I want to share with you the stories of two women with whom I have been meeting for the past seven weeks. In order to protect their privacy, I won't name them. Both are middle-aged women of faith who have been through more than their share of trials, yet God is working in their lives in very different ways.
The first has suffered the tragedies of first losing a young child, then later suddenly losing her husband. These losses were difficult for her, as they would be for anyone. They led her to ask the oft-repeated question, "Why is this happening to me?" However, she was eventually able to accept that she doesn't know the answer, but that she must trust God.
She initially came to our Information Meeting with a friend, not expecting that she would participate in the program. However, she had a good feeling about the meeting and decided to sign up. She has thoroughly enjoyed our discussions, as have I. She has even invited several of her friends to participate. Several times, she has commented about how she has been thinking about what we've been discussing, and a few days ago, she began to realize how little she knew about the Bible. It is easy to see how God is using our conversations to speak to her and to help her to grow in her faith.
The other woman is in the midst of a stormy period in her life. She is divorced, and her job as a waitress provides barely enough income for her and her daughter to live on. The hours she must work are often physically demanding. She recently lost a brother. Her mother and her sister have serious health problems. Her grand-nephew nearly drowned recently and faces the prospect of partial paralysis. What makes these challenges especially difficult is that she has no one to turn to for help.
It has been much more difficult for me to see how God is working in her life, but I believe that he is. I suspect that he wants to use this church to help her. While she has a strong belief in God, she does not have what I would call a church family. In fact, in view of her church experiences, I doubt if she feels a need for one. She does, however, see many needs in her life. I have seen how God has used this church to help with many such needs of other people. It is my prayer that he will do so with her needs as well.
The end of this project is coming quickly. Morris left at the beginning of this week, and I have been working alone (well, not exactly alone - I've been studying with 14 different people, and God has been present throughout). Next weekend, the first follow-up team, Linda and Sandra, will arrive. I will be able to spend a couple of days helping them get settled before I leave them to continue the work. Please pray for them as they prepare to continue this work.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Last night was such an encouraging evening that another posting is in order while it is still fresh in my 6o year old mind. Rod and I shared the evening with the family of one of the original children I taught 7 years ago during a one week tent camping church camp on the island of Krk. Petra was only 9 years old, but she was a great helper and an eager to learn student as well. We became good friends and even at that young age she was already thinking on a spiritual level that was very noticeable. We have worked together during other visits to Varazdin and 2 years ago Petra was one of my regular LST readers.
There were several encouraging moments in her home last night. First was her continual interest in spiritual topics. Moving into her teen years has increased her interest in the church. There are far too many stories of the opposite being true for young people her age. Secondly, her questions often centered around others. She wanted to know how her friends in America were doing and how several adults that we both know were doing that she had not seen for awhile. Of course there was small talk about the weather, soccer and such, but the conversations always came back to people. What a blessing I received thinking back 7 years ago, teaching a 9 year old a little about faith in Jesus. She still has the handouts that Michelle sent with me as visual aids to the stories. Not all investment in the lives of people have a positive ending, but this one did and is certainly worth sharing and giving thanks to the Spirit for his work.
There were several encouraging moments in her home last night. First was her continual interest in spiritual topics. Moving into her teen years has increased her interest in the church. There are far too many stories of the opposite being true for young people her age. Secondly, her questions often centered around others. She wanted to know how her friends in America were doing and how several adults that we both know were doing that she had not seen for awhile. Of course there was small talk about the weather, soccer and such, but the conversations always came back to people. What a blessing I received thinking back 7 years ago, teaching a 9 year old a little about faith in Jesus. She still has the handouts that Michelle sent with me as visual aids to the stories. Not all investment in the lives of people have a positive ending, but this one did and is certainly worth sharing and giving thanks to the Spirit for his work.
Friday, June 15, 2012
After several unsuccessful attempts to reach this blog site, I will finally share a few thoughts and observations. As of yesterday I have completed two out of the three weeks of reading with my readers. Most of you know I am following up with Nick Brown's initial readers. Nick worked the first 3 weeks and I am working the second 3 weeks. Even though it was Nick's first LST mission, he did an excellent job of establishing friendships and connections to each of his readers. Thanks Nick, as a result of your work, it was a smooth transition for me to make. Each of your readers were very complimentary of your work.
The first week started the morning after my arrivial, with 6 readers. I would share my initial reading experiences, but honestly I was fighting jet lag so strongly, I don't remember most of the conversations that took place. Fortunately all the readers signed up for additional reading times, so that was a good sign. I am blessed to have 11 regular readers ranging in age from 19 to 56. Several have read with other workers through LST and through other church connections. This is a great testamony to those who lay foundations of friendship and trust for other to build upon. Those returning readers are comfortable and have a higher level of openess that is often evident early on in our conversations. I have one returning reader who I read with 2 years ago, who is in his first year of college. He is not a believer but is open to challenging conversations. His English conversation and reading levels are high enough that we are reading directly out of the gospel of John. As he reads each chapter, I'm the defense attorney calling my witnesses to testify what they know about Jesus and he is the prosecuting attorney countering their claims. It has been blessed. As LST says, "The Word is the Teacher". Other readers include high school students, a pharmaceutical sales rep, a bank director who is also an organic gardener, a jail security guard, a factory worker, an unemployed accounting teacher, a social worker, and an unemployed bio tech engineer. They all come with a variety of Biblical faith and knowledge. We have had blessed moments of conversation that challenge both sides of the table. It will be hard to think that our friendships will be put on hold at the end of just one more week. Several readers have life challenges that embarrass me to think of what I consider a challenge in my life. One of the lessons we read is the account of the wise and foolish builder. One of the questions that is asked routinely during that study is, "Do you have floods in your life?" Believe me there are many floods in the lives of our readers. In spite of their floods, their positive out look continues to amaze me.
Our time has also included a vist to the church member who cooked our LST lunches for 6 weeks in 2010 and never served the same meal twice. Nadica was suffering from ALS even then, but insitsed on cooking as her contribution to our work. This year, we visited her in a hospital that was once a castle. It was like stepping back in time. Michelle had made Nadica a small quilt which she was very thankful for and was going to use it as an example to the hospital staff of Christian kindness.
Laura and family will arrive tomorrow and be here one week presenting programs for neighborhood children at two locations. There are a number of children who play in the backyard of the church because it has playground equipment, the only sets in the neighborhood. I have interacted with the kids enough that they know I definitely do not know the Croatian language. They just laugh as I try to say a few words in Croatian. Laughter is still a great unspoken language.
The longer I am here to more I see and feel God's presence. It was a slower transition for me this trip, but there are definitely reasons for us to be here and I really sense that it is a season of progress and positive growth for the work here in Varazdin. There is so much optimism and a sense of God's leading with many options for future developments in the month's ahead. So thanks to all who have and are suppporting this valueable work. It is time and finances that are well worth the investments.
The first week started the morning after my arrivial, with 6 readers. I would share my initial reading experiences, but honestly I was fighting jet lag so strongly, I don't remember most of the conversations that took place. Fortunately all the readers signed up for additional reading times, so that was a good sign. I am blessed to have 11 regular readers ranging in age from 19 to 56. Several have read with other workers through LST and through other church connections. This is a great testamony to those who lay foundations of friendship and trust for other to build upon. Those returning readers are comfortable and have a higher level of openess that is often evident early on in our conversations. I have one returning reader who I read with 2 years ago, who is in his first year of college. He is not a believer but is open to challenging conversations. His English conversation and reading levels are high enough that we are reading directly out of the gospel of John. As he reads each chapter, I'm the defense attorney calling my witnesses to testify what they know about Jesus and he is the prosecuting attorney countering their claims. It has been blessed. As LST says, "The Word is the Teacher". Other readers include high school students, a pharmaceutical sales rep, a bank director who is also an organic gardener, a jail security guard, a factory worker, an unemployed accounting teacher, a social worker, and an unemployed bio tech engineer. They all come with a variety of Biblical faith and knowledge. We have had blessed moments of conversation that challenge both sides of the table. It will be hard to think that our friendships will be put on hold at the end of just one more week. Several readers have life challenges that embarrass me to think of what I consider a challenge in my life. One of the lessons we read is the account of the wise and foolish builder. One of the questions that is asked routinely during that study is, "Do you have floods in your life?" Believe me there are many floods in the lives of our readers. In spite of their floods, their positive out look continues to amaze me.
Our time has also included a vist to the church member who cooked our LST lunches for 6 weeks in 2010 and never served the same meal twice. Nadica was suffering from ALS even then, but insitsed on cooking as her contribution to our work. This year, we visited her in a hospital that was once a castle. It was like stepping back in time. Michelle had made Nadica a small quilt which she was very thankful for and was going to use it as an example to the hospital staff of Christian kindness.
Laura and family will arrive tomorrow and be here one week presenting programs for neighborhood children at two locations. There are a number of children who play in the backyard of the church because it has playground equipment, the only sets in the neighborhood. I have interacted with the kids enough that they know I definitely do not know the Croatian language. They just laugh as I try to say a few words in Croatian. Laughter is still a great unspoken language.
The longer I am here to more I see and feel God's presence. It was a slower transition for me this trip, but there are definitely reasons for us to be here and I really sense that it is a season of progress and positive growth for the work here in Varazdin. There is so much optimism and a sense of God's leading with many options for future developments in the month's ahead. So thanks to all who have and are suppporting this valueable work. It is time and finances that are well worth the investments.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Why Do I Do This?
One of the most common questions I get on these trips (along with "Why have you never married?") is why I keep doing this. As a variation, one of my readers recently asked me if I didn't find it boring to study the same lessons with people over and over, year after year.
A simple answer to why I keep doing this is that I believe it is what God has called me to do. However, while this answer is true, in some sense it's a cop-out. What leads me to believe that God is calling me to do this? I can give several reasons why I believe this, but I think the most central answer is that I can see him working more while I'm on an LST project than at any other time.
First, I see God working in the lives of many of my conversation partners. On numerous occasions, both this summer and in past summers, readers have mentioned how they have been thinking about a scripture we have discussed, or they have seen something that reminded them of a conversation we had shared about the Bible. While others may interpret this differently, I interpret it as God working in their hearts. I want to emphasize that this is nothing I have caused - I simply have the opportunity to observe and perhaps share in what God is doing. In some cases - most notably, here in Varaždin, where I've worked several times - I've had the opportunity to see these conversation partners come to know and experience God in wonderful new ways.
Second, I see God working in the lives of my teammates. Nick has shared with me how God has answered his prayers in powerful ways. He has also shared how the LST experience has helped him to have a better perspective on the variety of ways God works in people's lives.
Third, I see God working in the churches that invite us. This is particularly true of the church here in Varaždin. I have seen tremendous spiritual growth in this church since my first visit nine years ago. I am especially encouraged to see how they have grown in welcoming visitors. I have no hesitation to invite readers to church activities, as I know that they will immediately be made to feel welcome.
Finally, I experience God's work in my own life. Over the years, I have learned how to trust God more and more to direct my conversations with my readers. Furthermore, I continue to receive from my readers insights into scriptures. As a simple example, a few days ago, one of my readers pointed out to me that the Bible never says that the angel Gabriel was visible to Mary (though, in fact, this depends on the translation). I've probably read this text with over 200 people in the last 20 years and never noticed this. While a single observation such as this may seem insignificant, the accumulation of such insights over the years has helped me to grow in both my understanding of scripture and my knowledge of God. How could I possibly find this boring?
All of what I have said is based only on what I am able to see of God's working. I am convinced that he works in many ways that I don't see, wherever I am. Specifically, I'm not saying that God works more through an LST project than through any other activities in which I've been involved. What I am saying is that I see his work more clearly while I'm doing this work.
As I close, I'd like to express my appreciation once again for your prayers regarding our work. We are facing an important transition in a few days, as Nick will be going home and Morris will be arriving here on Monday. Please pray that this transition goes smoothly, and that God will continue to use us to his glory.
A simple answer to why I keep doing this is that I believe it is what God has called me to do. However, while this answer is true, in some sense it's a cop-out. What leads me to believe that God is calling me to do this? I can give several reasons why I believe this, but I think the most central answer is that I can see him working more while I'm on an LST project than at any other time.
First, I see God working in the lives of many of my conversation partners. On numerous occasions, both this summer and in past summers, readers have mentioned how they have been thinking about a scripture we have discussed, or they have seen something that reminded them of a conversation we had shared about the Bible. While others may interpret this differently, I interpret it as God working in their hearts. I want to emphasize that this is nothing I have caused - I simply have the opportunity to observe and perhaps share in what God is doing. In some cases - most notably, here in Varaždin, where I've worked several times - I've had the opportunity to see these conversation partners come to know and experience God in wonderful new ways.
Second, I see God working in the lives of my teammates. Nick has shared with me how God has answered his prayers in powerful ways. He has also shared how the LST experience has helped him to have a better perspective on the variety of ways God works in people's lives.
Third, I see God working in the churches that invite us. This is particularly true of the church here in Varaždin. I have seen tremendous spiritual growth in this church since my first visit nine years ago. I am especially encouraged to see how they have grown in welcoming visitors. I have no hesitation to invite readers to church activities, as I know that they will immediately be made to feel welcome.
Finally, I experience God's work in my own life. Over the years, I have learned how to trust God more and more to direct my conversations with my readers. Furthermore, I continue to receive from my readers insights into scriptures. As a simple example, a few days ago, one of my readers pointed out to me that the Bible never says that the angel Gabriel was visible to Mary (though, in fact, this depends on the translation). I've probably read this text with over 200 people in the last 20 years and never noticed this. While a single observation such as this may seem insignificant, the accumulation of such insights over the years has helped me to grow in both my understanding of scripture and my knowledge of God. How could I possibly find this boring?
All of what I have said is based only on what I am able to see of God's working. I am convinced that he works in many ways that I don't see, wherever I am. Specifically, I'm not saying that God works more through an LST project than through any other activities in which I've been involved. What I am saying is that I see his work more clearly while I'm doing this work.
As I close, I'd like to express my appreciation once again for your prayers regarding our work. We are facing an important transition in a few days, as Nick will be going home and Morris will be arriving here on Monday. Please pray that this transition goes smoothly, and that God will continue to use us to his glory.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The End of Week 2
Dobar dan, or good day. We are now at the end of our second week here in Varazdin, Croatia. We have had an amazing second week here getting to know the local church members and the readers. I still can't believe how welcoming everyone has been and how excited they are to have Rod and I here. I also can't believe that I only have a week left before I have to return to the States, it seems like I only just got here and already I'm going to have to start saying goodbye to my readers. Fortunately I know they will be in very good hands when Morris arrives to take my place.
On Monday we resumed our reading sessions and continued to read with our readers about Jesus and to get to know each other. Many of my readers have opened up to me and shared their lives and their beliefs with me and in turn I have been sharing myself with them. Overall, I think our reading sessions are going very well. I know I am certainly learning a lot about my readers and Croatia, and I hope they are learning about me as well. I would like to ask for prayers for some of our readers who are without work as I know that is weighing very heavily on them. In addition one of my readers, and her mother, who is reading with Rod, just lost a relative yesterday and I would like to ask for your prayers for them as well.
On Wednesday night we hosted our first party after a class on Revelations. Rod decided to do a Bunco party which if you don't know is a very simple game played with dice. he modified the rules a bit so that after every round each person had to tell something about themselves. The party was reasonably well attended with 4 of our readers and 8 church members in attendance. After the game ended, the readers and the church members enjoyed the refreshments we provided and visited with each other. Overall I thought it went pretty well and a reader I saw this morning who was there said he really enjoyed the party and was looking forward to the next one.
Tomorrow Rod and I are going to take our first two day break and head for the coast and the city of Pula where we plan to visit the Roman arena(Colosseum) and some of the other old Roman architecture. We'll be back on Saturday night so that we can prepare for worship on Sunday morning and another week spent with our readers starting on Monday. I'm especially looking forward to next week because I know it will be the last chance I get to spend with my readers and want to make sure it's good for both them and myself.
Doviđenja (goodbye) for now
We started off this week on Saturday by having lunch with Joy, a woman who has been working with some of our readers for the last few weeks. Getting to visit with her and learn about her mission work in Croatia for over 20 years was really good. She really has a passion for doing God's work in Croatia. On Sunday we spent time getting to know even more of the church members at worship service where Rod gave a sermon about how Jesus called the common people and he calls all of us to follow him. I want to say thank you to Saša for translating it into Croatian for him. After church on Sunday we got a special treat. The church was going to Ravna Gora, or flat mountain, to have lunch and celebrate the end of their Alpha course. Considering I would have to drive almost 8 hours from home to even see a mountain, I thought this was great. Many of the church members actually walked up the mountain, but Rod and I chose to ride up in Mladen's car.
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On Wednesday night we hosted our first party after a class on Revelations. Rod decided to do a Bunco party which if you don't know is a very simple game played with dice. he modified the rules a bit so that after every round each person had to tell something about themselves. The party was reasonably well attended with 4 of our readers and 8 church members in attendance. After the game ended, the readers and the church members enjoyed the refreshments we provided and visited with each other. Overall I thought it went pretty well and a reader I saw this morning who was there said he really enjoyed the party and was looking forward to the next one.
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Doviđenja (goodbye) for now
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Each Project Is Unique
This is my fifth LST project in Varaždin and my eighteenth LST project overall. Each of these projects has had its own unique character due to the variety of people involved and the variety of ways God has been working in their lives and mine.
This year I have the privilege to provide English conversation for fourteen unique individuals. This group includes both men and women whose ages range from late teens to early 70s. Eleven of them I had not met prior to last week. Among these eleven are:
My prayer is that both Nick and I, as well as Morris when he arrives, can follow God's leading so that he can use us to make a difference in people's lives. I invite you to join me in praying for these people.
This year I have the privilege to provide English conversation for fourteen unique individuals. This group includes both men and women whose ages range from late teens to early 70s. Eleven of them I had not met prior to last week. Among these eleven are:
- a middle-aged woman who lost her husband suddenly eight years ago, but who has confidence that she will see him again;
- a young woman whose father died last year;
- a young man whose older sister died fourteen years ago;
- a divorced woman whose step-brother is dying in a hospital and whose mother has been in a vegetative state for seven years;
- and a middle-aged man whose mother died suddenly a few months ago and who wants to know God's plan for his life.
My prayer is that both Nick and I, as well as Morris when he arrives, can follow God's leading so that he can use us to make a difference in people's lives. I invite you to join me in praying for these people.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Project Begins
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| Our home for the project |
Wednesday morning we started our day with a devotional designed to remind us that we are here to spread God's word and not our own as well as to reinforce that we should be concentrating on our readers as opposed to doing what's comfortable to us. Afterwards, we had some free time which we used to explore some more of Varazdin. We again met Mladen for lunch where we discussed the details and expectations of the project.
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| Rod presenting at the Information Meeting |
We started today off with a devotional dedicated to giving thanks to God for all that he has done for us. We discussed the many things that we were grateful for including the safe travels, the good turnout at the information meeting, and the very warm welcome we received from the local church members. After the devotional we started our reading sessions, both with a very full calendar. Mine so far have gone very well with some good conversations. I am looking forward to continuing to meet with readers today and tomorrow before we take our first free day on Saturday. On Sunday we will worship with the local church and then join them for lunch out of town at a gathering to celebrate the end of their Alpha classes.
We would like to ask that you continue to pray for us and for the work that we are doing here in Varazdin. Pray that we continue to share ourselves and God's word with our readers.
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