July 18, 2011

To All the People Who Have Supported Us,

It has now been over a week since our return from Croatia and I am finally getting my legs back under me. After over 24 hours of travel time back to the US from Croatia it is great to be back home with family and loved ones. But I have to admit that much of my heart is left in Croatia and every year I leave more and more. This being the sixth year going, I am not sure how much more I can leave behind and not stay there physically. God has truly blessed me with this ministry to Croatia and to be a part of His plan and design is absolutely an incredible joy. I wanted to take my time before writing the final report on the mission trip this year so that I could let all that happened sink in and realize the impact that each individual that God had go made on the many different people we met.

Each year God puts together a different group of people who are willing and ready to go serve Him in Croatia. We are usually a group of 12 to 18 people and with that come 12 to 18 different personalities. When you combine those personalities with: a different culture, different language and communication system, small and sometimes cramped quarters, you will almost always have difficulties and struggles. BUT, if the group puts God first and makes Him more significant than self and keeps their focus on Christ, they will grow from each experience and will allow God to strengthen them through His power and strength. That is exactly how God used this group and the good that He did through each and every one of them is amazing. I have had several emails from Martina, Manuela and Sonya telling me thank you for bringing young girls their age on the trip this year.  This allowed the young girls of Sisak to have participation with the mission team more than in years past. Heidi, Sarah and Rachel made a huge impact on those girls’ hearts and God blessed us all through their willingness to share with them. Martina wrote me this weekend to say, “Sisak is so empty without you all, when are you coming back?”

For the past 5 years the focus of this ministry was primarily baseball. We planned and prepared for the camp and games with the Storks, but this year that ministry became only a small part of the bigger picture God had planned. The baseball club, field and camp are still a vital part of this ministry but have now become one of several outreach opportunities that have surfaced through our presence there. (English classes at the Children’s Library, Business workshops and connections through Dr. Rusty Brooks and his lecture to the Chamber of Commerce, Interaction and programs with the young children at the SOS Orphanage Village, visiting the elderly people at a local Nursing Home, not to mention the many friendships we have developed over the years!) We go to love them till they ask why and watch and wait to see how God can use that to allow us to share the love of Christ with them!

If you have time and the desire to hear some of what God did through this powerful ministry in Croatia please open up the attachment I have included and realize that each and every one of you were and are a huge part of what is happening there. None of this would be possible without the support and love you all provide us back here. When those struggles and difficulties mount up against us, we know that there are people back here lifting each of us and those situations up in prayer. That is what gives us the strength to carry on and not give up! His strength through your prayers!

Thanks again for all you do and have a wonderful God filled day!

If you would like to look at some pictures from the mission trip this summer and the events surrounding the Storks visit to Texas in March, you can visit this website that has been set up. http://storkmigration2011.shutterfly.com/

Thanks again for all you have done to support this ministry!

Your Friend

David