Thursday, October 11, 2007

Some pictures from Romania





Wow! What a trip...

It felt in some ways as the trip that never ended… but, after about 29 hours of travel by car, train and foot, it was way worth it! Two polish young women, Jola Mrozek-Kropisz and Weronika Tesluk, joined me in this cross-countries’ adventure to participate in a Young Women’s Conference hosted by an organization in Romania connected with Josiah Venture. The 70 young women who gathered were all there because they either were already discipling other girls or have a heart to and wanted to learn more. I had been invited as an “older woman” (yes, that’s me!) to speak to the hearts of these young women during evening sessions. It was indeed a joy to be an instrument of the Father and to speak of His faithfulness to me over these 20+ years I’ve been investing my life in younger women. But, as I sat there listening to these “younger women” teach in the morning about discipling “their girls”, I was challenged again to keep going and to never give up investing my life in younger women. The three young women who taught in the morning about discipleship were living it out. One had discipled two of the younger ones and then some of their own disciples who are ready to disciple others were part of the group receiving training. I was really moved as I saw multiplication at its best! I and my Polish younger women came back motivated to invest our lives in others! There's nothing more important and lasting than that.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Do I speak English?

Just reread my blog about Tobi. No, he didn't run away with our friend's little boy... He was with this little boy, Filip, a few days before he ran away...

Guess that would be good if he ran away with Filip. Guess then we'd know where he is!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Tobi


Many have asked about Tobi. I must sadly say that we still have not found him. This picture was taken only a few days before he ran away with our friends' little boy.

We did get one phone call a week ago from a woman who had found a west highland terrier. She had seen our signs. It ended up that this was not Tobi...

So, we're continuing to live life without him. And, wondering where he is and how he is. I'm trusting that someone is really loving him and enjoying him as we did.

Preparing...

This week finds us preparing. This coming Sunday will be the 5th baptism for our church. We've had the privilege of hosting them all. There are a few still deciding for sure about whether they will take this step, but we're planning on 6 young women! One of them put her faith in Christ at our camp this summer and two (or three) others are young women who we've seen their lives transformed this past year through the youth group at our church and in our city. I'll share with you more after it happens...

Dan's in the Czech Republic for our annual JV Training Conference where he's preparing to lead a seminar on"Influencing People by bringing them close." If you know Dan, you know this is something he's especially gifted in. He's also getting to sit in on many great lectures and seminars that will continue to prepare him for further ministry with leaders around the country and in our local church.

I'm at home preparing for an opportunity that awaits me in about a week. I've been invited to speak for a group of young Romanian women who are involved in discipling other women. The mornings will be spent in training in what that all means (I'm not involved in that part) and the evenings will be a time for these women to think about their own heart relationship with Jesus. That's where I come in. I count it a privilege to be able to share with them about what Jesus has done in my heart over the years. They asked for an "older woman to share with the younger women"... oh my. I guess that's me! Pray for my preparations.

And, Jacob's preparing all his homework... he's doing well!

Post Camp



September 7 and 8 we traveled up to Nowy Tomysl (about 5 hours Northwest) where all 9 polish groups who organized camps this past summer met together to rejoice together at what God was about this summer. There were over 675 campers with 370 being non-believers in the 9 camps. In conversations that Americans and Poles had with campers, we know of 20 young poles who gave their live to Christ! We're rejoicing in that! That makes it all worth while!

One of the highlights from the weekend was when each group "traveled around metro sites" of all the cities which had camp, and prayed for the new believers, the follow up, the leaders, the American groups. It was an awesome time. Our desire is for each of these groups to also see that they are a part of something much bigger than even their own city. God's on the move!

We also led them in some time of evaluating their camp and their group and where to go next with the people God has brought to their groups. It was intense and lots of work for them as they labored about what students really need and how to help them take the next step.

It was a joy for me to lead our Fala team and see how God has uniquely led each of them to this team. My Polish assistant, Jola, continues to develop in her leadership and heart for these groups. And, this year, Krista, Alice and Daniel and Iwona (all fellow JV members) came alongside these groups in such great ways. What an awesome team God has brought together. Of course, Dan also was a huge asset to the training. He leads others so well in thinking through where their groups are at and what are the questions facing them in the near future. I have a good husband--and ministry partner!

We also shared with the groups a new ministry tool that Josiah Venture has developed.

Elements is a discipleship tool created for small groups to help new believers in Christ learn the basics of their faith in Christ. It is an interactive DVD in 11 languages, designed for High School and University age students.

The purpose of Elements is to help in building a foundation for growth in Christ. This study tool focuses on seven basic elements that help the students understand what it means to now be “In Christ” and grow in Him. We're really excited about the ways God can use Elements. Pray for Polish Elements Groups popping up all over Poland in the next month. We're praying that all of these 20 new believers will be involved in one of these groups with Polish young people leading them.


Wednesday, September 5, 2007

There's a time for vacation and a time for routine...




This week is the time for routine. On Monday Sept 3, Jacob began his first day of Jr High. It was a big day for us. A new school, new kids in his class, new routine. I think all is looking good and we're pretty optimistic about this new place for him. He's pretty excited to be beginning his fourth language... French. We'll see how quickly he passes me in this one! (I did have 2 years in High School!)

And, not long before the routine began, we had our time of vacation. And, it motivated Jacob to learn French. We were on the island of Corsica (French owned) for a week and then in Germany a few days on our way back. It was an awesome time for us as a family as well as with our dear friends, the Ellenwoods and Pattys. This was our 5th year together! Pretty amazing that 13 people can vacation together well and end up loving each other even more at the end than when we began. The pictures at the top are from this time. The top one makes me wonder how Jacob treats his teachers!

Friday, August 3, 2007

Ode to Tobi




Well... on tuesday our dog got attacked by our neighbor's boxer dog. We were all gone but the neighbor lady did her best to call the dog off. From what she said, Tobi ran off very quickly after being dropped out of the jaws of "Bella." There was no blood and no evidence that there was deep injury.




The only problem is, is that we haven't seen him since and it's now Saturday. He took off so quickly and in such a panic, we believe, that he's scared to come home or someone has taken him or....




We've looked and looked and looked. We talked and talked and talked to neighbors. We just can't find him anywhere. We've cried and cried and cried.




We've had Tobi for almost 6 years. He's a part of our family. He brings us such joy. The house has felt empty without him.




I think what is really hard is that it's not a closed story. We're waiting... not sure what the end of this story will be.




As I've reflected on this, a few thoughts have come to mind. I've wondered if God really cares about dogs. I think he does. Mostly because He cares about me (and Jacob and Dan) and what gives me joy or brings sadness. I also know that he cares for the sparrows. And, I know that Jesus told the parable about the shepherd who left 99 sheep to look for the one lost. I understand looking and looking for one that is lost.... And, actually, as I was reading that parable the other morning, it ends by Jesus saying how much more the heavenly father looks and looks for His lost. I thought of the camps going on right now here in Poland and how our Father is searching for the lost young people in Poland. How the search brings grief. He longs so much to be in relationship with them. And, the joy of finding... Yee haw!




I've prayed these days for Tobi to come home. And, for many young people in Poland to come home to the Father's open arms.




An Ode to Tobi. We love him and miss him.


Friday, July 20, 2007

Camps, camps and more camps


Our summer is well under way. It's an interesting schedule this year with a two week break of English Camps between the first session where we had 6 camps and the second session which will have 3 camps. I think I like having a break between it all!

The theme this year is "Underground--Mind the Gap" where we're encouraging students to evaluate and consider if there is more to this life than what they can see and touch--maybe there is something "above ground" that needs to be considered. I was personally involved in the camp that was for our youth group from katowice which was joined by a team from my home church, Mission Hills. It was an awesome time as we saw our young polish leaders especially move towards their friends by leading discussion groups and initiating great spiritual conversations.

While Jacob and I were there together taking it all in, Dan was traveling about the country visiting 4 of the other camps which were spread out from western Poland to the Baltic Sea. I had the chance to visit the 6th camp also during that week which was not held too far from where our Katowice camp was.

As we've reflected on what we've seen and heard from the Polish and American students who participated, we again believe in camps and see it as a "win-win" experience for both American and Polish groups and for the new young people who have a chance to hear about Christ in a delightful context.

Just today, our assistant Jola received a call from a distinguished catholic lay leader in the country whose son has attended one of our camps over the past few years. He already was at one camp this year but wants to attend another!

We're thankful for the chance to be a part of God's work through English Camps.

SLOT
I had a break after English Camp but Dan and Jacob went straight into another camp which is called the SLOT Art Festival. It's in western Poland and is attended by 7000 young people. Despite the rain and mud, Dan managed to set up a "tent city" for the 18 youth that were there from our area. Many of them had just been at the English Camp as well. This is quite an amazing festival (maybe something like Woodstock...) with many non-believers in attendance. There are workshops on every possible topic and art form and also lectures from different Christian speakers.

When I saw the pictures, I knew that God was about something great there... but I was glad I was home in my dry, comfy bed!

For more pictures, http://picasaweb.google.com/hashlaura/Summer2007

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

I'm just beginning!


Here it is! The first edition of the Hash Happenings! Aren't you excited?

Let's see how it goes! Thank God for Alice! (No, that's not me next to Alice... that's my other great friend here, Krista!)