Prayer letter
"You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth." - Jesus
January 2006
Happy New Year! I hope you your family had a blessed Christmas where Christ was the center of your celebration. It has been eye opening experiences these past few months as I attempt to understand adapt to the reverse culture I have walked into. To hear that children where being reprimanded for writing letters to our soldiers using the word Christmas or hearing an employee being fired for wishing a customer, "Merry Christmas!" has been interesting. Where are we as a nation (USA) headed?
Thankfully, for me, I have discovered where God is calling me this next year. I want to begin by thanking you for your prayers, encouragement & support as I have wrestled these last few months in determining where the Lord would have me be serve Him. Prior to returning home for three months, I believed in my heart that the Lord was telling me that it was not quiet time to return home to the states but that my time in Slovakia was coming to an end. So where does that leave me?
Going Global!
Josiah Venture (JV) has asked me to join a team of experienced youth leaders who desire to serve alongside our 10 Eastern European JV partners in assisting them be successful in raising up youth leaders within their countries. Specifically, they have asked me to serve as their communications specialist where I will utilize my gifts and talents in creating communications processes that will involve internet/intranet management, develop a consistent message and communication plan for the members of the organization and continue to serve locally in youth ministry. This new role will continue to be a financial support-based position.
In February, when I return to Slovakia, I will begin my transitional phase. I will wrap things up and turn things over to Peter and our team. It has been a blessing for me to work alongside a talented and inspiring group of young people and will be hard for me to say good- bye! I will participate one last summer with their English camp and with the Serbian English camp. We are still working out the details of when I will move to the Czech Republic to begin serving with our missionaries who are equipping young leaders in Eastern Europe to fulfill Christ's commission.
In the months to come, I will share more of what this position will look like and how your partnership will continue to reach the youth of Eastern Europe on a global perspective. Until then, I'd like to offer a moment of praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father on how He works, moves, and creates things to happen for His glory and purpose in His timing!
Blessings,
Mike
