Yes!

Volleyball is starting!!! It is true… after a few attempts to start it up… it is actually happening… this Tuesday!

Miracles! Before leaving for Slovakia, I met someone from my church in Colorado that was moving back home to the Slovak/Czech regions. While sitting in the Missions office, Milan and I talked for about four minutes, exchanged email addresses and parted.

Well, one week ago I was reunited with his family! It was so refreshing to meet with his wife, son, and him! We talked, prayed, shared… ahhh… it was refreshing! Well, “it just so happened” that Milan passed on my information to another family in a town called Nitra (about 45 minutes away from Bratislava).

A few days later, I received a call from Patrick… a husband and father of two precious boys. He wanted to chat about Bratislava. The next day we met up in Old Town. It was amazing. He shared about how God has been laying it on his heart to start up something in Bratislava… He has been talking with and praying with some other people about building relationships and starting up a bible study here in Bratislava. The only thing missing was a place to hold this study!

Well, “it just so happened” that my roommates and I had just talked about wanting more community and how it might be nice to invite others from the community into our house once a week! “It just so happened” that we are able to open our house for people of all different nationalities to gather for fellowship. I tell you, it is so neat and refreshing to sit back and not do a single thing… God did all the work in bringing people together.

If I think about it, God was the one who put Milan in my path… who led me to Patrick… who has been puting this together even before I arrived in Brat! There are many other “just so happens” that are incredible… from our meeting day, to having a worship leader in Vienna want to come up once a week, t o the study of Galatians that has been on Patrick’s heart. God has used us as a body of believers to connect with each other and through each other. This is only the beginning!

This just goes to show that even in our weakness God continues to work and use us. This is so amazing to me since recently I have really been wrestling with purpose. The ultimate question, “Why am I here?” This is a question I have received over and over again. Each time, I stutter, think, fumble with my words, and simply reply… “I know God wants me here.” As far as why or what…that is still a mystery. However, I am realizing that serving right here and right now is it! To love God with ALL my heart, with All my soul, with All my might…. that is it. He will do the rest. He will do the work. He will connect the people; He will open doors of opportunity. I just get to enjoy the benefits of seeing it all happen!

Prayer
-Thanksgiving for all of the “just so happens” or miracles that God is doing in and through us over here. Pray for a renewed desire to surrender to Him.

-Mom’s cancer is back. Please pray for her health and for her reliance on the one who heals.
Pray for everyone back home. It seems as if I am not the only one being hit with battles. Please pray for daily strength through tough times and for eyes to appreciate the small victories.

-Financial support .Ah yes, the joys of raising support. Please pray for around $2,000 to come in.

-My students want acceptance. Pray that they will desire acceptance from God-the only one who truly can accept them. No matter how much anybody loves them, God will still love them more.