This is the season where the air becomes cool, the home often becomes more quiet (the children are back in school) and we have the time to rest from our non-stop summers. Fall is so beautiful with the leaves that change color and the golden mornings and beautiful sunsets. Amber is a color that comes on strong it is a special and and it is also a beautiful gem here in Lithuania.
I have the privilege because of all of you to harvest and work with Lithuania's greatest gems, their youth. Living here now for over sixteen years some of the raw gems have moved on and are shining bright with a fresh sense of confidence that has come from their experiences thru Kidz Lithuania.
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| Erika, Augi, Aldo & Laura |
This experience is so enriching and I would like to share how special and powerful I prayerfully see this intimate ministry. To have a young person come and learn the scriptures starting around 10years of age, learn about their purpose, discover skills and talents while having the opportunity to learn the values of true leadership. They stay in the mode of training, learning and living for Christ with us most til they reach 20yrs of Age. Ten years of discipleship half their lives was filled with the knowledge of God and the purpose of their life. Many people go their entire lifetime not knowing. They come up knowing, believing while serving and praying for direction.
It's much like the "Amber" you will find in Lithuania. There are five classifications of amber you will find in Lithuania. I see some similarities about the young people. The value of the gem is in the ability to know, help identify and develop clarity of purpose. Because most people think amber is only yellow--but there is so much more than just yellow.
"Yellow" is the typical color but finding and preparing the rare gems is imperative for the Church to rise up against the challenges it faces.
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| Justas |
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| Augusta |
"Green" is not always natural it is created by adding heat while preparing it for silver or a jewlry piece; the heat brings out the the tint of green. So much like what Kidz Lithuania is about. We offer young people who desire to find a deeper relationship with the Lord to learn the disciplines that will help rise up the unhidden beauty of their lives. Sometimes this process can be painful because it involves a willingness to stand for Jesus and not to stand with the crowd. It also involves alot of humility---something not valued in society today. When they walk through big choices allowing the process of growth we witness amazing freedom. It is a privilege to listen to their challenges and offer scripture which empowers them to follow JESUS.
"Red" many call this color Cherry, in ancient days this was the color worn by the very wealthy yet today it is a color of choice. This color comes from an even more intense heat applied to the original harvest of amber. During the ancient times it was very rare to find amber simply because of awareness and the proper tools to harvest. Today amber is pretty easy to find. However, to find this color you have to go to specific venders who have tried the original with much heat.
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| Gabriele, Erika & Laura |
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| Gita, Erika & Gabi |
When a young person at age 10-18 makes a decision to serve Kidz Lithuania during the years we experience different seasons of their lives-- where we are working on spiritual growth with gradual opportunities to serve in ministry outside of the church. The process of applying heat gradually is delicate--yet necessary--they need safe places to grow, places where they know they are loved but held to the guides of scripture. By the time they make the "travel" ministry team they have gone thru let's say the
"GREEN" stage of their learning but giving up an entire summers of self choice to go and serve people as a part of their understanding what a commitment to Christ will cost them; letting go of their desire to just simply do what they want is a difficult process but it brings on the extreme heat. The "
RED" of their inner hearts is being developed and they begin to shine in such unique ways. The delicate rise of the faith---but it is so beautiful!
It is amazing to watch a team of youth, lead by youth go out and train others to reach their communities, walk and lead them in reaching children in their communities. Every day in prayer personally, in group prayer. Every day in Bible Study and worship. Every day--developing a lifestyle where they can see the uniqueness of their beauty. This selfless life gives birth to a greater understanding of pleasing God and fulfilling their purpose. We see beauty in their rawest form.
"BLUE" the rarest color of them all. Only .02% of amber is known to be
BLUE. This is only seen by shining light at a specific angle on a piece of amber. This color in ancient times was known to be the most powerful--therefore the chief priests of their pagan world wore this color of amber. Today I'm declaring because you are able to see the great value in investing in children and youth as a part of the
BIG DREAM in Lithuania. I promise you we are seeing more and more
BLUE. Each knew group of kids seems to want to go further and deeper and not only experience Gods' love; but doing what God has asked of them. We have another young teen going to Bible College while still in high school. This past year we even had one young man lay aside secular education for Biblical education-(these are uncommon choice here in the Baltic church culture)--Why? because the "Light of Jesus" is shinning in them bright and they are living out the exposure & desire of the Holy Spirit that is within them. Shining BLUE!
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| Deep Converstaions |
So as you have learned today that amber is not just
yellow--its
yellow,
green, red,
blue and
BLACK
Black amber is natural and accounts for 15%. The unique element of black amber is that it is not fully fossilized---the reason is because the original tree resin is mixed with dirt resin. If you hold a piece of black up to the light you will soon notice another color that will shine through. From Brown to deep red.
Kidz Lithuania is a part of the charity of "Suteikime Vilti" (We offer Hope) . Originally it was organized in partnership with "Convoy of Hope" to allow our missionaries to do outreaches in schools, and public venues legally. We have permission to reach others with the Gospel without being a church. Kidz Lithuania has flown under this banner since its conception. We are committed to evangelism, discipleship which produces disciple makers of young people. Its not inward focused it is Christ focused. We have also been a key to help several church plants in their beginning stages of developing awareness in their communities. We run day camps in small villages & cities to help build bridges and trusting relationships. We visit orphanges, childrens homes, disability homes and elderly homes to share the uniqueness that shines within our hearts. Everyone deserves to hear and know they are loved by Christ.
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| Talking Shop |
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| Cooking for the Elderly |
"We offer Hope" also offers backpacks, groceries, blankets, shoes, clothing whatever is sent our way or when we are shown what the need is. All of this is done by one Missionary and a team of YOUTH that partner with local churches to share the Gospel and to Raise up a generation that is already living a lifestyle of following Jesus and sharing Jesus with others.
As you can see the value of Amber as a natural resource we THANKYOU for your faithful investment in these amazing GEMS of my life!! The children and youth of Kidz Lithuania!
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| Sharon McCammon Missionary to Lithuania |
