A few weeks ago Cynthia and I were approached by a close colleague in Greater Europe Mission, Sue, who wanted us to consider a short-term ministry opportunity in Europe this summer. Now THAT perked our interest! I served with Sue nearly four years ago when I went to Estonia to help in English camps in the capitol city, Tallin. This coming July, Sue needs someone to organize and run a 2-week English camp sponsored by a church in the south suburbs of Paris. Cynthia earned her Masters in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from the University of Sheffield, England, while we lived in Belgium years ago, and she has had extensive experience with teaching English to non-native speakers. In Paris this summer she would serve as the teacher supervisor and help other teaching volunteers. Sue has asked me to serve as the logistic coordinator of this small team. Twenty years ago I helped initiate 
Greater Europe Mission’s short-term team ministry called Euroteam and I coordinated over 20 teams within three years. I would be responsible for handling team finances, devotions, local travel, logistics, and help teach English if needed. Even though Cynthia and I have not done this type of work in a number of years, we have prayed about this opportunity and believe the Lord is leading us in this direction. We will be serving in the small town of Montigny-le-Bretonneux, located south of Versailles, with a team of six teachers. We would be in France the first two weeks of July.
There is a second reason for our interest in going to Europe this summer. After we have completed our service in Paris, Cynthia and I would be heading off to Kandern, Germany, for 3-4 days. I would like to go to Kandern to observe the TeachBeyond English Camp program in July. In the past few years, I have been working with the faculty of a small 
CA university, exploring the option of having their students come to Kandern. I hope a couple of these professors can join me, and we will investigate using the Kandern camp program as an IST (Introduction to Student Teaching) practicum program for their TEFL training program. This university is initiating a four course TEFL program this coming fall, and when the students complete their course work, they are required to complete a four week practicum in the summer of 2013. If the TeachBeyond Kandern English camp could meet the requirement of the practicum, that would: 1) benefit the university students as they will be able to practice teaching overseas; 2) greatly help the Kandern English camp in having qualified teachers on staff; and 3) it would introduce the students to the ministries around the world with TeachBeyond. Bottom line – It would be a multiple win for the university, for the English camps, and for TeachBeyond as a recruitment tool to other ministries we have. This plan has the potential of serving other schools in CA for many years to come as well. And, I must confess, we would also be thrilled to Kandern friends again, with whom we served for ten years at Black Forest Academy.
All this is in the planning stages, but Cynthia and I would greatly appreciate your prayers for these events. Please pray for …
- Us to effectively coordinate/lead (Don) and counsel/supervise (Cynthia) at the summer camp in France.
- The campers in Paris that they would learn quality English skills as well as have a clearer understanding of the Gospel. Pray that we obtain enough teaching staff and helpers to make this camp run smoothly.
- My coordinating of the university leadership and the TeachBeyond staff in Kandern so that we have an ongoing program beneficial to all parties in the future.
- Us as we raise funds to make this trip possible. A portion of Cynthia’s expenses will be covered by Greater Europe Mission. My costs for the trip and then the excursion to Kandern need to be raised which, we estimate to total $3200 (airfare, lodging, car rental for Germany and meals). For those who would like to help support this ministry trip, please send your gifts to Greater Europe Mission (18950 Base Camp Road, Monument, CO 80132) and indicate that the gift is for Don and Cynthia Storrs. Thank you!
