The quartet I used to sing in, Legacy of Praise, actually sang the National Anthem at one of the Knights games. Our good buddy Stewart Clark got us that gig. They rolled out a carpet for us to stand on while we sang, but there wasn’t enough room for all four of us to stand on the carpet around the microphone so I ended up standing on the ice. I was pretty nervous about the possibility of falling in front of all those people while hitting the high notes. We survived though, and did a pretty good job if I remember correctly.

However, that is not why I am writing. I am writing to talk about roller hockey and the fact that our own Darren Portell plays for a club here in Aix. The team is called Aix Roller and their website is http://www.aixinroller.fr/ so check them out. You can find Darren’s mug shot on the “equipe” page, and if you read French you can look at the write up of their game last weekend. Darren scored two goals!!

Here are a couple of shots of Darren...

passing the puck...

and waiting for the face off.

Now this isn’t professional hockey. It is what we call a club sport. It is all volunteer, no one gets paid. It is just for fun, but they do play at a competitive level. They usually have about 3 or 4 games a month. You can see that it is not exactly professional in the next picture. This guy has packing tape holding his shin pads in place. ;-)

Darren joined the team because he likes roller hockey, but also because it is an opportunity to get into the community and get to know people. He has already had a few occasions to talk about his faith and why he is even here in France. He is building relationships, and he is having a good time while he is doing it. And the team likes having him around. They call him “the force”. He is the biggest guy on the team. ;-) He is not the oldest though!

The International Fellowship

2007-10-25T22:18:00.000+02:00

During the second week of October FWB's from all over the world descended on the city of Nantes, France for the International Fellowship. Every 3 years this fellowship of believers get together somewhere in the world. There were visitors from Uruguay, Brazil, Panama, Mexico, Cuba, USA, Spain, France, Ivory Coast, Central Asia, and Japan. Services and meetings were held or translated in French, Spanish, English, and Japanese. Some items or issues discussed ranged from The Progress of the Gospel in Relation to Globalization to The Role of the Local Congregation in the Progress of the Gospel.

The best part was simply the fellowship. It was a reunion for old friends who don't usually get to spend much time together, as well as making new friends and relationships that will last for a lifetime. We laughed and cried together, and everyone came away encouraged by the work that is being done around the world in His name.

Dr. Kenneth Eagleton discusses the topic with Uziel, Brazil's representative.

When Jamie is around, everyone has a laugh!

September is "Birthday Month" here in Aix!

2007-10-25T20:58:00.000+02:00

For our team September is a big month for birthdays. It is just the Portell family that is having the birthdays, but we all celebrated together. McGwire was first. He turned 7 on September 3rd. Dana followed a couple of weeks later on the 18th. She turned 29 again. ;-) Just a few days after that, on September 23, McKenna hit the 10 year mark. In mid-September there was a joint birthday party for McKenna and McGwire together. Dana made two cakes, one for McGwire and one for McKenna, and there were plenty of presents to go around. A good time was had by all.

Back Where We Belong!

2007-08-23T19:14:00.000+02:00

Ahhhh! Southern France...we are finally back where we belong. As difficult as it is to get back into the habit of speaking French, and doing things the French way (AKA...as slow as possible) it feels good to be back. And it feels right. In a lot of ways it is easy to tell that we have been gone for a year (every time we try to get our mouth around a french word), but in other ways it is as if we never left. At church on Sunday our friends were very happy to see us, but after some greetings and many bissous (french style kissing) it was as if we had been there all along and not missed a beat.

The Portells have almost completely settled into their new home, and the Davisons are awaiting the approval of their paperwork so that they can begin the "moving in" process. Clint and Lynette Morgan, our Regional Directors as well as part of our team, are also waiting for the "finalizing" of their paperwork so that they begin settling in at the appartment they will be renting.

We have all been out and about getting familiar with the roads again. Shane keeps taking the scenic route everywhere he goes because he cannot remember where to turn. Using a stick shift again has been a much easier transition for all of us than we thought it would be. We are all loving the round points much better than the stop signs and four way stops that are found in the States.

It feels great to back, but everywhere we turn we are reminded of the task at hand and the work that needs to be done. Continue to remember us as we seek ways to share our faith and build His Church here in Southern France.