Friday update

Just a quick update to ask for your prayers as I fly home. I've had a very productive week, including some key meetings at the Convention Center all morning. Now is is Friday afternoon and I'm about to get in a van to head to the Cape town airport. From there to London and then to LAX.

Please pray for safe flights and comfortable flights if possible (hope for an empty seat next to me).

God bless,
Elliott

Wednesday Update

"We'd like to ask you to be the CTICC Manager." (picture L-R: Lo Bothma [Director of the Arrangements Committee], Grace Mathews [Director of the Program commitee], Doug Birdsall [International Chairman and Executive Director of the Lausanne Movement])

Today was pretty important for me. I spent most of the day with the Arrangements Committee. The Arrangements Committee is responsible for all of the facility coordination for the Congress. I've really appreciated interacting with this group over the last three years. Of all the committees putting this Congress together, the Arrangements committee is the one that I feel like I'm most able to contribute to in terms of both logistics and strategic planning. So I was honored when they asked me today to take on a key role for them, Cape Town International Convention Center Manager (CTICC Manager for short).

In this role I'll be the primary liaison between all the Congress does and the staff of the convention center that is our venue. It will be a pretty challenging and complex responsibility. But I think it maximizes who I am and allows me to play a significant role in pulling everything together to facilitate around 5,500 people who will be passing through the doors over 10 days.

So I have a specific prayer request for Thursday. I will be working with the Arrangements Committee to make a presentation to the Programme Committee about the Venue, so they have the information they need to make some very key decisions about how they can design everything from the plenary sessions to over 500 small groups. We all will need the wisdom of Solomon so we don't "split the baby" so to speak.

Thank you for your prayers!

Tuesday Night from Cape Town

Hi Praying Friends!

Today we had a full day of Cape Town 2010 committee only meetings. That means the real nitty gritty work. All the African leaders had finished their meetings, and we had finished all the various related summits, meetings with local political leaders, church leaders, etc. So it was an important day of progress, especially on the program front.

The next two days will be important for me as I spend more time with the various committees and plug in my gifting to support them as best I can. Pray that God will clearly lead me in what he wants me to focus my time and efforts on. I'd really appreciate that.

In Christ,
Elliott

Sunday night update

Well, I'm through the first three days here in Cape Town. Friday and Saturday were all day business meetings, working on the nitty gritty details of the Cape Town 2010 congress. These were very important meetings and focused on the technical team (tv, sound, staging, etc.) working with the program team. Lots of good vibrant debate about various options and what will work best to bring together the 4000 leaders who will attend and allow them to dialog in some really cool ways.

Today (Sunday) began with worship. A few of us decided to go to Hillsong South Africa. If you listen to Hillsong music, then you know the church. The mother church is in Australia of course. But they have a church plant in London and in Cape Town. As one might expect, the worship was fantastic (see picture). They actually meet in the Convention Center. So it doubled as an opportunity to see the facility we will use next year in use.

The afternoon was occupied with a "rally" for all the churches in the Cape Town basin at City Hall. It was a chance for them to learn more about Lausanne and the Congress in one year. Many of them will help house delegate who can't afford hotel rooms. They will also be providing many other services. It was a great time, highlighted by a very well done "dance" by a group from one of the churches that describes themselves as a prophetic dance team. Also the deputy mayor of Cape Town greeted us. See the picture of the front row which was many of us from the organizing committee for Cape Town 2010.

The evening ended with a dinner with African leaders from all over the continent who are the host council for the Congress. It is a tremendous group of men and women who are the top leaders in Africa amongst the evangelical churches.

Tomorrow we have more meetings with our African leaders. Pray for unity and vision as we pray for what God wants to happen next year.

God bless,
Elliott

Settling in Cape Town

I'm on the ground in Cape Town. I'm reminded again what a beautiful city it is. Flying in over the cape and seeing the city set against Table Mountain (picture right from my hotel room) was spectacular. It is 9:30 PM Friday night here. The clock to the right on my blog will show you current time in Cape Town. I walked off the plane this morning at about 10:00 AM and immediately into meetings at the Convention Center. So hit the ground running. Now, after dinner and a shower, feeling better and ready for bed soon.

I can already see there are a myriad of critical decisions to be made this week on everything from room allocations to staging. Pray as the artistic type debate differing ideas, we will see consensus emerge and move forward. It is exciting to think of the possibilities of how God will use the Congress a year from now!

Keep the prayers coming for health and strength. I feel them!

Good Board Meetings, Now onto Cape Town

First, the two days of board meetings went very well. The board sought the Lord and provided good input and advice on our direction for 2010. I'm eagerly anticipating what God is going to do. I believe it is going to be a special year for accelerating our ministry in Asia.

Now I'm on my way to Cape Town. I'm posting this blog from London's Heathrow airport where I'm awaiting my flight in about an hour. I had a 12 hour layover here in London. So, instead of sitting around the airport all day, I hopped on the train and went into town. I've never been in London, so it was a a real thrill to get to see the sights. It turned out to be a beautiful crisp fall day. Sunny and clear, which can be a bit unusual I understand in London.

Your prayers were answered and I had an extra seat open next to me on the way to London. Please pray I have the same situation to Cape Town. I hit the ground running in Cape Town, arriving in the morning and having key meetings all day. So your prayers for sleep on the plane and strength for the day are very valuable!

Preparing for Asian Access Board Meeting

October is upon us and is shaping up to be a very full month of ministry. On Monday October 5 I will join the Asian Access Board of Directors who will be meeting near the Los Angeles Int'l airport for two full days of meetings. These meetings will be an important time of engagement on our ministry vision and mission. In particular, they will be considering approval of some new strategic initiatives to accelerate our work in Japan.

The day after the board meetings finish, I'll be headed for Cape Town, South Africa to participate in a key gathering of the Directors of the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. The Congress itself will happen one year from now, in October 2010. This will be a key planning meeting. I'll look forward to working alongside our former president, Doug Birdsall-- my friend and collegue of over 25 years (pictured together on the Great Wall, China).

Prayer requests:
So much to do to get ready for the board meeting
So much to do to get ready for the long trip to South Africa
Health (No Flu!, etc.) for the demanding schedule over the next two weeks.

Back

Thanks for your prayers for the trip. I'm back in Los Angeles. The trip was fast paced, but I think very productive. In Japan, I was able to meet with all of our staff in the region and brainstorm our strategic movement toward our 2020 vision for the nation.

In Singapore, we were able to meet with all of our national leaders as they lead Asian Access in the nine countries we are currently working in. There is a tremendous energy and focus in those leaders to identify, develop and release leaders of leaders in their countries.

Glad to have labor day off today before going back into our headquarters office in Los Angeles tomorrow. Again, really appreciate your prayers!

What does Little Arabia have to do with Asian Access?

Tonight we went to the "Little Arabia" district of Singapore. Arabia doesn't have much to do with Asian Access, but it happened to be where a cool little hole in the wall restaurant was that provided space for us to have a private dinner with friends in Singapore interested in the ministry.











I never tire of hearing our national leaders share about what God is doing in their countries. In this picture, David Dayalan, our leader in India is sharing about the life transformation pastors experience in the Asian Access learning community.

Wednesday Update

I I sure appreciate your prayers. The flight from Tokyo to Singapore went really well. First, I got a seat open next to me on the plane. That makes a HUGE difference. Second, I was on the brand new Airbus 380 which just recently was put into service. It is the largest plane in the world. It has two levels and can be configured to seat over 800 people. Fortunately Singapore airlines has it configured for about half that so as to give each seat extra space. It has all the highest tech stuff on it. Practically a mobile office and entertainment center. I think I was most amazed at how quiet the plane is. Much less engine noise than any other plane I've been on.

Tuesday update

Thank you for your prayers. They got me through a very long day on Tuesday. Started with Breakfast at 6:30 AM. Included 5 hours on the trains, meetings all day, and back to the hotel at 10:00 PM. Good meetings with all of our missionaries and national staff in the Tokyo area. I have a 7:00 AM breakfast with one more family Wednesday morning.

As I traveled back and forth across Tokyo (see picture from the Ikebukuro train station), a song came to my mind as I watched millions of Japanese people going through the "motions" of a work day not knowing the love and saving power of Jesus Christ:

Matthew West:

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaHmiFaX_pk

Todays prayer requests:

• Meeting for breakfast is a good time relationally and seeking input for Asian Access
• Flight to Singapore is on time and safety
• Can get some work done on the airplane
• Tranfer Wednesday night from the airport to the hotel
• Initial meetings with people on Wednesday night

Thank you!

Safely in Japan

Thanks for your prayers. I'm safely in Japan and getting ready to bed down for the night. I got a seat empty next to me on the flight! I credit your prayers!

Really full next 48 hours. Prayer requests:

• good night's sleep
• no problems with train connections for the 2 hour trek to the A2 office tomorrow
• productive meetings with all our missionaries in Tokyo

Thanks!

At LAX

I'm at lax getting ready to Board. thank you for your prayers for a safe flight and good health and some sleep.

Tokyo and Singapore Trip August 2009

After no mission related travel for July and August, I'm off on Sunday 8/30 for Tokyo and then Singapore. Between now and then I'd appreciate your prayers for:

• Health--never like getting on a plane already sick, and especially with airports vigilant for any signs of the flu, I don't want to get quarantined anyplace.
• To Do's: always lots to do at office and home to get ready for the trip.
• Wisdom: this trip will provide great opportunities to meet with key staff and leaders in Asian Access and seek God's wisdom and direction.
• Family: Lori will be holding down the fort while I'm gone. Ryan and Lindsey have just started their school years. Pray for health, safety, and good relationships.

As always, thank you!

Home! I'm back home safe and sound. I will send out a more complete report via email. Thank you for your prayers. I felt them throughout the trip.

On the way HOME

The Lausanne meetings in Seoul have come to an end. I'm at the airport in Seoul (Incheon) waiting for my plane to depart. Can't wait to get back to Los Angeles.

Please pray for:

• Some rest on the plane
• A seat open next to me
• Staying healthy

Thank you for your prayers. I've felt them throughout my 2 week trip. I felt like in both Japan (for Asian Access) and Korea (for Lausanne), significant progress has been made. We are moving in a way that will really advance God's kingdom in Japan, Asia and the entire world. This summer will be a critical time for both organizations to get funding to move forward. The effects of the economy are being felt across the nonprofit world as giving is down. I'd appreciate your prayers that God will provide and show us how to use the provision in His way.

Seoul Overload

Wow, what a first day in Seoul. I find that the first day in any country is sensory overload. New sights, new sounds, new smells, new language, new everything. Today was like that. After registering for the Lausanne Biennial meeting, I had 2 hours to do my favorite activity--hop on a subway system I know nothing about, get lost, and find my way back. It is the quickest way to learn, and I really enjoyed two hours exploring just a little bit of Seoul.

I was immediately struck by the huge number of street vendors. Not so unusual in Asia, but somehow I didn't expect it in a city the size of Seoul. I walked one section that seemed like half a mile of just florists!

After that, I met everyone else here for the Lausanne Biennial and loaded up on buses to go to Seoul Presbyterian Church (pictured is Doug Birdsall preaching for the worship service) who hosted us for dinner. We were in for a treat. We enjoyed a phenomenal time of worship with musical presentations that highlighted the talent of the Korean church. Everything from children's choirs to percussion groups--and a handbell choir that was absolutely amazing.

But more important than any of that was being reunited with friends I have made over the past two years from around the world. Men and women of deep evangelical heritage who are leaders from around the globe. In addition, there are all of us on the administration/logistical teams that will do the behind the scenes work for Cape Town 2010, the III Congress of Lausanne. There is important work to do this week to make way for that.

Key prayer requests:

• Of course, continued health. I'm doing very well thanks to YOUR prayers
• I've seen most of the people I need to meet with, but still need to actually meet with them. Pray we find time in a packed schedule.
• Enough sleep. The schedule is full from early morning to late evening each day.
• Enough food (okay, I know I'm a picky eater--and yes, I've already found the closest Starbucks)!

Japan to Korea

There was a whole lot of shaking going on today (pictured me leading during one of our meetings)! Okay, the meetings were pretty exciting, but the 5.9 earthquake was even more exciting, especially on the 12th floor of a hotel near the Tokyo airport. In old Disneyland terms, it was an E ride!

I really do appreciate your prayers. For one, safety. Earthquakes are a reminder that God is in control, not us. Also, God really answered your prayers for our meetings this past week. We made significant progress on several fronts. I'm eager to continue pressing forward with the ministry in Asia. Pray for God's provision of resources to keep doing just that.

Sunday I travel to Korea (my first time in this country!) for The Lausanne Biennial Leadership Meeting. The venue for this meeting is the historic Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary. Some 200 Lausanne leaders will gather from 60 countries for three purposes:

• To conduct LCWE business
  The Administrative Committee, International Deputy Directors, Communications and Intercessory Working Groups, in addition to many others, will be meeting.
• To confirm plans for Cape Town 2010
  The Participant Selection Committee will be finalizing the list of invitees for Cape Town 2010. The Programme Committee will make a major presentation and conduct a prototype session. All committees will give an update of their progress and plans for the next 16 months’ work.
• To fellowship with the wide range of Korean church leadership
  Three special events are being organized to maximize the fellowship of the international Lausanne constituency with Korean church leadership.

Key Prayer Requests:

• Safe travel
• Health (fighting just a little bit of a dry/sore throat)
• Transfer in Seoul from the airport to the seminary
• Connecting up with several key people I need to find and then find a time to meet with

Leadership Team meeting wrap up, LD Asia meetings start

This afternoon we wrapped up our Asian Access leadership team meetings. We have been working on our strategy for 2015, especially in Japan. We had good meetings with lots of ideas on the table. I feel like we made good progress. Thanks for your prayers.

In just a few minutes I start meetings with a new group, our leadership development planning team for our 9 countries in Asia. This team will be focusing on our plan beyond Japan. Please continue to pray for:

• health
• good sleep
• sharp minds
• attentive spirits to God's leading

Thank you so much!

Ready, Set, Go

Joe (A2's president) and Bruce (VP) arrived today (Tuesday) from the U.S. I helped them fend off jet lag by taking them into town to the Hard Rock Cafe. The four others joining us from all over Japan arrive tonight and tomorrow morning. So we are ready to go.

Key prayer requests:

• Alert minds for those who are tired from traveling
• Presence of the Holy Spirit to give us counsel in our planning
• Wisdom
• Since of unity

Long Day, Good Day

Got up Monday morning at 5:00 AM and was on a train by 6:30 AM to make a 2 hour + trek across Tokyo to our Asian Access office. This picture is something I'm very unaccostomed to--an empty train station! Train stations in Tokyo are rarely empty. But at 6:30 out at the airport when I got on, I was the ONLY person in the station. But by the time I got about halfway to Tokyo, the train was packed with morning commuters.

I had a very good day at our office. In the morning several of our families in the Tokyo area gathered for a brunch and a chance to say goodbye to a couple of families returning to the U.S. on home assignment for a year. The rest of the day was spent with our operations staff discussing issues and getting updates. Then I made the two + hour trek back to where my meetings will be for the rest of the week near the airport.

Key prayer requests:

• Good sleep so I'm ready to start meetings on Tuesday afternoon
• Safe travel for those arriving on Tuesday
• God's counsel to us as we meet

Not quarantined!

I'm safely in Japan. A quarantine team boarded our airplane when we arrived in Tokyo, but deemed that everyone was healthy and allowed us in. Praise God for that. I appreicate your prayers for Monday here in Japan which will be a long day for me. I'll be visiting our Tokyo office.

Prayer requests:

Health
Stamina
Cross cultural and language communication skills

Woodshed

Have you ever been taken out to the woodshed? Probably not. In fact, I'm not even sure where that American idiom came from, but I know what it means. It means you are going to get a good spanking!

Well here at Megumi Chalet, the woodshed has a whole different meaning and a connotation. Here it is the quaint little coffee shop on the grounds where everyone likes to hang out and have a cup of coffee or an ice cream sunday. That's where I'm hanging out, meeting with some of our missionaries and covering everything from health insurance questions, to legal documents that need to be handled! The focus of this week for me is helping our missionaries with a variety of such matters that need attention. It is so much easier to do a lot of this in person than via email or phone.


Today is a rainy cold day. Perfect for the woodshed!

Key prayer request: Wisdom in my meetings.

Karuizawa

Karuizawa is a town nestled in the Japanese Alps about halfway between Tokyo and Nagano (headquarters for the 1998 Winter Olympics). Karuizawa hosted equestrian events in the 1964 Summer Olympics. The town also hosted curling in the 1998 Winter Olympics. To date, it is the only city in the world having hosted both Summer and Winter Olympic events (in the picture I'm on my way via shinkansen or bullet train from Ueno).


It is also where Asian Access (A2 for short) missionaries gather every March for our annual spring conference (see picture of Thursday night worship below). We meet at a place called "Megumi Chalet". Megumi is Japanese for "grace." It is a rustic camp similar to what you might find at Christian camps across the U.S. It is a place full of memories for our missionary families and their kids. I'm here safely and tired from three days of travel. The weather is cold and there is snow on the ground. Across the valley floor is a ski resort (pictured behind me) that I can see when the clouds part long enough. I'll be here until Monday.

Key Prayer Request: Continued adjustment to the time zone. Health as my body adjusts to the cold weather (compared to L.A.!). Good relational connections with the A2 community. The speaker, Scott Shaum, as he ministers to us.

Arrival in Japan

I love arriving in Japan. It always feels kind of like returning home. Even though it has been 25 years since I lived here, a part of me will always think of Japan as home. Flying in over the coast and then making that landing at Narita airport--I've done it so many times--is a very good feeling. The Japanese say "kimochi ga ii" which somehow captures the emotion better than anything I say to myself in English.

My flight was smooth and uneventful, which is what you want! Several A2 folks were on the plane including our president's family, executive assistant, and our staff psychologist. So it was fun being together.

As I post this I'm settling down for, prayerfully, a good night sleep at a hotel near the airport. Tomorrow I get up and trek about 75 miles north of here to Karuizawa. More about that once I'm there.

Key Prayer Request: Good sleep as I adjust to the jump to a time zone 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles. Safe travel via bus, train and taxi to the conference location.

At LAX

LAX. Airports are interesting aren't they. I don't know about you, but for some reason my heart always beats a little faster as I enter "the airport zone." I'm always glad when I get through security and am ready to board the plane. Then it is "relax" time (at least until they start boarding!). I hope you find these blogs helpful as you think to pray for me along the journey. I'll post a key prayer request at the bottom of each blog. Thank you for praying!

Key Prayer Request: Safe flight to Japan, hydration on the plane, healthy upon arrival.

Getting ready for Asia!

I just have one more day in the office before taking off for Asia. I appreciate your prayers as I prepare for my meetings with our staff and key leaders in Asia (pictured meeting with Asian leader in Malaysia on a previous trip).

Prayer Request: Good health for the trip!

Snuggs Ministry Update

Hi Ministry Partners,

I'll be posting updates on our ministry and family. Let us know if this helps you stay in touch as you pray for us and support the ministry we are involved in at Asian Access. We love you and are thankful for your partnership with us in developing leaders who multiply churches across Asia!