June 30
Training is going well and we are all looking forward to spending an entire week at camp, teach English, playing sports, laughing, having fun and sharing our lives with the students the Lord has provided for us to be with this summer. We have 20 guys and 51 girls coming to camp this summer.
We'd ask that you please be in prayer for us this coming week as we serve our God and help build a bridge between them and our heavenly Father.
I'll do my best to share what is going on, but we will have limited access to the internet, but look forward to sharing stories of what the Lord did.
June 29
Then he said to them ALL: "If anyone would COME after me, he must DENY himself and TAKE up his cross DAILY and FOLLOW me" Luke 9:23
This passage spoke to me this morning. And as I prepare for camp, I began to consider Jesus as Son of God and Son of Man. As I look at him as a man, I see him obeying his father and putting himself on the cross as a selfless-act. Dieing of himself. As I look at him as God, I see love, care, & compassion. What does this all mean? God loves me! And every day, I need to die of who I am: self-determining & self-absorbing, and follow Him. Rom. 6:11 states, "count yourselves DEAD to SIN but ALIVE to GOD in Christ Jesus."
Meanwhile, Celebration & the other American churches have arrived! Today, we begin our KECY training days that involve our National teams as well. We will come together this afternoon as the body of Christ to prepare our hearts, minds and souls to share our lives with students this next week in order that they will see Christ in us and desire to have a personal relationship with Him.
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST
This just in from the youth leader, Mark Daniel, in Serbia. It paints a picture of what is taking place down there and we'd welcome your prayers for the team and situation.
Hi guys,
Still working on the roles and the different teams. Things are coming together slowly, though our greatest difficulty is still actually attracting young people to the camp! Just in the last ten days there has been MAJOR negative stuff about evangelical Christians in Serbia - a big concert by a Christian band in Belgrade was cancelled, somebody got cold feet about it being Christians involved. Also, the Children's Mission distributed thousands of flyers around central Serbia connected with the football World Cup, and got a write-up in a popular national tabloid about a "secret sect" trying to ensnare children, with a ridiculous (unrelated) picture of two people in pointed hoods!
So this is what we are up against... And we need plenty of prayer to overcome this. In fact, this is the single biggest issue regarding the camp. I frankly suggest doing a lot less organizing and a lot more praying if possible!
On the plus side, I have managed to visit a number of private language schools, and this is DEFINITELY the target to aim for in future years. I am hoping for at least a small number of participants as a result of these. But the main work should still be on the part of our youth, inviting their friends etc. but they still need a LOT of encouragement just to understand what we are trying to do, never mind invite their friends, so this is a real struggle.
Please pray about this!
Mark
June 28
En route to Zilina to welcome Americans!
Yesterday was a good day. We visited the camp site location and brought all of our camp equipment. As we walked around the campsite, it brought back a few fond memories of two years ago. I am so glad that we will be here again.
Please be in prayer today as Celebration and the other two churches from the states are flying in. Ryan, Anka and I will head to Zilina to meet them and spend a few days there training and preparing the American & National teams for camp. Lee Ann is in Vienna welcoming the teams.
June 27
Your prayers are needed. This Saturday will begin our fourth KECY for the Lutheran youth group in PO. I am looking forward to this week as it will be my last KECY. I have mixed emotions. Your prayers are needed for many reasons. For the students to know Jesus, for the American team to have safe travels and experience God like never before, for the National team to desire to follow-up with these students and live their lives with them after we are all gone, and for me.
Lately, I have had so many thoughts running through my head that have distracted me from an important event that I must do on Saturday. And that is to give the first talk. To open up the camp. To set the tone for the rest of the week. For those of you who know me, I enjoy speaking in front of crowds, but at this point, my mind is not on the main issue, Jesus Christ. It is on so many other things.
So by sharing my heart with you, I'd ask that you please pray for me today & the rest of the week that I find time to be with the Lord and seek what He'd have me share this weekend. And, pray for this first camp from July 1-7. That the students will have open hearts, minds and eyes to experience God in a new way.
Thanks.
June 26
You know it is the hottest day of the year, when you open up your cupboard and your American "stash" aka: Butterfingers/Reece Cups are melted.
Today had to be one of the hottest days of the year. My flat does not have air condition, not do most of the buildings in Slovakia. We have a fan running in each of the rooms and rely on the shower to cool us off.
We spent the mid morning with one of our friends, Jany, who cannot come to KECY, but celebrated his birthday. He is a great guy. His mom works in Vienna as an aupair and gets to see her every three weeks. His dad works in the village they live in outside of PO.
In the evening, we gathered up all of our camp equipment for the morning delivery to our camp site.
June 25
Today, Ryan & I went on a four-hour bike ride with some friends. It was a beautiful day to be outside and to exercise.
June 24
Yesterday was a packed day! Ryan and I spent time with six different guys at four various times. So many of them have different schedules, that it was hard for us to get everyone together. So we went bowling with Jany and Peter. Had ice-cream & Kofola (SK cola) with Maros & Alex and hung out at a local establishment with Marek & David.
The conversations varied but were meaningful and we are thanking God for the opportunities.
Today, we had our KECY-PO team time where we prepared for camp. It was nice to have Paige, Kenric and Garrett, an intern from Atlanta, GA who is serving on the west side of Slovakia.
June 23
A time to stop in our tracks and pray.
The following is an email I received from Chaga in Serbia. They are in need of prayers as to what the Lord wants them to learn, experience and do for Him. They have a month before their first camp and as always, the Lord provides options, doors and opportunities. May we seek Him for answers & truth!
Mike,
I am a bit concern cause for now we don't have anyone who applied for the camp. So wee need to fight in the spirit and pray.
Something is still week and wrong in our promotion campaign. People here are still stiff.
Mark is trying to do something with private English language schools, but he don't seems encouraged either.
I don't know what the director of the school did with the invitations in Mitrovica, but it is possible that he did nothing.
So the situation is not nice for now.
On 4. July we will be with all team of Novi Sad going outside for short "marathon" with a goal of building team. We will try to encourage youth to call their friends. I have impression that all people in Novi Sad church, especially youth are hypnotized with attitude "I can't do nothing, I am not interested, all will do Chaga and maybe Mark..."
It kills me.
Chaga
June 22
Please be in prayer for Peter's wife, Katka's mother and grandmother who are both in the hospital. Her mom had surgery and her grandmother is battling cancer.
Today, we said good-bye to Matt and spent the afternoon playing ultimate Frisbee with several students. We had over 15 guys play with us today. Many of them will come to camp.
PRAISE GOD! Our camp is full!
Ok, had to give a shout out to God. After ultimate, we taught them American football before the rain came. We spent an hour or so at a local establishment drinking their cola- Kofola. Afterwards, Ryan and I went home to rest.
June 21
Road trip!
It was great to get out of town and spend time on the road and with friends. Yesterday morning, we picked up Matt, who happened to be in the area for a few days. He was such a great encouragement to us.
In the afternoon, Lee Ann and Matt visited the concentration camp, while Ryan and I spent time with Josh and his intern team. In the evening, we grilled out hamburgers at another missionaries home and had fun sharing stories, jumping on a trampoline and hanging out on a porch with the cool breeze.
Today, we spent time in another city before heading home. On our way home, we stopped at a lake and went swimming such a random thing to do, but fun. In the evening, Matt spent time with several students whom he befriended two years ago.
June 20
En route to Poland
Our team is taking a break & heading up to Poland for an "overnighter." We plan to visit a few cities, pick up Matt, a former intern who is in the region, and spend time with a few JV missionaries and their interns. We will return late Wednesday night before spending more time over the weekend with the students.
Praise- late last night, I got a Skype message from our friend, Mark, in Serbia. He shared that he met with a few parents of students who attend a local English language school and they are very interested in sending their children to camp this summer. We'd ask for your continued prayers!
June 19
Today, Ryan, Lee Ann & I visited our last school, Lutheran High School, for the Presov camps. During our visit, we had a nice time promoting camp with one of the classes. Anka, was taking an exam and met us for our lunch team meeting. She past with an A.
Afterwards, we met several of the students and teachers at a local establishment where Ryan and I spent the entire day with two guys, Jany (John) and Tomas (Tom.) Jany was nervous to speak in English but later became comfortable with us and realized we were not going to make fun of him. He really came out of his shell and spoke well. Please pray for him, that he will be allowed to come to camp with us. We met a few other students at the same time, and found several of them to be believers in Christ and had several good conversations. Praise the Lord- He is moving!
It was a great day to be with students and our team.
June 18
Happy Father's Day!
Dad, you are a great man & I appreciate all that you have done for our family. Thanks for your kind heart, sacrificial giving & hard work in leading our family. I pray that the Lord will bless you with His presence & draw you near to Him each day.
Today, we went to the Lutheran church and afterwards, held church again at my flat for Ryan, Lee Ann and myself as we listened to one of Andy1s sermons. Afterwards, we just rested. This afternoon, Ryan and I will go play soccer with some of our students.
Yesterday, the country held its elections with the Socialist Democratic party wining but needing to form a coalition government. It is rumored that they will form with the national party which will be very interesting for Slovakia. The current prime-minister created many reforms that brought Slovakia into the EU. The new prime minister promises to raise taxes on the rich and help the poor.
Please pray for Slovakia and its future. May the Lord reign in this country!
June 17
"He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Cor. 5:15God continues to share more about my walk with Him and how I need to live in the "gap" in Him and not for myself. Each day, I desire to die of my self, yet it is hard. Oh may I grasp this truth Jesus died for me. I am a new creation & although the flesh desires things of this world, may my heart, mind, soul & strength live for Him each second of the day.
Today, I slept in and relaxed. Fighting a minor cold, but know that the Lord will provide His healing touch and love.
June 16
Round two!
Ryan & I visited another school today & visited 10 classes to promote camp. Afterwards, some of my small group guys invited us out for pizza. It was great getting caught up with them as they have just finished high school and almost finished taking their college entrance exams.
This evening, we held our KECY Klub outside. We had over 45 students in attendance. We played a few games, Marcel shared a brief talk and then we had our KECY band play for the students. I am encouraged on how the Lord is moving in PO and with our team.
This weekend, we plan to rest!
June 15
What a day Ryan & I had?!
We woke up early this morning and spend the entire day in one of the schools I have taught in. God blessed us with the opportunity to share about KECY to about 20 classes. We were accompanied by Dusan, one of the students from this school, who went to KECY last year, and will be part of our KECY band this summer.
Ryan did a great job in connecting with the students. In fact, after school, we spent several hours at a local hang out with at least 8 of the students we met. Please be in prayer for these students as they decide to come to camp or not.
FYI as of yesterday, we had 44 students already signed up! Praise the Lord.
June 14
Took the day off and headed to the mountains with a few friends for some R&R.
June 13
We left the train station at 4:34, took a bus and train to PO and arrived home around 7:00. The rest of the day, we slept, relaxed and vegged out. Nothing more to share.
June 12
En route to PO with a layover in Budapest, and a diverted train trip that led us to spend the night in a train station.
It was hard to say good-bye, but all knew we would be together in a month. The four of us left Serbia encouraged and loved by such amazing people. We arrived in Budapest and visited the city during our 4.5-hour layover. It was a beautiful day to walk around and stretch our legs. We boarded the train with expectations to arrive in PO by midnight. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
We were looking forward to getting home to sleep in our own beds. However, after we left the next to last train station, we noticed that we were not heading near our city and started to pray that we would stop at the next big station. Fortunately, we did. We found out that they changed the train routes and discovered that no one shared that information with us. It was after midnight and no more trains or buses were heading back to PO. So, we spent the evening in the train station. It was quiet an experience, one that we all will never forget. All we could do was laugh, and thank God we were alive and safe.
June 11
"Do not be afraid, you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated." Isa. 54:4a
Today, while at church, this verse spoke to me. I used this verse during my time to share with the congregation why we are in Serbia and how they can partner with their youth this summer as it relates to the summer English camps. I asked the youth and team to stand up so that they can be recognized and prayed over. It was a great moment for the youth not to feel all alone.
Today, we had lunch at Marko's house, went back to church to watch Serbia play in the world cup and then went to play soccer with the guys. Unfortunately, Serbia lost, but our team won as we played backyard soccer. In the evening, we went back to Marko's to join his small group.
By far, this was the most memorable time of our visit! Spending time with six guys, sharing from the heart, encouraging and praying for God to strengthen them, protect them and lead them was a huge encouragement. All my time in Eastern Europe, this was the first time to see men be vulnerable and share. The leaders came to Slovakia for some training 7 months ago, and applied what they learned and began holding these groups in January. Please pray for these men who are seeking a deeper and stronger relationship with the Lord.
June 10
Today, we slept in and spent time in the city with some of the Novi Sad team leaders. In the evening, Mark (the youth leader), Lee Ann, Anka & I cooked our team tortillas and came together to talk about camp, pray for camp and learn the camp dance. Please be in prayer for this team as they have lots of fears to ask their friends to come to camp.
Oh may the darkness be lifted up, fears taken away, and the Lord prevails in this land of His. Amen
Afterwards, we watched another soccer game with the guys.
June 9
Protestant v/s Orthodox
To give you a glimpse of the spiritual battle that goes on in Serbia, I thought I would share today's experience.
Prior to coming to Serbia, we made plans with both teams to set up some school visits for us so we can come into a classroom, share about our English camps and get to know the students. They had told us it is not as easy as in other countries and they were right. They had us set up today with one school, but last night, I got word that we would not be able to go because one of the teachers is Orthodox, and told them we were Protestant, so the director said, "No!"
You see over here if you are not Orthodox, you are a sect, cult, not worthy, not a Christian. And the government and Orthodox churches has a stronghold on the entire country making it hard to evangelize. In fact, I was told that they have had stories in the media sharing to be careful for the youth not to attend English camps. To be Serbian, means you are Orthodox. Just like a Jew, is Jewish. We experienced this last year as well during our camps and believe we will experience it more when we return this summer for camps.
God is moving in this country, and I would ask you to be in prayer for Serbia, our teams participating in the camps and for the students that they would come to camp to learn English, and allow us to build relationships with them so that through our actions, they will see a difference and want the same thing we have; Jesus!
Praise- the team made contact with a medical high school and the director allowed us to meet with him. We all went into his conference room, and I had to share with the team leaders why we were here and about our camps. In the end, he was open for us to give him the flyers and registration cards. Please pray for the director's heart to be softened and share the information with his teachers. The team told me that he is a hard man and was surprise we got in to see him.
After our visit, we returned to the team's pastor house. We had a great time in fellowship, ate a great home-cooked meal and watched a movie together. They are an amazing team full of Christ love. Afterwards, we visited the campsite for our second camp this summer and returned to Novi Sad for the evening.
June 8
We woke up early this morning, had a breakfast and went to class.
We spent most of the day in one school to promote the Chat Camps taking place in Serbia. Our team did a great job today. It was our first time in a Serbian school. The students and teacher welcomed us with open arms. This was a huge blessing for Chaga and his team. As it is not common for anyone from a protestant church to promote a camp or a program in the school. The country is predominately orthodox, but God was good to us today.
Anka, our Slovak intern, did a great job in promoting camp and sharing from her experiences. I was so impressed with her. Lee Ann, has been doing a great job in spending time with her, discipiling her and encouraging her. Ryan, is connecting well with several of the team members and inviting the students to camp.
This evening, we spent time with several of the guys from the team and watched the sunset fall down on Novi Sad. I will soon have some photos up from this trip.
June 7
We arrived in PO at 3:30 safe and sound. After a few hours of rest, our team (Ryan, Lee Ann & Anka) woke up and took a train to Serbia. We arrived safe and sound in Novi Sad in the late evening, where Chaga was there to pick us up. It is good to be in Serbia. We are in Serbia to help promote camps, and encourage the national teams.
June 6
Greetings from Malenovice, where the rain has finally stopped, the sun is shinning and the mountains are visible. As I type this, I am sitting downstairs in the conference room where the sunset is shining through the windows, touching so many of the intern faces as Dave concludes his message on Philippians.
Phil 4 - Joy robbers
Three thieves come to steal our joy. Unresolved conflict, worry and unhealthy thoughts.
This week has been a great time for us to come together, to prepare, train, and pray for the summer. Dave wrapped up his talk on Philippians. It was a great study to go through and look forward to apply what we learned in my daily walk with the Lord.
The evening program, ended in worship, prayer and communion, as we were all commissioned. Our team is heading back to PO this evening. Please be in prayer as we travel these next few days from Czech to Slovakia to Serbia.
June 5
Phil 3- Finding joy in the Lord
Knowing Christ outweighs everything else. And as you read v. 8, it basically states that, "comparing to knowing Christ, everything else is shit." Yes, I typed it and Dave spoke it.
How many times do we put confidence in things of this world or in the flesh to have life? Comparing us to others, focusing on the world's values, on our knowledge, laws, experiences, etc. What do I need to be, do or get in order to have life? We need to reassess our resources (v.7-9) and seek Christ only!
We also need to redirect our energy (v.10-11). We need to seek to know Christ daily, seek to know His supernatural power, seek to know the fellowship of his suffering, and seek to know the resurrection life. Various people experienced resurrection, before Christ, but only Jesus never died again. He got a new body, a new life! When we die of things, we are free from everything. I will admit, I have died of some things, but other things I have a hard time of dieing to because of my confidence in the flesh!
I would ask you to pray with me and I am willing to pray for you in this area as well because Christ is all we need. Take courage, Paul was not there yet. But he pressed on.
June 4
Phil 2 - Good attitudes make right relationships
The chapter discusses how we are to be like-minded, a family, belonging, community, unified, safe, secure, oneness, closeness, openness. Yet two attitudes destroy our relationships. The first one is me! I confess, I am selfish, conceited, and prideful. But our attitude is to be like Christ- a servant. The other attitude is complaining & arguing. And the antidote is to focus on changing me instead of changing everything around me. I need to ask how this can be a sanctification process (v.12). And the goal for this is to change my attitude and be a servant.
June 3
Phil. 1 - The Secrets of joy in difficulty
From the beginning of the chapter, we see that the minute I trusted Christ, I received Christ, but not all of it is being lived out. Paul's prayer is for us too - that our love may go further up and farther in into a relationship with Jesus. We have so much, but we are not to stay where we are, we are to press on! But sometimes we become stagnate because of temptation, sin, habits, fear, etc.
Paul was facing two problems- in prison and his brothers were against him. Yet he rejoiced! Why? Because he saw these problems as opportunities rather then obstacles. His goals, as should ours be, was to share Christ (v.7, 12, & 18), show Christ in Him (v.20) & to know Christ (3:7-10). The secret of joy in difficulty is for us to change our goals and focus the opportunity on Christ and not on our self.
June 2
Malenovice, CR
Today, the interns began their training as we began talking about apologetics and ended the evening working through Philippians with Dave teaching both topics. We have over 50 participants from all over North America and the world- Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, & Ukraine, to serve as the body of Christ and share his message to high school students.
June 1
En route to Malenovice, CR
We spent most of the day in the city of Olomouc doing more tasks like eating stinky cheese & onions, rafting down a section of a river and running to the final destination. The best part for our team was when a man asked us to help him push-start his car. We said we would if he could take us to the center of town to the next clue station. He said yes, and it felt like the real race found on TV. This helped us get to 5th place.
Upon our arrival to the train station, we discovered that we were now with the first three teams and the race was on. One team got off at a different stop to take a few more trains to get them there quicker, but came with risk of a 4 and 2 minute lay over. The rest of us got off the train and ran to taxis. One team could not take them because they did not have enough money, so they got back on the train to take it to the next clue station. Our team and another team took taxis.
It was a real "Amazing Race" moment when our team raced in a taxi after another team in two taxis. We eventually past them and once we arrived at our clue station, we ran to the next taxi and took off to our hotel. The team ran from the top floor to the bottom floor of the hotel looking for the final answer to the last clue, which happened to be Dave Patty. Our team came in first! The verse that came to our minds was "the last shall be first."
The team was so excited and won a Mexican dinner at a local restaurant. For me, it was great to watch our team make decisions and how they react to various situations. We were exhausted, but it was nice to have a cooked meal, hot shower and a time to rest.
