The Camp that Defeated Covid & More

This summer wasn't completely overshadowed by Covid thankfully! Though plans changed and our meetings looked different, we were still able to have both a summer teen retreat on the coast and our annual summer family camp on the beautiful island of Ugljan. We went along with the teens to an island called Krk for a weekend retreat. We had lots of swim time in the Adriatic Sea and great meals and conversations together, but the best was one of our nights of worship sitting by the seaside as the sun went down. A few years ago our fellow worker, Steve, started the tradition of having a "God sightings" sharing time during this retreat when each of the group shares how they've seen God at work in each other. It was a beautiful time - with tears included - of recognizing the way God has gifted each of his Church and how much we all need and complete each other as the body of Christ.

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Not long after our beach retreat, we got to return to the coast for our yearly family camp at Camp Činta on the island of Ugljan. The only camp that thankfully remained un-cancelled due to COVID.

Zach worked with the teens throughout the week, leading a series on how to read the parables and practicing what they learned. I worked with the children's group and shared the story of Jericho, and the angel of the Lord's army that visited Joshua to face him with the reality that he neither represented Joshua's side, nor the enemy's side; he was on God's side. And each day we have the choice to make: Will we choose to be on God's side as well?

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When we returned from summer camps we were overjoyed to welcome Vedrana to the Church as she chose to give her life to God in baptism! She and her son began joining us a couple months ago and have both become very active seekers of God. We are so thankful to have them with us.

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Our coworker Steve hosted us and the teens for a back-to-school kick-off dinner, devo and short hike through the village of Sveti Duh (which means "Holy Spirit). It was a great way to dedicate this school year to God and talk about the gifts God has given us and how we can use those to do the good work He has prepared for us.

We've also got to meet one-on-one with some of the teens and other new contacts recently to discuss life, what it looks like to practically live for God, and beginning to walk with new believers as they figure out who God is and how he changes who we are as well.

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This fall/winter will be the last season we get to spend in Croatia before returning to the U.S. at the end of January. We are sad to leave as this place and these people truly feel like our home and family, but we're excited about how we'll get to be involved with the ministry here until we go. We'll be spending our remaining time supporting the new teen ministry our co-workers have begun this summer, hosting the teens in our home weekly for fellowship and prayer, and building on the family devotional guides that we started last year that give parents practical ideas and thoughts to disciple their children at home and serve their communities. Zach will also continue helping lead preaching and song-leading at church, which he has got to be more involved in throughout this last year. (Send us a message if you'd like to receive a link to hear some of his sermons!) Thank you for all your support and prayers, we treasure each one of you as our partners in ministry and our brothers and sisters in Christ!