Journal Entry:
It was a late wake-up day for us—9 AM—as we were extremely tired from the previous day and travels; there is a seven hour time difference from Fairview Heights.  Breakfast is yogurt, cereal, and coffee, which all of us enjoy the strong coffee (except Eddie), much like espresso.  Dan took us to downtown Barcelona on the train and we walked the plaza, which is at least one mile long.  Walking down the plaza, there are a lot of actors, portraying anyone from evil—Aliens from the movie, evil looking creatures with bat wings—to nice, pleasant actors, such as fairies, a queen, and Charlie Chaplin.  Dan informed us Barcelona is called the “homosexual capital” of Europe, which was very evident on our walk down the plaza.  Dan took us into the market place, where fresh vegetables, meat, and fish are sold.  If you would walk through the market place, there is a hotbed of Muslim activity, more specifically Al Queda.

We were able to sample some cuisine, paella, which is a bed of rice with seafood or chicken—although mostly seafood.  We returned back to Dan and Amy’s and took another nap to recharge our batteries.  Chris, Eddie, and Lucky later went with Dan to clean the office area BMW uses to teach English as a Second Language (ESL).  We had a good time of fellowship with each other.  We had a good time of fellowship with Dan and Amy later in the evening after dinner (dinner is later in the evening—usually 9:30-10:00.  It was such a good time, we didn’t go to bed until 1:30 AM.  Dan and Amy have stated on a couple of occasions, we have been a tremendous encouragement to them.  We thank all of you for sending us to here to encourage them and to minister to the other missonaries with BMW.

 Devotions: Proverbs 7
It starts with commands and the law – keep them, treasure them, bind them, and keep them.  Don’t let them go – keep them close to you.  Solomon talks again about the harlot, with enticing speech and flattering lips – Solomon has experienced this and is trying to tell his son about these pitfalls as it leads to death—can be physical, as well as spiritual.  We can become desensitized to this.  This must be very important as it is a repeat from chapter 5.

I have realized that when I visit other countries on short-term mission trips, I see all the decadence in that country.  The U.S. has the same kind of decadence and I have become desensitized to it, when I need to have the same awareness and attitude toward it in the U.S. as well as in other countries.

Posted: August 9th, 2009 under 2009 - Sant Cugat, Spain.
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Journal Entry:
Today we arrived at the Portugal’s home in Sant Cugat, Spain just outside of Barcelona.  It is a very beautiful city.  Today we did get rested up as we napped off and on throughout the day.  After brunch which consisted of fruit, yogurt, and scrambled eggs, Lucky, Chris, and Kelly went with Dan to the bank to exchange American dollars for Euros, the European currency.  Later on in the afternoon we had lunch that Amy had fixed.  She made us spaghetti w/ fried eggs served on top.  It was different but surprisingly good.

The biggest challenge for us was adjusting to the Spanish/European lifestyle and time changes; time changes meaning their schedule in times of waking up, eating, and going to bed.  The day begins 7-8am and they just have a coffee.  Their coffee is much stronger than American coffee.  It is more like an espresso.  Then around 11 or so they may have a quick snack such as a fruit item.  Their lunch time is at about 2pm which begins their siesta time, which includes lunch and a nap.  During this time the majority of businesses are closed and re-open around 5pm.  The town is relatively dead during this time.

Their dinner time isn’t until about 10pm, and then bed is around 11.  However, those who go to bed at 11 are considered to be going to bed early.  Oh, how much different than the US. 

In the evening around 730pm we went to downtown Sant Cugat for coffee and a coffee house next to an old monastery.  The architecture was amazing (Pictures will be shared once we return).  When we returned we had dinner which was leftovers from lunch, plus tomatoes and salad.  It was still very good.  We are all enjoying our time of fellowship with the Portugal family.  We are looking forward to more good times.

Devotions: Proverbs 6
The way of the ant is such a wondrous illustration for our team on this mission trip.  We have no “captain, overseer, or ruler” yet we must work as a team to minister to those around us, including the Portugals.  We need to work together in love by the power of Jesus Christ.  We need to not only work together, but pray together as well to provide for us that we might provide for others.  He has already blessed this trip by providing smooth & easy transportation.  Kept us safe and encouraged, and above these He has allowed us to serve Him in this capacity.

We need to be proactive and diligent in our ministries and prayer.  We need to be daily seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and He will provide the rest.!!

Posted: August 8th, 2009 under 2009 - Sant Cugat, Spain.
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Journal Entry

Well the day began relatively early.  We all met at the airport at 7am.  First we had a short flight to Raleigh, NC.  We were there about 30-45min before departing to JFK.  We were there about 5+ hrs.  We all ate lunch and went over our devotions for the day (We are going through a Proverb a day and picking out what stood out to us.  We attempted to sleep on the 9hr flight into Barcelona, Spain.  None of us was able to get much sleep.  God really blessed this trip with safety and no complications.  We praise Him for that.  Even going through customs in Spain was a breeze.  Thank you Lord!

 As we had conversation through out the day and upon our initial drive we have seen and been reassured that God had specifically chosen this team.  Lucky as the organizer and primary point of contact for our missionaries was an obvious choice.  Chris and Kelly because thru God’s wisdom the others first approached about the trip were unable to go.  Then myself, I was in the office when this first came up and Lucky was talking to Pastor Al about this trip and Al recommended me.  Lucky said if it wasn’t for Al’s recommendation as I was in the office he would not have thought of me for this trip.  I am thankful for God’s provision for me to come. 

 Another thing that made it obvious of God’s choosing and assembling of this team is the fact that the Portugal’s van is a standard and all five of our team members are experienced in driving a standard transmission.  God is such a good God!!!

 We thank you all for your prayers and ask that you continue to do so.  We need the encouragement daily to fight the spiritual battle that we are all engaged in.

 Devotions Day 1 – 8/5/09

Eddie – Prov. 5:1-2
Parents need to be diligent in their teaching of wisdom and understanding to their children that they maybe able to use discretion and keep knowledge.  Discretion is the proper use of judgment.  Keeping knowledge being not quick to speak on a given topic and making a fool of one’s self as well as not being a gossip, and telling everything you know about someone.

Then in v.4 and following we see a description of the immoral woman or in general terms a lifestyle of sin.  Here I see how vain and shallow living a lifestyle of sin and having a sinful way thinking truly is.  There is no deeper meaning or purpose to living that in the moment for the pleasures now.  There is no bigger picture.  It is a life lived by sight without faith.  We as believers need to live looking forward to our reward.  We need to be storing up our treasures in heaven.  We need to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Lucky – Prov. 5:12-13
¹² “And say: “How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction!  ¹³ I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!”
He shared how he did not always enjoy listening to his parents or taking their advice because as a youth we think we know everything.  Now that he is older and they are no longer there to ask questions he realizes how much he didn’t know and wishes he could ask them things now.  This is something that most of us unfortunately must learn through experience.

Chris – Prov. 5:14
“I was on the verge of total ruin, In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”
When we are living a lifestyle of sin we may think we are living it in secret when in fact the fruits (bad) that has made it known to others.  Our secrets are not as well kept as we may have thought.  If nothing else the God who is omniscient and knows our hearts, as well as be the one to judge and hold us accountable based on what’s is in our hearts.

Trudy/Kelly – Prov. 5:21
“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths.”
It is amazing to know that God cares so much about us that He sees and knows ALL the paths we will every take.  He knows the whats, whos, whens, and hows of everything we do.  What an Amazing Love!!!

Posted: August 6th, 2009 under 2009 - Sant Cugat, Spain.
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We arrived home on Saturday, June 21, around 9:00 PM, later than I had anticipated.  The stops for breakfast, at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans, and then brunch in Mississippi, took longer than anticipated.  But that was ok as it gave us more time to talk about the trip, plan for the future, and enjoy each other’s company.

We got to know one another and really did enjoy each other.  At times, we may, no probably did get on someone’s nerve, but our morning devotion time and your prayers helped to diffuse the situation.  God is in control of everything and the little items which fell into place were so evident of this fact.  I ordered 15 devotions books, even though only 13 were going.  I had ordered 13 T-shirts, but 14 were delivered.  Why the extra?  On the Wednesday before we left on Saturday, Chuck Wood called and stated his job for the next week had cancelled.  He asked if it was too late to go?  Of course not.  What a help to have Chuck be there.  The first house we went to needed a lot of work–drywall, electrical, plumbing–and Chuck was able to do most it although there was so much work we couldn’t complete it.  All of us worked at that house the first two days.  Chuck stayed at that house the whole week as did Rob and David Beck, Randall and Ipek, and Lindsay Beck (except for Friday).

The rest of the week the rest of us weed trimmed, cut grass, cut trees, painted, and Chris reframed the windows on a house due to termite damage.  The girls–Rebecca Beck, Jennie and Jamie Ridgley, and Ashley Rice learned how to use a chain saw.  We did have several opportunities to present the gospel to different homeowners.

In the evenings, we assisted Berean church (where we bunked) in a VBS at a housing project.  What a blessing to each of us as we looked forward to each evening.  I don’t want to give away too much now as we are looking forward to a Sunday evening presentation about our trip.  You will have to attend the evening service when we have our presentation.

Everyone on the trip was a blessing to me and I’m thankful they were there.  Here are a couple of pictures along with some artwork most of the group created on the last evening.

Lucky Wagner

Posted: July 7th, 2008 under 2008 - New Orleans, LA.
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Posted: July 1st, 2008 under 2008 - New Orleans, LA.
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Posted: July 1st, 2008 under 2008 - New Orleans, LA.
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Posted: July 1st, 2008 under 2008 - New Orleans, LA.
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Posted: July 1st, 2008 under 2008 - New Orleans, LA.
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Posted: June 30th, 2008 under 2008 - New Orleans, LA.
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Blessings to all of you:

A thank you from all of us for giving the funds to allow us to serve the Lord in New Orleans this week.

The Lord is teaching me much during this trip.  We are working for the Lord, not myself.  We painted a house Monday, among other jobs at this house, and did some of the trim on the front of the house in one color, which the husband didn’t object to.  One of the lady’s granddaughters, Kayla–7 years old and cute as a button, thought the color was pretty and thought her grandmother would too.  We found out when we returned on Tuesday morning she didn’t like the color, so we had to repaint the trim and vent on the front of the house.  Up the ladder I went again to repaint.  At first offended, but I realized we are doing this for the Lord and if it was my house and I wasn’t pleased, I would repaint it, “love your neighbor as yourself.”

We had a great tour of the devasted parts of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina on Sunday by Lawrence, a Berean church member, which we will share with everyone during our presentation.  We had a tour of the 9th Ward, saw where some of the breaks in the levees occurred and why, saw that New Orleans is slowly coming back, but, also, some people have given up with the red tape in the bureaucracy and left town.  Houses are abandoned, lots are vacant, businesses and churches are boarded.

We are participating in Berean Bible Churches’ evening VBS this week, Amazon Expedition, in a housing project.  What an experience.  Everyone of us is enjoying the priviledge of serving Berean and the Lord in this capacity.  What a blessing that Jeff, Chris, and Kevin brought their guitars as they along with Lindsay and Rebecca are helping lead the singing for the VBS.  A learning and training experience for us for, perhaps, East St. Louis.

I was concerned about this trip as I didn’t feel there was enought planning, on my part and Berean’s part.   Once again, as the Word states, “be anxious for nothing“.  God had it all under control.  Berean has their act together and I was concerned for nothing.

We are looking forward to our return on Saturday, but it will, also, be a sad occasion to leave our ministry here.  But this is preparing us for future ministry opportunities.  Please keep us in prayer as we need to constantly be aware of the “divine opportunities” the Lord gives us.

 In Christ,

Lucky Wagner

Posted: June 17th, 2008 under 2008 - New Orleans, LA.
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