Wow, I guess it has been almost two months since my last news update. Incredible. We have been going almost non-stop and haven't hardly had time to take a breath. First, during August we had visits from my mom and Lenee's parents. My mom was here for two weeks and the morning she left, Lenee's parents arrived for two weeks. We did a lot of traveling with them and had a wonderful, and very exhausting, time. After Lenee's parents left, Nathan and Aaron started school. Nathan in 2nd grade and Aaron in kindergarten. Then, on Sept. 2 I left for the first of 4 teams on the fall schedule. The first team was from Salem, Oregon and we worked on a church in Swiebodzin, Poland. It was a great time with the team and the people in Swiebodzin. I also got to work with our good friends, Dennis and Dianne Holcomb, missionaries in Poland. The church had already renovated a good deal of their building. They had really done a wonderful job. This project was hand picked by the Bishop (superintindent) of the Polish pentecostal church. He wanted to use this project as a model for the other churches. He wanted to show that it was important for the churches to do everything they could on their own, instead of waiting for someone to come and do the job for them. So, we came to help the church finish the upstairs portion of the building. This would be used for youth meetings and also would contain an apartment for visiting speakers or staff. We did a lot of insulation, metal stud walls, and sheetrock. Their was one particular thing that happened that deserves special mention. We attended a regional church service on Sunday, Sept. 4. At the end of this service, a woman pushed her daughter to the front in a wheelchair. A group of us went to pray with her. After praying for a few minutes. The mother was asked through a translator what specifically was wrong with the girl. The mother said she had NEVER walked before, not even one step. We prayed again and Dennis Holcomb grabbed the girl's hand as we prayed. She began to try to get up out of the wheelchair. She stood up and the next thing we knew she began to take steps! She was walking right there in front of us! We once again asked the mother to confirm that she had NEVER done this before. The mother once again said she had never taken one step before in her life. It was awesome to see God move in such a powerful way. I thank God for allowing me to be there. I pray that we will see these kinds of miracles on a regular basis here in Central Europe. Pray with us that God will move powerfully in Central Europe. Pray that it would be normal to see people set free and delivered, the blind able to see, the lame able to walk. People's lives changed forever by a touch from the Holy Spirit. That is what Central Europe needs. A powerful move of God that would change this very spiritually dark place. Please pray with us for these things to happen. Please pray with us for the pastors and churches that we work alongside, that God would anoint them to reach their cities, give them wisdom and direction, and use them to turn Europe upside down for Christ. Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support.
So, after Swiebodzin, I was home for two days and then I left for Breclav, Czech Republic to work with a team from Hot Springs, Arkansas. I was looking forward to working on this project as I had already become acquainted with some of the staff of the Breclav church. Pastor Frantisek Cupal is an awesome guy and he is surrounded by a great staff with associate pastor Karel Kana and youth pastor Petr Rattay. I knew it would be a great time, and it was. The team from Arkansas was a great group to work with. They were a lot of fun and worked very hard. We did many things, including digging trenches, laying block, putting up metal studs, hanging sheetrock, painting, building a stage, making forms for stairs, and probably a few more things. The church's goal is to have the sanctuary opened by the end of the year to have services and to finish the rest of the building later. Please pray that this will be possible. The biggest hindrance right now is the heating system. It will cost around $12,000-$15,000 and the church is trusting God to provide the funds for this to be done. We also are believing God for this miracle. This is a wonderful church and we beileve that God has great things ahead for them. So, please pray for the church in Breclav, that God would provide all that they need.
Next, I will leave this Thursday for Postovice, Czech Republic to work with a team from Jacksonville, FL on the Teen Challenge facility there. After that it is off to Varpalota, Hungary to work with a team from Ohio on a new church building. Please pray for my family. During this approximately 45 day period, I am only home for around 8 or 9 days. Pray that God would give Lenee' strength and wisdom as she is alone with the kids. Pray also for their protection.
After the next two teams I will update the website again. Thank you for your continued financial and prayer support. Remember, you are here with us, making a difference in places like Swiebodzin, Poland and Breclav, Czech. You are a part of every piece of drywall that is hung, every wall that is built, every life that is changed, every church that is strengthened and encouraged. I hope you really understand this. It's not just us. We are a very large team. We all have different roles to play, but we are all essential parts of the team. And just like members of any team, we will all share in the rewards of our "work". Except our rewards will be in heaven!
Thank you once again for partnering with us, for being a part of this team that is making a difference in Central Europe. Until next time.....
Chris
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