Day 4 – July 28
I’m praising God for a good night sleep! Yesterday we had the first of two all-day training sessions. The topics were varied and included: learning the camp dance, how to speak with an interpreter, how to share the gospel and your testimony with the Czech students, and Czech history and culture, etc..
Day 3 – July 27
When I first woke, my phone clock silently announced 1:45am from its faint, bleary screen. There were only faint stirrings from David and Caleb from the other beds. For a moment, I envied their ability to capture the slumber that was eluding me…
Day 2 – July 26
Annnndddddd touchdown!!! Ladies & gentlemen, we are here! Thanks so much for praying! All bags & people arrived safely, and we met up with the combined two groups that will be here in Prague for the next couple days prepping for camp! Praise God for providing for the countless travel details.
Day 1 – July 25
Today started out with excitement: the adrenaline of alarms going off, last minute packing, and a short drive to the church. The entire team gathered in the parking lot for prayer and last farewells followed by a ride to the airport in the big white (and rusty) Sandy van.
Day 0 – July 24
As I type this, the boarding passes for tomorrow’s flights are noisily printing beside me. Music of the chunking inkjet print head lays down a steady beat, interspersed with the occasional whirring of paper spooling to the next line…
Soon…
“and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” Ephesians 6:19
Three oversized black duffle bags stare at me as I sit typing this blog. Each of them is almost filled with the supplies needed for our upcoming mission trip to the Czech Republic. Deflated footballs anticipate the life-giving breath of an air pump and the thrill of a perfect spiraling arc in the air of Czechia. English teaching packets yearn to be unveiled, and three five-pound bags of candy long to be cracked open like globetrotting pinatas as incentive to English language learners…
Trusting in God
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Fear. You know what I’m talking about. Fear of spiders. Fear of snakes. Fear of heights. Fear of public speaking. At one time or another, we all need to deal with this unpleasant emotion. One of my biggest fears is the fear of the unknown.
Am I Ready?
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NASB1995
I recall a flashback to a high school class I had where we studied missions. This was in preparation for a trip to Romania to preach the gospel to people there. About a week from the departure date, one of the people in my class raised their hands and asked our teacher and trip leader, “I know that we have been preparing for a couple of months, but I still do not feel ready! Is it normal to feel this way? And should I feel this way at all?”
The Invitation
With only a little more than 3 weeks left before we begin our journey to the Czech Republic, I thought it would be fun to share one of the welcome videos that are being used to promote the English camp. We are praying that God uses this video to encourage students to come to camp where they will practice English, meet friends, and hear the good news about Jesus!
Stepping into Challenges
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”” Acts 2:38 (ESV)
Confession: I have never considered myself a “closer” – someone who lives to boldly “seal the deal”. Perhaps part of my reason for this is that I don’t like pushy salespeople. I don’t want to be considered one of them in business, and certainly not with the Gospel of Christ. When helping others make decisions, I prefer to provide information and let them come to their own conclusions.