Update July 13 from David

Thursday, July 12

Yesterday was a travel day.  We left Split around 12:30 and headed back to Sisak.  It's about a 5 hour trip.  We took Laurence (one of the Zagreb Patriots players) with us to Zagreb.  He was very appreciative - he was going to have to take the bus.  We had room because Brandon stayed back in Split to spend time with his wife (who is flying out on Saturday), friends & missionaries, and to do some follow-up from the football camp. 

We dropped off Laurence in Zagreb, and then got back to Janko's in Sisak about 5:30.  Janko was here, and we got a chance to show Jason & Katy around (this is their first time in Sisak.)  We walked around the city and (of course!) went to Rat Man's to get our dose of sladoled (ice cream!)  We turned in early so that we were ready get a fresh start on the field Friday - getting the field & stage ready for the big European National Qualifying Tournament next week!

We got Mike off to the airport - back to Pearland. He was happy to go home but sad about leaving. We got him his last dish of ice cream! I went to Johnny's house - had a nice visit and dinner with Johnny and his parents. I don't speak much Croatian, and his parents don't speak any English so Johnny was our interpreter. They have joy in their hearts, and it is always a blessed time when I go to their house.

The weather has changed - it's actually a bit cooler. There was rain the night before we got back, and the weather was very pleasant for our work today. There was cloud cover in the morning, and in the afternoon when it cleared off it was very pleasant (maybe 24 Celsius or around 80 F) - great weather!

Friday July 13

We got up and worked on getting ready for the Fields of Faith - worked on the videos, tried to figure out electricity since it doesn't look like the city of Sisak is going to help us to get electricity up to the field.  We're busy trying to get that figured out and ready, but we'll get it!

We went over the field to work on the stage - worked on getting the hand railing put around the upper part, getting the steps ready to be built, and finished off the front portion of the stage.  The Storks were there in force, and helped with painting the rails & the steps.  That is all prepared and ready.  We had to buy some wood (2x4s) and supplies. Several Storks were working on the base paths - we've been watering the paths, taking a hose some 300 yards from the wall.  The fence and the outer portion of The Nest is almost up, and it has completely transformed the field!

I got a chance to walk around the dugout and see all of the work that has been done (Heidi & Grant painted the logo on the back), the fence is up, the weeds around the outfield are gone; so see the locker room benched painted.  It is absolutely incredible!  Now the stage is painted from the wood up, and I'm going to have Heidi & Grant paint the bottom portion of the wall with "Field of Faith" in blue.  I'm excited about all that we've gotten done.  Katy & Jason have been getting dirty with paint, and Jason has been helping the Storks with cutting wood for the hand railings.  The stage is now cemented to the wall (brackets on the inside), and we're finishing the drawers that pull out for the stage, and need to make them stationary so that don't move much when we pull them out for the concert.

We finished up around 8:00 and headed back to Janko's.  He had chicken wings cooking for us, and we had a wonderful dinner & fellowship.  It was me, Katy, Jason, Janko, Timi - it was such fun laughing with Janko.  He is so sad when people leave - he wants a picture of everyone who has been here!  There have been so many, but Janko's got a great memory and he remembers everybody!  We had a nice visit with Jason & Katy.  Then some of the Storks came over (Stefan, Mario and KasKas.) We went downtown for ice cream and walked around the city - there was a jazz festival going on.  We headed back to the house, and Katy went to bed while the rest of us watched a movie on the big screen.  I actually went to bed before it was over - I couldn't keep my eyes open!

Saturday July 14

We had a good night's rest and are ready to jump on the day today.  We'll work some more on the stage, build the pitching mounds, work with the Storks and maybe even a little football.  We going to visit Stepan's mom & dad later today.

In terms of prayer needs:  please pray for Heidi, Grant, Shannon, Erin & Manuela as they travel back on Sunday.  They are having a great time (I just talked to Shannon.)  We just found out that Mike made it back home safely, and we are so thankful for his hard work with the football camps.  Jason & Katy leave Sunday morning.  Keep our health in your prayers, the finishing up of the fields, our opportunities to work with the Storks, and our finances.  There are so many things that have happened beyond our control.  We are praying for the shipment - that it will be here in our hands by Monday (if not, prayerfully before we leave so that we can separate it and deliver.)  Please keep my family in your prayers as I have been gone almost a month - it's hard being without Debbie & Clay, but it's exciting to have my son Grant here.

Thanks for your prayers.  HE DID IT, so Let's Do It!  Our Steps, HIS PRINT!  We're thankful to have this wonderful opportunity.

God Bless,
Debbie