Family Visits

Sheila's "Brittish Sister" Betty flew down for a weeks visit. We had an extra bonus when Sheila's Uncle Gary from Linn Mo., and his cousin Harold Schmidt were able to stop in for a few hours also! We had a great family time and we got a chance to explore the area a bit as we "showed them around". The Autum colors were amazing, so we went for a hike in the country and took lots of pictures. Betty has been living in England for 27 years now, so she was a great help teaching me some of the differences in cooking over here. It's a whole new way of doing things. She also brought me some crisco,and chocholate chips which are very expensive here and sometimes hard to get.

It was a surprise to us that family made it here to Kandern Germany before our house hold goods shipment did. It has been stuck in England for over a month now, tied up in customes and who knows what else. But it has now officially cleared customes and is scheduled for delivery on November 16th. We are still praying for it's timely and safe arrival.

We have been doing fine in our appartment without our "stuff". Only because we live in a community that is built on faith........ “Every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Gal. 6:10 (Message)

When we moved into the appartment it was stocked with many of the things we would need. We purchased a few things, borrowed some, and have received gifts of warm clothes, dressers and such from the BFA community. We bought a dryer for 40 Euros and borrow a rolling pin from the downstairs neighbors every Friday so we can continue our tradition of home-made Pizza on Friday nights. We have adapted our Pizza, popcorn, and movie night to game night since we don't have a TV. It has been a great blessing to live in such a communtiy.

Blessings to all, and I hope to add photos soon.
Love in Christ,
The Pogson Family

We're Here! We're Here! We're Here!

Every morning, when I open the rouloten (window shade) in the girls room, I am surprised to see Kandern Germany outside my window. I thank God for the beautiful day He made for us, and for our partners that make it all possible.

The girls are enjoying 1st grade. They just love their teacher Mrs. Schmidt (and so do I). She pays close attention to their spelling and handwritting. They are starting to adjust to their sack lunches; eating competes with playground time and the lunches were loosing out the first few days. They especially like PE with Mr. Pelton (Marty). They have made friends that speak English (from Great Brittan) German, and Sweedish. They still share a room at home and start AWANA next Tuesday. With our dearly loved Jesse Frank!

We have been walking a lot, and it has been wonderful. We live up a pretty good size hill and I buy a few groceries at least once a day. Saves me gym membership fees and allows me to enjoy the German bread and Swiss chocolate as much as I want. We had a couple rainny days though, and I am now a little more motivated to look for a family van.

I can't believe it's already September. Last year after halloween, the girls told me they wanted to dress up as veggie tale charachters. Silly me; I said "sure! I'll have to make the costumes, but we can figure it out.". Now what do I do?!? I only have a needle and a little thread. I don't know if I should call McGuiver or Martha Stewart! I also have some curtains to sew, I guess I'm going to have to buy some more thread, or maybe that hem stuff you just iron on.

We are settling into our new home and our new jobs. We have everything we need and expect to get our shipment from the states in early October. Then we will have more clothes, food, and kitchen things. Brian's job is keeping him busy, he has a lot to get up to speed with, but is already being a great help. I enjoy the low stress of the library job and look forward to getting to know the students better as time goes on.

We have more prayer cards now. If you do not have one, or if yours was blured with the print of our last newsletter, then please let us know. We can send you another one.

Letters and emails are welcome! We would love to hear from you. If you send care packages, keep the cost of the contents below $50. Or we have to pay custome fees in order to get them. Some things we don't have here are: maple syrup, brown sugar, and ranch salad dressing.

Take care, and please let us know if you have prayer requests. May God Bless you and those you Love: Brian, Sheila, and the girls

We're going to Germany!

After a lot of prayer and thought we've decided to go ahead and move to Germany even though we are only at 40% funding for the year. We will be leaving on August 21.

We will self fund for the deficit, however we will be back in the States next summer support raising in the hope that God will provide enough funding for 100% the following year.

It’s just another step of faith as we truly believe that BFA is where God would use us.

We will continue to try and raise support while in Germany as well, so please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Pray for our upcoming transition and our support needs that we still have.

If you feel lead to support us, please review the links on the right side of this page or feel free to contact us by email at bpogson@janzteam.com or by phone for the next week at 408-393-9471.

Also, to partner with us financially please check the following link http://sites.google.com/site/pogsoninfosite/Home/Pledge-AWDForm%28Combined-fillable%29.doc?attredirects=0

Thank You! Thank You, to those of you who have come along side and partnered with us to enable this to happen. Praise GOD! for your faithfulness.

Back in St. Louis

We're back in St. Louis for a while visiting Sheila's sister Barbara (Jeanie).

Finishing up support raising in the hope of being in Germany before the end of August. We are so close I can almost smell the brautwurst.

Adapting to a new culture

No, we are not in Germany yet, Sheila and the kids are in Mid-West-America! The girls are getting some practice in what it’s like to adapt to a new culture. Some of the things they have learned are:

• Some fences have pokey wires on them
• Horses will eat carrots out of your hand
• Alpaca’s are very soft
• The produce isle is in your back yard
• Some bugs light up
• Some roads are made out of small rocks
• Mosquito repellant is worth every penny
• English can sound very different in different places in the US
• Some people have no clocks in their house except for the one on the microwave that is blinking the wrong time

Heather, Jennifer & Hannah

St. Louis, MO

They are adapting to the stress of packing up their lives and driving across the US. I think they are so distracted by all the new adventures; they hardly miss a thing, except Daddy. Brian is in CA working on the partnership building phase of our ministry with plans of driving to WA on Wednesday July 8. August 2nd is just around the corner. We trust that the LORD will provide and His timing is perfect.

Our love and prayers to you all.

Sheila on Moving

The big move:

I wish I had pictures of the move, I had to get these off the Moore’s website. The whole day is a little hazy, but I seem to remember taking some pictures. Brian and I had presentations planned up to the day before the move. It was a little crazy but we made it; thanks to Jim Delongchamp, who helped us pack and my sister Chris who kept the triplets in Sacramento for 4 days. They had a blast by the way.

I just have to put in a good word for Moore’s Executive Movers. As most of you know, my Dad served in the Air Force for 20 years and I served in the Navy for 10 years. So I like to claim I did 30 years in the military. Ha ha …too bad I don’t get that retirement check. Along with that came many moves, some by myself and some with larger professional companies. If I could choose from here on out, I would use Moore’s movers every time. It was the least stressful move I have ever made, even though it was the first time I had to stay up all night packing. We have way too much stuff.

These guys were amazing. They stayed in contact, they delivered boxes and tape, and packing material at low cost and even some at no cost because they are supportive of our ministry. Their estimate was very close despite the fact that we kept changing our minds about what we were going ship or leave behind. The packing crew worked together like family (well… like a family that gets along all the time). I have had some terrible experiences with some movers and these guys were a gift from God. I can not say enough about them. Not even 1 cuss word, not a single power struggle among them, they wrapped and protected my furniture on every side, top and bottom. Most movers just throw a blanket over the mirror. These guys carefully taped blankets front and back. Not a single complaint about our heavy marble top furniture or fight about who’s turn it was to carry the big stuff. They were very good at communicating. I felt I could express any concern at any time and they were very attentive to our needs.

Delivery went just as smoothly. I love these guys.
Call 877-394-8274 for a FREE Estimate!

Latest Update

This will be quick, but I wanted to update you all on our status.

Well, where to begin? Since the last post we have moved out of our house and moved our belongings into storage at my sister's house in Nebraska. Thanks, Angie. We have rented out our house and signed a 1 year lease with the renters.

Sheila and I attended Janz Team Ministries (Teach-Beyond) Pre-field orientation in Bloomington, MN. Below is the picture of the 2009 Janz Team new staff.



Since, then we have split up with me on the west coast, currently in California, to finish up support raising and Sheila and the girls are in the central US visiting her sisters and other relatives.

Pray that God will move hearts so I can be back in the Mid-West for the girls 6th birthday in the mid-west by July 18th.

Blessings on you all.

The packing continues

As you can see the kids are quite excited to get in on the packing, even the neighbor kids. Although, I'm not quite sure they have the concept down ;)

Please, pray a safe uneventful move as we pack up our belongings for storage and shipment.

We got the proofs for our prayer cards

We received the proof for our prayer cards today. I think they turned out pretty good.

boxes, BOXES, BOXES!

Next Steps:

We are already being blessed in so many ways through this amazing journey.

God has provided prayer, emotional support, and a sense of peace in an avalanche of tasks and deadlines.

God has been showing us confirmation of this calling in every step we take.

And now that we have been accepted by both BFA and Janz Team Ministries; that next step is to build a team of partners to help provide the means for us to do God’s work abroad.

Opportunities:

Brian and I know that God has already touched the hearts of those who desire to partner in this ministry and He will direct the steps to lead us through the path of His will.

We are passionate about the opportunity to be sent by God to care for and minister to the students at BFA and indirectly allow their families to reach the millions who live in a persecuted world. We believe in this calling and know in our hearts that God will provide.

THINK OUTSIDE OF THE boxes, BOXES, BOXES! We’ve all heard “God works in mysterious ways”. A little boy in the book of Mathew gave his humble lunch of 2 small fish and 5 loaves of bread. God used it to feed thousands. God gave the Hebrews manna from Heaven. There are many ways to partner with us.

God gave Melody MacDonald an amazing talent with photography.

God provided Brian’s sister with the means to store our household goods for at least 2 years while we are overseas. Let’s think outside of the box. How has God gifted you?

I have a few ideas of some talents that you may be able to use to come along side us in our ministry, and I’m sure you have some helpful talents that I haven’t thought of. So I’ll try to keep a running list of our needs for those of you who want to partner with us with your God given gifts and connections.

If you can help in these areas or know someone who is willing to provide a needed service at a discounted rate, please put us in contact with them. All of you are a blessing to us and we are strengthened through your love and encouragement.

Needs:

• Prayers - for Brian’s trip to LA on April 21, 22 for “bootcamp” and a place for him to stay while he is there.
• Play-dates for the kids. I need some time freed up to work on all the details. Prayer that the girls don’t feel neglected during this hectic time.
• Moving boxes, and packing material. If you know someone moving into the area, we would love to take the boxes off their hands at their convenience. Willing to pay a small fee.
• Help with our Heather Terrace neighborhood yard sale on April 25th. I will need someone to take the girls for most of the morning. I think it would be best if they didn’t see everything going, or try to buy a bunch of items from the neighbors. Maybe a couple of pickup trucks to haul everything to Goodwill or the dump in the afternoon.
• Prayer for good renters for our 4 bedroom 3 bathroom home in Aptos. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please refer them to us. We plan to vacate the house the first week in June.

I will try to update the list as our needs change. Thank you all for the wonderful love and support that we have experienced in this journey. God has been so good to us and we are thrilled to share this with you as much as we possibly can.

Peace, Love, and Joy to you and those around you.

Thanks to Melody MacDonald

Thanks to Melody MacDonald of Melody's Photography (http://melodysphotography.com/about.html) for the great job she did with our pictures.

The Journey Continues

Sheila and I sent off the signed work agreements today to BFA. We continue to be in prayer regarding our support team. We have a presentation to make for the Mission board at Twin Lakes in early May. Sheila is busy doing a cost analysis regarding the most cost effective means of moving our things into storage, while juggling the care of our triplets. I'm working on our presentation and news letter.