Many leaders fail to passionately celebrate the accomplished goals of their team or business or church. It seems that they are never satisfied and are focused on the minor flaws rather than exuberantly enjoying the positive advances with the team. Too many leaders lack the passion that inspires others to invest fully for the vision of the organizaton.

1. Leadership is sometimes shaking the opposing coach’s hand too hard.
2. Leadership is cheering every baptism.
3. Leadership is crying at weddings.
4. Leadership is getting donuts and coffee for the set-up team.
5. Leadership is getting on your knees to look a child in the eyes.
6. Leadership is celebrating a church launch.
7. Leadership is sending a timely card of thanks for a job well done.
8. Leadership is dying for the good of others.
9. Leadership is running to the empty tomb to see for yourself.
10. Leadership is restoring discouraged men back into ministry after denying Christ 3 times.
11. Leadership is leaving your disciples with a task so compelling and so enormous that it is taking over 2,000 years to accomplish.
12. Leadership is doing things that not everyone understands.

Lead with passion and celebrate with your team–even if you occasionally over celebrate.

Love it!  Read more here.

We hope that you’re summer is going well!  Our latest newsletter is here (or see below for a text-only version).  Thanks for your prayers and partnership!

Also, check out some new music – http://songsfortheoppressed.org/ – for a great cause.  Use partner code US1332, and $5 of the proceeds go our ministry here in Athens!  Thanks!

By God’s Grace -
Brett, Kristin, Sofia, & Emma

Loving the Overlooked – Summer 2011

Summer in the City: Summer presents a number of unique ministry opportunities here in Athens.  Camps.  We sent nearly 30 refugee children to Kalamos – the summer camp of the Greek Evangelical Church.  “N” – an Afghan teenage boy – told me that it was the best week of his life!  He loved the sports and games, but also wants to get involved in one of the local church youth groups, so that he can continue to study the Bible.  “N” wants to know Jesus, and camp introduced him to a safe community where he can learn and grow.  Family Days.  Summer in Athens is synonymous with the beach.  Over the summer months, we organize a “family beach day” at least once a month.  The women talk under the shade of umbrellas, while the children play and wrestle in the water.  This relaxed environment allows relational roots to deepen and gospel-conversations to blossom!  Bible Studies. Our Saturday Bible study is filled to capacity and most of our teammates are engaged in 1on1 studies.  Many of our refugee friends are asking spiritual questions.  They want to know what is True.  God is at work!  Please continue to pray!

Rising Tensions: As the number of immigrants rise and the economy sputters, there is a growing tension in Athens regarding immigrants and refugees.  While we have found Greeks in general to be very hospitable, extreme nationalistic groups have found a niche in the uncertainty and fear swirling around some inner-city neighborhoods.  While the problems in these “immigrant ghettos” are many, violence does nothing to solve these serious issues. Many of our refugee friends face the daily threat of violence at the hands of racist groups.  This article explores these disturbing trends.
Please pray for our refugee friends and our beloved (albeit adopted) city!  Pray for safety and peace.  Pray that evil is destroyed and God’s justice is made clear.  Pray that Jesus is lifted up in every neighborhood!

RAMADAN – Join us in praying for our Muslim friends during this month of fasting in the Islamic calendar.  Pray that many would find Jesus.  More info here!

NEW LIFE – Three Afghans were baptized earlier this spring.  Four Iranian men will be baptized on Friday.  And there’s still more to come!  Praise God!

SWITZERLAND – Next week we will travel into Europe for a gathering of International Teams missionaries.  Pray for safety, encouragement, and growth!

First, we’ve been overwhelmed by God’s grace and provision.  As we reflect a bit on 2010, we are so thankful for your support and partnership in ministry and life.  Really, thank you!   We’d love if you’d consider supporting us with a special year-end gift.  It’s not too late.  Your support would be a huge help to us as we prepare to start 2011 strong!

Give securely online here (via credit card or online banking) – https://wwws.iteams.org/us/ (simply designate your gift to “Brett & Kristin Sanner”)

or

Send a check to International Teams; 411 W. River Rd; Elgin, IL 60123 (make checks out to “International Teams,” and include a separate note that designates your gift to “Brett & Kristin Sanner”)

Second, I wanted to pass along these “questions to ask for reviewing 2010.”  Very helpful.  Credit to Brad Lomenick:

Year End Review Questions:

1. What are the 2-3 themes that personally defined 2010 for me?

2. What people, books, accomplishments, or special moments created highlights in 2010?

3. Give yourself a grade from 1-10 in the following areas of focus for 2010: vocationally, spiritually, family, relationally, emotionally, financially, physically, recreationally.

4. What am i working on that is BIG for 2011 and beyond?

5. As I move into 2011, is a majority of my energy being spent on things that drain me or things that energize me?

6. How am I preparing for 10 years from now? 20 years from now?

7. What 2-3 things have I been putting off that I need to execute on before the end of the year?

Happy New Year!! Thanks for being a part of our lives and ministry.

1 – Back in April I made a commitment: lose 30 pounds by my 30th birthday.  I’m happy to report that I made my goal! After our furlough in the US (aka, Candyland), I was tipping the scales at 215 lbs, as of Sunday morning I weighed in at 185 lbs.  I can tell the difference in my physique, energy levels, and general athleticism.

2 – Sunday morning Kristin and I ran in a 10k race around Athens.  The 10k shared its course (in part) with the Athens Classic Marathon, which was honoring the 2500 anniversary of the battle of Marathon.  A beautiful day for a run!

3 – In the afternoon, the girls went on a candy hunt around the living room.  Since there’s no Halloween in Greece – and therefore no trick-or-treating – this was the next best thing!  Sofia was a bumblebee.  Emma was either a princess or ballerina – or some hybrid of the two (I could never quite figure that one out).  Sofia doesn’t get too much candy… so she especially enjoyed the abundance of the sweet stuff.

4 – We topped the day off with a delicious kabob dinner with friends: some of my favorite food; some of my best friends!  We headed back to the house for some cake and some very mild ruckus-raising.

I even have pictures to corroborate my story.  Enjoy!

First, our 10k.

Next, a Halloween candy hunt!

Later, dinner and cake with friends.

I saw a quote from Mark Twain earlier this week: “Most men die at 27; we just bury them at 72.”  It’s a sad commentary on our culture and approach to life.  However, as I look at my life, I am excited to say that I’m not dead.  I have more dreams, more excitement, more anticipation for tomorrow than ever before!   In so many ways, I feel like I’m just waking up to the dreams and passions that God has given me!

2 – You may remember a pledge that I made 6 1/2 months ago: to lose thirty pounds before my thirtieth birthday.  Well, as noted above, Sunday is my birthday… and I’m feeling good about my commitment.  I need to lose 2 pounds this week.  Shouldn’t be a problem.  But, once my birthday comes, I face two bigger challenges: One, keeping the weight off!  Two, this 10k road race!  As legend has it, this is the 2500 year anniversary of the first marathon.  We’re not running the marathon to celebrate, but Kristin and I will be trying our hand at its “little buddy” 10k.  Wow… I’m not ready… I should go run!

3 – I’ve shared how overwhelmed our ministry has been over the last month.  So many new migrants and asylum seekers.  Everyday we see dozens of new faces (primarily Afghans).  This is a national crisis.  A few relevant news stories this week: First, after some closed-door negotiations, Turkey has agreed to help Greece stem the flow of migrants over their shared border (see story here).  Second, the EU will deploy its “Rapid Border Intervention Teams” to help Greece to patrol its border with Turkey (see story here).  Pray for justice.  Pray for mercy.  Pray for hope.

4 – As you know, many refugees live in parks around Athens.  We’re not able to meet every need; but this weekend we were able to give 66 sleeping bags to refugee.  Praise God for His provision!  And thanks for your support and partnership… it’s inspiring to watch God provide through your generosity!!

1 – As I think about my childhood in America, I think about Mario, Megaman, Link, and the entire cast of Nintendo characters.  If this was a part of your childhood, you might like this “Super Mario Bros. Crossover” game.  Enjoy!

2 – America, as we know, is a nation of immigrants.  Here’s a great article from the NYT on how immigration has changed over the last 100 years.  Five differences emerge: (1) it’s global – everybody is going everywhere; (2) the money – last year migrants sent home $317 billion, propping up dozens of national economies; (3) immigration is no long a boys game – nearly half of immigrants are now women; (4) technology – webcams and satellite TV – connects immigrants to their homelands like never before; (5) the expectation of government control – establishing controls that were not even imaginable 100 years ago.

3 – Finally, a patriotic pic from our celebration on the 4th:

Even as missionaries, I couldn’t imagine our time here in Athens without Skype, our blog or Facebook.  However, while it opens many doors, technology can also make missions more challenging.  Here’s a recent blog post on the subject of technology and missions that pushed me and challenged me:

I just read a very helpful interview of missions expert Paul Borthwick on the future of short-term missions. What stood out to me most was what he said regarding technology and missions.

After showing that today’s modern technology can, in a very positive way, allow “short-term teams [to] come back with more ability to stay in touch with the people they served alongside of,” he goes on to share one of the primary hindrances of modern technology to missions:

“Unfortunately, technology can also have a negative impact. It’s getting increasingly difficult for Westerners to be emotionally present where they’re serving. Rather than becoming culturally immersed, they go out during the day and do ministry, but come back at night to check their Facebook pages and update their blogs. They don’t become part of the local culture because technology is keeping them connected to home.”

It’s the part about not becoming part of the local culture that worries me most! If you don’t become immersed in the culture and learn the language and customs of the people you are trying to reach, then you will not likely bear much fruit.

With the easy access to the internet that most missionaries today enjoy, it is very difficult to “disengage” from our native culture (which we access daily online), and to purposefully engage with our new adopted culture. But engage we must, for the purpose of making Christ known among the unreached people that surround us!

*Reconnecting with refugee friends.  It’s been great to catch up with the people we do life with here: the guys I’ve been discipling; the families we hang out with; the refugees we love on (and who love on us!).

*Reconnecting with teammates. We’ve had a few teammates over (whether for a meal or just chatting) in the last week; it’s been great!  In addition, I just love to serve side-by-side in the trenches.  Meals are great; coffee is wonderful; but nothing brings people together like serving together!

*The city of Athens. While some people may balk at this thought, we really missed the city of Athens.  It’s not perfect – not by any stretch of the imagination – but it’s grown on us: the smell of the orange trees budding, the excitement of weaving in and out of traffic on a motorcycle, the warming sunshine.  It’s great to be back!

*Leadership.  I still have so much to learn, but God has been affirming His gift of leadership in my life over the past months.  Patently and gracious, through bumps and bruises, God is forming me into a leader.  I pray that I will be a faithful steward of the opportunities that He gives.  And along the way, I’m loving the journey (it’s a constant adventure; and I’m constantly learning).

So, it begins today.  We kicked things off last night with a brownie indulgence, and now we’re ready to get serious.  We’ll keep you updated!

10 Ways to Encourage a Missionary

In an effort to learn how we can best encourage missionaries, I emailed some and asked how they would most like to be served and encouraged. This list is drawn from their responses, including many direct quotes.

1. Pray for them and let them know that you are doing so frequently.

2. Send “real mail.”

3. Pray for the people the missionaries serve and not only for the missionaries and their families.

4. Recruit others to pray for the missionary’s area of service (city, people group, etc.) or for the missionaries themselves.

5. Go visit them with the purpose of serving and encouraging them in their work.

6. Send them updates and pictures of you and your family (by mail or email).

7. Ask questions about their work.

8. Continue to be a Christian friend and continue to minister to them.

9. Support them financially.

10. Seek to encourage them when they are on stateside assignment.

Read the entire post (with explanations of each point) here.  Thanks for all your encouragement – we need it and appreciate it!