Summer 2026 - Blog 5

Goodbyes as well as Hellos Bring Tears

Well, the third week of mission here in Sisak has come and gone. With the whole team here we have been able to accomplish and share His love in multiple places and to many many people. Two of our Football Coaches, Mike Norman and Brandon Hoybach, headed to Split Croatia and then on to Bosnia to spend time with several football teams and players we have developed relationships with over the years.

Flag football team in Split.

Discipling and encouraging a fellow believer. Dino has been a key part of HiS Print for many years.

Although the coaches were not able to spend a great amount of time with more team members they were able to meet some new young talent and work with them one night. The key time was with Dino and encouraging him in his walk with the Lord and walking in full-time sports ministry. He lives in Split and was part of the baseball camp we had in Sisak, when he and Pastor Roni brought kids from Gracac. We have been asked by them to host a camp in Split in the future. We will have to pray about that and see what doors God opens for that to happen.

Teams Ready to run: The Olympics Begin

Home Run Derby fun!

Winning Team, The Cones with first time HiS Print coach Franc Tijsterman from the Netherlands. Go Figure!

To finish camp, we have Baseball Olympics and divide the campers into teams with a coach leading each team. The highlight of that is always Home Run Derby and this year was no exception.

After camp we have a closing ceremony to celebrate the winning Olympic team and give a certificate to each player and then they run through the Coaches Line of Fame to get their goodie bag. Smiles occur and we are always blessed to be a part of this opportunity to share God’s love.

Practice with the new Storks that came to camp and want to be a part of the baseball team.

We had a practice the week after camp was over and we had 11 players show up. We usually hold a practice after camp every year to see who might want to continue their involvement with the team. This year we had the most come and were quite blessed by the showing of those who showed interest. With seven new players mixed in with those who are already on the team, the Storks may be able to have two teams. Please join us in prayer for a more permanent coach to carry on the long standing status of the Storks, who have been playing since 1993. They have had less and less involvement by kids and they need a more permanent solution for a coach. Appreciate your prayerful approach of lifting this up to the Lord and for His elevation of the right person to take on the responsibility.

Library Activities Inside

Library Activities Outside

Librarian and teachers in Lekenik

The library program moved to the town of Lekenik this week and the teachers and librarians absolutely loved it and asked us to please come back again next year. This is a small village just north of Sisak and we started going there three years ago and they have blessed us each year. This year one of the teachers told me that her husband was the head principal at the school there and she would like to introduce me to him. She would love to see a school program start up with us coming so we will be praying for God’s direction in that as well. The stomp rockets were a hit in all the libraries and even I got caught up in the fun.

Me and my Rocket, gotta have fun as well!

I even got in on the fun as did all the rest of the team members and teachers. Loving on these kids and the opportunity to share why we come all this way is very special and we never forget the memories created as well as look forward to the memories to come.  HE DID IT!  David