Lindsay Brown on reaching students

Lindsay Brown, Director of IFES gives a fresh perspective on the strategic value of reaching students. I love what he says here about reaching men and women in their 20's at the end of the piece. It's exciting to think about a 20 year old being reached and giving 50 years of leadership to their church in their home country. Multiply that over and you have GLOBAL IMPACT!!!

Ah yes, its the small victories that count!!!

I replaced a sprinkler head successfully today. I feel a deep sense of pride. I know, it seems like a small thing, but not for me, and not today! But really, i was nervous going into that challenge....wondering if I would wimp out and have to call on a pro. I simply had no idea how to do it. I never did it before. But I put my game face on and went after it with tenacity! Kristen was right there the whole time so I was able to demonstrate my skill to another person! I was also happy about getting a chance to use my folding "UTE TRAIL" knife. Thomas Ufer would be proud of me. Why do such things make us feel so good. These little victories in life can feel so great!

More importantly, God is really blessing us right now in this neighborhood. It's amazing. In a short period of time we've met about 6 houses of people around us, with kids and without. None know Christ as far as we can tell. God has given us a great group of people to get to know. Totally Cool! Just today we met a couple who live 4 houses up from us and the wife, Yulia is from Moscow, went to Moscow State University (the Harvard of Russia). We spoke Russian right here in our neighborhood park. Amazing how God works and orchestrates events in our lives!!

Our Aim in Austin

Not too long ago here in Austin I was sitting across the table from a multimillionare who made most of his money in commercial real estate. He said something that really stuck with me. "People shouldn't be looking for a job, or a role to fill when they think about their vocational choices, instead, they should look for an opportunity. Mike, look for an opportunity!" And this is exactly what we've found here in Austin-An opportunity. Let me explain: 5000 international students study at the University of Texas. These men and women who are the future leaders of their countries. Some will stay here in the U.S., but most will return to their countries to lead in the area of business, education, and government. Many of them are also from countries that westerners have extremely restricted access to. Iran would be a good example of this. We have about 60 Iranian students here at UT. They are all here for a short period of time. Then they will return to their countries. What will be their message when they go back? Who will influence them while they are here? What could be the potential impact of one leader sent back to Iran, Oman, or Saudi Arabia who will live out the rest of his days for Jesus Christ? Sound like an opportunity? I think so!!

Fred Peirce is the man!!!

Great job Fred! You are truly a man i can aspire to emulate. When others had their doubts, you persevered! What a feat! Awesome!!!

For those who want to know what I'm talking about. Check this out!!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5845157.html

The Nomads Find a Home

It's been almost two years since the Krieg family returned from Russia, and only now are we putting stakes into the ground and calling one place home for awhile. That place is Austin, Texas! I was born here in 1972 but grew up in Montana. Kristen, being from Houston is so happy about being close to family and friends. I also have family down here. It's sooo nice to know that we can unpack for awhile. We'll be working with international students at the University of Texas. I'm not sure what to do with my blog. I may put this thing out of its misery. if anyone has any objections, by all means please let me know, but I think Kristen is doing a spectacular job keeping you all informed about our family on KRIEGSKIDDOS.BLOGSPOT.Com...

Ok, gotta go read stories to the little ones...

At home in TEJAS!!

WE arrived in Texas about a week ago. Kristen and the kids flew to Houston, while Charlie and I drove the minivan down. It was probably the best road trip I've ever had. (Although, it can't rival the danger of the Samara-Moscow road trip of summer of 2004). We saw some spectacular sights along the way: Mt Shasta, Mt. McLoughlin, California wine country, the Pacific ocean from Carlsbad, CA., and the harsh landscape from central California through El Paso. Wow! All very exotic and beautiful. It was also great to see family in Fullerton, CA. Van Horn, Texas was a treat as well. Interesting to note that along I-10 through Texas they are stopping traffic and doing vehicle searches for illegal immigrants...Portland felt like a long ways away from the views of Ciudad Juarez from I-10 through El Paso. Great time with the bro! Now we are in Texas. Feels good to be home with family, to have the sun everyday, and the prospect of exciting times of ministry ahead...

Rain Vent

Oh, so tired of the rain. Rain, rain, rain. Everything is wet. So so tired of the grey, cold, wet, rain. Wet streets, grey skies...UGH!!! Sometime soon I'm going to read about how the rain affects people here in Portland. On balance, it can't be good. There is probably some scientific data or a study somewhere that shows some ill affects. There are nice people in Portland. There are good people too. (btw, I don't think the two are necessarily the same...do you?) So, the effect of months of rain isn't something that JUMPS OUT at a person. I think its definitely a negative influence on the culture, just in a subtle kind of way. People do seem a bit more melancholy in comparison to people in say like southern California. I'm going to find a study. I really don't like this much rain. My soul is wet. Why did I post such nonsense? I have no idea!