Last Camp of the Summer - Lebane

     The last week of camp was an experience like no other. I don't know where exactly to begin so I will just go for it... The American team of seven ladies from Louisville, KY, joined the intern team for the travel down to Southern Serbia to a gypsy church for our final camp last Sunday. It was a day camp opposed to overnight like the previous camps. Students arrived around 9:00am (give or take being Serbian time), and camp started, well, whenever it sort of happened, literally!  There were 25 of the 30 sign-ups to show. Attendance was unpredictable as students came and went during the day. They lived so near home that playing police would be absolutely impossible. Therefore, making activities enthralling was the goal!

     The morning and evening discussions were still based on the Prodigal Son, but the intensity was heightened. These students' EAGERLY yearned for knowledge of the Lord!! Many were believers but had absolutely NO discipling after making a commitment to Christ, and the ones who didn't know Christ yet were open to hearing! So many had just never been told what worth and value they were in His precious sight. They have spent their lives being treated poorly and discriminated. They just wanted love. I think I got more hugs, kisses, and love then I will in a whole year in America in just one week there. They are the most hospitable and genuine people I have ever met in my life! Talk about being served!! They just needed to hear what the Bible says. The Bible is not translated into their native tongue, Roma! I couldn't believe this tragic truth. Some were unsure of what salvation meant, where they would spend eternity and what a walk with Jesus meant. It was so disheartening for me, yet so humbling that Christ used me to be able to share such bold truths about Him without intimidation or fear. As I was praying with one students, some non-English speaking students came running over to join. They didn't even speak Serbian but spoke Roma, the gypsy language in that city, and joined our talk with God. The power of the Spirit rained through this place providing such spiritual conversation with people who couldn't even communicate with each other!!! I truly tangibly saw the work of Christ!

     I believe these students are the brink of revival in the land, but need those leaders to step out in faith to disciple them. Please join my prayers in discipleship for this church and country!! Some are chained to the bondage of the orthodox church. As we debriefed in the capital, Belgrade, we went into the biggest orthodox church in Serbia. There were so many aimless souls praying to pictures of saints believing this will send them to Heaven. Most have never opened a Bible, but think they are okay with the Lord. They are being mislead, and this injustice breaks my heart. Please continue to pray for this country even as my journey here will end in just unbelievably five days. 

     The American team had a team of support praying diligently for them back in the states! It was SO evident the power of prayer! The American team challenged me, discipled me, and showed me that godly women exist! I know as I return to the states, I must find a mentor and evaluate my sin and repent more often. Even the simplest thoughts sneak past sometimes leading to sin. We need the constant renewal of the Lord! Being an overnight camp and curfew at 10:00pm, we had great opportunity to bond with the American team. As I prayed mutually with team members throughout the week, the power of Christ was united and the impact was so much greater at this camp because of the unity. Many prayed to receive Christ, and many became aware of what true walking of faith is, and that it isn't a walk in the park! Even some became open to the fact the orthodox church may not be completely Biblical. Hearing that what you grew up knowing to be truth, isn't truth, is a quite thought-proking thing. There were definitely steps of the growth no matter what that looked like in different individuals. God was sovereign and quite raging this week! 

     I can't wait to share so many specific stories that just endlessly glorify the Lord's work this week and summer! I look forward to seeing you all soon, even though part of my heart in now in this place! Thank you all for your continued support! I can't even begin to let you know how God is using you to soften the hearts and build this nation even hundreds of miles apart!!!!! Glory to God for what He has done and will do!!! 

   

Second Camp - Sombor

     We will never begin to even slightly understand God's plan until it is over, but for now I am humbled that He is allowing me to see the foundation of a spiritual revival in Serbia. Thank you all for the love behind me. I love hearing that you all are praying for these students. So many of you have encouraged me via Facebook justing letting me know you care and are stilling praying. This means the world to me. So thank you my dear brothers and sisters!
     As for camp...As I have shared before, many Serbians, growing up with a Orthodox background, view Christianity as a cult. At this camp we saw kids begin to challenge their own views and seek truth! We all want something greater out of life. This year's camp theme, Greater Than, reveals (through the story of the Prodigal Son) that sometimes the greatest thing is what we have, the Father's love for us. I really think some kids at this camp just needed to hear, "You are loved and worth more!"
     The dynamics of the camp were a bit different than last week. However, the schedule, location and overall look of the camp was the same. There were similar numbers of campers and Americans, yet the students were older than the last. Last week was mostly 14 to 16 year old students. This week I'd say it averaged more like 18-22. Also, the American team was older than the last ranging from 24 years to 50s. I think the maturity of the students, simply age, prosed deeper questions and thoughts. I really had some neat conversations about who God was, why He loves us, and why He loves them and why we need to know Him personally. Also at this camp there were workshops. Which meant for one hour of the day, the students chose a topic of interest (drums, singing, guitar, piano, American football, or art) to learn. During this time, many who opted not to do any were eager to hang out in small numbers or one on one.
     I think God challenged me more at this camp to cease the opportunity when He presented it. Being restless and more irritable than normal made my human weakness want to sneak through, but when I found my human nature creeping in, God would place the opportunity to share His love at that very moment. He will NOT let the evil one sneak it! Praise Him! These conversations were much heavier than I am comfortable with. It was especially hard as I was only their age or even younger. Yet, they respected the authority in which I spoke, not myself, but Christ in me. It was very thought provoking to me. I don't realize or tend to recognize as often as I should, how much the spiritual war is battling around us and for us. God definitely opened hearts, or began knocking on them, to knowing Him more.
     The war is still raging in this place. However, the light will race until it finds each dark corner. It cannot be covered or put out thanks to Gods' great and mighty name!!! I believe at this camp two worlds collided! Continue to pray that these students seek friends, local churches and find the support to build them up and continue to pour into them and disciple them. Please also pray especially for our team's unity. We have 20 days left and one camp remaining. I am praying that the Lord really keeps us close so that we can know each others' burdens to lift off one another as emotions run short. I love you all so dearly. Thank you so much!

1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in yours greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

First Camp - Sremska Mitrovica

     Hey everyone, sorry it has taken so long to tell you all about our first camp. Internet access and time have been scarce. So without further wait...

     A bus of about 25 of us (including three interns as well as Ross, our fourth intern who joined us from Belfast for the rest of the summer, our intern leader, a couple of translators/members of local church, and of course students) left Sremska Mitrovica two weeks ago heading to Opovo, the camp facility. The facility is actually a Bible school in the fall and spring. It has a bunch of dorms and staff of about 8 which were absolutely wonderful, solid believers. It was great working with them and such a blessing to have camp held at a facility as such! Once we arrived there, we met up with the 10 members of the American team who came to partner with all of us to host camp for the week. This team consisted of a much younger team ages 17 to 27. Also, many students not from Mitrovica met us there. There were just about 40 of us in all. Out of the 25 students that were at camp, 15 were nonbelievers. This was a great dynamic to have as the believers were eager to chat about their faith as soon as conversation was led in that direction.
     The students were divided into four different levels of English classes. In each class were two Americans to teach the actual English lessons, one translator, and one intern. All week long the English classes were in competition against each other in various activities, games and challenges.
     Each day basically followed the same schedule. The day began, officially, at morning meeting at 8:30am with the Americans, interns and leaders for prayer, devotional and the day's plans. I say officially because many people woke earlier such as myself at 7-7:30 and some earlier! Then we have breakfast followed by program. Program was with the entire camp where we played the camp dance song! This was a fun, rowdy way to start camp. Also, each day we had a theme (freedom, chaos, hope, greatness, myself...) related to our camp's name, Greater Than. The theme was introduced during program where we would play a music video related to the theme. After this, students broke into English classes to discuss the theme and what it meant to them and their life. Of course each level chose if this discussion be in English or Srpsky. Next we had two sessions of English classes. English classes are meant to focus on learning English but in a non-classroom setting. Many sessions included games, challenges, and interactive activities. Students often forgot that they were learning English. This provided great opportunity for conversational English. Then we had lunch and break followed by sports and crafts time. Students chose which they did. Sports included American games such as Am. football, baseball, and kickball. Crafts were a wonderful time to get to know students on a more individual and personal level. After that we had "initiatives" which were like team bonding challenges against the other English classes. Then dinner and evening program. Evening program was the time when we got more serious with the students. Either Steve or Matt, the American team leader would speak. The story of the week was about the prodigal son. It was divided in such a way that each night, they would reveal a tad bit more the story including testimonies from various Serbians. Students seems very responsive especially as many were Orthodox and hearing stories from the Holy scripture, as they call it, is a new/foreign idea. After the talk, we broke in discussion groups again to discuss what kids thought. My particular class was the third level from the top. Even though they spoke well, they chose to discuss in Srpsky. I often found myself simply praying for hearts at this time as the conversation went right past me. Then lastly we would have a themed party each night (American night, Serbian night, karaoke, games night, etc.). This simply got the kids tired before headed to bed which for my room wasn't until 2am or 3am.
     The evening discussions led up to the last night of camp. On the last night of camp, we set up a labyrinth. It was a time for the students to meditate on where they were with the Lord. There were five stations for the students to walk through. They went one by one to each. It started by students writing down on a stone what they treasured most, than write what got in the way of those treasures, then sin keeping them from God in their life. At the fourth place students buried the rock. At this point they decided if they wanted to leave the rock in the ground for Christ has already taken the payment for this sin, or they could chose to unbury it and take that way of life with them. If they took the rock with them, they would simply go back. However, if they chose to leave it with God, they could go write a letter to God getting personal with Him or talk to a person about what their feeling. It defintily got hearts and minds thinking. I was stationed at the third station about sin. Almost every kid left crying. We had pictures of the brokenness of the world, music and props to represent sin. Each station really was prepared well. I also know there was such a prayer team behind the walk. God was definitely at hand. The rest of the evening and next day, many kids starting asking more eternal questions.
     Thank you all for your prayer about students, camps, myself and our team. I know God did many things in campers' hearts! I am eager to go back to Mitrovica in a week to follow up with students and hear more about how they were impacted. I will write more about that then! Thanks again so much for the support you all are! God's timing is perfect. I trust this is the beginning of a revival of faith throughout this country as so many youth are eager and open to hearing these truths foreign to their upbringing!

Romans 8:28 You make all things work together for my good!

     This past semester at school back home in Kentucky my brother and I hung out quite a bit compared to other semesters. He graduated in the spring, so I wanted to spend as much time as possible with him before he was gone. Of course being brother and sister brought its arguing and times of sibling quarrels. At the time I was sort of frustrated and just ready to have him gone despite my deep love for him on the inside. Fortunately, we were always able to apologize immediately, and we were back to hanging out the morning after. I say all this to give you a background of where my life has been.
     As I have told you before, I spent the first two weeks in Serbia living with the local pastor's family with two boys and then a girl. Sound familiar? Being the youngest of three and the only girl myself, I can totally relate to the family. We have had great conversations and the daughter and I are really able to relate. As I prayed with her, tears poured down my cheeks. I couldn't imagine life without my brother. Big brothers are such a blessing! God is so incredible to have given me opportunity to feel the same feelings this sister had for her brothers in so many different capacities just 3 to 4 months prior. We have had hours of great conversation about how we love our family. I am seeing how God knew so much about my summer and was prepping me even when I didn't know I would be in Serbia. It is so incredible!
     This is not the only way I have seen the Lord at work, but this blog is not the place for such conversation. Even the littlest things, God was using as a way to guide my heart for this summer. I thank Him for the lessons I learned over the past few years as they have shaped and molded me, and even this summer, I believe He is using situations for some future plans I have yet to know of. I realize now I should have been thanking Him at the time for the trials for they were only for joy in the future. I share this so you all too can be thanking God for the trials you are currently facing. His love prevails.
     Well, our first camp starts Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock, yes Sunday!!!!!! Campers arrive at 1:00pm to hop a bus to Opovo, a city just outside the capital Belgrade. Please pray for safe travels but more importantly for changed lives! There are close to 45 of us in all! This is a little over expectation, praise God!! Numbers tallied in after we thought we were done! God was indeed at work! There will be 6 Americans coming over from the Portland, Oregon area to help conduct the camps. Their role is more to teach the English, where as the interns and I will be more of behind the scenes workers. We will be building relations, encouraging participation, and just being fun, crazy lovers of Christ! Many of the campers come from the local church, but nearly half are not and have never heard salvation through Christ. So this is a really neat dynamic of students. We have both those making disciples of disciples and those to share the truth and joy of Jesus for the first time! Jesus is a foreign word here for many non-believers. The orthodox church teaches God not the Savior, Jesus. I am so energized, giddy and pumped for camps as it has finally come!!! All the nights walking the city to invited campers has paid off. Again, thank you so much for your bold prayers in so many ways. This would not be possible without each of you behind me! Thank you over and over! I can't wait for my next blog telling you all about changed hearts! God is molding me, and I know, without doubt, He will be changing others! He really does work all things together for the good of each of us. All glory to Him for His work now and forever! Please continue in prayer with me for the week ahead...
Matthew 21:22  And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Camp Promotion

     Passing out flyers has been quite encouraging despite the number of applicants. Over the past two weeks, Chad, Julia and I have been going out to schools, the beach, and local hangouts to invite youth ages 15 to early twenties to camp. A few nights the local youth group of the partner church has helped pass out flyers as well. There are about eight in all but each night about six youth come to help. I would say each night we go out, we pass out approximately 300 flyers in just under two hours of walking around. I say night because going out before 8:00pm would be foolish. It is so hot here that no one goes out until evening air hits. Even then it  only goes down to upper 80s. (I am not great with temperature as it is in celsius here.) 

     Right now our current number of committed/fully applied students is 15 for our first camp. Camp is starting July 1st. That means we have one week to pray and hit the streets! James 4:2 tells us we have not because we ask not. I am praying for miraculous numbers so that it is only evidence that the Lord's hand is in this. I know He has hand selected each of the lives that will be in Opovo (this is the city camp is held at) next weekend! Serbia is of course known for lateness, passing deadlines, living the "hakuna matata" life style, so not seeing high numbers right now is not worrisome. However, I believe God has more in store then to just seek and change 15 lives. So, I invite you to join me and my team in bold, faithful prayer over this next week! God is not aloof. He is always there and wanting to hear our prayers. 

     God has already provided great opportunity for relationship building. Many schools just finished this past Friday for the summer. Last week Chad and I both went into schools and waited outside schools to just introduce ourselves to students. Their final week of school looks different. They have class gaps around 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 6:00pm. Students go in for exam study/prep, and then the actual exams are held in the summer. Even between those times, students come and go. Time is not near as important. You can opt to or not to go to class. This allowed for many students to meet us. Almost every student knows some English. They love practicing their English with native tongue.  (They feel America hates them because nearly a decade ago, as a part of NATO we bombed their country, not to go into too many details.) So any American that comes here is adored as it shows we do care about them. This is great news for the interns and I. They love Facebook which is a great alley for deeper connection, now and after the summer. 

Many have invited us to hang out at the beach or city center at nights. 

     Also, just walking around in a city with only 5,000-6,000 people, makes an American face familiar. All the youth come to town and hang out, lots of repeated faces. Also, we walk up and down the same strip often. Last night as I was passing out flyers, I had passed a certain table with three girls nearly a dozen or so times. After asking about camps initially and then smiling, and quick conversations as I passed by, she said, "You know, I really wasn't thinking about going to camps, but after watching you this past hour, I think I would like to hang out with you for a week." I chuckled and smiled real big on the inside! She asked how I could be so crazy. I said, "Well, I am the crazy American, so I am just living up to my name!" God is good and providing such great timing in how, where, when we spend our time. 

Three Days in Sombor

     The last three days Julia, Chad, and I have been in Sombor, Serbia, which is north-western Serbia. We are going to hold three different camps this summer. One of which will be partnered with the church in Sombor. So we went their to meet the church (which is just 20 members) and pastor Zoli who will be leading the camp. Also, we met an American missionary there working with Zoli. We were dropped off at the station and we were on our own from their.
     As we arrived in Sombor, Chad and I had to use the restrooms. As we left the bathroom, a gypsy lady came frantically running behind us yelling. Apparently, we were to each pay 30 dinar for our use of the toilet. It was quite a humorous interaction. It is so common to pay to use the public toilets. And on the topic of money, our budget for the three days was 100 dinar breakfast, 300 lunch and 200 dinner. 100 dinar is comparable to $1.
    Anyway, Julia and I stayed with Vicky, a Californian lady serving in Sombor. She is unrelated to JV, just here on her own. Chad stayed across the street in apartments with the pastor of the church and his family. It was very nice meeting her and living there as she was American. It was refreshing as we spent all day talking with Serbs not being able to communicate as much. God provided a bit of relaxation and comfort in food, rest and conversation in order to prep for camps!
     Furthermore, It is so incredible to see the body of Christ in this city! There was a family from Michigan staying at a retirement center within 100 yards of the pastor and Vicky, the missionary. The family was in Sombor to teach American football with a Christian organization. To me it was so crazy that in a city where they may be the only born again believers, God placed them all together to encourage each other. The family is only there for four months, but that was just the need that Vicky needed, support and love. The interns and I needed the same. So all of us had chicken fajitas to get a taste of home as Americans. The kids of the family were so sweet. There were three boys 16, 14, and 11 and a girl 7 years old. The family reminded me so much of my family at times. They are home schooled and will soon be missionaries in Bulgaria full-time. It was very encouraging and great! The boys were great examples of godly young men for youth in Serbia. They even helped promote camps even though they won't be coming.
     Basically we spent our time walking up and down the town square in the evenings when youth would be out introducing ourselves and passing out flyers for camps. It was very interesting to see responses. Some were eager to see what we were handing out and others appalled. Many spoke a bit of English. English is taught at age 6 through 8th grade here. So most all of the younger generation can at least understand a bit. In two nights we passed out 300-400 flyers. It was Zoli, Vicky, Julia, Chad, myself, the two missionary boys, and the help of a few youth from the church here in Sombor. Out of that amount Vicky said that we are hopeful for 2-3 students to go. So please be in prayer for numbers to surpass that goal!
    The flyers do not mention evangelism or God, just simply promote English. Camps are a tool to get to spiritual conversation. Our role as interns is to build relationships so that students come to church throughout the year.
     Tuesday night we spent our time hanging out in the basement of the church playing games, meeting youth. The pastor spent time talking with parents about camps while we played cards and other games. Before this, we were told not to mention prayer or God.  Non-orthodox churches like Protestant are considered cults. This is very new to me to keep my faith inward. We are to boldly proclaim the truths of Him. My role is to build relations in hopes of opportunity. Please continue to pray for these opportunities and open hearts. The whole three days was very thought provoking. I am used to boldly proclaiming Jesus' name. Here, even for the believers, there is so much persecution that they are not boldly making disciples so even the few there are, aren't sharing. I am so perplexed as this is foreign to my mind. I have such passion and joy I can't contain it!!! I realize though that the environment I have been raised in has helped build this boldness.
     Please be in great prayer with me as the first camp is July 1st. Final planning is happening and many students are starting to think about going or not. I know God will select those He wants to come, and I am praying for outrageously high numbers of outcomes!
   

Friends and Cherries

    While working on Steve's new house, I decided to take a break. All the men were carrying heavy loads, and I was of no use. So I took a little walk down the road. As I went, I ran into some children. Of course they knew little to no English, but I thought I'd see what we could communicate without words. Next thing I  know one of the little boys runs out of his house with a book in hand. It was an English to Serbian dictionary. The kids started pointing and yelling out words. They taught me so many random vocab words. Kids are the best teachers of foreign language. They are so patient. Also, they speak slowly, simply and repetitive.
     There were six children all between ages 6-11. They were just neighborhood friends. They knew Steve, so I told them I was moving in...This may have been a mistake as now they all come knocking on the door begging Steve to let "KC" as they say, come play. They are all on Facebook too and asked for my name right away so they could look me up!
     They drug me to their backyard where three little kittens were tied to a string to a tree. Apparently, the kids didn't want them to run away. They were only 9 weeks old I'd say. So precious. They gave me tours of their yards, let a giant dog jump all over me, play on their swings, teach me parkour.  Yes, little kids in Serbia do parkour! So cute! They were doing flips and hanging from garage doorways.
     Then one of the little girl's grandma came out. She invited me to have juice with them. So the seven of us sat out around the patio table sipping cherry juice she had freshly squeezed. Of course she didn't speak English but pointed at her cherry tree so many times so that I knew she made it! Then she brought out cherry cake she just made. The children kept feeding me cherries off the tree too! Next thing I knew the parents came out inviting me in to see the house. So I toured the home. The dad actually spoke fairly fluent English, so we were able to communicate. The little girls wanted me to see their princess room. Everyone wanted to chat with me at once. The father wanted me to help teach his daughter English as she is going to English lessons each week to learn.
     When I said I needed to get going, all were so sad. I have been invited back anytime. I couldn't believe the hospitality and eagerness to chat with an American. Serbians are so welcoming. There is no way I would have entered a home like that in America. It is way inappropriate culturally. Very interesting. I am hoping to stay in contact with this family and invite them to Steve's church. You never know how God works. It was just a fun experience and hopefully a opportunity to spread God's love!

   

Attending Serbian Chuch

     Sunday morning the interns and I rode our bikes to Church of God. This is the church that the family we are staying with goes to, and the father is the pastor of. Having absolutely no expectations, assuming I'd understand nothing, yet eager to go to a service as I hadn't been in a few weeks due to travel, I walked in open minded. As Serbian culture goes, at 10:00 when service was to start, only ten people were there. Quickly, within the next fifteen minutes, the chairs filled up. The church seats 50 people. It is in a little building that is just perfect for the gathering. The chairs line up in about five rows of ten and just enough spare room for the band (two singers and a guitarist) to worship.
     The Holy Spirit was present. My soul felt at such peace worshipping with them. In many new churches I enter, I don't instantly feel at such peace. Serbian is fairly easy to read especially in slower worship style format. So I sang along in Serbian to the Lord! One of the coolest experiences yet! The kids at home have taught me to read most words. They played many songs I was familiar with and a few new ones. I didn't even want to sing in English when I did know the song. There was just something so incredible to be singing along as one body. I know Heaven will be the same! Such an awe struck moment to sing and worship to our Savior!
     The Serbians really taught me that I am not here to simply share Christ. I am hear to be humbled. I didn't expect there to be believers when I heard the statistics before going over. Now that I am here, I am amazed! That church was filled with passion for our God. Of course that was only fifty people in a city of 5,000 to 6,000, but still that is absolutely incredible! I believe there is one other protestant church, as they would call it, in this city. The numbers are low, but it only takes one faithful heart. Wow, I have so much to learn from them. They pray with such boldness and expectance. As American believers, we are no where close to this. Our churches aren't praying like this. We take our salvation for granted or as it is something we've done or expect. Most churches are orthodox, so to have heard the truth and worship in a free place is such a gift. There are no laws protecting religion like America. American law protect us in so many ways. Serbs give God the reverence and respect He deserves. Knowing Him is a blessing, not an expectance. Really humbled me and let me examine my faith.
     Serbians love internationals. The three of us were invited up to introduce ourselves to the congregation. I went first. Me, being the foreigner that I am, forgot to stop every sentence or so to be translated. So the people laughed and loved my foolishness. Bojan, being such an gifted translator, still caught all my words. It was neat getting to meet basically the whole church.
     Bojan also translated the whole message to us. We simply sat in the back of the church, and they are much more accustom to this. It didn't bother them. They were so happy we could get to hear the message. He spoke on Luke 18 and the women's faith and reliance on the judge. Again, this exposed Serbian faith. I was sitting there thinking wow at my church this same passage would be presented so differently. I soaked up the words and realized I need to kick into gear praying much bolder. God is always waiting wanting to hear from me, from us. Again, it is something we hear and know but getting to watch it lived out is so awesome. So that was my first service in Serbia, and I can't wait for next week!

First Days in Serbia

     Well my team and I left training on Wednesday to ride 17 hours down to Serbia. It is was much fun seeing public trains stations. It was almost like an airport but train style. I apparently slept most of the journey, but also has some great team bonding conversations too hearing each others' walks of life. Also, Bojan, our leader, told us more about camps and Serbian culture/religions. Orthrodox churches are common, every few blocks. After the train ride, we took a bus into S. Mitrovica, Serbia where we are staying. Steve, the missionary from JV who lives in Serbia picked us up and dropped us three interns off at the pastor of the local churches home as Steve and his wife are moving into a new home right now and can't house us for another week or so.  Chad, my teammate, is staying at a friend's next door.

     The Serbian family is absolutely incredible, such a God loving family. There is the pastor, his wife, and three kids. However, they have new guest in and out every single day! There was 14 of us sleeping here last night! Serbians are very big of family values. Great opportunity to be thrown into Serbian culture so quickly. The children of the family speak such great English. They have taught me several Serbians phrases, letters that we don't have in English and some culture about education. We have been given the opportunity to understand and begin to see what the culture is like. It is actually the perfect situation. At dinner, we sit around a table speaking Serbian!

     The first two days we helped Steve with his house. Chad and I sanded three small rooms. Also, I  painted trim around door frames, helped wash paint brushes, buckets, and also taped off stairs and portions of the house to paint. It was hard work yet so much fun. Steve, the pastor's brother, and the brother's son in law of doing most of the inside labor. Outside is contracted work for insulation. Serbians consider a house "unfinished if not insulated." The insulate the homes but places about one and a half feet of styrofoam around the brick house. Steve is the only one working who speaks English. Often he had to run into town, so we painted and sanded with Serbian speaking people. Communication was quite entertaining to say the lease. We actually taught each other some language in the process. The whole gang   had such positive attitudes that it was a blast. Steve said our labor two days spared them three extra days move in time and the cost of another camper coming to camps! Praise God!

     For the summer we have been given bikes as interns and phones so that we can go into town daily to invite youth to camps and start building relationships with the locals. Today, Chad and I along with a German friend of the family we are staying at rode into town, about a 15 minute ride, to scan our grounds.   Serbians are so welcoming. I think we will have great success in inviting students as soon as we get our flyers printed out to hand out. That should come in a day or two!

Training at Malenovice, Czech

     I have spent the last five days on the outskirts of a little city up on a hill in beautiful hotel/conference like facility. This place is owned by Josiah Venture. Its sole purpose is provide a place for JV staff, missionaries, interns, and families to come together for conferences or training.  To hear Dave Patty, the president of JV, share the story how JV got this place is truly a gift by God.
     Each day was full of training sessions on teaching English, culture, what camps look like, stages of salvation, and also two  sessions each day of praise and studying the Word together as a group with all the interns and team leaders. There is something so incredible seeing Christians of all nations worship God! During worship, there were people all singing songs in their native languages yet all singing the same song to the same mighty God! I have always known how big and real God is, but to see in person such a diverse group worshipping is a experience you can't know unless you are apart of. I stood in awe of our God so many times when I looked around seeing such a cross-cultural group praise our Creator!

     He is such a personal Father. I have opened both Estonian, Serbian and Czech Bibles in the past day. Just opening it up makes me praise our mighty God! He has provided the Word for every single one of us in a way we understand, our language. Often, I forget that the Bible is a gift. I take it for granted. To have the Word, the most precious love letter in my finger tips is a blessing. Many cultures have much for reverence for the Bible such as placing it on the ground would be disrespectful. It is very eye opening and making me realize how I take my faith so lightly some times. 

     This facility here in Malenovice is so beautiful. I wish I could post photos on here. (Macs won't let my camera exchange photos from my camera on here.) Each morning I woke up to see God's perfect, gorgeous creation out my window!  I have gone on so many walks, tried many national dishes, and had so many interesting conversations with different people from different cultures (even those in the states have unique stories as I am the only one from KY).
     Every night one European gave their testimony. This was probably my highlight of training. Europeans see it as such a blessing to grow up in a Christian family, very few do. Most are born into some orthodox religion they don't understand. It is just your heritage. However, every single one mentioned that God, through a process of steps and experiences, got to their heart. I think it is so neat that God had hand chosen them to not give up on their hearts. This also really prepared me to understand stories of those I will come in contact with this summer. Every European I got to share my testimony with was so happy for me that I was so blessed to my have a family that loved the Lord. They weren't jealous, but they were genuinely happy for me. Also, many wanted to pray with me or for me. As we were parting  for the summer to go to our country to serve, I asked many if I could pray for them or many asked if they could pray for me, even when language was a barrier. Every European that knows Christ shines. They truly radiant Christ in them. It is so evident they love the Lord. Makes me a bit convicted. Can everyone I meet see that I love Christ? This was truly a wonderful week diving into the Word with people so eager to soak up God's Word!
     It was hard leaving this place. It was such a safe haven. Everywhere you turned their were believers just letting God pour through them! I had made so many friends whether from the states or Europe. It was a glimpse of Heaven. Praising our Lord with them was just marvelous! The Spirit was just at such peace in me. Really incredible opportunity and experience. I really felt spiritually equipped to be sent out into a foreign country. I really got to examine my heart and give the summer to Him.
     

The Amazing Race

The most amazing adventure of my life:

     As I arrived in Poland, I walked out through baggage to be met by a very enthusiastic gang of JV leaders cheering and welcoming us! Our flight was the first to arrive of the interns. We arrived at 9 am and the last flights was coming in at 2:30pm. There was about 100 of us in all coming to the airport this day. That included leaders, staff, and interns like myself. So we all just hung out meeting one another waiting for other flights to slowly arrive. This was an amazing time having the opportunity to meet passionate and wonderful believers. You could tell that this group was so genuine as everyone kept positive attitudes when there was no reason to. People were welcoming, loving and friendly even though many of us had little to no sleep and food. As 24 hours approached, I decided to grab another nap so that I was refreshed for my team to arrive. My nap lasted an hour which was very beneficial (that totaled two hours in 24 hours for me) as the Amazing Race was to start in just one hour.

     The Amazing Race is modeled after the television show (with the same name). It basically consisted of random challenges, tasks, and traveling from city to city all over Poland and Czech Republic. We were broken up by country teams. So I was with three others (two interns and our team leader) who will be serving in Serbia with me this summer.

     The other two interns on my team literally hoped off the plane, and the race began as they were the last flight of the day. We were given no instruction basically. We were handed our first clue and told to "GO."

     Clues included words in other languages, directions, landmarks, and snippets of maps. Challenges included strutting down a run way in town square in Krakow in quite unattractive clothing (which led into a run-in with the police but that is anther story), transporting M&Ms from bowl to bowl with only a straw, constructing a model of the solar system using fruits we had bought from a local store in correct order of size and distance from sun, completing a Czech dance step by step, reciting a Pope's speech verbatim, eating blood sausage, deciphering Choppin music, canoeing, drinking a hot cup of tea as fast as possible (which burnt my tongue for two days), and many many many more very fun and exciting challenges. We hoped tram after bus after train after train! I hope to tell more of these stories later to you all whether in blog or person! I have stories to share from each of these tasks plus like twenty tasks more! Time and this little blog do not permit such opportunity to share as internet access is hard to get here!

    Each challenge provided great opportunity to see weaknesses in our teammates while seeing strengths pour out as well. We became very vulnerable very quickly as sleep, food, and rest was at a minimum. I was on 48 hours awake with only 2 hours of sleep and barely any food. We had a lot of team bonding while on longer train rides. This really is set up in the perfect way to see each other's human self come out. This vulnerable time is already allowing our team to see our gifts and personalities as we prep for summer camps!

     This also provided great cultural opportunity. Transportation is nothing like I would have imagined. On a three hours bus trip, around eight people had to stand the entire time. People are willing to stand shoulder to shoulder just to get a ride. On another bus, we were piled in each other's laps so that everyone could make it. Personal space is nothing like Americans. Trams are the local means of transportation. You run and hop on your ride hoping to make it. If you don't, you may be waiting nearly three or four hours for another. I am seeing how blessed America is and especially how blessed I am to know who God is so personally. It is much more noticeable to detect believers from non-believers in Europe. Smiles speak loudly. 

     One last thing, I even left the city with a parting touch. As I hoped a tram in the nick of time, remember this is a race, my backpack got stuck in the door. Needless to say, the tram erupted in giggles! So I pulled it in, but I um...broke the door! Each time the tram stopped at the next stop, you had to manually open and shut the doors. Oops! Well, a race is a race!

     After three days of absolutely crazy tasks and exhausting but incredible cultural experiences, we finally make it to our last clue's destination, Malenovice, Czech Republic. That is my team in the picture crossing the finish line! We are staying here at the Malenovice Hotel for four days of training. 

Thank you all for your prayer back home. God is certainly revealing Himself, keeping us safe, and allowing me to have an incredible experience seeing the beauty of His creation in a way I have never experienced before. 

     

Planes, Trains and Trams

     I just had one of the most incredible weeks of my life! I have SO many incredible stories to share just about the journey to Europe! I will add pictures when I can. Being on other's computers make that a bit challenging, but I will when I can! I have so much to share, this little blurb of information has absolutely no justification of my past days' events.

    So the journey began Tuesday morning as I arrived at the airport as Mom dropped me off. A few tears trickled down as a swarm of reality and nerves suddenly hit me. I had left my Mom, Dad, family, pup, friends, and America for the entire summer! However, a very sweet lady behind the check-in counter saw my nerves as I approached barely even able to articulate my destination. She saw my destination and started telling me all about how she had gone to Israel before. She never said she was a believer, but it was just one of those moments where you just know your soul is at peace with another.  She was so excited for me asking a few brief questions about this amazing opportunity. This calmed my anxiousness. Immediately, I knew the Lord was leading me and I had nothing to fear; I simply needed to follow His lead. Only adrenaline and anxiousness filled me for the rest of the trip. I have complete faith and peace after this.

     Security and navigation through airports was a breeze. God provided peace and guidance through employees when navigation got a bit tricky. Going back out of security to go back through security was new to me. I have always been told to stay inside security between flights. European security guards/employees are very welcoming and friendly though. Americans are quite hurried, less patient people. Riding all the public transportation was thrilling to me, getting to see so many international people!

     The first flight I rode next to a dear lady that squeezed my leg twice when turbulence got rough. She told me all about her three children and how she wished they would have gone to serve in another country. All of her kind words, again, were God speaking to me letting me know that He indeed had brought me to Europe this summer. On my long flight I sat next to a German man who slept the whole time which allowed me to watch movies and read peacefully. With such excitement, I only slept one hour on my flight. On the last flight, I sat next to a Polish man who tried so hard to talk to me despite the language barrier. Lots of hand signals and pointing was involved. I believe he and his wife fly often and always get aisle sits across from each other. He tried to welcome me to Poland, and he informed me that he was getting sick too when the plane went in circles waiting to land. 

     International flights feed you so well. I had so much tea and many delightful pastries. Also, I was offered alcohol about five times that day as well as being served a large dinner and breakfast. Europeans drink much more alcohol than we do.

     I actually met up with a few other JV interns in Newark. I saw two different guys that looked like JV candidates. I approached both and they were. So the three of us chatted for about 3 hours waiting for our plane. Also, we added three more interns to our gang as we landed in Germany. None of us sat together in any flight though. We never had to go through customs, but I did get my very first stamp in my passport! I was so proud! 

     Finally, we arrived in Krakow, Poland at 9am local time. 

     

   

Traveling Plans

Well everyone, here is a quick itinerary of the next few day's events:
I will being heading out early tomorrow morning!!! It seems so surreal! I can't believe the time is finally here! I have been praying for this journey for weeks upon weeks, and it is actually here! I can't quite explain all the feelings: excitement, anxiousness, eagerness, and a bit of fear for the unknown. I can't thank each of you enough for your prayer, support and encouragement. I couldn't have had this opportunity without you so thank you!


As you can see to the right, my newest best friend will be with me all summer! I hope to fill my passport up with many different country's stamps! I will begin in Cincinnati, fly to Newark, NJ then to Duesseldorf, Germany and lastly to Krakow, Poland. I should arrive at 9:00am Wednesday morning in Poland. In the airport I will meet up with the rest of the Josiah Venture team including the 73 interns and many country leaders. Some of the interns and leaders will already be in Europe and travel to the airport in Poland to pick us all up. From the airport in Poland we will be split into country oriented teams to embark on the Amazing Race. I will be with the other two interns, Chad and Julia, going to Serbia with me and our country leader, Bojan, from Serbia. I have only met these people via email and Facebook. I look forward to meeting them face to face!

The race is modeled after the television show, the Amazing Race. We will have random challenges and tasks to accomplish while racing from check point to check point until our final destination, Malenovice, Czech Republic for training. This race will last three days! We will arrive at the Malenovice Hotel as our final destination for a week of training. I will be sharing more about the race and training soon!


As 1 Peter 5:6-7 tell us to "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you," I am trying to  give all anxiety to Him. I am thanking Him already for the protection He will provide in travels. Thank you for your prayers as well!

For now, I am off to lots of travelling adventures!

The Adventures of Packing

Who knew selecting a backpack wouldn't be easy, right? Well, I guess I am a little naive! Thinking this would take a simple evening online, selecting, purchasing, and waiting for it to arrive in the mail, I found myself on the start to a learning experience...Starting last Monday, one week ago, Mom and I spent the evening looking online for hiking backpacks. Quickly, I realized there are hiking backpacks and day packs in every variety possible. Automatically as any wise traveler off to a summer of air-flights, hopping trains, and other large use of public transportation would do, I went for the highest capacity, largest backpack within check-in requirement dimensions to be found! With hopes high and joy rising, I waited eagerly for the "most wonderful" backpack I had been dreaming of to arrive. Thursday afternoon my awaited pack had been delivered. To damper the spirits I found it to be much too spacious and framed for traveler more like six inches taller than I. This was just a bump in the road or in reality a blessing in disguise. Saturday morning I took my parents out for a shopping trip where we could actually try on the packs and found a magnificent bag (shown in the picture) matching my height for comfortability. So, the other backpack will be shipped back! Already, it is neat seeing God take care of my needs for the summer while learning lessons in patience. This pack is the perfect capacity, size and a bright, happy orange! Seven days away! I'm already loosing sleep with excitement!

Welcome to the Blog

Hey family and friends, I have created this blog in order to keep all of you informed about my upcoming summer in Serbia. With little to potentially no access to a computer and a lack of time, I will not be able to contact you each personally via email, Skype. etc. Therefore, I will be posting as often as possible on here. I just want to thank you for your support toward me already in some form whether prayfully, financially, encouragement, telephone calls, or other conversations. Please feel free to follow and read about what Christ is doing in both my life and the lives of Serbians as this summer 's journey unravels!