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From Julie – Kiev, Ukraine trip/March  – Washington, D.C./April

We lead such privileged lives. As a ministry family to be able to raise Stephen in one place all the way through high school is an unbelievable blessing.  He will officially be a senior in high school at Highland High School by the middle of next week.  Graduation for this year’s seniors is tomorrow night, so we move one step closer to one of life’s passages.

I am writing this with a pen that commemorates the Orange Revolution that took place in December in the Ukraine.  In March, we spent ten days with Randy and Shelley Marshall and their three boys, nine of us in a 700 square foot apartment in Kiev.  We just made do with what we had, as do all Ukrainians for whom this living space is common size.  The living room furniture – and Randy and Shelley’s couch in their bedroom – folded out into beds. Living space has multiple uses in former Soviet cultures. Galia, Paul’s interpreter and a close family friend of the Marshall’s from Yaroslavl, Russia, slept on the floor in the boys’ room. She is very much their older sister.

We shared our testimonies while there, talked about our worlds with students (Stephen) and women (Julie) and gave out Larry Sallee’s “Seed and Light” seeds at both of Paul’s seminars for leaders.  We also spent two days seeing the fabulous sights of Kiev, set on the banks of the Dneiper River. And, living alongside Randy, Shelley, Alex, Andrew, and Philip, we were able to encourage them in their lives and ministry.  It was a special time with this family we have known for ten years.

WE THE PEOPLE in WASHINGTON, D.C. 
We also spent five days in Washington, D.C.  Stephen was a part of a team of 20 from Highland High School in Albuquerque at the national competition for “We the People.” This program was started by Chief Justice Warren Burger in the 80’s to encourage teenagers to grow in their understanding of the workings of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Paul and I were able to accompany our teens on the bus tours around the Capital, be present at all of the hearings, and to get to know the kids we had not known previously.  God allowed us to become the team parents alongside the four teachers.  Highland’s goal was to make the Top Ten from among all 50 states as well as to experience the Capital and surroundings in the process.  The team’s six units provided “expert testimony” on the Constitution and did indeed make the Finals!

The Finals were held in an actual Congressional Hearing Room on Capital Hill.  While finishing  fourth overall was an amazing achievement for our Highland High team, one other very special thing happened in the process. Hear these words from one of the judges early on in the final round of presentations by our kids: “Stop.  Look around you.  Think about where you are and what goes on in this room.  Realize that you are among the brightest in your state and know more about the U.S. Constitution than 99% of adults in this nation.  Take all these weeks and months of study and use them as a foundation for the rest of your lives – in your city, your state, or your nation.” I could have gone home after he finished speaking.       

From Brian Burnett – Istanbul Trip/April
I had the unique privilege of traveling with Paul to Istanbul, Turkey where he trained some Christian leaders serving in Central Asia.  Over the years, Paul has encouraged me to seriously consider this type of trip. At lunch back in December, Paul scribbled the dates on a napkin and that got this conversation going.  Having never been out of the country, and a bit uncertain about cultural issues, going on the trip was a big step for me, but Paul’s 36 previous overseas travels helped provide a comfort and understanding of what to expect.  I felt Paul’s calming words and God’s protection throughout the entire six days.  Being included in the group as Paul and CRM partner Brad Sprague walked this Central Asian team through the concept of “leader as steward” was an amazing experience.  Paul’s genuine love for leaders and desiring them to be more impacting for the Kingdom was again displayed.  His focus on relationships first, followed by the content, set the stage for an effective two days as the leadership team worked through how they can serve better together.  God has blessed both Paul and Brad with a special ability to “connect” with people, clear right from the start and then many times through the training. 

The experience also gave me an opportunity to explore ways that my new ministry, “Construction and Engineering Resources”, might come along side these Christian workers.  The trip will hold many fond memories and I expect that doors will continue to open for the ministry.  I thank God for Paul and the napkin!

Brian Burnett, President of Bohannan-Huston engineering firm, Albuquerque, NM
 

News From Singapore...
“One of our trainers in country asked K., while on one of his regional trips, to teach the Your Leadership Grip workbook (Chinese edition) material to his training group of nationals. The material is being used now, without my even knowing it!  Then, we had a staff meeting Tuesday where he reviewed the Leadership Grip foundation. It was fun to see him get so excited about it.  He made us all say, "Not I but WE for the glory of God” with your hand motions, Paul!  Just thought these things would encourage you too."   N. in Singapore.

From Turkey....

The “Seed and Light” lettuce, eggplant and tomoto seeds have been taken to southern Russia, Turkmenistan, and central and southern Afghanistan!  Thank you friends (pictured)!  One wrote to Larry Sallee:  “I told them about the low-voltage lighting and low-tech irrigation systems you work with. They might write you about them.” W. in Central Asia

From Russia... to Kiev...  then to Tallin, Estonia 
Galia, my interpreter this past trip in Kiev (pictured) and for at least six previous trips to Russia, is the translator of the Russian edition of my teambuilding workbook, Discovering Your Ministry Identity. 

When she interprets for me, she not only translates words but also heart meaning.  I rejoice that God has given me the opportunity to work with her. 

The workbook she translated is having great impact and was utilized in both Kiev and also with Russian in Johve, eastern Estonia. 

We are praying about my coming to Yaroslavl, Russia (north of Moscow) sometime in the next year....

From Korea via southern California...
Equipping and releasing leaders is key to this season of raising up others in ministry.  Mentoring Brad Sprague, Brian Burnett, Galia, friends in Central Asia is a tremendous joy and real responsibility. Another CRM ministry partner is Tim Roehl.

Here Tim is training with the Grip/Birkman Blueprint resource as he (very effectively) and I trained CRM Korea’s Board of Directors.  In the foreground is CRM Korea Board leader Rev. Tong Park.

Then there was Biker Sunday at Hope Community Church, Andover, KS where, with Pastor Steve Weldon, I got  to share with 300 bikers & others who attended.