2023 Spring Blog 3 - MiLO Get It Done!

 

Spring 2023 MiLO Blog 3 Get It Done! It’s an odd feeling when you are sitting in your home office typing this blog and not on a plane flying over the Atlantic heading back home after a three-week MiLO in Croatia. If you read the last blog, you know that I stayed behind this spring, because God had placed a check in my spirit about leaving home at this time. With all that had been going on with my bride’s mother passing away, dealing with her 94-year-old father and my health, I chose to remain home and be by my bride’s side. Let me tell you, it was the best decision and was realized quickly and often. Spending this quality and often times tearful time with my Baby Doll was such a blessing, and the opportunity to lean on one another through this difficult time was so vital.   Also, the day I made my decision to remain home, our youngest son Clay, who lives in Austin, told us he was coming home for a long weekend. Both he and Grant, our oldest, were home for 5 days and we had an exciting time. We cleaned the house, removing all that we had in the house. I kid you not. We threw away 12, extra-large trash bags worth of accumulated stuff and made several trips to the local ministry houses, to donate gently used clothing, house décor and kitchen items. Our sons have officially moved out, with almost nothing left to know that they even lived here! It is about time since they are 29 and 25 years old. We had to fight to keep some mementos and items that we have grown accustomed to having. Overall, it was such a wonderful time to be with them and having them home with us. It had been almost two years since both had all been here together. At least now we can see the floor in their former bedrooms, and they have a place to sleep without having to push stuff onto the floor. Thank you, God, for keeping me home to participate in Spring Cleaning! I mean it!   Even though I remained stateside, and no team members of HiS Print went overseas during this time, the ministry continued.  It was such a blessing to see how well it went. All those we have shared life with over in Croatia these past 16 years stepped up in a huge way. They made the people who participated in the events feel welcomed and at home and provided all the contacts, communications and planning needed. They absolutely loved those who came to HiS House and made them feel loved.  As you can see from the post on Facebook below, the American Flag Football Association participants were so happy and content that they are looking to make this a regular occurrence every year. Lordan, Martina, Coach Daniel, and Neven made all the connections possible and arranged food, housing, and field availability. Janko, the owner of HiS House, opened his heart along with HiS House to allow everyone to feel at home, like he does every time we come. All this accomplished while I sat at home praying and getting out of the way! It is amazing what God can do when you let Him do it!

After that first weekend was completed with the American Flag Football camp, we had a group of three baseball coaches come to Croatia and stay at HiS House. Michael Johnstone, missionary in Austria and Todd Pruitt, missionary in Germany, both with GoSendMe Global, came along with Gjorgi from Macedonia. All three had been to HiS House in the past to participate in clinics and camps, and Michael and Todd have been part of our Spring Intentional Walk Coaches Clinics over the years. They came to spend time with me and help with practices and school programs in Sisak and Karlovac, a city northwest of Sisak. Although I was not able to be there, they presented to three schools and helped conduct a baseball practice one evening with the Sisak Storks. It was such a blessing to see their enthusiasm in the pictures and the lives they touched through their being there.

Sisak Storks practice

Karlovac school programs

They were able to love on and share the love of baseball and Jesus to over 100 children, teachers and coaches. They taught an exciting new game called Baseball5 that has really gotten popular in Latin culture and is now being taught across Europe. It is a great and cheap way to teach the beginning principals and fundamentals of baseball and prayerfully can generate more to come out and play baseball for the clubs across Croatia. The President of the European Baseball Federation, Kruno, and I have developed a friendship over the years. He lives in Karlovac, Croatia and came to meet with Michael and the group while they were in town. Michael said it was a great meeting and mentioned that Kruno really enjoyed seeing the excitement of the children.

We are so excited to see HiS House used for God’s glory throughout the year and see more enjoy the comfort of staying in His presence in the confines of the House: from the Welcome porch to the dining room and café and all under the care and love of Janko, the Gentle Giant!

The fellas also had the opportunity to make it over to our warehouse not far from HiS House. They were looking for some equipment and clothing for Gjorgi to take back to Macedonia. We are running low on inventory and need to get another shipment organized and sent to replenish what has been shared with those across Europe.

Help is always near!  Warehouse in Sisak.

Have a wonderful God filled day and remember Jesus loves you and so do I! We are looking forward to this summer and all that God has planned for our MiLO in July. Interested in joining us? Reach out and let us know! HE DID IT David