The McCauleys » Eric

Awana

Eric — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:07:44 +0000

Last week we received a package from the Thief River Falls Evangelical Free Church. In it was a surprise. Kati received a new Awana Sparks vest and this years Sparks booklet.

We were glad to have taken part of the Cubbies Awana program during our 6 months in the states. We got that book before we went and Kati was able to memorize the Bible verses and we read her the stories so she was up to speed. A few of our supporting churches do this program so when we traveled Kati was able to join right in.

We want to thank the TRF Efree church for this great gift!

Harvest Festival at Kati’s Kindergarten

Eric — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:01:00 +0000

Last week Kati’s kindergarten celebrated their annual Harvest Festival.
Everyone in the kidergarten decorates their bike or strollers in full fall colors and decorations. Then there is a small parade from the kindergarten to the church in the center of town. Inside the church there is a small program the kids put on. The main point is to thank God for the harvest and crops that have come in.

It is actually quite a sight to see all these kids blocking the street. It is a fun time for everyone. Kati loves decorating her bike. This year she her main decoration was a sunflower tied to her handle bars.

BAO Curriculum Meeting

Eric — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:24:54 +0000

What do two Swiss missionaries an Austrian pastor and a professor of veterinary medicine and me have in common? This sounds like the start of a joke my father-in-law would tell but this is not a joke. Last Tuesday the five of us were in one of our meetings for the BAO (Bible Training on Location) curriculum work group. We meet three or four times a year to review current training courses and discuss what if any new projects need to be started or revising older courses.

BAO has been around for over 20 years and has been one of the leading sources for training leaders in the Austrian church. With Austria being less than .5% evangelical there is not a high demand for good quality Christian training resources. So being able to help in the process and production of resources for Austria, Switzerland and Germany is quite a strategic ministry. One of which I am excited to be a part of.

Right now we are involved in two main projects. One being the Christian Education course I am writing, I will write on that at a later time. The other being a set of one time lessons that centers on the Worship Service.

We have come up with a series of 5 lessons (stand alone or they can be taken together) that intend to help the small churches and their leaders think through the main aspects of what it means to lead worship. We are targeting this for both knowledge and praxis (putting to use what one knows). The five areas we are addressing are 1. Theological foundations of worship 2. The Leader and leading the worship service 3. Worship and Church growth/health (the meaning gets a little watered down when translated into English from German) 4. Music and Arts in worship 5. Communion.

One thing that is exciting about this series is up until now BAO has primarly borrowed articles from published books. We always have to ask for permission to translate and print these articles. But these lessons are written by the people that minister in this culture and context. It is quite a step. Not an easy one by any means but we are learning a lot through this process.

These modules are not yet finished but know they will help the church think about these things and we pray will make them healthier, and stronger in as they worship God and live for Him.

Safe Arrival in Vienna

Eric — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:59:19 +0000

For those of you who are wondering whatever happened to us we wanted to let you know that yes, we did arrive safely in Vienna August 22nd. The last two weeks have been hectic. We were without internet for one week and we just got our car up and running yesterday. We still have a few things to tidy up but for the most part we are over jetlag and already doing normal everyday things.

We were met at the airport by a few coworkers to welcome us back and give us a ride home with all of our luggage!

Kati has finished her first week back at Kindergarten and her German is coming back rapidly. I, Eric, am taking a German refresher course and Christy is making our house our home. I can’t tell you how good it is to have our own place to call home. While it was nice seeing many of you these past six months we are really glad to be back home.

Headed back to Austria!

Eric — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:25:19 +0000

Greater Europe Mission has granted us permission to return to Austria! We are so excited about returning and getting back to our life in Austria. We are still short about $800/month in giving but due to some special gifts and such a strong support record with our faithful supporters we have been given the green light. This means we get to keep our August 22nd departure date. A few weeks ago we did not know if this was possible.
We did not know when Elena would be born and be old enough to travel. Not only that but she would need to have a lot of paperwork in before she could travel to Austria.
At Elena’s two week check up the doctor said she was strong enough to go and he didn’t think there was any problems with traveling at her age. We have been able to get all the documents for her travel too! (see the partial “to do” list for Elena’s paperwork) Just today her passport came so all we have to do now is say good bye to family and friends and be at the airport on August 22nd.

Tags: Family

Welcome to our site

Eric — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:05:39 +0000

Welcome to the McCauley’s web site!

We try to update this website weekly so put us on your RSS feed or check back regularly.

This site has a smattering of information from personal life to cultural and ministry issues in Europe. Thanks for stopping by and come back often.

The McCauleys

Bili bed

Eric — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:07:57 +0000

Elena is one week and one day old today. Yes, we are all pretty tired as we adjust to a different routine with late night feedings and diaper changes.

For the past 5 days Elena has been on a billi bed. She has Jaundice and her Bilirubin count is too high but not high enough to admit her into the hospital. We got a bili bed that emits a bluish light from the bottom and she lies on her back. She is suppose to be on it 24/7 except for feedings and changes. We have been going to get blood tests daily and her count is going down.

It is kind of hard having such a cute new born baby in the house and not able to cuddle her for long periods of time!

At night it almost feels as if she is part of a science experiment.

Introducing Elena Marie McCauley

Eric — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:47:56 +0000

We want to announce that Elena Marie McCauley was born today July 23rd at 12:21.

At the time of birth she weighed 7 lbs 12 oz and was 19 inches long.

Baby and Mama are tired but doing well.