November 11, 2011

November 11, 2011

Thanks Everyone,

I cannot begin to tell you the blessings I received on this surprise trip to Croatia this past week. It was absolutely AMAZING! The only people who knew I was coming was Stefan and his family and Janko, the owner of the house we sleep at every year. They all kept the secret very well and had it not been for a drive by sighting of me by one of the Storks, who happen to see Stefan and I walking the streets of downtown Sisak, I would have surprised everyone.  But when he saw me he made a call to Neven, the captain of the Storks, and the rumor mill started. Stefan’s mom was called and placed on the spot, to see if it were true. She was forced into telling Neven that I was indeed there and he could not keep the secret. He started a series of calls to Martin, Marko and Coach to tell him I was in town. No surprises there, but I did get to pull off 6 or 7 surprises to several Storks, and each one was special. Watching their facial reactions when they saw me was priceless, because each was a look of unbelief.

God touched my heart through each of those experiences and having the opportunity to share with them when they asked, “why you are here”, time after time! I told them that our love for them was not just a summer time event, but a yearlong love and yearning to return back to them and that God’s love was just like that. That God’s love for me and the gift he gave me through his son Jesus Christ is the greatest gift ever given. I came because I wanted them to know to know, understand and receive that same gift and joy!! With each description and sharing of my reasoning, I saw understanding in their eyes and thankfulness in their reactions. God used this trip to soften more hearts and make more ears receptive to His love.

I want to say thank you for everyone’s prayers and support for this ministry over the years and for their additional prayer and support for this trip in the fall. We look forward to God’s ministry trip back in January for Shannon Johnston to go and spend time with the people of Sisak and meet with the directors and set up the many different ministries we have going on this summer. Then please keep our mission teams’ return in late June 2012 for the many things God has planned! HE DID IT FOR US! Let’s DO it for HIM! Our steps, HIS PRINT!

I hope to have a more detailed update for anyone who would like to read about the highlights of the trip. I would have had this sooner but since I have been back my life has been nothing but catch up! 

Your Friend

David