Why do I serve?

Just One Tear---We removed the clutter from their attic and God removed the clutter from their heart

Just a Tear....Kidz Lithuania ventured out in a new territory this past month we packed up and traveled to a small village name Trokskunai.  We pulled in for three days....with plans of creating a "Day Camp" for the elderly.  So many of their hearts were changed in their golden moments of life.

We experienced a Tear of Joy when one of the men made a match in the matching game.  He cracked a smile and when he learned he could go again his smile only grew.  Then the tear fell he was happy and his tear was contagious.

Every day Anna, Erika and I (Sharon) entered the kitchen to cook and bake special treats for our new students.

Just a Tear which did not come from the many onions we chopped; but from the conditions we prepared food.  The kitchen was small and lacking in so many areas.  They had little to nothing to work with and from.  These tears were those of sadness.  It was apparent we needed to go shopping and help them with some necessary tools.

Just a Tear, while the halls for the first time in a long time echoed the beauty from the sounds of pure worship.  A Tear of Peace and memory for some.  Their hearts were slowly opening and during the last time of worship many bowed their heads and prayed to the King of Kings.  Our purpose and mission was complete so we thought.

But the lively music from chair dancing.....From country, to tango and their desire to try some rock and roll. (Elvis---Remember they are in their 80's)  Kept the ladies hearts filling up with happiness and a sense of accomplishment.

The sound of bean bags hitting the "twister" mat and the rhythms of their claps when they won a treat.  To hear the joy when we had a balloon volley ball & milkshake party.  The old songs and stories kept on surfacing.

Just one tear explained it all when our team turned their cafeteria into a hand massage palour.  There, we experienced more than one tear-- several shared that they couldn't remember the last time anyone touched them in such a kind and loving way.  Those words changed our team members hearts forever.

Our boys removed the clutter from the attic three days of hard labor as we witnessed Jesus clearing the clutter from their hearts.

Mid Summer's Break & Still More Opportunity to Serve!

Since June 5, 2017 Kidz Lithuania has been on the move non-stop preparing for training camps with special guests Isaac Smythia and Brittany Hunt Powell along with outreaches in different cities across the nation of Lithuania we have been on the go.  July 22, 2017 our last team from Erie Shores & Radiant Life left us a little sad the fellowship was amazing for our entire team.

Isaac Smythia shared the Word. Youth & Adults Responded.

 

Training camp with Brittany Hunt Powell

 During the middle of our preparation we endured the worse storm in over 20years.  In the middle of afternoon games, a storm blew in quickly;  I phoned from the front of the home to go inside and we headed out to pick up supplies in the middle of a "Microburst Storm"  leaving our capital city flooded. That evening there was a lake on the highway.

Microstorm while picking up supplies

I've never witnessed before the clouds coming down and kissing the ground; the picture does not do it justice.  The amount of rain that fell this day was astounding, and left the city center and main highway under water leaving many without electricity.

We headed out and served side by side with Panevegyz, Jonava & Svenconyz.  Some of the team members served in laying tile inside of one church and outside on the other.  They worked so hard and so unselfishly.  Such an amazing group of servants.  Pastor Harry Hunt & Pastor Dave Gross you have sent such hard working servants.  

Panavegyz Tile Laying

Svenconyz Youth prayed for our team. 

Game Time in Svenconyz

Entering Jonava-The city that has my heart. 

City Wide event for children in Jonava

Last Day in Svenconyz

It's been good summer so far and we are mid summer.  Our teams are now gone but we still have August to reach out and touch the lives of Lithuanian Children and some elderly.  

Prayer Requests:

• First week of August, Paulius Slepikas and many of our travel team members will be serving in the Urban Camp as Camp Leaders, and also helping with the program.  Please keep them in prayer.  This will be their fourth camp of the summer.  
• Elderly Day Camp, we have a great opportunity to share the Love of Jesus with Pensioneers.  August 8-10, we will be doing a day camp for 20 elderly shut-ins with the desire to share the Gospel during their golden hours.  Pray that our kids will remain sensitive and allow the Holy Spirit to work through their every word and action.
• August 20-23, Leadership Retreat and Preparation for this fall schedule for our Leaders & Leaders in Training.
• Pray for our Leaders in training: Augustas Mozuras, Gabriele Volskaite, Justas Slepikas, and Erika Eis.  

Praise Reports

The Lord has blessed us above and beyond through the prayers and kind connections of a great friend.  We had a great financial break through in June and pray that this storm has passed.  Thank you to Toledo Calvary, Wapakonetta First, Erie Shores & Isaac Smythia for being a part of our miracle. 

Erie hasn't been Eerie

This past week has been absolutely amazing time with my friends and church family from Port Clinton Erie Shores.  William & Brittany Powell, have done an amazing job in preparing the Erie Shores based team to come and serve; their entire team has excelled in serving.  From "Pupele" to "Juodanasia", we have laughed and prayerfully grown beyond our impact.

Panevezys Church was thoroughly blessed by the hard work and labor in laying down the tile without complaints working bent over, laying down in positions that would make most people needing a chiropractor since laying tile is new experience for most of them.  They were successful, Pastor Ramunas and the church were blessed beyond measure.  Thank you for your willingness to come and serve according to the needs here.

While eight of the team members went to Panavegyz, including Jeremiah & Ashley Hunt from Radiant Life Dublin; the rest of the team was serving in a training camp for Kidz Lithuania Evangelism & Discipleship team.   Thank you Pastors Dave & Kay Gross) for your faithful investment in Kidz Lithuania and all we do.  Your staff and church have been represented well by this young couple.

Brittany Powell, taught some amazing Biblical life lessons about how to face the world according to scripture where my kids heard the message strong...."Satan hates humbleness!"  Her teaching is so personal and intimate that I know the residuals will be changing lives after their departure.

Today is a laundry, rest and tour day halfway through their journey.  Then tonight we are back at preparing for the next week.  Where we will together go and share the love of Jesus in the small city of Svenconyz.

Keep us in prayer!!!  This Sunday William Powell will be preaching.  We are believing that many children will come for the first time during the day for our children's events; we have one evening where we are inviting the moms & ladies of the community for a ladies tea; a few nights during the week for youth events and a couple nights we will also join the local church for their prayer meetings.

Transitionally Challenged

I think something most missionaries can relate to is the reality that we are in constant transition, whether it is arriving in our new country of service, or returning home for itineration, family matter, or consultations.  We are constantly on the move.  Then we have the transitions of hosting visiting teams, interns and the nationals we serve.  All of these transitions are on top of the normal transitions many face: empty nest, new opportunities, new coordinators, our team members transitioning with older members leaving (we are happy when this happens) at the same time younger team members joining in and all of a sudden the wheel begins to spin all over again fresh and new.

Now I'm facing a new transition that I have never faced before.  It's been ongoing now for several years and that is the transition of aging parents when they cannot care for themselves.  My mom for several years has struggled with congestive heart failure and these past few years we faced life with quite a bit uncertainty.  Not knowing all the details and trying to make sure she is taken care of along with her husband.

About four weeks ago she feel back to back in a period of twenty four hours which landed her in the hospital and long story short there are factors involved beyond balance.  The Dr's and team feel it is for her best interest and safety to transition permanently into a care facility.  This is a very difficult transition, I was able to be in the states for a meeting and check up on her personally for 48hours.  AGWM, has always been gracious during these times of our lives.  At the same time ministry has a demand that does not allow us the time we desire--this is a transition that brings the reality of all that I do.

I honestly believe God is in control, he gives wisdom, understanding, and grace.  He also provides proper care.  Please know these next few weeks are filled with amazing dynamics, with 6 weeks of ministry back to back, visiting teams, new team members, and an international student from Latvia joining to serve for one year of personal discipleship.

I'm looking forward to keeping you up to date with what is going on the field.  At the same time I ask that you would all keep my mom & her husband in your prayers as they face this heartbreaking transition.  It is a difficult one for them; I'm so grateful for an amazing pastoral staff at Warren First, Pastor Derek Boivin & His team; along with other Christian leaders in my area that are reaching out to Carl while he makes adjustments of living on his own.  Pastor Jeffery & Heather Streets, and my dear friend Amy.  Thank you for lifting my spirits up during these challenges.

Missionary To Lithuania: Sitting Under the Shade of an Amazing Oak!

Missionary To Lithuania: Sitting Under the Shade of an Amazing Oak!: The Blessings of sitting under the shade of an amazing OAK.  We have been so blessed these last two weeks being able to learn from the wis...

Sitting Under the Shade of an Amazing Oak!

The Blessings of sitting under the shade of an amazing OAK.  We have been so blessed these last two weeks being able to learn from the wisdom of Isaac Smythia.  Isaac has poured out his heart and life lessons into the lives of many from our Pentecostal Union Leaders & Ministers; Teen Challenge Leaders, Workers & Students; along with his amazing investment into Kidz Lithuania, our discipleship & evangelism team.



Our leaders have been fed spiritually and we are not lacking either physically.  Isaac & Terry Smythia supplied a beautiful meal and took us out to eat.  WE enjoyed a special Lithuanian restaurant.

We have been sitting in the shade of this amazing Oak, Isaac Smythia and have heard his heart pour into ours with lessons using the theme of "Alpha & Omega"  Greek system.  Our lessons have been, "Dream Big", "Team-up", "Power of Forgiveness", "Character Development", "Stay Focused", "Embrace the New", "Face Failure" and "Build your own Miracle".

Our Oak will be leaving us soon, but as we sit in the shade the seeds have fallen on good hearts.  Our hope is that the seeds will be rooted deeply in our lives with hopes that one day the seeds will become Oaks in our nation.