Summer Missions

September 2010 Newsletter from Skien Norway...
                                                   ...happy to be where God has planted us.

What a full and amazing month!

We began August with a mission trip to Estonia, which I describe below. Staff training days followed along with a team building trip to Germany, which Brian and I planned. We're now furiously preparing for the fall at the base where Brian and I will disciple, teach, train, coach, worship w/and love on our fellow staff!

After a long 12+ hour day, we got to a little town in Estonia. We took our kids and 5 teens to Vandra, a village of 2000. Estonia is the least Christianized nation in Europe, so we had our work cut out for us. We did our best to creatively love on and impact this small town where there is currently no spiritual life of any kind. We partnered with a 22 year old named Jaanus who has a heart to see the youth introduced to the love and person of Jesus. We managed to pack in several different projects in our quick week there, including a clean up service project at a local youth center.

We were able to visit a convalescent hospital, where NO ONE has ever come to visit these dear residents. We sang to them, walked them outside, gave a  lot of hugs and even had the privilege of praying for some. They were touched. They invited us back for Christmas! This was a great chance to get our team out of their comfort zones and love on these forgotten people.

We also had several park days where people from ages 5-75 came to play games, worship, watch skits, share a BBA and hear the good news that there IS a God(they're taught that there isn't) who loves them. It was amazing to see the various generations connect with our teams and receive our love, attention and message. Thanks for your prayers for that trip.

The rest of the month we've invested a lot of energy investing in our staff of 50+. It's a privilege. to walk along side this group of young adults. We are now planning our involvement in the DTS, worship, mercy and personnel ministries. Somehow we need to keep up with our math and language arts with kids!! With our fruit trees bearing fruit and the kids in school full time, we've now happily entered into fall, altho the weather continues to be amazing.

We're looking forward to what's to come and we covet your prayers for deepening relationships with our staff and impacting Skein for Jesus. We appreciate, more than you know, your faithful support to our family and our small part in furthering God's kingdom.

P.S. Thanks Harrison Alger for being our first American visitor. It was great seeing you!!