More than Two Times the Fun!!

Well, the Rhinos certainly hit the ground running! We worked last night until almost midnight, and completed the demolition work necessary to begin reconstructing.










Because of some needed "preliminary rough-in," we split into two groups to do ministry at different locations.

Mark and Dave were the plumber and concrete worker at the MOZI Ministry Center.











Chris, Joe, Aaron, Lon and Rob went to the home of a family from the church who is in the process of redoing their house in order to make it more usable for ministry. They worked on insulation, framing and sheetrock. Rob really appreciated the ministry of food, today. It started with fresh hot pogace from bakery just down from the ministry center, and continued with warm apricot cobbler from Zuza's oven. It ended with authentic Italian pizza and "buffalo cheese."

The work that the team did on the family's house was a great encouragement. It would have taken month's for this family to do this amount of work.

Tomorrow we will be worshiping with our Hungarian brothers and sisters and doing some sightseeing in the afternoon. We will be praying for many of you as well, as you attend worship services tomorrow. May God be especially close to each of you!!

How Far Have You Come?

Greetings from Budapest, Hungary. Mark Jensen and I arrived here this morning (Friday) on the EARLY!! train from Kosice, Slovakia. I am writing this from "the executive suite" in the Olimpia Mozi ... the former communist movie theater which is now better known as the ministry center for a number of ministries in Budapest. This will be our final "home-away-from-home" before we return to the US next Friday.

The Rhino Team from Northern Wisconsin arrived a couple hours after we did, and seemed in pretty good shape. During the team orientation meeting, we did notice a couple of nodding heads, but it wasn't long before these guys (and gal!!) were going at it full strength!
Mark and I almost feel like we need to apologize for repeating ourselves, but once again, the last couple days have been totally incredible. We've met some people in places we hadn't planned to go, and have seen God's hand using us to encourage people all along the way.

We've prayed with leaders of organizations who were feeling alone. We've played with and read stories to missionary kids who needed a couple more "uncles" to love them. We've shared a word of encouragement with congregations who often feel like they are the only one's in the world struggling against opposition and oppression, and we've seen young leaders taking a key role in outreach and service. There is much more to say, but for tonight, this will have to suffice. Mark and I are extremely grateful for all the prayers and words of encouragement from so many. Keep on prayin'!! I'm sure that this week will be full of God sightings and lives being touched by His power, love and grace. Stay tuned!

Dave, Mark, Cathy and 2008 Hungary Rhino Team!!

Schemes and Dreams

It's Tuesday evening and we're winding up our time at the Ellenwood's in Czech Republic. Our time here has been great, and we certainly have lots to think about. Our efforts for the last 2 days and for the next 24 hours will be spent dreaming and scheming for "next steps" for teams to come to Central Europe and help with a number of potential service projects in partnership with Josiah Venture.

Yesterday (Monday), Mark and I went with Mel across the boarder to Poland to visit a camp which Josiah Ventures recently purchased. The camp was previously owned by 50 different coal mine companies, and had been left for sometime with a very "short-term" owner's attitude.

Since being purchased by Josiah Venture - Poland, the camp has been redesigned to be attractive to students of a twenty-first century generation. A Polish construction company has been hired to do phase 1, and they've started some initial renovation. A number of American teams came last summer to help on demolition and site work.

Hearing and feeling the vision and passion of the leadership of Josiah Venture as to how strategic this camp is and how it will be used to touch the lives of Polish young people was incredibly inspiring and we're hoping to someday be able to help by sending groups there to serve. It may be a ways off, but this project certainly has plenty to do for a while!! And even though the camp facility will be "under construction," they will begin to use the camp as soon as this coming summer. Please pray with us for this project called H2O (like the water).

Today, Mark and I had the great privilege of taking the short bus and going "back to school" with Amy Ellenwood.

Amy teaches a class of "seniors" who are preparing for their "maturita" ... or graduation test. They do things a little different in Europe, as the students need to pass a final oral test on at least 4 different subjects.

This is a tough test and the kids begin studying now for the test in May! Our time with the kids was to help them in their English pronunciation. It was really fun as they asked us questions to determine what our jobs were, what our wives did, what our favorite cars were. I think that our time with them was profitable, as well as being an influence for the sake of the kingdom!

Tomorrow we are going on to Presov, Slovakia. We thought we were going to take the train, but its worked out that we can ride with one of the Josiah Venture workers who is going to Presov by car, so we'll ride with him! While in Presov, we will connect with Pastor Daniel Jurco, who is a friend of mine (Dave's) from when we lived in Czech. Daniel has asked me to "bring a word" to his church tomorrow evening, so pray that I can be inspiring and relevant to this congregation in Eastern Slovakia.

I'm not sure when I'll be able to blog next, but, as far as schedule goes, we'll be in Hermanovce, Slovakia on Thursday, and Thursday night, then on to Budapest by train early Friday morning to meet the team coming from Wisconsin! So, we very much appreciate your prayers, and your encouragement. We'll update as soon as we can!

Over and Above!

Our last 2 days are really indescribable. On Saturday, Mark Jensen was able to see Hradčany (Prague Castle) for the first time. Walking through the 700 + year-old castle hill and into St. Vitus Cathedral was a time of reminiscing and reflecting for me, and a time of awe and wonder for Mark.
We've posted a bunch of pictures in a web album. Simply click the link near the bottom of the right-side panel. -------------------------------->>>

I was struck by God's amazing grace in my life and the life of my family from 1993 - 1996 when we lived and worked in Czech Republic. I remember Zach and Abi at ages 11 and 9 giving tours of Prague to construction teams who had come to work on our projects in Central Europe. I remembered the times of prayer with missionary colleagues for the people of Czech Republic, and I remembered the ways that God kept our family and used us to enhance and advance his kingdom. For these memories, and for God's work in our lives that is over and above our greatest expectations, I give Him all the praise!

On the way out of the castle grounds, we ran into some old "friends!" As we gave tours through Prague in the 90's, we would often see this small "orchestra" playing just outside a gate. Well, much to my surprise ... and joy! ... they are still playing there today! If you want to hear a little clip of their music, simply click on this link!

In the afternoon, we rode the train to Cesky Tesin and were met by the Ellenwoods. They welcomed us into their home with wonderful hospitality and after some great conversation, we were finally all tired enough to settle in to some very nice accommodations in their guest apartment. What a great day ... but more was in store!

Today, (Sunday) Mel took us to the Josiah Venture retreat center/hotel Malenovice. This former communist hotel is nestled in the Beskydy Mountains in Eastern Czech. It was refurbished primarily to accommodate campers who come evangelistic English camps run by Josiah Venture. The little yellow dot in the beautiful mountain photo is the hotel/ retreat center. (click on the picture to see their website).

There we met Peter, the hotel manager, and he shared with us the plans for building some cabins and other "out-buildings" that would be used to expand the ministry of this facility. At this time, hundreds of students are coming here to learn English, and at the same time, they are exposed to the amazing love of God in Jesus! "JV" has a reputation in Czech of offering one of the highest quality English camps in the entire country! What a joy it would be for people to be raised up and come alongside this already thriving ministry and see their efforts produce even more fruit for God's glory! We are praying that this would become a reality for a number of groups, starting this summer! We left Malenovice very inspired and pumped for the possibilities!

OK, so if that wasn't enough, we drove to the other side of the valley, and up another mountain-side to a retreat house that Josiah Ventures wants to renovate. This place of respite, relaxation and refreshment would provide JV staff a place where they could come and step out of the mainstream of ministry and get the much needed "in-filling" that is so necessary for people in full time ministry. You can click this link to get more information on the Ellenwood's website.

Beskydy Retreat House

Mel shared his vision as to how this place would be used to touch hundreds of lives, through those who would come here and be refreshed. Again, short-term construction teams could play a big part in this renovation! Mark and I were overwhelmed by the potential impact on ministry that this place could have! So, what can we say??? ... Well, what comes to mind is that God is continually at work all around us in some ways that are above and beyond our imagination, and that He wants us to join Him in what he's doing! Would you consider joining Mel and Dave and Mark and others? The opportunities are here!!