When we initially came back to the States after living in Czech 16 years ago, I took some time to write my personal mission statement. Since that time it has helped me when I begin to wander and wonder what I am doing.
My mission statement is this:
To bring people closer to God through Community, Communication and Creativity.
This past week was all about being able to participate in each part of that statement!
It started a week ago Sunday with "Creativity." Two girls from our youth group came over and we each made a baby blanket! Wow! How does that bring someone closer to God? It's amazing how much you can talk about behind a sewing machine! Creativity often seems to loosen the tongue and gives plenty of time to listen! Because of that time together, we are looking to start a weekly girls' time to talk about significant issues and one of these meetings every month be a "creative" time! The girls can take turns teaching some creative skill and we can all have fun and learn!
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| Johanna and Clara sewing |
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| Cutting and Measuring |
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| Clara's finished product |
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| My finished product |
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| Don't you just love the little dogs peeking out of the center! |
Friday night was the "Communication" piece, as I had the privilege to lead the "Girl's Only" part of youth group that evening at our house. We talked about some of the lies the world and the enemy tell girls. Two of the lies we talked about were that "beautiful girls are worth more" and "I need to perform to be accepted." Even though most of my communication was through a translator, we had a great discussion!
Then on Sunday we truly experienced "Community" as we gathered around one of our youthgroup guys, Vincent, as he was baptized!
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| Vincent and our pastor Thomas |
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| The baptismal is a garden pond form! Not any extra room! |
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| Wow! You can feel the excitement when you look at everyone's faces!! |
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| A prayer of blessing for the two baptized |
This weekend we will have much more time for community, as we head out for our all-church retreat! I'm excited and a bit nervous as to all the German I will have an opportunity to speak!!
It's great to know that God uses each of us in the specific and creative ways He made us, no matter where we happen to be! So, I will carry on with Community, Communication and Creativity to bring people closer to Him!
2 comments:
Praise our Father for the gifts He's given you to share with those young people. How exciting to see friendships and baptisms happening because of your ministry. You are amazing!
Thank you for the update Lina. Sounds like things are going well. We are praying for you and Jim and your kids here in the states, also.
Love you
Mark & Nancy
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