Good day! We are indeed gearing up towards our trip to Croatia and slowly, ever so slowly, I am working on learning the language. Croatian (Hrvatski) has many sounds we do not have in our language and some of the guttural sounds are challenging at best. I wanted to send you all a photo of our team and hope that you will continue to pray for us as we prepare and then head out from Los Angeles March 12th. As with many such trips, there are many unknowns. As we head out, we are confident that God has unique and challenging tasks for us to undertake, many of which will develop while we are there. How often it is that we make plans for tomorrow and they don’t happen as we thought? What I find amazing is the diversity and skills each member brings to our team!
Brian, our pastor was once a paramedic, is very handy in construction with a plethora of practical skills and a compassionate, servants heart.
His wife Eileen is a Registered Nurse, has a beautiful singing voice, and connects with people in caring and meaningful ways with compassion as well.
Stuart, a high school student has musical talent as well and will be bringing a djembe with us to add percussion to our times of worship. He too has a spirit of graciousness and friends of all ages.
Lauren, another high school student, is the daughter of Julie, creative and enthusiastic about learning the language and being available to the people we will be meeting. She has an endearing and caring heart as well and loves kids.
Julie is our Children’s Pastor and has a heart for teaching kids and anyone about Jesus, leading a club on one of our local public elementary school campuses in Santee. Her sweet joyful spirit in the midst of difficulty will be appreciated by the team.
Lauri is director of our preschool and she too has a love for integrating scripture and life lessons into young, developing hearts with joy and enthusiasm. Flexible and caring, she too has a heart for people.
Jennifer is our church secretary and extremely gifted in administrative, detail oriented tasks, yet she too connects with people in fun and meaningful ways.
Jeanelle also is detail oriented with practical insights of applied life skills and organization of events. She also has a heart for people and a generous spirit.
Bob has musical talents and is a teacher. He co-leads the GriefShare ministry at New Heights and has a heart for people enduring hardships.
In short, our pastor has told us that he is excited that God has raised up a team of leaders with an diverse group of talents too long to mention here. But most importantly, while we go there to work, our real desire is that we listen, hear and do as our Lord leads us; to be servants to those we are off to meet. For it is caring for people, and not doing tasks that compel us to go. Not that the tasks are unimportant, they are important only as they help others do and see the grace of Christ poured into their lives.
As our time unfolds, it is my hope to keep you updated with a blog or via Facebook if you choose to look me up and be a friend.
Thank you all for your prayers and financial support!
So cool, Bob. I am blessed to read your post and so excited for you and your team. I know you're going to come back different and with new eyes! Bless you, friend.
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