Too Many Students!

We have a good problem. More students are signing up for the Novi Sad camp than we have ever experienced! This may mean we have to turn students away if we reach too large a number. Serbian culture typically means last minute plans. Many kids sign up a day or two before camps or just show up. So with this number, this early on, we are anticipating big numbers. Praise God for more ears and hearts to hear Truth!

There of course is a need for more beds than in the past. They are working on getting a few more mattresses in some rooms  that are larger. If everything inside is full, we are planning on pitching tents outside. Also, this means 15-16 students per English class versus 8-9. We are in need of more materials and minor lesson plan adjustments. Fortunately, we have time to plan accordingly as I am the first of the team to depart, and I don't fly out until Wednesday (July 1st).

Thanks again for your continued prayers as they are powerful and effective! (James 5:16)

God is doing great things! 

First Camp of Summer 2015 Starts Today

Dear Friends,

As I write this post, the first of the three English summer camps starts.  It is in the town of Backa Topola. There is a American team from Traders Point Christian Church in Indiana over there to help out. They expect to have 40 non-believers attend this camp. Please join our prayer for this camp as Paul prayed for Ephesus, "that words may be given to them in opening their mouths boldly to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel... ...that they may declare it boldly, as we ought to speak." Ephesians 6:19-20.

The theme for camp all through Eastern Europe Josiah Venture camps this summer is "You Are Here." We will be basing our English lessons on vocab and American culture from the 1950s through today. The best way to share the Gospel in many of these cities is to love on the students, get to know their culture and share ours (hence the theme).

Thank you for your prayers for the first camp. I trust it will set an awesome precedent of fruitfulness for those to come!

Flight Companions: An Answered Prayer

As a team, we specified a date to commit to prayer, fasting, focusing our hearts to Jesus, and Serbian camp preparations. On this day, I surrender to the Lord my sadness of not being able to travel over with my team.

My first summer as an intern I had to travel by myself to Poland to meet up with other interns. This summer when I first found out that I would be going back to Serbia, I was soooo thrilled to be able to go with Rosie's team as this meant travel together. I dreamed of how much more fun it would be to travel with my team. However, after the Lord opened the opportunity to go 11 days earlier than the rest of the team, no traveling companions was a sacrifice I had to make. Though it is not that big of a deal, it was a disappointment in my mind as I look forward to that part so much.

On our day of committed Serbian prep, I prayed very specifically for protection, safety, fun travelers sitting by me to witness to, to talk to,  and make the time pass by more easily, especially the 8-9 hour flight overseas. This was very much a thought that stirred in my mind since I found out I was traveling alone. By the end of this day's prayers, I was finally okay with it. I had done it once before, so why not again? I had a peace at the end of that day that God would provide. Philippians 4:19 (paraphrased) repeated in mind, "my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory." It didn't cross my mind once again.

A few days later, as I had sent my itinerary over to Steve, who would be picking me up at the airport, he informed me that the Portland, Oregon team (members in picture) had the same flights from Washington D.C all the way to Serbia with me!!! My jaw dropped as I read that over three times. I instantly thanked the Lord and ran to share with my mom and text a few others.

God is so good. Every good gift is from Him! Thank YOU for all your prayers as I know the Lord is using them to produce mighty works this summer. And thank YOU for celebrating His gift of travel companions for me!

Just as David praised God for his deliverance as will I. 2 Samuel 22:50 “For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name."