2022 Summer MLO Blog 4

 

Summer MLO Blog 4 What a scurry of activity these past 5 days have been and I can see how out of mission shape I am in! Of course the hip surgery has something to do with that, but the rush of activity and going from place to place really has caught up with me. I even have tried to get some rest every afternoon and put my feet up for awhile, but the activity gets the best of me! I am praying that I will get that energy and strength back, but it seems so far off in the distance that it’s unattainable. That won’t stop me from trying and working on getting better everyday!

Ambassadors for Christ team heading back to Holland

The Ambassadors Football Coaches left at 4:00am Saturday morning to head back home to Holland. It was such a pleasure to meet them and walk alongside them as an encourager. Their camp had 115 kids from ages 6 to 14 and they all seemed to have a blast. The camp was a huge success and made an impression on the players as well as the parents. The camp and activities surrounding the camp were all geared to share the love of Christ and the final day, they had a Christian concert to bring it all to a close.

Ambassadors for Christ Camp

Ambassadors for Christ Camp

On the final day of camp and before the concert in the evening, the coaches had a really nice dinner for all the different ministries involved and asked Lordan and me to organize it.  What an absolute blessing and smashing hit it was. This was the Last Supper of sorts and everyone had a nice time of sharing and getting their stomachs full of some local cuisine. They invited Robert and me to participate - that was a treat for the both of us!  After dinner, I treated them to the local ice cream parlor that has become a HiS Print favorite over the years! They each got their favorite flavors and enjoyed it greatly. Thanks to Mouseman and Ratman for their excellence in product and service!

Dinner for ministries supporting the camp

Mouseman at his ice cream shop in Sisak

On Wednesday night, Robert and I had the blessing and pleasure to join Janko downtown at his Emmaus bookstore near the center of town. Janko had a desire to have a place in the city to have Christian literature and Bibles to share with the people. Two years ago that dream became a reality and we have been blessed to help support him and the Emmaus Center. At the Bible study on Wednesday night we had 10 people worshipping and studying God’s word. It was such a blessing and thoroughly enjoyed Janko’s teaching and sharing God’s truth. I am praying Janko will be able to keep this center open and use it to share God’s love to the people who walk by and stop in.

Emmaus Center

Worship at Emmaus Center

Bible Study at Emmaus Center

God has truly blessed me with the opportunity to see the impact (Print) that HiS Print has had on the community around Sisak. I met so many new people that had heard of HiS Print and thanked us for being a part of their community and supporting the way we have for the past 17 years. I met Zoran, the President of the Soccer Club Metalac where the camp was held. Zoran was so thankful that we came to observe the camp, and he shared what an encouragement it was for him. He actually went into his club and brought me out a complete official uniform of the club as a gift. That gesture brought tears to my eyes and I could see this man of peace that God had placed in front of me. We talked awhile and he shared his passion and desire to help the children on that side of Sisak. The very next day, I gave him a faith coin that I carried in my pocket, in anticipation that God would bring me to someone I could give it to. Zoran was that person, and when I gave it to him I explained that the coin is a reminder that God loved the world and sent His son Jesus to die for us, and that God needed to be the center point of all our lives. He listened and was appreciative of my gifting him with the coin. I will be sure to return to see Zoran every time I am in Sisak so that I can encourage him and water the seed of God’s love that was planted.

Zoran, Soccer Club President and Bola, Camp Organizer

God also blessed me with crossing my paths with other people in ministry across Croatia. Marijana is from Zadar, which is from the coast on the far western part of Croatia and she lead the craft activities at camp. Irmir, a pastor from Osijek in eastern Croatia, helped lead the activities off the field.  Bola, who is pictured above with me and Zoran, was the organizer of the entire camp and the one who brought the different ministries together. Pictured below is Ash who is a missionary in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia and only 45 minutes north of HiS House. He and I will definitely being staying in touch and will help each other out in ministry whenever possible. By the way, his bride found out they are having a girl while he was here at camp. She is expected in the beginning of December.

Me and Ash

God continues to show up and show off! I'm just blessed to be along for the ride, I just need to hang onto His robe so I am ready for the twists and turns He brings about. There is no better ride than on the Robe of Jesus! If you don’t believe me, reach out and grab ahold, He is going to take you places you never thought you could go! And if this guy is around you better be prepared for a selfie or two! LOL. It has been an absolute blessing to be back serving alongside Janko.

Selfie with Janko and the Dutch team

HE DID IT!  David