Jan Epps-Dawson, a regional coordinator for Europe, says that feelings of encouragement were shared by all the missionaries who gathered in Barcelona this spring for a retreat. Expected to join the current missionaries over the next several months are Sean Leahy, Erin Neises, Katy Kerl, and short-term missionaries Andy and Carol Larsen in Spain; and short-term missionary C. J. Espinoza in the Czech Republic; and project missionaries Leonid and Leanna Regheta already have started work in Russia.

Thirty-five people, including five children, attended the retreat. Cathy Barsotti helped the missionaries with strategic planning. "Missionaries are bombarded with so many needs, it is critical to help one another stay focused in our ministries," says Epps-Dawson. "It was time for all of us to review old strategic plans and look at them in new ways."

Dave Kersten discussed Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, a grant funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. to promote character and competence. Cheri Auman, a volunteer therapist and care counselor met with missionary families. Three women from Peninsula Covenant Church in Redwood City, California, worked with missionary children during the retreat.

Family times revolved around the Chronicles of Narnia theme - the conclusion of which was the "coronation" of the children, who each received their new names.