We're On a Mission » Blog http://www.wereonamission.org Using English and Technology in Europe for God Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:31:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 A new stage and a new title: 8th Grade Teacher. http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/680 http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/680#comments Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:39:40 +0000 Thadd http://www.wereonamission.org/?p=680 It’s not that I put so much stock in my identity being found in my work, but with this upcoming job being such a wonderful fit, I feel blessed that God has planned this in to the next phase of our life!

So the school is Covenant Day School, associated with Christ Covenant Church. I’ll be teaching 8th grade students Language Arts and also will be involved with a few other things on campus. The school’s philosophy of education and Christian stance on education are very near to my own and they are refreshing amidst the recent news of public school layoffs and budget cuts. I had such a great interview and so much about the school seems to be perfect for Laura and me in this time in our lives and tailored for me in this stage in my teaching career.  I’ll be starting in the fall and will be able to take a few seminary classes at the same time, which will be busy, but worth it over the 5 years I am planning to be working toward this MDiv degree.

In all this, please hear how thankful we are for your prayers and encouragement through this hectic transition. We are seeing God’s hand in each little detail and for that we are thankful and humbled by our own lack of faith in Him. We ask you to please continue in prayer as we know this new classroom is in many ways just as much a mission field as any, and I hope that God uses me to impact these students’ minds, hearts, and lives for Christ.

]]> http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/680/feed 2 Yes, we are alive http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/666 http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/666#comments Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:25:43 +0000 Laura http://www.wereonamission.org/?p=666 Sorry it’s been so long since we sent an update. We really been so busy we haven’t had time. We do have our own apartment now and are so grateful for it. It’s really a great apartment in a great location and we’re very excited. We hope to write a more extensive update this week and send it out, but for now, here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.

]]> http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/666/feed 1 A New Direction http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/656 http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/656#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:29:28 +0000 Laura http://www.wereonamission.org/?p=656 Dear friends and family,

It has been such a blessing to have you praying for us! We believe God has used your prayers in so many significant ways in our ministry with eDOT and TEFL, as well as the opportunities He’s given us to minister to our neighbors and friends in Germany.

Please excuse the method of writing to you. We wanted to send out a letter to each of you, but due to a shortage of time, we thought it best to send this via email. We are writing to share with you how God has been leading us to a point of transition in our lives and ministry which is both exciting and sad. (We realize that this letter is a long one, but please read it through to the end! Thanks!!) Laura and I have been seeking God’s will for a number of months and we’re sensing that He is making some significant and unexpected adjustments in our journey. We would like to ask that you pray with us as God continues to reveal His future for us in ministry as a family.

I have always dreamed of someday going to seminary to further my education with the hope of becoming a pastor and ministering in a local church. While we were serving with GEM in Germany, this calling was put on the back burner, but never far from our minds. We thought that once our commitment with GEM was over (2012), we would begin to pursue seminary education.

As you know, we’ve been back in the U.S. these last few months reconnecting with many of you as well as working on raising more support. To date, we are still $1800/month under what we had hoped to raise by February 2, 2010. While we have told many of you Germany has become “home” to us, there has been one area where I have felt my skills were not properly being utilized and that is in the area of TEFL. While we believe in the vision and mission of TEFL, we feel God wants to use my gifts and talents elsewhere. After seeking much counsel and receiving confirmation, we believe TEFL is no longer the calling God has placed on my life. We believe it was a necessary step in the process of preparing us for seminary. While finances are not an obstacle in God’s economy, we believe that this, combined with a lack of fulfillment in my duties with TEFL, is God’s way of leading us to seminary sooner rather than later, and more specifically, this fall.

Obviously, this will be a big transition in the timing of things. Though I will not be working with TEFL anymore, Laura is praying about returning to a her role with the technology team of eDOT while I go through seminary in order to continue to impact Europe through this important ministry. Even though we will be state-side, we will need continuing partners (like you!) to pray for us and support us financially in Laura’s ministry role with GEM and my education. We are excited about this transition even though it will be difficult. We will have to say goodbye to many in Germany we have come to know and love.

We originally hoped to return to Germany on February 2, which we will still do, but now with the purpose of moving out of our apartment and allowing Laura to attend eDOT’s annual planning meetings. We plan to move our belongings back to the U.S. and return to San Diego March 17 to continue the discernment process and raise additional funds. There are still many details about our future that we do not yet know, but we are confident that God will lead us forward.

We also believe that God uses His people to minister and counsel when needed. And so we are asking you to email us or call us (858.926.5674) and let us know what you think of this new opportunity. We are hoping that God will confirm and refine His direction for us through our conversations with you. We are really excited about this opportunity, and want to be wise in how we proceed.

Since we will be extremely busy from now until March when we return to the U.S., we may not be able to communicate with you as often as we’d like. Know, however, that once we return to the U.S., we would really like to connect with you, answer any questions you may have, and see if this new direction resonates with you. For now, please pray specifically for the following:

  • that God would give us clear guidance through His Word and your input in upcoming decisions.
  • for continued prayer and financial support for our ministry.
  • that God would make the path to the right seminary clear.
  • for the logistics of moving and “closing” our life in Germany. Pray for good “goodbyes” with our friends in Germany – this will be very hard for us.
  • for Laura, Lilli, and me as we go through a significant amount of transition from now until we’ve settled next fall.

Thank you so much for praying! So many of you have expressed your love and support of us while we’ve been in the U.S. We are very thankful for that. We hope that we will be able to continue in partnership with you on behalf of the peoples of Europe!

In Christ,
Thadd, Laura, and Lilli Davis

]]> http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/656/feed 0 Lilli’s Baptism http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/653 http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/653#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:59:50 +0000 Laura http://www.wereonamission.org/?p=653 FamilyLilli was baptized Jan 24, 2010 by Pastor Brian Tallman at New Life Presbyterian Church of La Mesa. It was a really special day with family in attendance. Laura’s parents, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin and Grandmother as well as Thadd’s mother came. Thadd’s mother made the gown out of silk and handmade lace passed down for generations. See more pictures on the album page.

Welcome to the Covenant Family, Lilli!

]]> http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/653/feed 0 9 Weeks, 3 Countries http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/650 http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/650#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:04:43 +0000 Laura http://www.wereonamission.org/?p=650 We just learned about a great opportunity for people who have the summer off and want to do something amazing during that time.  It’s called “GEM Trek”.  Check it out: http://gemtrek.org/

]]> http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/650/feed 0 Deep Breath http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/648 http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/648#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:15:33 +0000 Laura http://www.wereonamission.org/?p=648 Well, we’ve seriously been out of the loop for a bit, but are starting to get back into it.  We’re staying with friends in San Diego for the month and it’s nice to be in one place again.  We spoke at a church on Saturday night and Sunday morning that we used to be apart of and Thadd did a great job (we’ll try to post the video soon if we can get our hands on it and Thadd approves of me putting it up)!  It was a really encouraging time.  We’ll be at 4 more churches this month so it will be busy.  We hope to attend various small group meetings and have plenty of time spent with old friends and supporters.  We’re excited about this month in San Diego – the weather is definitely helping :-)   Please continue to pray for us.  Lilli is doing well, but we have to remain protective of her sleeping patterns as well as have enough time to see everyone we’d like to see while we’re here.  We need balance and good communication and that might take a miracle :-)   If you’re in San Diego and you have time to see us, shoot us an email!

]]> http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/648/feed 0 Celebrating the Reason for the Season http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/642 http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/642#comments Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:24:03 +0000 Laura http://www.wereonamission.org/?p=642 FamilyPhotoWhat an unusual season of Advent this has been for us. We have celebrated with so many believers in various churches across the east coast during this season. We have to admit, this time has been so hectic that we’ve barely had time to reflect on the significance of Christ coming in human form to save us from our sins. However, during our long car rides, we have had time to talk with one another about things of significance.

During one of these times, we realized that Jesus was a baby just like Lilli (well, almost just like Lilli) and Mary was a mother just like Laura. Jesus most likely cried when he was hungry, tired, or bored. He probably liked to shove things in his mouth and loved to just soak up all that was around him – just like Lilli. Mary most likely threw her hands up in frustration at times, fed and changed Jesus’ diaper, put him down for naps (probably not while singing “Jesus loves me” like we do), held him and wondered at his tiny hands and feet – just like we do. We wonder when Mary and Joseph realized that Jesus wasn’t just like the other babies. Perhaps, he was a content baby and didn’t cry much – but then again, Lilli is a content baby as well. Perhaps, it wasn’t until he started talking that Mary and Joseph realized he was different. And for that matter, did Jesus start talking earlier, walking earlier – these are just things that are fun to think about. We wondered where human nature stopped and where our sin began and what significance that would play in the life of Jesus as a toddler. Did Jesus always share his toys with other children? Did he always have kind words to say to his mother? The Bible doesn’t go into detail about this part of Jesus’ life, but the Bible does clearly state why Jesus came to Earth. Jesus was here for a reason and that was so that “[God] made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him, we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21). Baby Jesus had a purpose in life before the foundations of the world just like Lilli and just like all of us. As we reflect on the reason for this season, we must reflect on the reason for our lives as well. Why did God send his son to die on the cross for our sins? So that we could continue living our lives as before without the fear of death? Hardly. God intends for us to use our lives glorifying him with the gifts and talents he has given us. Does this mean we should all quit our paying jobs and go into ministry? No way. This means that wherever God has planted you, find ways to serve him and to tell others about him. Let Christ’s birth, death and resurrection change your life this Christmas.

This Christmas we are thankful to God that he has used you to allow us to serve Him in Germany and through out Europe. God has called us into full-time ministry and we intend to stay as long as he wants us. At times, we want to throw up our hands in frustration and just give up. But then, Christ’s life, his suffering, his service and selflessness reminds us that we aren’t alone in this struggle. We have to continually remind ourselves that life isn’t any easier outside of full-time ministry if we are living Christ-centered lives. God didn’t call us to the easy life – but he did promise to be with us every step of the way and even to carry us along when we’re too weak. We hope you feel Christ’s strength and are encouraged to keep working for the Lord even when you’re weak and worn out. We hope you find refreshment and nourishment while worshipping Christ in your church today, tomorrow, on Sundays and all of 2010. Merry Christmas to you all and a very Happy New Year.

]]> http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/642/feed 2 A little small group encouragement… http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/636 http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/636#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:25:33 +0000 Thadd http://www.wereonamission.org/?p=636 So far on our tour of the eastern US, we’ve had opportunities to speak to a number of small groups. With a variety of ages, God brought us to the homes of many new friends with an incredible heart for being a part of what He is doing. The most encouraging part of our time is how new friendships have formed and connections have been made. For example, while in DC we were hosted by former classmates with Laura’s sister who had been on the mission field themselves.
We have also had our optimism and hope renewed with our generation and how eager they are to see Christ’s Church expanded throughout Europe and even here in America. We been blessed to see God at work in families, jobs, neighbors, and lives lived for Christ’s glory. And we’ve seen small groups as meaningful parts of the Body of Christ, reaching out in creative ways. So thanks for being a source of encouragement and letting your lives speak to the power of Christ’s redemption in the world.

]]> http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/636/feed 0 European Prayer Point Notecards http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/618 http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/618#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:33:03 +0000 Laura http://www.wereonamission.org/?p=618 CardSamples
(Click to see larger)

For just $13.95, you will receive TEN blank notecards and envelopes in FIVE designs!

The front of each card contains a photo taken by Laura and the back of each card contains information on how you can pray for that country.  Proceeds go to support our ministry.  Cards will be available Dec. 14, 2009.

Pre-order your cards now through Dec. 15 and receive FREE SHIPPING!

SAMPLE CARD (click to see larger)

CardSample


]]> http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/618/feed 3 Leaving FL and other things http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/614 http://www.wereonamission.org/updates/blog/614#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:25:21 +0000 Laura http://www.wereonamission.org/?p=614 Well, we leave FL tomorrow morning bright and early.  We’ll be flying into Atlanta and arriving in Birmingham to speak with a small group tomorrow night.  We’re excited to share what God is doing in Europe with a whole new set of people tomorrow.  Please pray for that presentation.

Our time in FL has been great.  We saw so many family members and so many friends while we were here.  We had some really encouraging conversations and made some great progress in our fund raising efforts.  God has been good!

Please pray for safe travels tomorrow and yet another adjustment for Lilli.  She is a trooper!  Also, please pray for healing for Thadd.  He’s been sick the last few days (no, not the Swine Flu).  And pray that Lilli and I would not get what he has!

We’ll be seeing some of you very soon!

Oh, and if you send us an email and we don’t respond – don’t take it personally.  We may be without internet for a few days.

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