The Butler Family

Our 2012 ministry among Afghans refugees in One of Europe’s “gateway” cities

When I found out we were going to Europe I was really excited about going sightseeing. As time drew closer for us to head to Greece all I wanted was for that time in Greece to be done with.

The first few days in Greece were better than I expected but I really changed my attitude after my first time of going out with some of the interns. After that all I wanted to do was spend time with the interns.

During this time I spent with these interns God taught me a number of things. One of the things that God showed me was the interns’ passion to serve him which made me want to have that same passion. I also discovered what it meant to be in an actual relationship with him instead of just knowing him, and what it meant to trust him with every aspect of your life.

When the time was nearing for us to go my attitude had changed significantly and I was not ready to leave.

I am very grateful for everything that I have learned while I was there. I also got to figure out and refine my testimony.

If you ask me what my favorite part was about this trip I would say London but this was the place that I had a big Spiritual growth and I hope that we can to to Spain or Germany next year cause of this amazing trip and the way that God worked things out.

Our whole family will be in Europe from June 8 to July 13, primarily to work among refugees in one gateway city.

Please join us in three prayer focuses:

• Impact among Refugees and Immigrants
• Strategic Insights to be Gained
• Lasting Impact for our Children

As of May 20th, with less than three weeks until our departure, here our top prayer concerns as we head to Europe for ministry among Afghan and other refugees:

• Travel Logistics (none of us have been to Europe before).
• God’s Spirit to fill us with compassion for those we’ll meet, and boldness.
• Preparation of hearts for a rapid multiplication of Jesus-followers.
• Joelle & Dana to gain all God intends from this experience.
• Funding for this journey (currently at 10%).

We’ll update these requests as things develop.

As of May 25th, with two weeks until our departure, we have 17% of the funding for this trip in hand and a clear sense of leading to press ahead.

This will be our first time in Europe.

Along with your prayers, we welcome your tips and suggestions.

One friend directed us to Rick Steves’ “Europe through the Back Door”, which answered a lot of our questions. But perhaps you have a few more tips for us, especially regarding what our kids might find most meaningful and how to make use of local transportation?

Joelle & Dana at a Speech and Debate Competition

While there are important strategic dimensions to this trip, we are equally interested in maximizing the benefit to our two daughters.