As I type this, suitcases are being shut, travel documents are being checked, and our time overseas is coming to an end (well, except for the thirty hours of travel it will take to get us home). What’s been happening? The ladies’ retreat that Barb, Vicka, and Nancy helped with had a wonderful ending, complete with some very special and moving testimonies. Bob, GJ, Kim, and Larry were a huge help to a recently paralyzed man here–wallpapering and painting in his house for several hours on Saturday. Sunday (today, 6/30), we attended church here, and it was a GIFT. Amazing worship service and sermon, then (more) hugs from those on the retreats and more gifts, even homemade borsch (it was delicious!). We have been so blessed. Then, to complete the morning, several young women were baptized! What a day. In the evening, dinner with the YFC team (with the world’s…
Continue ReadingThese days have been AMAZING, and are quickly flying by. Thank you tons for praying. Quick update from the women’s retreat (that Barb, Vicka, and Nancy are helping with): We have until this Saturday afternoon (4 p.m. Central Asia time) before we say goodbye to these dear, sweet women. Please pray. Pray for decisions needing to be made, for breakthroughs with God, and for God’s faithfulness, mercy, and grace to be evident. Thank you! Quick update about the end of the youth retreat: It sounds like everything went (super) well–the students had a blast, and the adults survived. 🙂 By the way, it sounds like the bead-making activity with Kim was THE place to be. (Sidenote: if anyone is looking for some great team-building activities, Kim and Barb are the ones to get–really!) Here are some quick pics. May God bless you as you are a huge, vital help to…
Continue ReadingNot a lot of time to update, but wanted to share that the last day and a half have been soooo special, with some breakthroughs taking place! Thank you for praying! Quick summary: Yesterday morning, after breakfast, it was time for teambuilding activities. The small group of teens that I (nancy) was a part of seemed to be struggling with the activities. This particular group looked a little down. Good thing it was soon time for lunch–perfect timing. 🙂 After lunch, another team-building activity. How was it going to go? Well, it was amazing! The scenario for this particular activity was that we had all been in an airplane crash (pretend, of course), and some of us had been “injured.” I was told I had “broken” my arm and would need help making the trek to safety. How did the teens respond to all these “injuries?” They rose to the…
Continue ReadingSome of us were a little shook up last night. 🙂 Actually, there was an earthquake nearby, some of us felt it, but thankfully all appears fine. Thank you for continuing to pray for us. We sure don’t know what is going to happen from day to day, hour to hour. This morning, we read together (out of our trip devotional), “God will certainly care for you” from Luke 12:28. How timely and encouraging. “Walk by faith, trust me, don’t worry, I will certainly care for you,” we hear Him say. Vicka then beautifully said, “If we have time to complain, we have time to pray.” The picture is from breakfast this morning (about ten hours after the earthquake).
Continue Reading“So much has happened, and the day isn’t even over!” Another quote by wonderful teammate Vicka. The days are full, but at times they have been downright AMAZING! Catching up: Yesterday (Sunday) included a wonderful breakfast made by one of the ladies from the church, team devotions, taxi rides to church, a wonderful church service, followed by a (very) moving time with the deaf ladies, then time for the YOUTH RETREAT! We soon loaded up the vans and headed off. I wish you could have heard the students cheer as we made the last bend in the road and the hotel came into view–lots of oohs and ahhs! Once everyone was checked in, time for the first meeting, followed by worship songs, games, dinner, then the evening meeting (it was great), followed by more games! By the way, the students who are at this retreat are getting ready to soon…
Continue ReadingThe Central Asia 2024 Team is now complete, we have all safely arrived! Our clothes might be a little wrinkly, our bodies a little sore (it was over thirty hours of travel), but we are so thankful that we are all here and that each piece of luggage arrived without a problem. Thank you for praying! Today was a day of team meetings, delicious food, more team meetings, and then more delicious food! We are soooooo blessed (and pampered) by the church here. It is exciting to be here! Thank you again for praying and for following along. It is about time to close this computer and get some sleep. We would appreciate prayers for good rest, too. Thank you! We appreciate you all!
Continue ReadingWe are getting excited!! Planning, packing, praying, along with brushing up on some Russian! (Some of us have a LONG way to go!) 🙂 Thank you for praying and following along!! Prayer Calendar
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