Catch a Breath

I'm sure you have had the experience more than one time where you were caught by surprise and had to take a breath and move forward.  I will say the first quarter of 2019 was filled with several moments of surprise. 

In January, we had ice storms.   The night before our Bible Club in Alytus I was praying for wisdom to know whether or not if we should travel two vehicles, two hours outside the city so that we can share the gospel with the kids in this orphanage.    Driving on ice is not my thing, even though i'm from Ohio please remember I was born in Florida.

I didn't have the heart to disappoint the children in the orphanage at such the last minute so we prayerfully went forward.  Afterwards the local church feeds us lunch before we head back to our city.  We usually eat at one of their families home.  This snowy day, they said they were not feeling well so today the dinner will be at the church.  We went and they were running late--I was trying to not show concern about darkness coming and the ice we will have to drive in.  There it was in the center of the room, a beautiful cake--it was a surprise party that my team organized with my baptist missionary friend Paula.  What a blessing and a surprise---i had to pause and take a breath while their love truly touched my heart. 

Birthday Surprise

As we moved to February, preparing for our youth group plant, Bible Club along with gearing up for Easter and a training seminar.  A phone call came in the middle of the night 3:30am on February 15, the Lord finally received my mom in heaven after several years of ailments.  That moment, I don't think anyone ever forgets such a phone call--you gasp, drop a tear and then need to plan the journey home, prepare your team (teenagers) to function in ministry without you; you simply catch a breath.

I returned home, here in Lithuania on March 1, 2019.  I needed to arrive in Europe before March 3 due to my legal resident permit was about to expire--I received noticed that my new card was approved the day before my mom's funeral--however I was in the states so I could not go and get finger printed to process my approval.  Which creates another challenge later on. 

On my way home, I caught something, somewhere but it was Viral and laid me flat on my back for over 2 1/2 weeks.  I'm grateful so grateful for those who pray faithfully for me and Kidz Lithuania.  Again, I  had to cancel a training session and KL was moving in ministry and preparing without me.  This virus caused the asthma to kick in and wowza lets just say March was a month I couldn't catch my breath if I wanted to--however created the a new challenge of retrieving my resident permit.  No more appointments available for interview until June.  I need process before May 20.

So here we go April, Bible Clubs are still running, training is going and we are preparing for our Easter outreaches.  It is so important to use every opportunity to share the Gospel.  I am a prisoner in Lithuania I cannot leave without my resident permit or I will be deported.  If I don't get my permit before May 20--then I will be deported from here.  I need to CATCH A BREAK and BREATH.  I wrote the director of immigration and explained why I had not been and they told me to come the next week in the morning any day and they would fit me in.  My moms death certificate in hand, also a friend for interpretation on technical things; we sat for over 5hrs to finally see my number come up on the board.  Yeah!!! It will happen today, my visit was simple.  Papers were signed, and permission to pick up my new permit any time after 13:00hr Thursday. 

As usual, I give them a day or two just to make sure it is there.  Just yesterday I traveled to get my card.  Nothing is ever as simple as it seems.  First of all 20 minutes to find parking, then draw your number and one hour to wait......wait a minute?!?!  She is asking me why would i simply ask for a 2 month visa.  I said, I paid for a 2 year visa.  She said your card says 2 months.  STOP--TAKE A BREATH--ASK GOD for wisdom.  I  said,  "I'm sorry but you only have either a 1yr, 2yr or 5yr visas.  I'm an American who can stay here for 3 months without a visa, why would i pay for a 2month visa.  She said, oh my yes something may be wrong. BREATHING!  Then you have to help them solve the problem.  Catching my calm breath.  She said,  "let me get your file".   Fifteen minutes later she returns and says look, they made a mistake.  She pauses--she does not know what to do?  I said maybe if you ask this officer who approved my visa for help,  she is over there in that window today. I saw her.  So she said, "Oh yes" (still breathing) --and went and retrieved the officer who processed me.  They read the approvals and said the person who made the card made the mistake.  So Saharon Missammmon (this is how my name is pronounced in Lithuanian) could you come back tomorrow?  I took a breath of relief and said, do I need to wait another hour----No, No you come and we will push you in.   

Kiz Lithuania always on the move!

As you can see I'm breathing well in Lithuania!  Kidz Lithuania is moving strong!  We are going to help two new sites for church plants this upcoming year.  Our relationship with the national church allows us to go in and develop trust, relationship and then a Union church takes over and creates the vision and development for a church plant.  Can't wait to report on the progress after this summer.  We have 8 weeks of day camps in non churched cities and villages.  Please pray! 

Jesus, Jonava & Me: Celelbrating Good TImes! (January Post)

Our Christmas tour was amazing; first to have a fourteen year old girl, Gabriele,  rewrite all the songs into the Lithuanian language is a gift but also takes skill and fullness of Spirit. She was able to  maintain the integrity of the original song with intimate meaning in her own language.



Many children prayed with us to ask Jesus to come into their hearts.  We prayerfully hope that the local churches will continue to reach out to each child.  Pray that their spiritual hunger move from an event to a personal experience which produces commitment in serving the Lord.

January we had one more "Jesus" Birthday Celebration.     Pray that the children in Alytus would respond; we have been hosting a Bible Club monthly and our hope was that the combination of this celebration with the seed already planted would produce open hearts.     Our great Hope is that the  significance of Jesus' birthday will resinate personally in their hearts and bring clarity about their purpose.


The beginning of the New Year "Jonava" was finally able to call a building their home!  THANK YOU OHIO WOMENS MININSTRIES, Ohio District Churches and many others who have given over the years so that the children and church plant of Jonava could own their own building.  We moved in this month, please keep this process in prayer.  Legal issues are  is so different here in eastern Europe and there are some logistics that need to be worked out with Gods' favor.  The church is about 27 people strong, with a growing youth ministry and showing much potential.  The current building leaves room for another 100 people to fill the main room.  This is the time and perfect season for their journey to continue to grow in spirit and numbers.  The goal is to purchase debt free they are still in need of about 25,000.00EU to do this.  We have until January 2019 to pay in full the balance of the by

I'm GRATEFUL, I'm a BUCKEYE and I'm EXCITED FOR JONAVA!!!

Words cannot describe how grateful I'm for the means to be able to stand on this soil in Lithuania.  When I speak into lives of children and youth, there is a constant reminder that I do not stand on my own strength or ability and I do not take it for granted.  You are here with me, so many times I sense your prayers and strengths.  For some of you a brief note on FB, or an email has made my greatest challenges appear upward opportunities.

This Thanksgiving I did something different, I invited national friends and supporters of Kidz Lithuania.  It was a huge task but proved itself amazing.  Close friends came a few days early and helped prepare the many desserts: pies, cheesecakes; and the many side dishes.  We roasted 16kg(35lbs) of Turkey--1 Full turkey, and several Turkey breasts.  We made so many side dishes, but it was an amazing statement of  genuine friendship and family working together.  It has been over 9 years that I have been able to have thanksgiving with my own family.  Since we all live in different parts of the world and the process of aging parents.

Our dinner party consisted of believers and non-believers because I am a strong believer that how we choose to express love holds greater value than our words.   Yet, when we open our hearts and truly welcome people by spending quality time with them it sends a message.

Now don't be fooled Thanksgiving celebration did not hinder ministry in fact we still went out served in Alytus, Friday & Saturday,  it's about 1 1/2 hours away from Vilnius. Kidz Lithuania is partnering with Paula Stephens, & Gary & Carol Zupkas missionary friends from other sending organizations.  Our goal is to establish a youth group with a partnering church, so that the church could continue the Bible Club at the orphanage.  While Kidz Lithuania is doing the Bible Club; I've been training the adult  Christian leaders on how to effectively train youth with a personal intimacy with Jesus, a passion to serve & a commitment for Gods' ministry.     Our initial commitment to this project is one year.  If we can duplicate our ministry locally in Alytus that would be amazing.  THIS IS OUR PRAYER

Here are a few photos from our ministry in Alytus, lead by our Leadership Team:

Nerijus Teaching:Alytus Youth Group

Alytus Scripture Game

Alytus Bible Club

Erika & PreK 

Aldo with his small group

What else can we be Thankful for?   Ohio State Buckeyes!!!! Thanksgiving Win  Just checking to see if you are still with me.   

Jonava Christian Church Update

End of Year Christmas Project253425.48Please Send a Move In Christmas Gift!  25,000.00Euros

Give Today to Jonava Christian Church

If you prefer to give by check: 

Assemblies of God World Missions,

1445 Boonville Ave

Springfield, MO 65802 USA

Acct#253425.48 In the memo

For over Seven years many of you heard me speak and share my heart about Jonava, Jonava, Jonava.  In fact, if you are a supporter and prayer partner you all know how much it means that we are moving in.  Jonava Christian Church Sacrificed greatly, the Lithuanian Pentecostal Union Churches gave liberally, Ohio Ministry Network, Womens Ministry & Many other Churches, along with Pinnellas Community Church in St. Petersburg Florida; and our brothers and sisters from Sweeden.   For the past seven years, several of you who have been praying faithfully.  I've shared my heart over Jonava needing a home base.  Well MOVING DAY IS HERE!!!!  We bought building, we are moving in!!!! WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU ALL WHO HAVE SACRIFICED.

JONAVA CHRISTIAN CENTER 

NEW FACILITIES

(the current owners are still packing) 

Pastors Arvydas & Reda Slepikas

Possible Classroom

When they move this will be the large room

Training Room.

December 16, 2018 I will be preaching in their new building for their first church service if all goes well in the transition.  They were able to purchase the entire second floor for 100,000 Euros.  Yes property is not cheap in this area of Lithuania.  They have one year to pay off the balance which is only: 25,000.00EU.   If you feel impressed on your heart to give this would empower this new church plant, of only two years be debt free; so that they can invest their giving towards reaching their community.  You can easily GIVE TODAY! Give to Jonava Christian Church Christmas Project

Contact Information:

US ADDRESS:

1337  Beechcrest ST NW

Warren, OH 44485 USA

LITHUANIAN ADDRESS:

Tomo Žebrausko g. 7

14187 Vilnius

Lithuania

LITHUANIAN PHONE NUMBER:

+370.6.9999.495

US PHONE NUMBER:

(I'm 7 hours ahead E.S.T., it rings

in Lithuania) 

330.984.0213 (Skype)

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS:

eurasharon@eurasiajoy.com

Giving: 

Electronic

Give safely and securely online by credit/debit card,

 PayPal, or check by inserting the following into 

your browser)

(https://s1.ag.org/smccammon) Account 253425

Postal Service:

Assemblies of God World Missions 

1445 N Boonville Ave 

Springfield, MO 65802

Account# 253425

"If Just One"

Kidz Lithuania started off their fall season with getting down to the basics.  We are a discipleship group.  So, like any other group we invited our team and new team members to start meeting on a monthly basis.  We studied our core values, this is most important when having a discipleship group.  They need to understand why we meet, and what we believe.  If a child could attend my children's ministry in the USA and yet not be able explain what the core values of being a christian were, would send me into a funnel of confusion. 

Here in Lithuania, my goal as a missionary is to reach the lost with the Gospel.  In the process of doing this I take very serious the training of this current generation of young people to personal know and understand their relationship with Jesus as it relates to their church community and their responsibility to share the Gospel in their culture.

In their culture,  this is the big fence to climb.  Gods word stands on its own!  We can boldly say this as an American.  I would even say as a follower of Christ since we have accepted by faith His precious love.  Yet, in their culture....I have usually around twelve students I work with directly.  Most are in our Kidz Lithuania ministry.  I also work with local childrens centers, orphanages and clubs.

Each one of the Kidz Lithuania young people are incredible and amazing.  For example, we have a young man who is only twelve years of age and is considered one of the best classical pianists not only in Lithuania but he has also won the title internationally.  He is in the beginning stages of learning to serve.  Another young man, is on a hip hop team that keeps winning on a national level.  We have athletes, top scholars, musicians, and artists of different kinds.  Their talents are never a criteria of being a part of our ministry.  In fact, we don't even know about these we pray and we invite on their willinging to observe our core values:

OUR CORE VALUES:

• We Value Relationship with God
  
• We Encourage all people to Live according to Biblical Principles
  
• We Value & Respect all People
  
• We Encourage people to have a healthy relationship with society

As they grow and give more of their time and service to the what they believe.  They need to take the step and be bold.  In their boldness they will more likely be the only one in their school to take a stand for the Gospel.  They will stand alone and will not be respected but will be mocked.  In most cases verbally scourged for their faith in Christ.  

Please know,  they are taking those measures often.   I do not write about them since I'm not the one that will pay the price for their news getting out.  No, here in Lithuania they will not pay the ultimate price,  However, they will be socially outcasted in their their schools not only by the students but also by their teachers and administrators which has a high influence on their future academics.

Knowing all of this.  This year we decided to start up four Bible Clubs in areas where there is a need of the Gospel.  It will bring us many challenges along the way.   I'm confident of this,  "If just one", just one child ,young person or adult makes the choice to follow Jesus because of our efforts then we rejoice, of course our goal is that they all accept Jesus and make Him Lord.  

You are so important in this effort, your constant support allows us to travel to these smaller cities and villages.  Your prayers give us the strength, momentum & desire to fulfill sharing the Gospel.  Please know here is how & who you can pray for:

1. Alytus-Free Christian Youth Group, we are helping this church begin a youth ministry in their community.

2. Alytus-Bible club,  We are partnering with Free Christian to start a Bible Club. 

3. Troskunai-Seniors Club, yes believe it we are having a Bible Club for seniors in this small village that does not have a church.

4. Troskunai-Childrens Bible Club, there is no church in this community.  

We thank you!  For these opportunities:

Alytus Bible Club

Alytus Bible Club 

Erika the Teacher

Justas Sharing Gods' Word.

Alytus Free Christian Youth

When "dark" introduces itself....

At the beginning of every camp we divide the children into small groups to get to know them personally.  This was a gathering that was a first for our team.  So many in this orphanage were claiming to be "satanist", ages eight to fourteen.  It was freakishly unnerving that a young beautiful child could make such a claim with a happy smile.

Day one was filled with anger, bitterness, children self-hurting, and even one young boy put his fist through a door sized window.  Ending up with an emergency visit to repair his arm. 

We gathered that afternoon, went to prayer.  Followed how we felt the Holy Spirit was guiding our team.  Put out prayer requests in country, and to our supporters in the USA to join us on this mission.  We invited a few others to join us in ministry in person and adjusted the ministry to meet the need.

That's one of our core values, "true ministry meets the need".   On day two went back out and watched the Master change the circumstances, and the children's hearts.  It was not an easy turn but we witnessed Gods' work in and through us to the touch the lives of these precious children and even change our hearts. 

The young boy who broke the window, begged the director to allow him to attend the camp.  He had to forfeit half his years spending money to pay for the window.  She was shocked that he came into her office first thing in the morning and begged to come back to camp.  She had mentioned that was not a common response for him.  The director could not believe that Lithuanian young people could be so patient, kind and full of compassion.

The children gathered near our STL vehicles shaking hhands, hugging and asking when will we return.  Jesus did an amazing work...it's just a start. 

At our debrief our team shared how this was such a great experience.  Our co-leader, Erika said:  a young boy who started off swearing asked in calmness if he could pray before small group time.  Augi, our other co-leader expressed a desire to want to come back here.  Gabriele shared how this week ended up being very good and she knows she grew. 

We witnessed what happens to pure darkness and how ti changes in many ways with just a small        amount of light exposure, for only five days.  Jesus' love, kindness, compassion and play will always be victorious when it comes with genuine faith in Christ to touch and change the world.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Alytus this week, many children's lives were changed and we are looking for some teams to join us to return a few times this upcoming year.

My kids want to adopt this orphanage.  Would you help us by continuing your prayers, increasing your support?  For some of you maybe step out in faith and begin to financially support this ministry we are about $600 a month short every month.  Maybe you would consider bringing a team to help us as we share the gospel and build the kingdom of God.

It was asked of me this year if I really believed we are making a difference?  I can say as we follow Christ lies are being changed.  Lives that would never have entered a church.  This is our passion reaching the "unforgotten".  The elderly, poor and orphans.  I will say without hesitation Kidz Lithuania not only changes the lives of our group members but also the ones we collide with in sharing God's love.

Spring Forth "Beautiful Transitions"

How the world and all that is within goes through a transformation when "Spring" comes forth.  Just this past week I was driving through the country side realizing how fresh & green all the trees were.  The week previous seemed like a neutral color pallet of browns & grays with few buds popping on their fragile branches.

Karen & Paulius leading Elderly inWorship

Paulius & Karen (Close Friends)

Kidz Lithuania, just like most are in a season of transition. " A Beautiful Transition" Paulius Slepikas and Karen Saakjan after growing, learning and serving for 8-9yrs will move forward in their life of service.  Both young men are involved in church ministry.  Paulius, is actively involved in the Jonava Christian Church plant; while Karen is actively involved in Magunai.  This summer they will be preparing for College and their future.

Augi w/Justas, Gabriele & Erika

Erika Eismontaite & Augustas Mozorus will take the helm and are training these next six months to be independent Leaders of Kidz Lithuania.  Gabriele Volskaite & Justas Slepikas are also joining this training to prepare them for the time.  In addition we have six more coming up through the ranks.  They are all in different seasons of their spiritual journeys.  We are always excited to see them bloom into action.

Jonava Youth Center just celebrated our 10 year anniversary, while Jonava Christian Church just entered its' second year.  We are in the last hours of needing to find a home base.  The building we have been rented has been sold and they are on notice to have to leave.   We have found a building but we are about 19,000 European Dollars short.  Please join us in prayer and in action.  Jonava Christian Church is in a season of total abandonment with a leap of FAITH.

Ten Year Celebration

Jonava Youth Center

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ACCT: 253425.48

Delusional Scattered Flurries

Winter began late in Lithuania this year, many nationals say it is normal from days of old.  I was happy about the "Scattered Flurries" in the early winter.  It meant clear roads for travel, better parking options, no winter gear to put on or carry around, or not having to jump start the our team van.

Winter without it becoming very cold is kind of a delusion, because it creates a whole set of other issues in our lives.  For example, Lithuania experienced and epidemic of influenza where schools were shut down for over two weeks due to more than 35% of the student population was ill.    That deep freeze helps kill germs, and bugs.  Without a deep winter we would have relentless "mosquito" therapy this summer.

While our ability to drive safe on the roads or walk down paths that are clear, where we don't fear slipping and falling;  along with the novelty of enjoying sunshine to gather up my vitamin "D".
There is a fierce reality if we don't have the deep winter in our part of the world.

The lack of snow hurts the ecology of our land.  Having layers of snow naturally irrigates the soil and makes it ready for planting.  This lack of moisture can create nightmares for farmers and also reduce available fruit when picking season comes.

I do need a "snow" adjustment from time to time this week I posted a photo on FB:

In all reality when I think about the harvest we are planting during these winter months it is so valuable.  It is during our deep winter where we are resting, planting and cultivating the hearts and thoughts of our ministry team.   To think if for one moment I would want to loose that time to invest deeply in their hearts during the winter months, would be an understatement and truly effect the production of fruit in their lives. 

During our winter months we gear down and spend extra weekends having "JESUS" times where we are purposeful and intensive in our Biblical Studies & Character Growth.  When I think of winter in the future i'm going to keep in mind a very natural science equation: "For every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction"  

When I think of the upcoming winters I'll do my best to see this instead of the former:

I'll be able to focus on the fruit that is coming in our upcoming harvest.  Thank you for investing in Kidz Lithuania!  Thank you for your prayers and continual support no matter what season it is in your life.