It began at about 5 am on July 26th with us catching a flight out of PDX to Toronto Canada at gate E1, and it ended on August 5th at about 730 pm with our arrival at PDX from Toronto at gate E1. In between our times at gate E1 of PDX was an amazing journey. We all had experiences that will stay with us as we continue on with your every day lives. The journey to the conference was rather uneventful. We met up with our team member from Texas (Will) when we made it to Toronto and then made our way to Krakow via Frankfurt. It was raining when we arrived in Krakow which made us guys from Oregon feel right at home. We had a tour of a local salt mine scheduled for that day so it was perfect as it was all underground out of the rain. All of us went to sleep early that night as we were all exhausted from our travels. The next morning we awoke to a beautiful sunny day which was perfect weather for our schedule bike tour of the city. The next morning we had a bit of time for site seeing before having to go back to the airport to catch the bus to Wisla and the conference. When we got to the conference we ready for whatever was going to be coming our way. Over the next 5 days we helped over 100 missionaries (roughly 250 attended conference) with various computer issues that ranged from the standard cleanup tasks to a hard drive that was going bad. We had such an amazing time helping the missionaries and getting a chance to fellowship with them at the meal times there at the hotel. After the conference ended we made our way back to Krakow for a bit more tourism before starting our trek home. While there in Krakow we met up with the team from Bulgaria and ate at a Mexican food restaurant (Yes American’s eating Mexican food in Krakow Poland, I know its funny), after dinner we all finished up our last minute touristy things and headed to bed early as we had to catch the 450 am train from the train station to the airport. We made our way to the train station and began our journey home. Little did we know the “fun” that was going to be in store for some of us on the journey home. We made it to the airport in plenty of time and got all checked in for our 650 am flight to Munich. While waiting at the airport we ran into several of our missionary friends from the conference (some of whom we actually ended up flying all the way to Toronto with). Our flight to Munich was rather uneventful and a great way to start our morning, now this is where the story gets interesting. We were scheduled to depart Munich at noon so when we arrived we had plenty of time to find our gate and relax prior to departure. When we finally got the first status of our flight it was going to be delayed 30 minutes. This concerned us a little as that would make things in Toronto a little tight with having to clear US Customs but we werent too concerned at that point. By the time our flight departed it was over an hour late and we were very concerned because when we landed we had exactly 1 hour to get off the plane, go through the precursory passport check, go get our checked luggage, go through US Customs, go through TSA and get to our gate to depart for PDX (Our Texas based team member Will had 2 extra hours so he was in a much better situation than us time wise). We made our way to get our luggage and it was 415 pm by the time we got our luggage (our flight was scheduled to board at 420 and depart at 455). Then we started the fun of the US Customs line. It wasnt too bad but we still had a long line there we had to wait in. By the time we got through customs it was close to 430 if not later. After we all cleared customs it was off to drop off our checked luggage and go to TSA. When we got to TSA the line was huge so at this point we were very concerned about missing our flight. As we wound our way through the TSA line we said our goodbyes to Will which were a bit rushed but still good, when we got close to the front we asked a TSA agent if there was anything they could do for us due to our flight leaving in mere minutes and they put us over into the “fast lane.” The fast lane was the family security line. Now I dont know what TSA is thinking calling a line where you are trying to get small children through security a fast lane but that is beside the point. We had 3 families in front of us when we got in the line, we let one more gentleman cut in front of us as his flight was leaving pretty much right then, by the time we made it through TSA it was basically 455 pm so we ran down the stairs, checked the monitors to find our gate number, ran a little ways down the wrong corridor, turned around, ran back down the correct corridor, and found our gate while they were still boarding. Whew just made it. We boarded the plane (and we werent even the last ones on) and after a slight delay to check on tire pressure were off to Portland to end the journey. We arrived back at gate E1 at a little after 730 pm on August 5th meaning we had all been up for about 25 hours at that point (not counting the time we slept on the planes of course). We made our way down to baggage where we met up with families, got our luggage and said our goodbyes. Thus ended the whirlwind journey that was the GEM AC 2011 for the Mark 5 Ministries Tech Team. Thank you guys out there that supported us with prayer and financial support. Thank you to all my teammates it was a pleasure serving with all of you, you made the trip interesting and fun.
- Sam Robinson
We had a great time here at the conference, working long hours, but sensing the Lord’s strength as we fixed computers, offered computer training, provided technical consulting to missionaries, and had great fellowship.
We fixed/updated 50 computers and helped at least that many others with computer issues (like training how to use their SmartPhones, helping them with computer security and backup plans, helping the conference run by printing out announcements, etc., etc.)
The missionaries thanked us over and over again for the support we provided. Our technical contact with GEM was impressed with the “process” we had in place for helping the missionaries; from the in-take form where we queried each person about their needs, to the technical sheet where we track what has been done on each computer, to the actual process of working on the computers. It is satisfying to know that we have left each computer and each person better off than when we started.
The team has a VERY long travel day today (Friday) from Krakow (Poland) to Portland, OR (one to Dallas, TX), starting out by catching the train from downtown to the Krakow airport at 4:50 AM. The start of the first flight to the end of the last flight will be just over 21 hours (assuming all goes as planned).
Thanks again for supporting this team and our work! Your care and support has helped us impact the lives (and computers) of so many, with the ripple effect allowing the missionaries to be more effective and reach so many with life-changing Truth and Grace! Thank you!
~ Corey
Here we are, mostly done with the conference; wow, it has flown by! So far we have fixed (updated, tuned up, cleaned up, configured, completely re-worked, etc.) about 45 computers and helped out about 35 other people with issues like fixing email issues, installing password encryption programs, training in the use of technology, adjusting their back up plan, printing documents, consulting on various technology and security related topics, etc., etc.! (I am sure there are more that 35 people we have helped, but those are the ones recorded. Sometimes we are all talking with people one after the other with various issues; they can’t all be recorded.)
Although we have been busy (working from about 7 AM till at least 10 or 11 PM each day), we have all worked very hard and have really completed our tasks in record time.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) is our last full day of technology work; we will finish up all computers, do our “Reflection time” together, pack up all our equipment, and spend the last meeting with the missionaries before heading back to Krakow on Thursday morning.
~ Corey
In an effort to get a better understanding on the missionaries’ needs, we handed out a Technology Survey for them to fill out at the Conference. In order to encourage participation, we entered their names in a drawing for a free Amazon Kindle. I have never seen such a great response or people showing such willingness to fill out our short survey! 
We have a winner tonight! He was a guy that assured everyone that his wife would win the drawing; I guess he gets to give her a great gift!
With all this great input, we will be able to know how to provide better support and create effective solutions for the missionaries’ needs.
~ Corey
It’s our second full day here at the conference, and computers are trickling in. I’ve worked on lots of computers, performing disk repairs, basic tune-ups, and even email work; Just yesterday I took a Macbook Pro’s boot-up time from 3 minutes to 42 seconds, and the shut down time from 2 minutes to about 15 seconds. Can you imagine what a blessing that is for these missionaries?
Well, I can. When we help these missionaries with their computers and technology problems, a huge burden is taken off of their shoulders. For many of these missionaries, the computer is the way of communicating with their donors, family at home, and Greater Europe Mission. When the computer is not working, a massive amount of stress gets put on them, and it can distract from their work. The smile that I see on the missionaries faces, and the hugs that I get from them when the computer is fixed affirms why i’m here.
We are the missionaries for the missionaries.
I have to say, God has really been with us on this trip so far. I’ve had tons of fun serving these wonderful people, fixing their computers, but even more, having wonderful conversations with them. Some of the missionaries I have talked to have been in the field for over 40 years!
Last night, we had an opening conference, where we worshipped, and some people spoke. I have to say, it was really refreshing and stress relieving to be in a room with 250 other believers that were worshipping their God with all their heart. I’m telling you now… you could feel the holy spirit in the room. After worshipping and praising God, I was definitely ready to continue work on the computers.
It’s the end of Sunday night, our first full day of working on missionaries computers, and God has given me wisdom and strength, so i’ve completed all the Mac jobs that have come in, and i’m now working on PC’s.
I’m excited for the rest of this week. Please continue to pray, and stay updated.
We had our one full day in Krakow (Thursday) before going to
the GEM Conference tomorrow afternoon. We started the day with a great time of
fellowship and prayer, talking about how the essence of the gospel is often forgotten,
which is: (1) We are “in Christ” (our position and standing); that we
are identified with Christ, so that his history of death, resurrection, living
a new life in righteousness and sanctification, is actually our history (1 Cor.
1:30; Rom 6: 1-9; Eph. 2:1-6), and (2) “Christ is in us” (our
condition and power for daily living) (2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 2:20, Col. 1:27).
We then had a great 4 & 1/2 hour guided bike tour around
Krakow. It was just a great time of learning about the city and covering large
distances to see special sites and learn about the important history of Krakow,
such as the oldest gate of the city (Florinska), the university district, the
Wawel Castle, the Jewish Quarter, including Shindler’s factory, and sites of
atrocities against the Jews.
We then had a great dinner together and then dessert at my
favorite chocolate shop (Pijalnia Czekolasy Welda).
Beside the great time we had together, this was an excellent
day of team building and getting to know one another better. We had not been
together as a team until we finally all met at the airport on our way out here.
At one point we all decided that our one team member from Texas, needs to move
out to Oregon where the rest of us live. Not sure if we can convince him of
that.
Tomorrow (Friday) we have the morning in Krakow, and then
head for Wisla to set up for the conference.
~ Corey
So far on this trip we have been incredibly blessed that it is almost funny. The first major blessing came on the flight from Toronto to Krakow when Peter and myself (the two tallest members of the team) were given seats on the flight that were the exit row that was the break between Economy Plus and regular coach so there was nothing in front of us for about 6 feet so we had room to stretch our legs out when we slept. The second major blessing was the weather on the day we arrived was overcast and rainy. Now I know that may not sound like a blessing normally but in this case it was. It was absolutely perfect weather for a day where you going to be spending about 2 hours underground touring a Salt Mine. The third blessing was the weather today. We were told yesterday that the weather today was supposed to be the same as it was yesterday, well the forecast was wrong. Today was an absolutely beautiful sunny day which was perfect because today we took a 4 hour bicycle tour around the various portions of Krakow. So had the weather today been the same kind of weather as yesterday that would have been a miserable tour. So the hand of the Lord has been so evident in all of our travels so far that it has been amazing. Both the tours would have been miserable had the days been switched, the bike tour for obvious reasons, but the salt mines because it would seem like a waste of a beautiful day to spend it underground. Thank you everyone back home for all your prayers and support.
Well, our M5M Tech Team leaves bright and early Tuesday
morning! (At the airport about 4:45 AM).
We have spent many hours planning and preparing, arranging trip details,
holding fund-raising events, etc. We have updated our standard technical
process, and gathered all our tech tools, and now only have a couple forms to
update and final packing to do.
Most of us fly out from Portland Oregon, and will rendezvous
with our last team member (Will Dooley) in Toronto, before our flight to
Frankfurt, then Krakow Poland. We will spend a couple of days in Krakow,
adjusting to our new time zone and doing a little sightseeing before traveling
to the GEM Conference location (Hotel
Golebiewski, Wisla, Poland) on Friday afternoon (July 29). From that time
on, we will mostly be working from early morning until late at night, fixing and
tuning the missionaries’ computers, advising and training missionaries on using
technology more effectively, and solving technical issues they may have. (The
conference ends on Aug. 4; our team flies home Aug. 5.)
Please pray for us as we travel. Please especially pray for us
to make our connecting flight in Frankfurt; it ends up that we only have 45
minutes to make our connection. (It was not ideal, but was the least painful of
our flight choices.) And/or, pray that we keep a good attitude and have a mind
to gain Christ in the midst of a difficult situation if we miss that
connection. (Correction: Your prayers have been answered already!
I realized that I refused to book the 45-minute-layover flight; we actually
have an hour and 15 minutes; which isstill a stretch in the Frankfurt airport!)
Also please pray that our service to the missionaries will
be effective in furthering their important work. And that the Lord would use
our skills and give us wisdom in dealing with all the technical issues we encounter.
Thank you for all your prayers, support, and encouragement;
we could not do this trip without you.
As I posted before, we hope you will follow us on the blog
on our website (http://gemac2011.mark5ministries.org/ ) or
via Facebook ( www.facebook.com/mark5ministries).
(If you want to get these blog posts emailed to you, please click the
“Email Updates” link in the upper right-hand corner of the website.)
If the Lord lays it on your heart, and you have not had a
chance to support our team financially, please feel free to donate online (at
our M5M page), or send a check (details found here: http://info.mark5ministries.org )
We will keep you updated on our progress! Thanks for your
interest in the work of Mark 5 Ministries. Corey.
Hey everyone, I am excited to announce that Mark 5 Ministries has been asked by Greater Europe Mission (GEM) to take care of the technical needs for their missionaries at their Annual Conference again this year! The conference will run from July 30 to August 4 in the town of Wisla in southern Poland (the same location that it was held last year, at the Hotel Golebiewski).
There are 5 members of our Tech Team this year. Our team members are Corey Keating, Sam Robinson, Peter Buhler, Will Dooley, and Ethan Morrow. Although I, Sam, and Peter have been on M5M trips in the past, it is exciting to have Will and Ethan join us for the first time. When describing our work to others, it is impossible to convey in words the gratitude the missionaries have for our help and the important need we are meeting by enabling them to be more effective in ministry through the use of technology. It is always refreshing to me to see a new Tech Team member go on their first trip and witness them discovering how much the Lord can use their skills to positively affect His Kingdom work.
Thank you so much for your interest and your support of our ministry! We could not do this work without your support and encouragement.
Please pray for us as we are in the midst of the many, many details required to prepare for the trip, both in terms of travel plans, strategizing on the use of the technology for this year, and raising the funds for this trip.
We hope you will follow us on this website ( http://gemac2011.mark5ministries.org/ ) or via Facebook ( www.facebook.com/mark5ministries ). (If you want to get these blog posts emailed to you, please click the “Email Updates” link in the upper right-hand corner of the website.)
If you have not had a chance to support our team financially, please feel free to donate online (at our M5M page), or send a check (details found here: http://info.mark5ministries.org )
Peace to you! Corey.
