July 5, 2011

Dear Prayer Team -

Here is our latest update.  David and Debbie are spending a lot of time and effort to provide us with these updates.  Thank you Lord for both of them and for what you are doing in Croatia.  And thank you Team for your faithfulness!

Earl

Earl,

Here is another late night letter from David, that I re-typed for him to pass along.

Thanks, 

Debbie

All I can say is WOW! God is so good and awesome and the doors HE continually opens is incredible. What once was a baseball only ministry has become so much more. The baseball ministry is a struggle at times about Christ and although they listen they don't allow it to sink in beyond the ears. Hearts are softening and we have definitely made a huge dent in to their circle of trust and friendship but that is where it stops. They have really bent over backwards to provide us with love and affection and never short of hospitality but it gets frustrating when they don’t seem to want to make that leap of faith. Marko and several others are trying to figure out where Christ is in their lives and Allen Mahac had a talk with me expressing his acceptance of Jesus Christ as his savior, which are huge victories. Please pray that Marko will let go and let God take control of his heart and pray for encouragement for Allen as he still allows the flesh to control his actions when with the team. Joe and Chris had a long discussion with 4 of the older members of the Storks last night until 2 in the morning to try and help them to cast a vision concerning the future of the Storks and to understand where Christ’s role is in all of this. I was so thankful for this opportunity and hope we will have the opportunity to discuss with them further when we go to Martin’s house tomorrow for the afternoon to spend with the Storks and our mission team.

The field dedication was incredible. The Storks had the city bring speakers out to the field and we had bleachers for the game, and they were practically full. There was probably close to 100 people who watched the game at some point. Many people riding their bikes up on the river path stopped to watch with many of them getting off and sitting on the hill. It was really neat to see and experience this dream come true. To see this field that Stefan and I had prayed over for the past 3 years come alive with baseball activity. It was an incredible feeling of joy to be a part of this and I cannot thank each of you enough for your part in this: Without your prayer and financial support this mission trip and ministry would not be possible. Thanks so much!!!!! The Storks president and Coach Daniel spoke and then Coach Daniel asked me to say a few words. Although there were tears in my eyes and my voice cracked with emotion, I think the team and the crowd realized what this all meant to us. I had the mission team come out and we presented the team with a couple of big pictures we took while the Storks were in Houston and playing at HBU. There were really surprised. They asked JD to throw out the first pitch and for me to catch it. They had Joe drive the new lawnmower out to the mound to take JD the ball so that they could show it off. It was a really neat event and a very emotional time. And to top all things off we won the game against the team form Zadar 1808. Victory for the STORKS! And the Storks pitcher, Mario, struck out the first batter off the brand new pitching mound we built. Awesome God, Awesome time!

We went today to meet the director of the city library who is the friend of Little John’s mother. We thought she owned a bookstore but she actually runs the library system for Sisak. She wants us to help her to run some English classes next summer at the children’s library in down town. This will give us an incredible opportunity to share Gods love to many others. She also found out Heidi is an artist and wants Heidi to bring her art with her next summer so that she can have an exhibit next year, Heidi was very excited and so were we for these two new opportunities. The ladies also went to the nursing home and had a wonderful time with them in sharing our Texas flags and gospel bracelets and several of the young girls sang a song or two. This also looks like an incredible opportunity for us to put on some music and skits to show them in the future. God is really giving us new opportunities to praise Him. Thank you Lord!

Tonight some rested while others walked the city and spent time together to fellowship. I got invited to a home of a young couple to have dinner and spent some time getting to know them. I had met them last year and they recently got married and wanted me to come to their new home. It was an incredible time of fellowship and gave me a wonderful opportunity to build another relationship.

I could say and tell you so much more but this keyboard is killing me and it is very difficult for Debbie to retype it all and change all my mistakes. She has been incredible in doing this and making sure you all get updates. God has blessed me so richly through my wife! Please pray god will pace it upon her heart to come again to Croatia to be a part of this ministry. Pray for Rusty as he has his talk with the local business owners and Chamber of Commerce. He has been preparing for this for quite some time and is a wonderful addition.

Hvala

Our steps HIS PRINT

David