First, I’ve added a “sermons” page, where I can add audio from messages at churches here in Greece or back in the States.  Right now there are just four sermons up, but I hope to keep adding.  Click HERE to check out the “sermons” page.

Second, you can now subscribe to the blog via email.  How does it work?  When we post something new on the blog, you’ll automatically receive it (text, pictures, and all) in your inbox!  What could be better?!  Well, okay, we could all probably think of a few things that are better… but if you don’t find the idea offensive, simply enter your email address in “email subscription” box to the right —–>

Third, in case you missed them, here are a few popular posts from Oct-Dec.

• Christmas Outreach Parties 2011!  Intro – Update 1 – Update 2 – Update 3
• Sleeping Bag Project.  Part 1 – Part 2
• Kingdom Beyond Borders Book.  Part 1 – Part 2
• Newsletters. October – November

Finally, this is a great time for year-end gifts.  With another baby on the way, your support is MUCH APPRECIATED!!  There are several ways to give:

By Mail: Send your gift to “International Teams; 411 W. River Rd.; Elgin, IL 60123.”  Make checks payable to “International Teams,” but attach a note indicating that you wish the gift to be designated “towards the ministry of Brett & Kristin Sanner in Athens.”  Also include your address, phone/email, and whether this is a monthly or occasional gift.

Online: Follow this link to give a one-time gift by means of credit card (Master Card/Visa).  Simply designate your gift “towards the ministry of Brett & Kristin in Athens” in the box labeled “Where to give.”

Automatic Withdrawal: Follow this link to learn more about giving by Electronic Funds Transfer, a monthly withdrawal from a checking or savings account.

Many thanks, much love, and merry Christmas!!  

Of course, I’m thankful for a lot: God’s grace and faithfulness, an amazing wife, two wonderful kids (plus one on the way), an all-star group of teammates, and much more!  This morning, however, my mind is on something a bit simpler: sleeping bags.  As you may remember, about five weeks ago, I asked for help purchasing sleeping bags for homeless refugees here (see previous post).

I’m so thankful for God’s provision and your partnership (maybe I should say, God’s provision through your partnership)!  Several blog readers and Facebook friends gave generously.  Thank you!  We’ve already handed out 100 sleeping bags, and are making plans to give another 100 bags in the next few weeks.

Nearly twenty of these sleeping bags went to a group of Afghan and Iranian refugees sleeping on the roof of an abandoned theater near one of the main parks in Athens.  They slept in groups of two or three, embracing to stay warm, covering themselves with whatever they could find that might help keep the cold out (blankets, cardboard, stray fabrics, newspapers).  In the name of Jesus, these sleeping bags were tangible witnesses of God’s love; a needed reminder that God has not forgotten these young men.  The gift of these sleeping bags is a perfect compliment to our team’s ongoing witness with these refugees.  I am thankful.

Our team also distributed almost 50 sleeping bags to (mostly Afghan) refugees sleeping in and around the port city of Patra (see here and here for some context).  The needs in Patra are great, and we are thankful to work alongside our brothers and sisters from the Greek Free Evangelical Church of Patra.  I am thankful.

Again, thanks!!  Your generosity has opened the door for a deep and meaningful witness to the power and love of God in Jesus.  Your partnership in this ministry means so much.  Thank you!

I don’t mean to stress you out… but Christmas is just around the corner! 

Christmas is a strategic time of ministry here, as many, many refugees are asking questions about the holiday: Why do you celebrate Christmas?  Who is Jesus?  How can you believe that God would become a man, even a baby?  Why would God do this?  In the past, we’ve seen God use the Christmas season to draw refugees to Himself!  And I’m looking forward to Christmas this year with great anticipation!

However, to get right to it: we need your help!  As you might have heard, life in Greece is FULL of uncertainty – political, economic, and more.  The generosity of our international partners (churches, small groups, individuals) will be key this year!  Please considering supporting this year’s Christmas outreaches (see below for information on how to support).  Here’s a note from our Greek director:

Dear partners in God’s wonderful ministry among the refugees in Athens,

On that night when Jesus was born, a great company of the heavenly host appeared, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest.”  Peace is what the whole world needs! Peace is what the refugees need too! Every Christmas season, with your prayers and financial support, we reach out to refugees with special programs talking about the source of real peace – Jesus Christ our Lord. And we have seen God, again and again, saving people and giving the true peace they were after. Like “G” – an Afghan – who fled his homeland long ago. It was in India, nearly nine years ago, that “G” first heart the gospel. Now in Athens, “G” decided to follow Jesus. This is no small decision. “G” is risking his family, his friends, even his own safety to follow Jesus. What can compel such a risk? Love. Through Jesus, “G” understood the love of God – a love that is worth everything.

For men and women like “G” who are thirsty for the truth of life, the cost and labor it takes to organize the Christmas parties is a worthy investment as hundreds of refugees are given the opportunity to hear about Jesus Christ, the source of salvation and of true peace.

Although the economic situation is very difficult everywhere – including Greece – by faith and in partnership with several local churches, we are planning to organize 5 Christmas dinner parties with 120 guests each night for a total of 600 guests. We believe that God will provide!

Each Christmas Dinner will include:

• A specially prepared Christmas meal
• A Christmas gospel message
• Small and practical presents for adults
• And gifts for the children too
  The cost of these Christmas outreaches is about €40 ($60) per person.

In addition, we want to provide refugees with sleeping bags, which are desperately needed in winter. Your gift will help provide these sleeping bags.

Would you stand with us? We need you and are asking you to pray that the Lord will provide, protect, and save refugees this Christmas season.

We are leaving you to Him who is able to keep you from falling and praying that the grace and peace of God our father and of our Lord Jesus Christ fill you daily.

With love and thankfulness to God for each of you,

Nikos Stefanidis

Would you pray for these Christmas outreaches?  Pray for safety, pray for fun, but more than anything, pray for the transforming power of God to be at work! Pray that this would be a defining season in the lives of many refugees.  Pray that they could say, “Christmas of 2011, God changed my heart; this is the time that I chose to follow Jesus!”

Would you give generously to help us cover the costs of these outreaches?  If you have a US credit card or banking account, you can give online HERE.  Designate your gift for “Helping Hands – Christmas Outreach.”

Otherwise, please send a check to one of the addresses below, with a note designating your gift to “Helping Hands – Christmas Outreach.”

International Teams – USA; 411 W. River Rd.; Elgin, IL 60123, USA

International Teams – UK; PO Box 11; Brecon, Powys, Wales, LD3 9WJ, UK

International Teams – Australia; PO Box 1123; Baulkham Hills, NSW 1755, Australia

International Teams – Canada; 1 Union Street; Elmira, Ontario N3B 3J9, Canada

Great music from Aaron Niequist, Becky Johnson (fellow NPU grad!), The Brilliance, and many more!  Great cause: the money supports the ministries of International Teams around the world.  And specifically, $5 of every sale go directly to us (that’s right, directly to our ministry account), if you use our “partner code” (US1332) when you check out!  That’s a “win-win-win,” to quote Michael Scott.

Click here to buy.  Digital downloads (MP3) are $12.  CDs go for $15.  Either way, $5 goes towards our ministry here (just remember to use “partner code” US1332).   Get exposed to some new music, and show some love along the way!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As the summer is approaching, may the Lord bless you in every way and to make you a blessing to many for His glory.

Some time ago I read a devotional thought which I want to share with you. “’When David was a refugee in the desert of Ziph… Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God’ (1 Samuel 23:16).  Actually, Jonathan went out to find him and encourage him. He could not meet all of David’s needs or solve all of his problems, but he could offer friendship, presence and prayer.”

This is what we, at Helping Hands, with your prayers and support, are trying to do for the refugees who have so many needs. We try to offer some food, clothing, medical help, shelter, showers and above all friendship and prayer that the Lord will intervene and open their eyes to know Jesus as their personal savior and to help them for their physical needs as well.

As we serve the Lord by serving the refugees each week at the Athens Refugee Center, we are also in the midst of planning and preparing for a great summer of outreach and discipleship. We’ll partner with two separate camps in order to serve and love refugee men, women and children. We will have the following outreaches:

I. With Hellenic Ministries, we will organize two camps, providing several staff members and helping cover the basic costs of the week.
1. June 6-10, a week of camp for single men
2. June 13-17, a week of camp for families
Helping Hands is seeking to contribute €1000 Euros (1500 USD) to help cover the costs of these two weeks of camp.

II. We will send about 25 Greek-speaking refugee children for 20 days to the Christian camp of the Greek Evangelical Church in the village of Kalamos, just outside of Athens. The cost is estimated for at €300 (425 USD) per child for 20 days of camp.  We will need €7,500 (10,000 USD), then, to send kids to this life-changing camp.

Please pray for these camps –that even now, God’s spirit would be at work in the lives of the refugee adults and the children that will attend.
Pray that the Lord will provide the means to cover the cost of these summer programs.

With love and thankfulness to God for each one of you and your prayers

Nikos Stefanidis
Director of Helping Hand

Would you pray for these weeks of camp?  Pray for safety, pray for fun, but more than anything, pray for the transforming power of God to be at work! Pray that this would be a defining week in the lives of these men, families, and kids.  Pray that they could say, “This is the week that God changed my heart; this is the week that I chose to follow Jesus!”

Would you give generously to help us cover the costs of these weeks of camp?  If you have a US credit card or banking account, you can give online HERE.  Designate your gift for “Helping Hands – Summer Camps in Athens.”

Otherwise, please send a check to one of the addresses below, with a note designating your gift to “Helping Hands – Summer Camps in Athens.”

International Teams – USA; 411 W. River Rd.; Elgin, IL 60123, USA

International Teams – UK; PO Box 11; Brecon, Powys, Wales, LD3 9WJ, UK

International Teams – Australia; PO Box 1123; Baulkham Hills, NSW 1755, Australia

International Teams – Canada; 1 Union Street; Elmira, Ontario N3B 3J9, Canada

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.

Download the pdf HERE.

Thanks for your prayers and partnership!  Below are some shots of the ARC in action:

The ARC hosts hundreds of refugees every week!

The ARC also plays host to big outreaches on a regular basis.

The ARC allows us to meet needs, make friendships, and share the hope of Christ.

If you’d like to help us get back to Greece, click HERE to give!

We’d love to ensure that you get one!  Shoot me an email (brett.sanner@iteams.org) with your current mailing address and we’ll make sure that you get your very own (especially if we won’t see you in the Springfield or Chicago area)!

Filed under: Loving the Overlooked Tagged: Contact, Home Assignment, Support ]]> http://lovingtheoverlooked.com/2010/02/03/new-prayer-cards/feed/ 2 bsanner Sanner-2010-4x6PostA-Sample2 http://lovingtheoverlooked.com/2010/01/11/encourage-a-missionary/ http://lovingtheoverlooked.com/2010/01/11/encourage-a-missionary/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:00:42 +0000 Brett & Kristin http://lovingtheoverlooked.com/?p=1361 ]]> Found this post via The Gospel Coalition.  I agree -

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!