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.

Being Present

During the Christmas season our Kidz Lithuania team was having to re-organize our presentation at the last minute this was a new adventure for our team.  It's important that we always accept the knowledge of truth, "God knows everything before it happens".  We spent five hours during our final rehearsal helping a couple members learn new parts all day so that everything we do has effective purpose and propels the gospel message.  This years Christmas theme is:  "There is No other Name...."JESUS!"

There are times when a team can face some challenges having to adjust and redistribute responsibilities.  In all the adversity that our team faced the last two weeks before our Christmas Tours---God just amazingly spoke to the hearts of specific team members to step it up, a couple kids gave an extra weekend and served.   A few kids took on these extra responsibilities which didn't show case their natural talents or gifts.

It just gives me joy that they have learned the truth about servant leadership & ministry.  Our theme this year is: "It's not all about me"  It's about JESUS.  The genuine truth is real ministry is simply meeting the need!  What a powerful lesson these young people have grasped and are applying to their will, and lifestyle.  How powerful would the body of Christ be if we all practiced this simple principle.

Thank you to all of our Friends, we hope and pray that you truly experienced the power of Gods' love during your Christmas Season.  We appreciate your faithful friendship, prayers and gifts.  We will continue to lift you and your home and church up in prayer.

Immediately, after we launched our evangelistic outreaches during December I received word that my Step-father, Carl Johnson, wasn't feeling well.  He simply said, "I have a little tummy ache".  I believe one of the greatest challenges a missionary faces is "being present" for your stateside family when they are in need.  My parents are elderly and have aged.  My mom was put into a "care facility" in October and Carl was visiting daily being the unselfish husband he was.

Life happens and the outcome of a day can turn on a dime without notice.  There can be moments of a instant gasp of air for you to breath and there can be moments of shock, or silence when you hear over the phone a loved one has less than a month to live.  When I heard the doctor say, "he has about a month maybe....but he will need hospice and someone to stay with him".  I began to make the plans to return home--during that process the Lord saw it best to take his spirit into his presence--before I was able to make it home.  He went peacefully with great hope.

So Christmas & New Years were difficult for my family and close friends.  Quite a bit of changes--I'm grateful for the Assemblies of God World Missions, granting me the time to go home and get my parents estate in order.  I'm grateful for the friends who stepped up--there are times when you can only breath.   So many people around me lent me their strength in "meeting the need"  this time the "the need" was me.

Now we are back in full swing with events coming up that involve reaching orphans and serving Teen Challenge.  My prayer is that we continue to focus on the lost and "being present" as orchestrated by God Himself.

Missionary To Lithuania: Thanksgiving & Friendships definetly "Turkeylishes...

Missionary To Lithuania: Thanksgiving & Friendships definetly "Turkeylishes...: I'm grateful for all of you! Jonava & "Friend" Days During this past month Mark Canfield, from St. Petersburg, (no...

Thanksgiving & Friendships definetly "Turkeylishes"

I'm grateful for all of you!

Jonava & "Friend" Days

During this past month Mark Canfield, from St. Petersburg, (not Russia) Florida joined me here in Lithuania.  His church has been faithful and involved in Kidz Lithuania & Jonava Youth Center since their conceptions.  This month Mark inspired, coached and partnered with Pastors Arvydas & Reda by launching a "Friends" campaign while he was here and I am continuing the series with them through the follow-up weeks.  Forty-Two attended on November 19, 2017, on November 26, 2017 our second week we had Twenty-Eight and I'm headed back on this Sunday with the final week of a three week series of "What makes you happy?"  Ultimately: The final answer is a healthy relationship with Jesus and the body of Christ and understanding our purpose.  

Pastors Reda & Arvdyas along with Mark Canfield

November 19, 2017, Worship Service in a cold building--which was flooded with the warmth of His praises!

"Thanksgiving & Friendships"

Thanksgiving day all the missionaries from the Baltics and a few others from Ukraine joined us for a wonderful time of fellowship.  Twenty-One in all joined for the celebration.

Give Thanks with a grateful heart!

Simona Slepikaite, is one of Kidz Lithuania former leaders, and coach.  Together we celebrate our friendship & her birthday as she turns 2-0. Twenty no more a teen but i'm so proud of her for the young woman she has become.  Also overjoyed with our beautiful friendship.  Looking forward to see what God has in store for her future.  Currently she is a full-time student, and working full time too.  Jesus keep her close, protected and full of your SPIRIT.

Thank you for your prayers:

1. Karen & Paulius as they continue to lead Kidz Lithuania during their last year of high school.

2. Pray for our young team members that they would continue to grow with a desire to remain faithful in learning the disciplines of the Lord.

3. Pray for "a few friends" I've been sharing the Love of God with a few professionals and just hoping for Truth to rock their world.

4 Pray for Jonava Christian Church to continue to grow healthy.  

Send Pledges & Donations to:

AGWM

1445 Boonville Ave

Springfield, MO 65803

McCammon Acct#2534253

 

Fulfilling the Great Commission in Romania

Kidz Lithuania just returned from our very first international missions trip in Romania.  We joined forces with Kidz Romania, under the leadership of Assemblies of God Missionary Tamara Henkes.  We traveled by plane (which was the first time 3 of the 4 kids) had ever traveled by plane.  The week was filled with so many new experiences culturally working with international kids, Turkish, Gypsy, and Village children.  October 28-November 6, we joined up with Kidz Romania, ten services in eight days.  Traveling over 2,275 miles and sharing the Gospel with unchurched children in hopes to connect them with a personal Jesus and a local family of believers.

Fulfilling the Great Commission, took a great step of faith and also the partnership of many who gave.  Many believers in Latvia, Lithuania, and the USA gave so that four leaders from Kidz Lithuania could learn the importance of "fulfilling the great commission"Matthew 28:16-20.  Again, we pioneered a new experience for youth in hopes this will grow their vision and desire to be obedient to the Word of God.

Our team shared their testimonies, and filled in the background of Kidz Romania public school ministry character programs and evangelistic programs.  Their faith was increased and there hearts were challenged to step out and get on a plane, live in a different culture; experience a different language and the wide variety of food .  I wish you all could have physically traveled this journey with us and hear how God is growing in their hearts.  Soon these young people will be adult leaders, where they will be able to lead a new generation taking them on grand journeys' in country and far away fulfilling their purpose.

Thank you Pastor Jeff & Heather Street from Summit Assembly of God, in McDonald, OH who honestly stepped out in faith and invested greatly.  Your fellowship made an eternal investment that we will only see the total fruit of it when we sit at the feet of our creator.  Thank you for thinking and serving with big hearts and sacrifice.

"I Believe in US"

In todays' world there are so many distractions, disappointments and destructions hitting us in the face.   I've been praying how can I simply share with you, a glimmer of HOPE.  My reality is that "I Believe in US"

I believe in Kidz Lithuania and the investment we are making in young peoples lives so that they will step up to the challenge of serving the Lord relentlessly no matter circumstances they may face in their lifetime.

I believe in teaching children about the power of God understanding the dynamics of The Holy Spirit. Offering personal intimate discussions that allow a young person to explore the Gospel setting them on a journey; where the destiny is defined by them being able to Identify their purpose at a young age, Hear & Respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and them Fulfilling their specific purpose for which God created them; while they share the Gospel intentionally everywhere they go.

I believe in US, that's every person who prays for us when the Holy Spirit brings us to your thoughts and heart. I'm grateful for every person young and old who has been obediently faithful in the gift of your time, money and talents.  "Faithfulness", is so imperative for us to continue on our Journey. 

I believe in Kidz Lithuania Future and our partnerships with the ministers here in Lithuania & The Baltics who have asked for us to stand with them, train and inspire them to pass the torch into the hands of the next generation.  A torch that is well lit, powerful and ready to ignite and set free those who are hungry for the Truth.

I Believe in YOU!   Thank you, for making our efforts more effective. 

Blessings
Sharon McCammon

Why do I serve?