Cathy's India Mission Trip

November 2007

I am back from two amazing weeks of ministry in India. I led a team of four women from our church, Tri-Lakes Chapel. This team was formed in response to God’s call on each of our hearts. It began with Prati Stephens, leader of Women With a Mission in India, speaking in our church this past February. Prati asked for a team of women to come and teach with her in one-day conferences for women in Tamil Nadu, South India. For some of us it was an easy decision to say “yes” to God’s call. I was excited to see what God was doing in this part of the world, and to learn about possible ministry strategies that could be used in Europe. For others it required stretching out of our comfort zone and trusting God to provide – financially, physically and spiritually. I am still amazed at the reality that God keeps His promise in Eph 3:20, reminding us that HE “ is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

We spent the summer preparing outlines for our teaching, praying with our team, sampling food at an Indian restaurant and gathering our support team. Despite our efforts, nothing could really prepare us for what we experienced! We arrived in the big city of Chennai at about midnight after 26 hours of traveling – but then who really knew what time it was as our body clocks were trying desperately to adjust to the 12 hour time change!

The next day we were guests in a village that had been destroyed by the Tsunami. We saw firsthand the work that was being done by a number of organizations to rebuild this village and help the people become more self-sufficient.

We toured a preschool and women’s training facility that teaches women to sew so they can have another source of income to supplement the fishing done by their husbands. All of this is part of the indigenous church's strategy to improve the quality of life in the villages, as well as share the gospel.

During most of our trip we stayed near Salem, a city in the heart of rural south India, in a missionary compound that had a hospital, orphanage, schools, church, housing for workers and guest quarters. One of our first unexpected experiences truly shows the spirit of the team and the Holy Spirit at work in us. We arrived in Salem late on Saturday night. On Sunday morning we attended the church service at the orphanage. To our surprise, the pastor came down from the stage, greeted us, and then asked which one of us would be preaching. We looked at each other for a minute and gave him our answer: WE ALL WOULD. And we did, each of us giving our personal testimony that morning. That was the start of us realizing that HE was adequate despite our feelings of inadequacy - 2 Cor. 3:5 – “not that we are adequate of ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is in Christ.”

Our main purpose was to help teach at four Women With a Mission Conferences. We expected about 200 women at each conference, but many had more attendees. It was standing room only. Apparently the news that Americans were coming all the way from the other side of the world to India’s rural villages was big news. One conference attracted 440 women, many of whom came in off of the streets thinking that the Americans were giving away things—they might get a cow if they came! Instead they heard the gospel, which is of much greater value than a cow. The total number of women we ministered to was actually 1,160!

Each woman who attends is asked to go home and share what she learned with the women of her village. If her village does not yet have a Women With a Mission fellowship, she is asked to start one. We were especially impressed with the ongoing discipleship aspect of WWM. Women are encouraged to share their faith with two other women every month and also to study lessons from materials that India Gospel League provides to help them grow in their faith. We were so blessed to play a small part in this amazing movement of God among the women of India.

We had many other opportunities to serve. Rick and I always quote the missionary creed "be ready to preach, pray or die at a moment's notice." We changed that for our family mission trips - inserting "sing" instead of "die" to relieve some of the tension our boys felt traveling overseas when they were young! I should also add "train" to that creed, as I was asked to lead a one-hour training event for the India Gospel League office staff - the next morning. Made me thankful for my trusty memory stick with all my training materials copied onto it! I was able to find a computer and put together a presentation that included powerpoint and handouts. We also dedicated a new life center (church) in an unreached village, prayed for people, gave words of greeting everywhere we went from our church, and gave our testimonies. None of our team are singers, but after the 250 children in the Sharon Garden Children’s home did a program for us, we got up on stage and taught them a song with hand motions. Afterwards, we gave each one a piece of candy and a Scripture bracelet. We met with a former terrorist who is now a pastor planting a church in a refugee camp (God does work in amazing ways!!). We presented a laptop from our church to Prati and then learned that she had secretly been praying for one for about 3 months. We encouraged people every day as we met our precious Indian brothers and sisters who labor tirelessly for the Lord.

We also learned to eat rice with our fingers, got accustomed to seeing monkeys, cows and other wildlife alongside the road, and steeled our queasy stomachs for the long bumpy van rides that would rival any amusement park attraction! We saw God work in the midst of a terrible cyclone storm, literally calming the storm in time for our conference to start. Most importantly, we saw the hope that Christ brings to those who live in a predominantly hopeless culture.

Here is the longer extended version of my trip for those of you with long attention spans!!
7/27 Just arrived in Europe. Had a great trip. In line checking in I met a lady who is a Bosnian living in the US. Amazingly, we were sitting next to each other on the flight! I knew that was a God ordained "coincidence"! We talked non-stop for most of the flight. I had a chance to share a bit with her about my faith and she about her Muslim roots. We exchanged phone numbers and will connect sometime in CO. SO, I didn't get any sleep! I did sleep for just an hour on the flight from Munich to Vienna. So, by the time I go to bed I will be on about 40 hours of awake time. Karalee and I will go tonight to a discipleship group with my friend Mirjam and other gals. Some I know and have worked with for years, some will be new friends. It will be fun to start giving away the myriad of gifts I brought. Praying that I will not fall asleep during prayer or study!

7/28 Great time at the discipleship group last night. It is so awesome to see young people who just a few weeks, months or years ago were hopeless who now have hope in Christ. Their gratitude to God for all He has done for them is inspiring. Their faith is truly the focus of their life and they are dedicated to sharing this faith with others in any way they can. We have been blessed over the years to have a small part in this ministry as we have served in Slovenia.

Today Karalee and I traveled to Croatia to visit Gene and Judy, Greater Europe Mission missionaries. Gene teaches at the Bible school in Croatia. As we entered the city we saw a beautiful large building with a cross on it. When I asked Judy about it she shook her head. It was built with funds from North America a few years ago. It was originally designated to be a place for Christians to hold services, classes and meetings. Unfortunately, a small church in an outlying village somehow wrested control of this building and now it is only used for occasional services led by this church. What a shame!! It was a reminder of how fragmented the small Christian communities are in Eastern Europe. Come to think of it, I guess we have that problem in the US also! I am always saying that if churches would just "play nicely together" that we could accomplish so much more. I guess it is more obvious in Croatia and other countries where there are perhaps just a few hundred evangelical Christians in the entire country. Judy showed us around town and took us to a festival in the city center. She showed us a flyer that said that for all who attended this festival their venial sins would be forgiven. There is a huge mix of tradition and truth in the Croatian culture. It often makes it hard to share the solid truth of the gospel. On our way back to Slovenia we stopped at the village of Beltinci. There is a gypsy family that lives here that goes to the church in Murska Sobota - the town in which we have lived and worked. Slovenia, like most of eastern Europe, discriminates against the gypsies. They live in their own communities, each being governed by a "king." The church in Murska Sobota has been doing outreach with the gypsies. It is truly a way to show the love of Jesus to a forgotten people. We have been part of some of these outreaches over the years. Several families now serve Christ and are active in the church. In fact, one of the young men attends the Bible college in Croatia. It is exciting to see the gospel being introduced to this "culture within a culture". And speaking of culture, we attended the International Folklore Festival in this village. What fun!!! I ate (yes, I really did) a fish for dinner that still had his tail and eyes attached. There were booths all around that were selling local delicacies. I must admit I enjoyed my dessert a little more - kind of like a cream cheese pizza - yum!!! Groups had come from Poland, Croatia, Czech and other countries to sing and play their traditional music. I wish I could capture the crowds, the fun and the atmosphere in my writing. Words seem so inadequate to describe all I took in.

7/29 Today is Sunday, and it was a great day in church. Alen, a former drug addict who we have worked with over the years delivered the sermon, as the pastor is out of town. He did a great job (as translated to me by my friend) and is certainly becoming a capable leader. After that it was coffee at the Hotel Diana with a few ladies from the church, including one lady who is a paraplegic who just had attended church for the first time! She is eager to embrace her new life in Christ. This church is serious about sharing the gospel with ALL they meet! Anita was led to the Lord by some ladies from the church just a few days before. Then it was on to ice cream with some friends - and all this before lunch at a vineyard with Mirjam and Arpi. I relished calamari with lots of garlic sauce, and of course the french fries that come with every meal. I mostly loved having conversations about what God is doing in the church here and in the lives of those we know and love. As if we hadn't eaten enough, it was back home to Karalee's to make enchiladas for Alen and Lila for dinner! Please pray for this couple and their children. Alen is in Bible school in Ireland. It is a huge financial stretch for them - really a journey of faith alone! Yet they know this is what God has called them to do. I am again reminded of the different economic views in countries where poverty is a way of life. The unemployment rate in Slovenia is huge. Very few of our national friends have regular income. Yet they are quick to invite friends over for a meal or coffee, and somehow they get by.

7/30 I am eating my way through Slovenia! We visited one of Karalee's neighbors and enjoyed palachinkas (eastern European pancakes), then it was on to coffee with a lady from the church, more coffee with another friend, followed by lunch with an old friend who works with Child Evangelism Fellowship. When I first met her she was a waitress at the local hotel. In faith she quit her job and now works full time sharing the gospel with children in the area. Two hours later we were eating dinner with Mate and Sabina, a young couple we have known for years. AARG!! I will look like a stuffed pig when I teach at conference. Oh well, all in the name of connecting with people!! I have distributed almost all the gifts I brought - with a few more to deliver tomorrow. Most of all it has been amazing to remember how God is working around the world! We are ALL blessed to be part of what He is doing - in the US and Europe.

7/31 With tears and sadness I said goodbye to my friends in Murska Sobota and boarded a train for Sopron Hungary. As always, I prayed for alertness so I wouldn't miss the stops and transfers I needed. I always envision myself ending up far from where I wanted to be! Fortunately, I didn't take any detours this time! As we sped (hmm, Hungarian trains really don't speed, so maybe I should say lumbered) through the countryside I recalled so many trips over the years with similar scenery - tumble down houses with thatched roofs, half finished houses - habitable, waiting interminably for the owner to scrape together a few more forint (the monetary form in Hungary) to continue construction. Gardens that provide their owners with food, old women working away in those gardens - pausing to look up with a toothless smile as the train passes. Beautiful lush forests that break up the monotony of the small villages. Oh the stories that these villagers could tell! In the train there is a lively discussion going on between people sitting on all sides of me! Wish I could understand and chime in, but I stayed glued to my book with my ears open to the sounds, trying to guess the direction of their conversation. Before long the bustling city of Sopron came into view. Here there is a modern train station - at least by Eastern European standards. There is actually a building instead of just a bench! The conductor noticed my bewildered look and directed me to the walkway. Down 2 flights of stairs carrying my suitcase and then back up again! This is why we travel light!! I found the ATM, got some forint, secured a taxi and was off to the hotel where the Greater Europe Mission conference was being held.

8/1 Tonight the leadership conference will begin. Here I am feeling very inadequate for this big responsibility. How do I get myself into these things - or really I should say how does God get me into these things! Yet again I will trust Him - 2 Corinthians 3:5 - not that we are adequate . . . but our adequacy is from God. I've done my part by preparing, studying and planning. I believe that He will do His part by giving me wisdom, discernment and the ability to keep my wits about me in the presence of all these capable mission leaders whom I respect as I lead these sessions.

8/4 Whew! The hard part is over. The conference went well and I DO give God the glory! I love the exchange of ideas that flows in great discussions, and we had plenty of those!! Now for the fun part for me - connecting with women who need a little encouragement, a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear. That is how I will spend the next few days - keeping my heart open to the opportunities God brings my way.

8/7 Back home!! I always have such mixed feelings. I am happy to see my family, although Joel has left for college while I was gone. I still feel such a tug for ministry in Europe. I feel blessed to have had 2 precious weeks there and to have invested myself as God led. But I wonder if this is the right place for us? Will there ever be a time when God releases us to live in Europe full time?? I know we are in the right place for now, even though my heart is in Europe. As my body fights jet lag my soul readjusts to life in the US. As I flew over the alps this morning I was reminded of God's greatness. These mountains are absolutely spectacular - especially from the air. I have to believe that the God who formed these mountains is also at work in every detail of my life. And I am thankful to serve Him - on whatever continent it may be.

Europe Trip - August 2006

August 5th -- I am here safely - thanks to all the prayers!! I had a nice flight from Cincinnati to Paris. Sat next to a Bulgarian girl who is studying in the US. We had a great conversation the last hour of the flight and had an opportunity to share with her about showing God's love to those in need and why missionaries are called to do this. I barely made my flight between Paris and Vienna. It was scheduled with only 45 minutes in between. The Paris flight was late. Customs takes forever and the terminals were on opposite sides of the airport. I think I covered over a mile of FAST walking in less than 15 minutes! It felt good to get some exercise after sitting for 6 hours on the plane, but the stress nearly killed me!!! I slipped on the plane at the last moment. Whew!
The good news is that I was sitting next to a nice couple who live in Vienna and speak English. I asked them how to get from the airport to the train station. They didn't know, but promised to ask for me when we got off the plane. True to their word, the got the scoop for me! After a short bus ride I was in the Sud Banhof ready to board a train to Graz. I was hoping to catch 40 winks as I hadn't slept in over 24 hours. But, God had another plan for me! There was an older man who sat in my train compartment that also spoke English well. We had a great conversation about spiritual matters. He also gave me a running commentary on what we were seeing out the window of the train, as he had grown up in this region. It was quite interesting!!
At last I arrived in Graz and met my friends! We had a joyful reunion. I love my friend's fiance. As I entered her parent’s house (also friends of mine) some other friends were waiting to give her a surprise engagement party. Then we were off to church where I taught a girl's Bible study. I actually thought I was just attending the study, but Mirjam asked me to teach as we were going there. You know what they say - missionaries need to be ready to preach (or teach) pray or die at any moment. God somehow allowed me to function despite the sleep deprivation.
Today we went to church. Later we will go to a picnic in a nearby town where Joze and Nada are planting a church. I have lots of friends to catch up with in the next few days.

August 12th -- Just finishing up my time facilitating a leadership conference for our GEM leadership. What a humbling experience! There are so many competent people serving the Lord with GEM. We had an awesome time of sharing and learning together. I continue to be amazed at how God is working in Europe. So many of the Europeans really feel they have "outgrown" religion and see no need to consider that God exists and wants to touch their lives. They join church just to have a patron saint so they have one more reason for a party on their saint's day. The thought of God actually being part of their everyday lives is totally foreign to them. So here come our missionaries. Patiently and prayerfully modeling a life lived for God. They join with the national Christians (which is less than 1% in most Europeans countries) and seek to bring light to this dark continent. Our missionaries are educated, diligent commited believers who are challenged with raising support, dealing with internal strife that inevitably comes in the national churches, raising kids in a cross-cultural experience and trying to maintain a spiritual walk in spite of discouragement. Do Pray for them!! For me personally this time has been as close to heaven as I will get on earth!! Someone to cook for me and make my bed each morning (staying in a hotel), hours of time over meals and in the evenings to listen to the hearts of missionaries in Europe - and share some of my own heart also! I am such a "people person" in every way. I love that God has given me a ministry that allows me to use my gifts to the fullest!!

September/October Update

Dear Friends,

Fall is in full swing here in Colorado! While I know many of you in AZ are still sweating, we are breaking out the sweatshirts! We are also thanking God for a full and wonderful summer of ministry with GEM. We had Candidate Orientations, Euroquest, Home Ministry Welcomes, missionaries in and out of our home as we counseled and encouraged them, and Rick continuing to do Lifeplans and leadership development. We also had some great family time with our boys and extended family.

On August 4th, I (Cathy) left for Europe for GEM's annual conference. Finances prevented us both from going this year. Rick had been to Europe several times in 2006. I had been invited to co-facilitate a 4 day leadership seminar for GEM leaders. SO, I represented the Roberts' family this year! I was blessed to be able to spend a few days in Slovenia with our dear friends Joze, Nada and Mirjam Casar. It was great to catch up with those dear Slovenes whose lives have entwined with ours over the years. I was also able to wear my "member care" hat and spend some time with a single GEM missionary who serves there. They put me to work right away - leading a study for young women less than 2 hours after I arrived! The rest of the time there was a whirlwind of coffees, picnics, church services, counseling, serving and just taking in the joy of seeing God work. After 4 full days, I boarded a train and was off to Hungary. The joy of seeing so many of the missionaries we have worked with over the years is indescribable. It was also an amazing blessing to be able to co-facilitate the leadership conference. I am thankful for all the amazing people that God has blessed GEM with - people who are smart, hardworking and love the Europeans whom they serve. For more details on the trip you can visit our blog at www.greatereuropemission.blogspot.com I have had trouble loading pics, but may have it figured out by the time you visit!

September and October hold Home Ministry Welcome, further training for Rick in the Birkman (which we use for a variety of counseling and training purposes), women's ministry at the church for me, and leading a women's retreat for a local church. Joel is settled in at Azusa and adjusting to his busy schedule - with 3 science classes and labs. Aaron decided not to play football this fall and we are loving having him around a little more! He is playing baseball and active in choir, as well as helping with AWANAS at church.

Please pray for my mother, Carol, who is experiencing some health problems. We are also dealing with missionaries who are struggling with depression and marital issues. The enemy is definitely at work, but God is also at work around the world. Your prayers DO make a difference. Many of you prayed last year for a family in Kosova who minister alongside our GEM missionaries there -- Shemisija and her daughter Rinessa. We are delighted to report that Rinessa will not have to have heart surgery after all - a real answer to prayer!! This Kosovar family barely survives the financial hardship of having a child with Downs Syndrome, so do keep praying for them. We appreciate you so very much!

Joyfully,

Rick and Cathy Roberts

November Update

Dear Friends,

Thanksgiving is almost upon us. As we reflect on our blessings this year they are so numerous. Although we have had our share of rough spots, we continue to see God working through the celebrations and challenges of
our lives.

Thank you so much for your prayers for the trip I took to Germany last month. God worked in so many amazing ways! The first was through the provision of the women of our church, Tri-Lakes Chapel. These women generously gave sponsorships to the women in Europe who were hoping to attend the retreat, thus making it financially possible for them to take
part in this event. In addition, they donated over 700 pounds of items to encourage these women in Europe. Most of those attending the retreat were missionaries from a variety of organizations. Tears came to their eyes as they saw the goodie bags sent to them by their sponsors. There was canned pumpkin for Thanksgiving pies, chocolate chips for baking, pudding mix, Crest toothpaste, magazines in English, and notes of encouragement and other surprises. These were simple gifts that meant more than we who live in the US could ever imagine. For many of these women, this was their first women's retreat ever! We laughed, cried, prayed, played games, made jewelry, decorated tote bags, hiked and bonded together as sisters in Christ. The team of women I took from my church each filled a significant role as we served together. My role was as the "mouthpiece" of the group. I spoke six times during the week - at the retreat, at an outreach event sponsored by a German-speaking church, andat an appreciation luncheon given in honor of the staff who work at a boarding school for missionary children. I'm sure I also spoke more than my share in casual conversation, as I was filled with delight at being able to share my "mission world" with my co-laborers in women's ministry at my church. So many times we sensed that only through prayer were we being upheld as we went from morning to night doing service projects, meeting and encouraging mission women and experiencing just a taste of what it is like to live in a foreign culture for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel. Thank you for being part of this incredible work!! Through your prayers women were blessed and God was glorified.

Rick has been busy also! Our fall Home Ministry Welcome (missionaries back for rest) went well. Rick led seminars, we met with couples and encouraged them in their work. Rick also has a new addition to his job responsibilities. His department is reorganizing and he is adding leadership development responsibilities to his plate. We'll still work with member care and family ministry. He had an opportunity to take our Europe Leadership Team through the Birkman Profile - a leadership and team building tool. The mission leaders are excited for him to use this with other groups within GEM. Rick is excited because he loves doing things like this. He is hoping to move more into hands on ministry and less administration in 2006. Please join us in prayer that God will truly give direction in this. We love working for Greater Europe Mission and want to use our gifts and abilities to serve the mission and the kingdom of God.

On the home front, the boys are doing well. Joel is busy with the end of college rush. Pray for him, as he is getting sick and has concerts, papers, etc coming up. Aaron ended his football season in one piece and is already starting to practice for baseball. We will be spending Thanksgiving in AZ this year with my family. For those of you in AZ -- on Friday November 25th we'll be having an open house at Bethany Community Church's mission's house - 823 W. Pecos Ave in Mesa (Pecos is just south of Guadalupe off Alma School) from 4-7. Come by and see us!!

Praying that you will have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Rick and Cathy

September Update

Dear friends,

Hope this finds each of you doing well and enjoying fall - unless you live in AZ, where it is still 110! The Roberts' family is doing well. Joel loves Azusa. Thanks for your prayers for him! Aaron is realizing that it isn't so bad to be an only child! Rick and I are just glad that all the college choosing, packing, etc is over for awhile!

We had a great time of ministry in Hungary in August. It is so good for us to be with our field missionaries. We were able to meet with dozens of people - encouraging, catching up, praying, equipping and sharing. I am always reminded how much missionaries need prayer for their families. There is so much spiritual warfare in Europe and around the world. I believe that missionaries, pastors and those serving in full time ministry are especially vulnerable. The enemy would love to discourage and discredit us. Thanks for lifting us up!

September will bring a short trip for me to AZ. My mom will have minor surgery and I am going to be with her for a few days. Rick will be busy with our missionaries here the week of September 19-23 for Home Ministry Welcome. I will be taking a team to Germany October 16-24 to do a retreat for an international church. Please pray that God will bring the women who need encouraging - and that our team will encourage them!

We appreciate your prayers for our dear friend Margene. She is holding her own! She was able to go to Budapest and was a blessing to many there.

My sister is helping with relief efforts for hurricane Katrina. If you are looking for a place to get involved you can e-mail her at arizonaadoptafamily@cox.net

May God bless you richly this fall!

Rick and Cathy

August Update

Dear Friends,

Contrary to popular belief, the Roberts didn't fall off the end of the earth! We have been without our home computer (and our e-mail database) since June 2nd. It seems unthinkable that we could go for two months without a computer, but looking back, it was really a blessing. I (Cathy) was not tempted to work from home at night, thus allowing me to concentrate more on the family. Aaron was not tempted to spend hours on Instant Messenger, thus making him more available for family time. And who knows how much money we saved because Rick could not surf e-bay!! So once again, God has turned a frustration into a blessing!

We have had a busy summer with our GEM ministry. In June we had our Candidate Orientation . What a wonderful group of potential missionaries who are committed to serving God overseas. We were involved in evaluation and training as they spent a week in Colorado. Following Candidate Orientation we had a week with missionaries on home assignment, helping them to debrief from their overseas experiences and prepare to return to the field. We had missionaries staying with us off and on and met with a number of current and potential missionaries for encouragement and resourcing. I also have been involved in training a team that will teach English in Morocco in October. In the midst of our mission work I continue to work part time at the church and Rick found time for community involvement as he helped coach the JV baseball team at the high school. SO, as you can see, we have had a busy summer! The summer isn't over for us yet, as we leave tomorrow for GEM's annual conference in Budapest Hungary. Please pray for us as we counsel, encourage, listen and equip our GEM missionaries. It's hard for us - especially me - to leave so close to Joel's departure for college, but we know this is where God wants us for these two weeks (August 2-12). If you could also pray for protection for our boys while we are gone we would appreciate it! Rick's sister will be here for most of the time we are gone, but they will have more unsupervised time than if we were home.

Joel has been diligently working two jobs this summer and has almost met his financial goals for college! We are so excited for him as he takes this next step. Rick will take him to Azusa Pacific at the end of the month. Aaron had a great summer season in baseball and has worked part-time umpiring and doing home improvement projects. We were able to make a very quick trip to AZ for my mom's birthday - just in time for the heat wave that many of you are experiencing!

We thank God for His provision for us. In the last months the balance in our support account has stabilized somewhat. Thanks to so many of you who give so faithfully. We appreciate you who pray for us also. The spiritual resources to do ministry are equally as important.

Please continue to pray for our dear friend Margene and her family. She continues to work in member care despite the advanced stage of her cancer. Pray especially that she will be able to stay healthy as she ministers alongside us in Budapest for the next two weeks.

It is so good to be back in touch!!! We thank God for each of you and treasure your prayers.

Cathy and Rick