http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/04/03/1878205.aspx
This is a really interesting article on the economic situation in Hungary. This country is such a special place to us with very special people living there. So we would appreciate it if you would pray for the stabilization of their economy.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Israel Part Two
Dome of the Rock/Jerusalem 
The Mustard Seed Plant
The Dead Sea
Baptism in the Sea of Galilee of 7 of our team members
Shay with team friend, JanetOver a week has passed since Olivia and Shay arrived back from Israel. The two of us have had a little more time to think about and remember the special moments of the trip. There are too many special moments to count! We've not gotten all our pictures organized and labeled but the pictures we have between the two of us are helping us keep our memories fresh and permanent in our hearts.
We've heard from several of our team members in the last few days and we are amazed at how much we miss them. After all, we just met them and spent only 12 days together. But there was a bond that was formed that was very unique and not like anything we had experienced before. We were connected---through our love for Christ, for the Jewish people, and for Israel. Every day we would get up early and load the bus by 8:00 a.m. The day would be packed with sites to see and things to do. Arriving back to the hotel or kibbutz where we stayed would happen around 5:30 or 6 in the evening. So, as a team of 40, we spent hours together seeing things for the first time together. There's just something special about that. We are thankful that God put us all together for this once in a lifetime trip.
Our advice to you: start saving your pennies NOW and plan to go to Israel! At least plan to go to Jerusalem. Your life will be changed and your understanding of the Bible will be even richer and more in context. I (Shay) for one realizes even more just what I do NOT know about the Bible and the land where Jesus walked. I need to study!!! I want to study!!! There are some incredible books that I need to read about the history of this land and the impact this land/country has made on the world and continues to make.
Don't know if there will be another post on Israel but maybe in a few days/weeks. The trip changed us in a major way and it's hard to put a change like that aside and go on with life as usual. Hope you enjoy a few more pictures of the land of Israel.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Israel Part 1
Ahhh....back from Israel and so glad to be home with Curt and Meredith. But our hearts feel sad, too, because we know that Israel has now made an eternal lasting impact on us and it was hard to leave this precious place. How can one leave that incredible place without something exciting and memorable happening in a person's relationship with God? Walking where the Savior walked and seeing places that have been there for thousands of years is causing us to read the Bible with different eyes. Words leap off the page like Mt. Hermon or Jerusalem or Bethsaida and we are amazed that we have been there! Scripture takes on new in-depth meaning and things seem in context more. There is so much information to process. We have yet to have the time to look through our pictures and our notes and see how God is using and will use this trip in our lives. It will be an ongoing process in the weeks to come. Here is just the first blog we'll do on Israel and will probably do a couple more. But we wanted to post as quickly as we could to thank you all for praying for us. We love you for that!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Hello from Israel!!!
Hello everyone!
I've gotten access to a computer for a few minutes so thought I would post. No pictures though since I can't download/upload here.
What a incredible few days! Olivia and I are well and have been forever changed by this wonderful land that our Savior loved and walked on. We have seen the city of Caesarea, the Golan Heights, taken a ride on the Sea of Galilee, and witnessed several of our fellow team-mates be baptized in the Sea of Galilee. How can one see all that and not be changed?? The scriptures, especially the gospels, will seem more clear to us after seeing these places a little closer. What a privilege and a gift we have had from the Lord to be allowed to be here.
Some of our new friends are Janet, Sam, Hannah, Vicki, Nada, Gordy, Michael, Eva, Seth, David, Nicki, Charlotte, and the list goes on and on. We won't post their last names but we'll post pictures soon! All are doing well and we are safe. We leave from our hotel tomorrow to head towards the Dead Sea on to our last stop of Jerusalem.
Thank you for your prayers for us!!! We are feeling them and your love and concern for us!!
Shalom,
Shay and Olivia
I've gotten access to a computer for a few minutes so thought I would post. No pictures though since I can't download/upload here.
What a incredible few days! Olivia and I are well and have been forever changed by this wonderful land that our Savior loved and walked on. We have seen the city of Caesarea, the Golan Heights, taken a ride on the Sea of Galilee, and witnessed several of our fellow team-mates be baptized in the Sea of Galilee. How can one see all that and not be changed?? The scriptures, especially the gospels, will seem more clear to us after seeing these places a little closer. What a privilege and a gift we have had from the Lord to be allowed to be here.
Some of our new friends are Janet, Sam, Hannah, Vicki, Nada, Gordy, Michael, Eva, Seth, David, Nicki, Charlotte, and the list goes on and on. We won't post their last names but we'll post pictures soon! All are doing well and we are safe. We leave from our hotel tomorrow to head towards the Dead Sea on to our last stop of Jerusalem.
Thank you for your prayers for us!!! We are feeling them and your love and concern for us!!
Shalom,
Shay and Olivia
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Israel Trip Schedule
Here is our schedule for our trip to Israel. Shay and Olivia leave Friday for Chicago. Then they'll fly out on Saturday afternoon to Tel Aviv. We would appreciate your prayers for our safety, health, good travel conditions, good weather, soft hearts to seek God's revelation of Himself to us while we are in that important land, and that we would be a blessing to the 40 other people on the tour. Please pray for our sweet Curt and Meredith at home in the states. We will miss them!!!
Thank you! We will update you when we get back!
March 7 Saturday Fly to Israel
March 8 Sunday Arrive Israel
March 9 Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Coast
March 10 The Northern Coast--Rabbinic Judaism
March 11 Sea of Galilee
March 12 Upper Galilee
March 13 The Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea
March 14 The Wilderness of Judea
March 15 The Negev and the Shephelah
March 16 Modern Jerusalem and the City of David
March 17 Mount Zion and the Jewish Quarter
March 18 Mount of Olives and the Via Dolorosa
March 19 Fly back to Chicago
March 20 Fly home to Huntsville
Thank you! We will update you when we get back!
March 7 Saturday Fly to Israel
March 8 Sunday Arrive Israel
March 9 Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Coast
March 10 The Northern Coast--Rabbinic Judaism
March 11 Sea of Galilee
March 12 Upper Galilee
March 13 The Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea
March 14 The Wilderness of Judea
March 15 The Negev and the Shephelah
March 16 Modern Jerusalem and the City of David
March 17 Mount Zion and the Jewish Quarter
March 18 Mount of Olives and the Via Dolorosa
March 19 Fly back to Chicago
March 20 Fly home to Huntsville
Friday, February 27, 2009
Papa John
Early this morning, Papa John, went to be with his precious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. John Cook, Sr., was an incredible man who passionately loved the gospel of Christ. His life honored and glorified Jesus and his desire was for all that he came in contact with to know his Savior as he did. Papa John's life had a huge impact on our family's life in that his love for missions was contagious. It was Papa John and his lovely wife, Mama Jo, that first invited Curt and Shay on a mission trip to Moldova in 1999. That trip made an impression on us and we're convinced that God planted a seed for overseas missions in our heart. We loved Papa John but we are so thankful that his pain is over and he is in eternity where there are no tears and no sorrow. Here is the email that Mama Jo sent out to the FBC family. You can see from this email the confidence they have in the truth of the gospel:
"The Bible assures us that death is not untimely, God has appointed a time for each of us to die. (Ps 139:16) My beloved husband, John Robert Cook, was ushered into heaven this morning, February 27 at 1:57 am. John told us he had no fear and was ready and the 2 week prediction for his life was God answering his prayer to go quickly. So this day was his appointed time.
Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not by sight--we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)"
Arrangements:
Visitation at First Bible Church on Tuesday, 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Funeral at First Bible Church on Wednesday, 1:00pm
Please continue to pray for Jo, John, Jr., Lyn and Brian during this time.
<:AtomicElement>
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Teacher in the Country of Turkey
Here is an update letter from a young Christian teacher teaching elementary-age children in Turkey. Her name is Ruth Stevens and her father is the pastor of our church in Budapest--Danube International Church. We love and support Ruth and her work in Turkey. Please read her update and if you feel led to pray, please do so. Hers is a difficult job in a very dark place:
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Turkey! After my first semester teaching 1st grade at Oasis International School I am eager to update you about the Lord’s goodness to me in this new place and stage of life. The move here in August was a quick one, but I am thankful for a smooth transition to a foreign culture. I teach a class of 19 first graders from 9 different countries who mostly come from either diplomatic or missionary families. Teaching is challenging and I am still adjusting to all of the responsibilities of this more-than-full-time job. However, I love the school and the other teachers who work here.
Due to our location, our school is not overtly Christian, and I have to be careful about what I say about Jesus in front of the class. Nonetheless, as teachers, we try to integrate biblical truth into our lessons whenever possible, and the school offers Bible classes that students may attend with permission from their parents. I have had some exciting opportunities to talk about God’s truth with students who are curious about the Bible. Please pray that these kinds of conversations will continue to arise.
I live in the “suburbs” of Ankara, Turkey’s capital city. Life in Turkey is an interesting mix of East and West. The makeup is composed of conservative Muslims who wear the head coverings, as well as secular Turks in European dress. Though many Turks in our area are not so strict as to pray five times a day, this semester I watched as almost the entire neighborhood observed Muslim holidays such as Ramadan (Ramazan in Turkish) and the “Sacrifice Holiday.” Please pray against the darkness in this land.
Most of my time is spent with school activities, but I have also been able to attend a Bible study for Iranian women. Please pray that God will bless this community (mostly refugees) who are in our midst. Next semester I hope to add more: a prayer time with the first grade moms, serving at my church, and getting to know the middle and high school students better. I appreciate your prayers as we enter into this second half of the year.
The school year continues until June 17th and then I will return to the U.S. during the summer to attend weddings and my NICS orientation. I have committed to teaching a second year at Oasis International School and will return in the Fall as a 3rd grade teacher.
Please praise the Lord with me for:
· Completion of my first semester
·Great roommates and living situation
·An international church to attend
·God’s provision in allowing me to be here
·Receiving my Residence Permit
Please pray for:
·A strong personal walk with the Lord
·Our school as they become accredited
·Ahmed, Peter, and John- first graders who are struggling with their behavior
·My unbelieving students and their families
·Language study
·Friendships with Turkish neighbors
·Teachers to fill open spots for next year
·A Work Visa
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement,
Ruth Stevens
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Turkey! After my first semester teaching 1st grade at Oasis International School I am eager to update you about the Lord’s goodness to me in this new place and stage of life. The move here in August was a quick one, but I am thankful for a smooth transition to a foreign culture. I teach a class of 19 first graders from 9 different countries who mostly come from either diplomatic or missionary families. Teaching is challenging and I am still adjusting to all of the responsibilities of this more-than-full-time job. However, I love the school and the other teachers who work here.
Due to our location, our school is not overtly Christian, and I have to be careful about what I say about Jesus in front of the class. Nonetheless, as teachers, we try to integrate biblical truth into our lessons whenever possible, and the school offers Bible classes that students may attend with permission from their parents. I have had some exciting opportunities to talk about God’s truth with students who are curious about the Bible. Please pray that these kinds of conversations will continue to arise.
I live in the “suburbs” of Ankara, Turkey’s capital city. Life in Turkey is an interesting mix of East and West. The makeup is composed of conservative Muslims who wear the head coverings, as well as secular Turks in European dress. Though many Turks in our area are not so strict as to pray five times a day, this semester I watched as almost the entire neighborhood observed Muslim holidays such as Ramadan (Ramazan in Turkish) and the “Sacrifice Holiday.” Please pray against the darkness in this land.
Most of my time is spent with school activities, but I have also been able to attend a Bible study for Iranian women. Please pray that God will bless this community (mostly refugees) who are in our midst. Next semester I hope to add more: a prayer time with the first grade moms, serving at my church, and getting to know the middle and high school students better. I appreciate your prayers as we enter into this second half of the year.
The school year continues until June 17th and then I will return to the U.S. during the summer to attend weddings and my NICS orientation. I have committed to teaching a second year at Oasis International School and will return in the Fall as a 3rd grade teacher.
Please praise the Lord with me for:
· Completion of my first semester
·Great roommates and living situation
·An international church to attend
·God’s provision in allowing me to be here
·Receiving my Residence Permit
Please pray for:
·A strong personal walk with the Lord
·Our school as they become accredited
·Ahmed, Peter, and John- first graders who are struggling with their behavior
·My unbelieving students and their families
·Language study
·Friendships with Turkish neighbors
·Teachers to fill open spots for next year
·A Work Visa
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement,
Ruth Stevens
Monday, February 09, 2009
The Holy Land
Olivia and Shay have the opportunity of traveling to the Holy Land of the Savior next month. We are so excited and are anticipating that God will speak to our hearts and minds during our time there. The trip is with a professor from Moody Bible Institute who has a company called Messianic Journeys. We'll be gone for about 10 days with the trip beginning and ending in Chicago. Our plan is to take lots of pictures and write down our thoughts while there. We will post some of those images and thoughts on our blogs. We never imagined we would have this wonderful gift of being in that part of the world. Israel is so critical to what we believe about our Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, God tells His story of redemption through the story of the Israelites. The Old Testament points toward the coming of the Messiah and how His sufficient sacrifice alone is our only way to heaven. Seeing these places mentioned in the Bible will only increase our love and gratitude towards God for His wonderful gift of His Son!
We would appreciate your prayers as we get ready to go. We'll update you more the closer it gets to time to leave.
"For you (ISRAEL) are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession. "
Deuteronomy 7:5 (emphasis mine)
We would appreciate your prayers as we get ready to go. We'll update you more the closer it gets to time to leave.
"For you (ISRAEL) are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession. "
Deuteronomy 7:5 (emphasis mine)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Upcoming Mission Conference
Plan on coming to the 2009 First Bible Church Mission Conference. It promises to be an exciting weekend with Pastor Ronnie Stevens from Budapest, Hungary, as the speaker. Pastor Ronnie was our pastor in Budapest at Danube International church (http://www.danubechurch.org/) He's a terrific speaker with a lot of mission field experience. Try to come to at least one of the sessions!
Friday Evening, February 27th, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday Evening, February 28th, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Morning, March 1, 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. (Two services-choose 1)
Sunday Evening, March 1, 6:00 p.m.
For directions to First Bible, go to their website or you can email us. (www.fbc.org)
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Friday Evening, February 27th, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday Evening, February 28th, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Morning, March 1, 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. (Two services-choose 1)
Sunday Evening, March 1, 6:00 p.m.
For directions to First Bible, go to their website or you can email us. (www.fbc.org)
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Monday, January 19, 2009
Some Pictures From Curt's Trip
First Picture: Balla Zsolt Family from Campus Crusade
Second Picture: Curt with Ondrej Franka from Serbia
Third Picture: Jarko and Elena Jurik from Serbia
Fourth Picture: Our friend, Ibi, with some of her staff
Fifth Picture: Our former landlord, Elemer and Maria, with their grandaughter
More pictures to come as we get them! Curt arrived safely home last night. Thank you for your prayers.
Friday, January 16, 2009
An Article Concerning the Gas Situation in Eastern Europe
FOXNews.com - Misery Mounts as Russia Gas Dispute Stretches Into Third Week - International News News of the World Middle East News Europe News
You may have seen this article on the Fox Website. It gives an idea of what Curt saw and heard about in Serbia while he was there.
He is back in Budapest today and will fly back to the States on Sunday.
You may have seen this article on the Fox Website. It gives an idea of what Curt saw and heard about in Serbia while he was there.
He is back in Budapest today and will fly back to the States on Sunday.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A Blog to Follow
Hi everyone!
Just wanted to bring your attention to a GREAT blog that you'll want to follow. We have the link on our sidebar but we wanted to highlight it for you. It's a blog by our good friends, the Slates, who are serving Christ in Ireland. Scott and Tara, along with their 3 children, left the states for Ireland last July. You may remember when we posted a support letter from them on our blog last Spring. God is using them in a great way and we're thankful for their sacrifice, commitment, and faith.
http://www.theslatefive.wordpress.com/
Curt is in Serbia and it is cold there! Just like it is here in the states. The Danube has huge chunks of ice in it. We will get you an update on him when we can. Thank you for your prayers!
Happy Anniversary to Shay's parents today! They have been married for 53 years. Wow!!
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Just wanted to bring your attention to a GREAT blog that you'll want to follow. We have the link on our sidebar but we wanted to highlight it for you. It's a blog by our good friends, the Slates, who are serving Christ in Ireland. Scott and Tara, along with their 3 children, left the states for Ireland last July. You may remember when we posted a support letter from them on our blog last Spring. God is using them in a great way and we're thankful for their sacrifice, commitment, and faith.
http://www.theslatefive.wordpress.com/
Curt is in Serbia and it is cold there! Just like it is here in the states. The Danube has huge chunks of ice in it. We will get you an update on him when we can. Thank you for your prayers!
Happy Anniversary to Shay's parents today! They have been married for 53 years. Wow!!
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday In Budapest
Curt arrived safely in Hungary and has had a busy weekend. He attended Danube International Church this morning and had a wonderful time reconnecting with our friends. Communion was observed and Pastor Ronnie delivered a powerful sermon. Just like old times! After church, he was off to lunch with Pastor Ronnie to one of Ronnie's favorite restaurants and then this evening they are invited to Al and Jeannie Stirling's home for dinner. Al and Jeannie are our good friends who are "missionaries to missionaries". They specialize in missionary care which is an important ministry to help keep missionaries and their families on the field.
The "girls" back home in the states wish they could be in Hungary, too! Hearing about the details of life there and the friends we left behind really makes us thank God again for the privilege we had of living in Budapest.
Thank you for your prayers! As an update on the heat situation in Serbia: an emergency agreement between Hungary and Serbia allowed gas to flow to Serbia immediately. Hopefully, there will be a resolution in the dispute between Russia and Ukraine.
More later.......
The "girls" back home in the states wish they could be in Hungary, too! Hearing about the details of life there and the friends we left behind really makes us thank God again for the privilege we had of living in Budapest.
Thank you for your prayers! As an update on the heat situation in Serbia: an emergency agreement between Hungary and Serbia allowed gas to flow to Serbia immediately. Hopefully, there will be a resolution in the dispute between Russia and Ukraine.
More later.......
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Trip to Hungary
Curt leaves for Budapest tomorrow morning. We're so excited at the thought of him being back in that part of the world! How much we love the people and places in Eastern Europe. We are so curious to see how it will be for Curt to be there without all 4 of us together. What will have changed since we left in May? Who in the missionary community has left for the states for good? How will the church service at Danube on Sunday stir his heart? Will the weather be a factor in what he's able to get done? There is a major crisis brewing with the availability of heat in the Eastern European countries. With the pipeline dispute between Russia and the Ukraine, it has affected so many people in other countries. Jarko from Serbia wrote and told us that they have no heat! None! Everything has been cut off. We are concerned for them. Plus, Curt is slated to be in Serbia next week. So this will affect him, too.
Thank you to those that are interested in this trip and have continued to be interested in the ministries that God has graciously allowed us to develop and be a part of. Your prayers have been such a gift to us and we recognize that our ministry is fueled by your prayer. We are humbled in working in partnership with you.
If Curt comes to mind this week, please pray for:
*Safety in travel
*That he will be an encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Hungary and Serbia
*Heat!
*Opportunities to share the gospel
*Wisdom in his priorities while he is there
Shay will try to get updates here on the blog on how his trip is going. Please check back for updated prayer requests. Thank you!
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Thank you to those that are interested in this trip and have continued to be interested in the ministries that God has graciously allowed us to develop and be a part of. Your prayers have been such a gift to us and we recognize that our ministry is fueled by your prayer. We are humbled in working in partnership with you.
If Curt comes to mind this week, please pray for:
*Safety in travel
*That he will be an encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Hungary and Serbia
*Heat!
*Opportunities to share the gospel
*Wisdom in his priorities while he is there
Shay will try to get updates here on the blog on how his trip is going. Please check back for updated prayer requests. Thank you!
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Friday, January 02, 2009
Brannon Update
This was the letter we sent out via email to the FBC congregation. Thought you might like to read about some of the decisons that we've recently made. Thanks for your interest!
January 2009
Dear Church Family,
Happy New Year to you all! The Brannons are looking with anticipation to the New Year to see how God will continue to use First Bible Church in missions world-wide. With the Mission Conference just around the corner, we are praying that God will prompt our conference speaker, Pastor Ronnie Stevens, to encourage all of us to put missions as a main priority in 2009.
To update you on our family, we have now been back in the states for about 7 months. As we left Budapest in May, we were asking God to show us what He would have us do as we finished up our first "missionary term". We had been in Budapest for 4 plus years and felt like we were completing some of the main projects that we had been involved with. It seemed that God was leading us back to the U.S. to regroup and to seek His plan for our future direction.
The last 7 months have been very busy as we have put our oldest daughter, Olivia, in college in Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and enrolled our daughter, Meredith, in 10th grade at Bob Jones High School in Madison. Business interests in our family-owned company needed to be attended to by Curt and Shay also began the process of renewing her teacher's license. Plus the transition back to full-time living in the United States has been more of a challenge than we thought! Thank you to those that have encouraged us in our "settling in".
Now to the future! Our family still passionately loves missions. We remain involved in developing new and existing ministry projects overseas. Curt will leave for Budapest and Serbia on January 9th for 10 days and will return again to Serbia in mid-May for a missions conference. But, for now (maybe up to 3 years) we believe our family needs to be based in the U.S. We hope you will join us in asking the Lord to move us back towards a more permanent overseas missions presence in His timing.
We are so thankful for First Bible Church and for your support of our family these past 4 years. Your prayers and interest in us and the work in Eastern Europe have been encouraging. Our plan for the present is to remain involved in the exciting happenings at First Bible and to get to know all the new people that have joined First Bible in our absence! We are currently living in Madison and you can reach us at:
PO Box 1943
Madison, AL 35758
325-8737
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
www.brannonfamily.blogspot.com
Our love and thanks to you,
Curt, Shay, Olivia, and Meredith Brannon
January 2009
Dear Church Family,
Happy New Year to you all! The Brannons are looking with anticipation to the New Year to see how God will continue to use First Bible Church in missions world-wide. With the Mission Conference just around the corner, we are praying that God will prompt our conference speaker, Pastor Ronnie Stevens, to encourage all of us to put missions as a main priority in 2009.
To update you on our family, we have now been back in the states for about 7 months. As we left Budapest in May, we were asking God to show us what He would have us do as we finished up our first "missionary term". We had been in Budapest for 4 plus years and felt like we were completing some of the main projects that we had been involved with. It seemed that God was leading us back to the U.S. to regroup and to seek His plan for our future direction.
The last 7 months have been very busy as we have put our oldest daughter, Olivia, in college in Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and enrolled our daughter, Meredith, in 10th grade at Bob Jones High School in Madison. Business interests in our family-owned company needed to be attended to by Curt and Shay also began the process of renewing her teacher's license. Plus the transition back to full-time living in the United States has been more of a challenge than we thought! Thank you to those that have encouraged us in our "settling in".
Now to the future! Our family still passionately loves missions. We remain involved in developing new and existing ministry projects overseas. Curt will leave for Budapest and Serbia on January 9th for 10 days and will return again to Serbia in mid-May for a missions conference. But, for now (maybe up to 3 years) we believe our family needs to be based in the U.S. We hope you will join us in asking the Lord to move us back towards a more permanent overseas missions presence in His timing.
We are so thankful for First Bible Church and for your support of our family these past 4 years. Your prayers and interest in us and the work in Eastern Europe have been encouraging. Our plan for the present is to remain involved in the exciting happenings at First Bible and to get to know all the new people that have joined First Bible in our absence! We are currently living in Madison and you can reach us at:
PO Box 1943
Madison, AL 35758
325-8737
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
www.brannonfamily.blogspot.com
Our love and thanks to you,
Curt, Shay, Olivia, and Meredith Brannon
Monday, December 29, 2008
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
What an eventful month December was for the Brannon family! We're sure it was a busy month for you all as well. Meredith turned 16 on December 14th and got her driver's license. That's a picture of her in front of the van that she took the test in. The other pictures are of cousins we spent the holidays with and a picture of the 4 of us. Olivia arrived on the 19th from Moody and we've been enjoying her holiday visit. She'll be here until January 10th.
Sorry for the long delay in updating our blog. We actually were debating whether to keep up with it since we didn't know where exactly our missions emphasis would be. But after a lot of prayer and a lot of counsel from different people, we see some decisions coming together about all that. We plan on sending a congregational letter out via email to our home church--First Bible Church. That will go out this Friday and will give an update on where we are and what our current plans are for returning to the field and staying here in the states. We'll post that letter on our next blog post so you can see that, as well.
You can reach us at:
Happy 2009!!!!
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Hello Again!
Over 4 months since our last Brannon post. This is Shay writing to give you an update on the Brannon family. When I wrote the last post a few months ago, I felt that was the end of Brannon blogging for a while---maybe even for good. But in talking with people back here in the states, some are still curious about what's been going on with us and what our plans might be for the future. Don't know why people would be interested! But for the few that might be out there reading our blog, thanks for caring and wondering.
A lot has happened in the time since we returned for Budapest. I won't try to tell everything in this blog but will do that over the next several blogs. To bring you forward to where we are right now, the biggest things are Olivia at college and Meredith enrolled at Bob Jones High School in Madison! Incredible change for all of us and especially for the mom! It's been a huge adjustment for me not having them around all day for homeschooling. But we are confident that Olivia is where she's supposed to be at Moody Bible in Chicago. We prayed so much about that decision! And although it was a shorter decision time for the plan for Meredith to go to public high school, we feel good about that decision, too.
The picture is of Meredith on her first day of school. See Olivia's blog (sidebar) to see a picture of her on her first day of school at Moody!
Stay tuned for more updates to come.........
Monday, April 14, 2008
So Long! It's Been Fun!
Awesome picture! Scenic overlook near the Lohrenzes. 
Camp Good News
Teo and Magdalena
The Lohrenzes have been in Spain for several months now and are getting the lay of the land. Ministry in Europe is slow and small as we have seen over these past 4 years. As veterans of the mission field for 30 years, John and Jan bring great experience and vision to this difficult field.
The Cavacos run Camp Good News for Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) and are planning on a FBC team this summer to help in the camp and also be a part of a beach ministry to English-speaking tourists.
THIS IS OUR LAST POST for our Brannon Family blog. There is much to do in the coming weeks to prepare to leave Budapest. Our time to leave here has shifted a little but we'll be in the states sometime in May. We want to thank all of you for reading our blog and for corresponding with us over the years. Your prayers and support have meant so much. In the coming months, as we seek God's plan for our family, maybe they'll be a need to restart the family blog. If we do activate the blog, we'll let you know!
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Update on Curt in Spain/Portugal
Thank you to those that have emailed to ask how Curt's trip to Spain and Portugal is going. Yes, he's still there until Saturday and things are going well. Although, apparently, he has been in unbelievable heavy rain. The weather definitely hasn't cooperated! But the weather didn't stop a meaningful time with the Lohrenz family in Spain and now time with the Cavaco family in Portugal. We'll post pictures of his trip when he gets back and also update you on how God is using the Lohrenz and Cavaco families in Europe. Thank you for praying!
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
brannons4christ@yahoo.com
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
The Slate Family Headed to Ireland
This is a newsletter from our good friends, Scott and Tara Slate. Scott and Tara go to First Bible in Decatur and have been called by God to serve Him as missionaries to Ireland. This newsletter is an update on their preparation to leave and their progress on raising their support. Please pray that they will raise the money they need in order to head to Ireland in June.
The Slate Five Newsletter March 2008
Ministry news on the journey to Ireland
Why Ireland
Although many Irish identify with being Catholic just as much as they identify with being Irish, Catholicism has become a matter of heritage more than a matter of practice. And many more Irish have become apathetic altogether toward spiritual things, having embraced an increasing secularism that has arrived with the economic boom and new wealth that has come to the historically poor country of Ireland. For many, wealth and materialism is the new god.
Very few people have heard the gospel once proclaimed so clearly by Saint Patrick. Less than one percent of the population of the Republic of Ireland are evangelical Christians – people who believe the truths of the gospel and share their faith with others. Approximately one-third of those are immigrants to Ireland, affording missionaries an even wider sphere of impact in Europe as a whole.
In an article entitled “Archbishop says Dublin is ‘mission territory’ for church” in the March 21, 2008 edition of the Irish Times, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Diarmuid Martin is quoted as saying
“ . . .today, so many of those who were baptized as Christians no longer really know Jesus and their way of living demonstrates that the message of Jesus touches their lives only in a marginal way . . . our consumerist world needs an injection of idealism and generosity. Our world needs God.”
The Catholic church is launching a major program next year in which every house in the Dublin archdiocese will be visited by representatives of the church for the purpose of evangelization.
Now is the time to evangelize, to demonstrate the attractive power of holy lives. Now is the time to live as a light on a hill in Ireland, in a way that is fresh, real, loving, and engaging. We are weak, but He is strong. God calls and He equips when his children step out in obedience, praying and engaging in the battle for the souls of people – those people made in His image, whom He loves and gathers from every nation, tribe, and tongue.
Our lives and God’s purposes for Ireland
Since December’s newsletter, the Lord has been moving us forward toward Ireland and His plans for us there. While the children stayed behind, we flew to Dublin toward the end of January for a nine day scouting trip to meet our teammates, experience a bit of the Irish culture, visit some churches and meet some of the Irish leadership, and generally explore possibilities for living and ministering in Ireland. We are still exploring from a distance, with the help of our teammates in Dublin.
We have begun dialogue with the leadership in a particular Irish church to find how our giftings and experiences fit with desires they have to see their church grow in healthy ways. We are encouraged by the areas of fit that we sense that God has carved out for us. In particular, they desire to draw in people in the 20/30s age range through creative and contemporary means and they also would like to see a women’s ministry begin to take root and flourish. We are prayerful and hopeful about the possibilities.
In March, we were commissioned by our home church, First Bible Church of Decatur, at the culmination of our annual missions conference. It was a sweet time and we are amazed and thankful that the desire that God has put in our hearts to serve Him cross-culturally has come full-circle in our commissioning. The conference was a wonderful time, although it required some mental adjustment on our part to be the missionaries! We were encouraged and we are, as always, thankful to be a part of a body of believers that has a heart for the heart of God.
Currently, we are preparing our house and cars for sale and beginning to pack our belongings for our container to be shipped to Ireland. Our goal is to leave for Ireland in June. This will allow us time to find a place to live, enroll the children in school, learn to drive on the left with the steering wheel on the right (and turn in roundabouts), and provide the children with some positive experiences in Ireland before school begins in September. There are unique challenges with the culture that will require time to do all that must be done within a timeframe. The strongest possible start is important for us and the children for thriving in a new culture long-term.
We are raising support full-time and preparing to leave simultaneously. This is our greatest challenge at this time. We will be able to purchase plane tickets when we are at 90% monthly support and 90% outgoing. GEM will only clear us to depart for the field when we are supported 100%. Until then, we will be here.
Monthly pledges Outgoing amount
Total needed $9100 $72,000
As of December $6100 $38,000
As of March $7250 $42,000
The field is ready to receive us. The Lord has provided us with a window of opportunity to get a good price on airfare and arrive in Dublin with just enough time to begin to put down roots before the children begin school. It has been recommended that we arrive before the school year begins to maximize the children’s transition and opportunities for belonging and friendship, as well as for academic reasons.
We are trusting the Lord for his provision and we are hopeful that He will move in the hearts of many to get us to Dublin. Our one prayer request is that God will provide the remainder of our support by the end of April so that we can leave in June. Would you pray with us? We are grateful for the many who give and pray and encourage us as we step out in faith. We’d not be standing without you!
If you sense that the Lord would have you invest in His work in Ireland, you may make a pledge and/or give a financial gift at www.gemission.org. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have and let us know if the Lord is moving in your heart to pray for us – it is a huge encouragement to our family.
Serving the Lord through your partnership and His strength,
Scott & Tara
tslate@gemission.com
http://theslatefive.wordpress.com
The Slate Five Newsletter March 2008
Ministry news on the journey to Ireland
Why Ireland
Although many Irish identify with being Catholic just as much as they identify with being Irish, Catholicism has become a matter of heritage more than a matter of practice. And many more Irish have become apathetic altogether toward spiritual things, having embraced an increasing secularism that has arrived with the economic boom and new wealth that has come to the historically poor country of Ireland. For many, wealth and materialism is the new god.
Very few people have heard the gospel once proclaimed so clearly by Saint Patrick. Less than one percent of the population of the Republic of Ireland are evangelical Christians – people who believe the truths of the gospel and share their faith with others. Approximately one-third of those are immigrants to Ireland, affording missionaries an even wider sphere of impact in Europe as a whole.
In an article entitled “Archbishop says Dublin is ‘mission territory’ for church” in the March 21, 2008 edition of the Irish Times, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Diarmuid Martin is quoted as saying
“ . . .today, so many of those who were baptized as Christians no longer really know Jesus and their way of living demonstrates that the message of Jesus touches their lives only in a marginal way . . . our consumerist world needs an injection of idealism and generosity. Our world needs God.”
The Catholic church is launching a major program next year in which every house in the Dublin archdiocese will be visited by representatives of the church for the purpose of evangelization.
Now is the time to evangelize, to demonstrate the attractive power of holy lives. Now is the time to live as a light on a hill in Ireland, in a way that is fresh, real, loving, and engaging. We are weak, but He is strong. God calls and He equips when his children step out in obedience, praying and engaging in the battle for the souls of people – those people made in His image, whom He loves and gathers from every nation, tribe, and tongue.
Our lives and God’s purposes for Ireland
Since December’s newsletter, the Lord has been moving us forward toward Ireland and His plans for us there. While the children stayed behind, we flew to Dublin toward the end of January for a nine day scouting trip to meet our teammates, experience a bit of the Irish culture, visit some churches and meet some of the Irish leadership, and generally explore possibilities for living and ministering in Ireland. We are still exploring from a distance, with the help of our teammates in Dublin.
We have begun dialogue with the leadership in a particular Irish church to find how our giftings and experiences fit with desires they have to see their church grow in healthy ways. We are encouraged by the areas of fit that we sense that God has carved out for us. In particular, they desire to draw in people in the 20/30s age range through creative and contemporary means and they also would like to see a women’s ministry begin to take root and flourish. We are prayerful and hopeful about the possibilities.
In March, we were commissioned by our home church, First Bible Church of Decatur, at the culmination of our annual missions conference. It was a sweet time and we are amazed and thankful that the desire that God has put in our hearts to serve Him cross-culturally has come full-circle in our commissioning. The conference was a wonderful time, although it required some mental adjustment on our part to be the missionaries! We were encouraged and we are, as always, thankful to be a part of a body of believers that has a heart for the heart of God.
Currently, we are preparing our house and cars for sale and beginning to pack our belongings for our container to be shipped to Ireland. Our goal is to leave for Ireland in June. This will allow us time to find a place to live, enroll the children in school, learn to drive on the left with the steering wheel on the right (and turn in roundabouts), and provide the children with some positive experiences in Ireland before school begins in September. There are unique challenges with the culture that will require time to do all that must be done within a timeframe. The strongest possible start is important for us and the children for thriving in a new culture long-term.
We are raising support full-time and preparing to leave simultaneously. This is our greatest challenge at this time. We will be able to purchase plane tickets when we are at 90% monthly support and 90% outgoing. GEM will only clear us to depart for the field when we are supported 100%. Until then, we will be here.
Monthly pledges Outgoing amount
Total needed $9100 $72,000
As of December $6100 $38,000
As of March $7250 $42,000
The field is ready to receive us. The Lord has provided us with a window of opportunity to get a good price on airfare and arrive in Dublin with just enough time to begin to put down roots before the children begin school. It has been recommended that we arrive before the school year begins to maximize the children’s transition and opportunities for belonging and friendship, as well as for academic reasons.
We are trusting the Lord for his provision and we are hopeful that He will move in the hearts of many to get us to Dublin. Our one prayer request is that God will provide the remainder of our support by the end of April so that we can leave in June. Would you pray with us? We are grateful for the many who give and pray and encourage us as we step out in faith. We’d not be standing without you!
If you sense that the Lord would have you invest in His work in Ireland, you may make a pledge and/or give a financial gift at www.gemission.org. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have and let us know if the Lord is moving in your heart to pray for us – it is a huge encouragement to our family.
Serving the Lord through your partnership and His strength,
Scott & Tara
tslate@gemission.com
http://theslatefive.wordpress.com
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