Better Than Free!

What could be better than free training? How about getting paid for training?

As we continue to wait for God's timing to send us into ministry in Croatia, we have done lots of training with SEND International. We have had cultural training, language training, conflict training, teamwork training, orientation... you get the picture. All of these learning opportunities have been excellent, and several of them have been expensive (but well worth the cost).

As we wait, I (Dave) have also been blessed with work. In our first year as "appointees," I found substitute teaching jobs that fit perfectly with our trainings, travels, and ministry presentations. As we moved into our second year of preparation, I got a full-time job working at Vista Charter Academy. This job has blessed us in many ways, including: providing a paycheck, insurance, friendships with staff, and the opportunity to be involved in the lives of young people.

At the end of August the school also paid me to attend a "Capturing Kid's Hearts" training in Holland, MI. Not only was this a great way to get ready for the classroom, but, in a way, it was also preparation for ministry! I learned about relationship building , effective communication, team building, group facilitation, and I was encouraged towards personal growth. The facilitator even used some quotes from the Bible in his presentation (though he did not mention the references).

We are so thankful for all God is doing. This training was another example to us that God is in control of the agenda and that there is a reason for us to be in Michigan right now. We trust that when He has completed all that is necessary, then we will move to Croatia. For now, we continue to thank God for His blessings and seek to be obedient to His calling for today.

Still Going...

This may sound strange, but I used to feel a little defensive when people asked us, "So, how's it going with support raising?" I know what they said, but I often heard, "Hey, why are you still in the States? Why should I have confidence in you?" I was believing a lie. Praise God for His ongoing work in my heart, and for using the people on our prayer team to teach and change me! A partner asked the question in a more specific way this past month and it helped me understand the genuine concern behind the inquiry. When this person asked if we were in "good spirits," a light bulb came on for me. I both knew and believed that our partners want to pray and be involved and get us to Croatia.

Let me answer the question, "How is support raising going?" God is so good! Over the past summer He has given us a sense of peace and confirmation that we are headed in the right direction. He has lifted our spirits and used partners and friends to encourage us as we wait for the Lord and press on with the activities planned out for each day. We have certainly been working/waiting for our departure longer than we had expected. At the same time, we have seen God doing unexpected and wonderful things in us and through us while we are here in the USA.

It has been an awesome summer!

Thanks Bobby

Thanks go to our good friend, Bobby Pulte! He is the producer, director, grip, etc. of our introduction video. (Since we don't have credits running at the end, Erika and Dave took turns being the gaffer and the best boy.)

We made this video because we want to help you get to know who we are and why we are interested in overseas ministry. It is really just the beginning of the conversation. We also wanted to give you a way to introduce us to people who might be interested in partnering with us. We hope that this video and our blog will be tools that God can use to connect us with people.

A Riddle and An Explanation

Image you’ve stepped onto a bus full of children. First, you hear a little boy exclaim, “I saw the most giganticus whale in the world!” The kids in the next row are equally excited. “I rode on the big brown horse, which one did you ride?” From the back of the bus you hear a group of older kids. “I’m going to the first person to walk on Mars!” Now, how many stops has this bus made?

The answer is: one! Earlier this summer I (Dave) rode a school bus full of students on a field trip to the Public Museum in Grand Rapids. Our students had a great time, and each one left with a different impression of the overall experience.

Erika and I have discovered a similar phenomenon as we follow-up with people who have heard about our ministry in Croatia. Some people bring up the camp ministry and ask why we are moving to Croatia for two weeks of summer camp. Others ask us why we need to study the Croatian language if we are only working with English-speaking TCKs (Third Culture Kids). These are good questions that we are happy to answer. The interesting thing is that these questions pertain to only one aspect of the broad ministry we are called to.

…so, we’d like to briefly outline the ministry of SEND International and our part in it—in an effort to keep the dialogue flowing.

S is for Starting and Serving churches.

In our case, we will be serving a church in Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. The next three letters describe how churches are started and served.

E is for Evangelization of the lost.

While we will have scheduled involvement with English-speaking TCKs (kids who aren't Croatians, but are living in Croatia) our aim isn't limited to them. “E” includes anyone God brings across our path—Croatian or international.

N is for Nurturing and discipling new believers.

Our ministry will involve discipleship both as part of the local, Croatian church, and also through our involvement with summer camp and on-line follow-up.

D is for Developing leaders in ministry.

This aspect illustrates the diversity of our role. We will 1) direct a program through the camp called Counselor Helpers, 2) develop further opportunities to get MKs and TCKs involved in hands-on ministry, and 3) help develop Croatian church leaders.

We hope this sheds light on the big picture and explains why we sometimes get caught up in certain details. Please continue to ask us questions—that’s how we get better at keeping you informed.

Cheers!

Peek a Boo