June 27 notes from David

Notes from David...

I don't have enough words to describe the blessings of today!  The joy would overwhelm me if it were even possible to fully express my joy!  Today was absolutely incredible.  Out the seven years we have been here, this has got to be in the top 10 days!  So many things that went on today that were used to glorify Him were incredible.

The day started a little rough when we realized that the stage hole was a little too deep, and I had to run to 4 different places to get rebar, wood and other supplies.  Dalton, Chris & Rusty had to re-dig to straighten the site - it was a bit off.  Robert & Elvis were a great help this morning.

We had a small lunch, and then Robert, Dalton & Chris headed back to the field to work more on the form and get the rebar & mesh worked out for the stage.  The first day of baseball camp was scheduled to start at 4:00, so they were also getting ready for the players.  (Chris sent a separate blog with more details about the camp.)

Rusty stayed back at home to visit with the Catholic Priest - Svjetlana & Stefan took him.  The girls & I stayed back to get ready for the SOS Village event (we had to leave at 2:30.)  I had to build some things, and the girls separated & packed up the candy & prizes.  Shannon went early this morning with Svjetlana (Stefan's mom) to the SOS Village to scope it out and make sure we were still on for the carnival.

I went by the field to pick up Mario & Armin (Armin is a ballplayer who has been in and out of the Storks...   I've seen him at camps for the last seven years as he's grown up into an adult third baseman.)  They both wanted to come help with the SOS Village carnival event.  Armin was a God-send!  He was such a hard worker - never stopped working, and jumped to a new event when one finished.  He does not speak much English, but seemed to enjoy hanging out.  He even came out to Janko's tonight!  He was moved by being at the SOS Village, and talked about how sad it was to see these children without parents.  I know it touched his heart - it touched all of our hearts to see the kids smile and have a great time playing the games.  It was absolutely wonderful.  One of the directors showed us around, showed us their activity places, and showed us inside one of the houses where 6 kids live with a House Mom.

We finished up at the SOS Village around 6:00.  When we got back to Siack we ordered out dinner- Shannon & girls went to pick up dinner and the guys & I went by the baseball field to check on progress.  The form and the mesh on the stage had been set and is ready to pour tomorrow.  They started working on the dugouts today - got it stabilized, the roof ready to put on, and started the mortar on the back.  It's really taking shape!  To see this happen is really incredible.  The Storks just need a spark.  They don't always have the spark when we're not here, but when we are here to light it they really take off!  We all feel it - they just need more of a presence here.  The Storks are starting to get their spark back again and everything is looking good.  It's very exciting!

We had a wonderful SOS Village event, great progress on the field improvements (weeds gone, mortar work started, stage work ready to be poured), and a wonderful first day of camp (25 kids participated, 22 of whom were new - and 5 parents stayed behind to watch.  For the camp tomorrow, we have all 25 coming back plus 11 more from the Bears team.  It was wonderful to share & pray with them all.)  I hear that the Storks even dragged a cement mixer all the way from the Hospital (across the river, through the cemetery, down the steps to the baseball field!)  - they were determined to get it done!

To see all of this coming together was such a huge blessing.    The SOS Village touched each one of us beyond measure and the camp was amazing.  We're here to be used by God for His glory.  We're making our steps leave the footprints of Christ - where ever we go, and with whomever we meet.