Summer 2023 MiLO - Blog 8

Summer 2023 MiLO Blog 8 Don't Let It Get To You How can we avoid letting: Concern become worry Doubt become fear Scared become afraid Disappointment become anger   Intentional become mechanical Serving become work Desire become duty Opportunity become responsibility  Struggles become excuses  Expectation become entitlement  Grace become cheapened By NOT doing them in Your own strength.  All things should be done with, through and by the Holy Spirit.  1 John 4:19 - We love because He first loved us! A great reminder for us is to write our plans in pencil and hand God the eraser. We should never write our plans in ink or try keep the eraser from God. He’s the master and protector of all things.  Proverbs 16:1-3 Had we placed expectations over God’s providence we would have been discouraged and possibly given up hope in what occurred on Saturday afternoon prior to putting on the Texas Carnival street event. It’s been four years since we have had one in the river park in downtown Sisak and we were excited to have the opportunity to start it again. However, the weather and forecast were not cooperating. We started set up at 4:00 and by 4:45 it started to rain. The forecast called for thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening but we felt it was important not to cancel, so we prayed, set up and waited to see what God had planned.  It’s like the two farmers that prayed for rain during a drought. They both prayed for rain; one went out and prepared his fields by plowing and planting his field, the other just prayed. Ask yourself, who do you think God answered? If you don’t prepare the field, what good is the rain.  Here is a text I received from a dear sister who is in full time ministry in Zagreb. You never know what your actions will produce and who is watching you from a distance.  From Kata: It was our privilege and joy to be there! We all loved every minute of it. Y'all did such an amazing job planning everything, setting it up and trusting God for the weather. I must admit, when we pulled up around 5pm and it was pouring, I didn't even want to get our of the car. But you all were out there and setting up! I was humbled and encouraged by your example. Praying for God to keep working in the hearts of all the people who came through! See you soon🥰 The carnival was to start at 6:00 and the band was to start playing at 6:30. At 5:50 the rain was coming down pretty good and the band had the stage under a tarp. At 6:10 the clouds stopped dropping water droplets and the skies cleared, tarp was removed, we dried off the tables and yelled out “Let the games begin!”

Tarra, a young local girl, started off the carnival with a dance routine.  The rest was fun & games, not to forget the crowd favorite S'mores.

We made over 250 S'mores and 0 left behind!

Let me close with a series of pictures that tell the story of loving them where they are and in many cases till they ask why! HiS Print is all about building relationships and over these past 17 years we have built a lot of them and we are blessed by each. Some we have know almost 20 years and others much shorter time, but all genuine love from God’s amazing display through His son Jesus. I can truly say, this is my second home and a piece of my heart remains here when I go back to Texas.

top: Lordan and Martina are in the middle and are a huge part of the HiS Print team. The rest are the 8 members of our 2023 MiLO team.  left:  Janko, the gentle giant, and me.  He came from a wedding just to join the fun. right: Mario, long time member of the Storks with Heidi

left: Damir and Natasha from Karlovac, a city an hour away. They came to help us and I put them to work! Lol right: Barbara who we’ve known since we started the library program back in 2010

left: Vikki, Neven and Maja’s daughter growing up.  right: Stefan with Neven and Maja. Stefan and Arie drove up from Split. (Arie is somewhere near by!)

left: Coach Daniel of the Storks Baseball Club and his wife.  right: Maja and Debbie

Vuk and Daniella from Serbia

I asked Tyler Roberts, Discipleship Pastor at Magnolia Bible Church to give his testimony at the carnival. He and his bride Megan joined us on this MiLO and it was their first time. Both have jumped in with both feet.

Tyler sharing his testimony at the carnival

Megan in the middle with Debbie (left) and Heidi (right)

Remember Jesus loves you and so do I! HE DID IT!  David