It's never good to forget your path traveled!

Just got home this week from a whirlwind of reconnections and fellowship.  Last week I was so blessed to fly out to my alma mater, formerly known as Zion--now it is relocated to a new campus with a new name; Northpoint Bible College.  http://northpoint.edu/

Upon arrival, I was greeted with a brief time of fellowship with Dean Pat Gallagher;  he called a recent graduate Ian McCain to take me on a tour of the new campus.  It was impressive to see the new campus, their new location and yet still sense the same Spirit that I encountered while I was a student. After my tour, I was off to lunch with Assistant Academic Dean Helen Brouillette, and former classmate.  What an amazing woman she is and the students are definitely blessed to have Dean Gallagher and herself guiding and directing them with with Godly wisdom.

After lunch, Helen took me on a brief tour of the area and shared some American Mission History, which took place within a few blocks of the new campus--the connection to the vision and core values of the school was absolutely amazing. Sister Gibson, the founder of Zion, had such a powerful presence of God in her; it was evident she functioned with discernment & listened to the voice of God.  I do not believe that our new location is by chance; when you read about the history and have learned her heart for the school's future.  To know that this school was birthed with a vision of being, "the joy of the whole earth" is now nestled in the very town, where our nation's history of missions began is  NOT by chance--it holds significance!

Our nation's first missionaries were sent from this place,   Adoniram Judson, was one of the first missionaries sent from the U.S.A.  Northpoint's campus use to be known as Bradford College, where Ann Hasseltine Judson, graduated!!  Two weeks after her wedding she and Adoniram embarked on their first missonary trip to India and the following year they moved to Burma.

Also on my amazing journey back,  I was able to meet up with fellow students from my time:  Randy & Raelene Shibilo, Robert & Tammy Whitecotton along with a great evening spent with Jennifer Queen.

Then I was off  to reconnect with my home network, Ohio Ministry Network.  OMN 2014 was filled with some enthusiastic encouragement of conversations, and fellowships.  Celebrating one of  my colleagues Jan (Eric) Muzart was ordained this year. (Go Eurasia NW Ladies!) It was a blessing to fellowship with some wonderful missionaries Paul & Crystal Burkhart, Paul & Sharon Ellis, Bevan & Tia Haynes and so many others.

This was probably one of my most favorite OMN meetings, mostly because of the people who have impacted my life through the years, were there.  Thank you, Pastor John Wootton, Pastor Jim Palmer (who has been there every turn of the tide) they have been such an encouragement which has deeply touched my heart, faith & service.  It was wonderful to see Bro. Crabtree, who believed in my calling and gave the approval for my missionary journey.    I'm grateful for every department, for our leadership and most important for the genuine relationships that we are blessed to have in our network.  Jeffery & Heather Streets are my most amazing buddies!  I so appreciate Becky Garrett who always takes the time to meet up and chat--and for all she has pioneered into our children's ministries across our state--another amazing lady!  How can one express such gratitude with words that merely touch the surface and lack the depthness of matching emotion and truth.  Thank you OMN!  BTW I won the mini-ipad for Kidz Lithuania! (THANK YOU JEFFERY STREETS for registering me--I would have shared but this was a direct answer to Indre's prayers, in God meeting our technology needs)

ITINERATION--"A planned route or journey"

I cannot believe it has been eight months since I've returned to the states from Lithuania.  The process of Itineration this time has been with much more peace, as the planned route was by the most part completed in Lithuania, prior to arriving.  In the process of planning a route you truly never will comprehend or understand the journey that the Lord will have for you.  It is always about what He wants to grow in us.

Above is a song, the words and music written by Milda Volskaite, she is a sixteen year old lady who serves as a leader on our Kidz Lithuania team.  She has had an interesting journey, one thing I can definitely share about Milda--she is faithful.  I met Milda when she was about five years old, while visiting her family for dinner one afternoon after church in the small city of "Pabrade".  She was singing in her living room, and played her fiddle.

Everyone who knows Milda knows how amazingly talented she is.  I would say in all humbleness, that our group, Kidz Lithuania has been blessed to experience having the "Lazarus Generation of Youth".  This is what I believe: God is raising up a generation of young people that are "Tremendously Gifted & Talented, Tremendously Powerful, and in tune with the Holy Spirit"  This is the GENERATION of amazing triumphs!

In her own words she expresses in song about her own journey:  "Jesus will never leave you even if you will leave him. He will show you the way how to go to the truth where his love is very big"

I can personally say that Milda has shown great courage, strength and honesty as we have worked through many bumps in the road--she is amazingly faithful and has shown great inner strength--more than she knows.  I am confident that she will continue to grow stronger in her faith.  She struggles with the "what ifs" in life; her greatest enemy at times being herself.  I think many wrestle with the Lord in this way--what I love about Milda is that she continues to "press on" wanting to figure out how to keep moving forward even when she doesn't feel like it, or the enemy attacks.  Please pray for this amazing young lady, there are many battles she has won with the help of the Lord--but we all know the enemy will continue to attack.  He does not enjoy and he fears when Milda matures even more in the Lord--She will be a Super Young Lady, "A LAZARUS GENERATION", walking in "Strength in the Lord" with undeniable testimony!!!!  (I Love  &  Miss you Milda)

In June, my plans will have a little bend in the road--As I have mentioned, we have plans but Jesus is more into the complete Journey.  I will have knee surgery and be out of commission for about 10-12 weeks--please know I will be on the phone after the medications wear off and continue to book services.  We need your help to get back to Lithuania soon, with a full budget so that we can continue our Journey! 

God is gracious and good and we are blessed that even when our plans get disrupted we know Jesus is right there..with His VERY BIG LOVE!

I'm Coming Home, I'm Coming Home!

After serving ten years in Lithuania and being home for six months I can say that home is where your heart is and as much as I love being here in the USA visiting family, friends, partners and being inspired in every gathering; whether it is just a group of friends, a time of worship with all the churches. My heart still yearns to be in Lithuania.

There is a song i hear on T.V. that goes like this:  "I'm coming home, I"m coming home, Let the whole world know I"m coming home."  It just sparks greater faith and desire to return to Lithuania.

Kidz Lithuania ministries have continued to move forward while i"m here in the states.  I'm so proud of Indre Malacekaite and Mindaugas Volskas who are leading the team. We just added another young man to our team from our Jonava center.  It is exciting to hear my young leaders say, "it is really cool to see where we came from; because when we add a new person it encourages us to see where we were at one time in our lives and where the new members will go."  What a privilege, growth and fruit are undeniably exciting.

In the past few months they have continued with outreaches, and filming, while weekly inquiring about when they can begin to prepare for my return.

Be a part of my return and step out in Faith and allow me to return this summer!  God is amazing and I've been blessed and hold onto great hope that after only 9 months of itineration I will have to have surgery with a three month recovery.  I'm praying that God will open hearts during that time and understand I need to be "Home".

Continue to pray for one of our area countries, the nation of Ukraine that is going thru difficult time.  Pray for stamina, peace, and safety for all there.

Transitions are Thriving

On August 27, I boarded a plane having to say, "goodbye" to everyone and everything that was in my current world. This is a difficult moment for any missionary who has invested and shared their lives with others for a long season.  My second term was coming to an end after 4 years and 8months; I was blessed to have the extension which allowed me to prepare some of the most amazing people who have crossed my path in many years.

Indre Maleckaite, stood there along with my missionary colleagues Bob & Bette Sue MacIsaac and our summer intern Gabriel Negru from Romania.  So hard to walk away (in my case roll away due to my knee injury) and transition back to the states for one reason, that is to return with a greater vision, and empowerment for our future.  One knows it is necessary, important and also enjoyable but you cannot convince your heart that this is a good thing when you are standing at gate 3A alone; knowing that you are never promised a tomorrow.

This transition is huge for Kidz Lithuania, this is the first time since their conception in 2005 that they have been left fully in charge waving the banner and message of one single name, the name of "Jesus".  This is the first time they must organize, plan and pull together all their own resources for the greater good and while this is their first time alone doing this I am reminded with a whisper that they are ready, prepared and able and most of all they not alone with a promise that they will Thrive.

My first month home has been filled with blessings, reconnecting with ministers, and all those who have been faithful in praying, re-establishing friendships; adventuring into new friendships.  God has been so faithful.  I'm blessed beyond measure.  Though I still cannot watch our promotional video without a tear.   I dare not even open my eyes when the 4 minutes is viewed for tears will fill my eyes and heart is still back at Gate 3A.

Please pray for Indre, and the rest of the team.  Pray for their safety as they travel, for God to continue to give them favor.  We always ask for the favor of the Lord and favor for wherever we go.  Pray for wisdom and also rest.  

Kidz Lithuania has transitioned and is thriving, they are moving full steam ahead; while I'm trotting along sharing our story of how hearts are on fire, and how Lithuania needs to know JESUS!

Scattering Seeds Hoping for Harvest!

This past winter has been non-stop.  We had several retreats and trainings, and then we moved into the Christmas season.  During December and we shared the true Christmas story with several children who do not attend church living in a few small cities around the country.  It is a privilege to keep moving and sharing the Gospel with hope that many will come to know Jesus personally.

Sharing the truth and hoping for more.  In the past few years my team here in Lithuania and myself have felt pretty much life farmers, strategically scattering seed by humans...by way of word of mouth and hand.

This is our prayer that the wind (Holy Spirit) would pick up and carry the seed that fell and did not connect directly with the heart.   In nature not all seed that is scattered will grow and we are realistic about our approach and methods that not 100% comes to fruition.

In this we know we must continue to grow in our opportunities and also the depth of spirit of those who are on our team.

Farmers know that so much more happens to the seed that is sent out.Mice and other small animals and birds eat seeds and when they defecate, the seeds are moved/scattered. Squirrels also pick up seeds and plant them in hopes of creating storage areas so they have food in the winter.

VZTV Project Update

After an 8 month extension we completed the task!

These past few months have come with several "new experiences"  we are all new to the world of television production.  Back in the 90's I dabbled a little with cable T.V.; but this past year the learning curb has been a constant uphill experience.  We have been blessed beyond measure in simple but impactive ways.  Thru training we received with "Wycliff" ministries, Glenda Mohr from CBC and then the past few months we have had a student from East European Oradea Bible College, based out of Romania.  Gabriel Negru has been with us for the last three months, training, training and retraining so that we can survive.  This young man has been such a blessing to our entire team.  

I'm grateful to be heading home next week with our pilot completed, we are also preparing a "trailer" for our American office.  Non of this would have been possible without "Speed the Light" and "Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge".

Will be producing another 25 half hour programs for the upcoming season.  When I return next year our first year of airing will premiere.  In the meantime "Kidz Lithuania" will continue to produce and also continue with their regular evangelism.   These young people are incredible! A few are University Students the rest are in highschool, all are in the top of their classes, all love the Lord and all have a passion to reach the children of Lithuania with the Gospel message. 

"My Cup Over Runneth"

This past summer at times was overwhelming, filled with opportunities, hard-work, difficult moments and all the same filled with gracious rewards!  Our "Kids Quest" Lithuania team set out this summer to simply give ourselves to Jesus for the entire summer.  At times our schedule seemed relentless but not once did one of my youth leaders feel it was not worth the final reward. 

As a person who has the privilege to lead this amazing group of young people; I can't relate to the why God would use someone simple like me.  I have witnessed spiritual hunger and depth in their lives that ignites my soul.  I can say the lack of sleep, the constant driving & moving from one village to the next and onto another city with a few stopovers at camp in between was worth every ticking moment.  "My cup Over Runneth" with pure joy!  I see the birth of something great inside of our leaders.  Their hearts and desires are peeking in a place that now is filled with curiosity to see what next exciting challenge we have in front of us.

They have challenged me and I see them heading in the right direction.  All I can say is they are fierce about serving God with a pure heart, and they are not shy to stand for what is right and they can stand against their obstacles and say, "You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting."

 Indre, Sima, Mark Canfield, Mindaugas

You would think I'm talking about wise and mature people.  Well they are wise above their years and most would say there is a maturing that is being witnessed.   They our leaders for our evangelism team: Sima Slepikaite, age 15; Mindaugas Volskas, age 17; and Indre Maleckaite, age 19.  The guys in the middle is Mark Canfield, who came and joined us for a few weeks of ministry.  All I can say is, I'm proud of them and excited about their future and their impact!