Summer Has Come and Gone

It has been much too long since we've updated you all on our blog, and with summer activities wrapping up the world over, it felt like a good time to give you all a recap.

We do send out newsletters every quarter, so if you would like to stay updated on a regular basis, please shoot us an email, and we'd be happy to add you to our mailing list!

Here are some of the main projects we were able to be a part of the last few months:

English Camp Ptuj

Our friend who is the pastor in the city of Ptuj asked for Dan's help in leading an English camp out of his church. This camp was specifically designed as an English tutoring day camp for local kids and teens. Dan was asked to be in charge of some of the daily activities, which included geo caching, teaching first aid, basic flora and fauna knowledge, as well as the use of certain tools. After the camp finished, the families were invited to church with a meal afterwards. There were 3 families who came, Dan preached about the Prodigal Son and invited people to come home to the Father - and one family went forward to receive salvation! We visited the church again a month later, and the family is still attending - how exciting! Starting in September the church will host weekly "English Club" meetings to continue to foster the relationships started with these kids. Dan has been asked to help with the planning and leading of those as well. Please be praying for traveling mercies for Dan as he drives to Ptuj once a week (thanks, STL!), that God's truth to be evident to these students, that their hearts would be turned towards Christ, and that lives would be changed!

Young Adult Camp

Those of you who have been faithfully following us on social media know that Dan is on the national leadership team for the young adult/najmladi ministries. This summer Dan was asked to prepare the daily devotions for camp. He put together S.O.A.P. booklets for everyone, and led the devotions. This was  a completely new method for our Slovene friends, and they really loved it! Some of the students even emailed Dan to ask for more verses that they could dive into! 
Dan also helped with the cooking, led a KUBB (Scandinavian game) tournament, built a giant Jenga set, and led some one of the workshops. Any time spent with the najmladi crowd is time well spent! We are so thankful for how welcoming they've been to Dan specifically, and for the relationships being built.
We were able to host the camp debrief meeting in our home, which gave Abigail and the kids a chance to get to know the team members a little. They very thoughtfully gave us a gift, saying how much they appreciate us "sharing" Dan with them.

Royal Rangers Camp

Since Dan completed NTC training and became a Royal Ranger commander a few months ago, he was very excited to be a part of this year's Royal Ranger camp. He was asked to once again, lead the morning devotions, and was thrilled to be able to! Although it stormed one of the nights, he got stung by a wasp JUST as he was leaving, he had to use a port-o-potty, and use a garden hose for showers, he had a terrific time! The kids learned all kinds of great skills while learning about God and the wonderful world He made. They went on hikes, kayaking, the kids cooked all the meals, learned songs, chanted - and everyone stayed safe! (See photo at top of newsletter for group shot.) It was an exciting year to be a part of camp, as Slovenia celebrated 10 years of Royal Rangers! Thank you to everyone who was praying for him - and Abigail who had to do his laundry afterwards.

The Puzzle

One of the beauties about The Puzzle ministry is that it can be performed in so many languages! We were invited by missionary associate Kay Farmer who is the children's pastor at Riverside Church in Budapest, Hungary to come be a part of their back-to-school bash and do The Puzzle in English! Our team was happy to oblige, and we had a stupendous time!

Thank you, everyone who prays for us, checks in on us, encourages us and supports us. We are so blessed to have you on this journey with us. Thank you for continuing to pray for us as we leap into the fall season. We are praying blessings on you!

Saint Patrick - Beyond Shamrock Shakes, Corned Beef and Leprechauns

Saint Patrick's name is well-known throughout the western world, but his legacy is often overshadowed by the many traditions associated with the holiday bearing his name.

We as a family have Irish roots on both sides, so we have shamrock shakes, wear green and try to eat something "Irish" on March 17th of each year.

However, on closer inspection, there is much more to the man behind the "green".

Saint Patrick was born into a Christian family, however he was not a believer himself.  When he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates, and taken to Ireland as a slave.  He worked as a shepherd for 6 years, during which time he prayed, and encountered God, eventually giving his life to Him.  As Saint Patrick recalls the story, in a vision God told him to escape, and that his ship was waiting for him.  He ran away, and managed to get to a dock, where he was granted voyage on a ship.  He made his way back home, where he began studies to be a priest.

He had a vision, which prompted him to return to Ireland - to the same people who had kidnapped him years ago - and share the Gospel of Christ with them.  And he obeyed.

And so, he became a missionary to the people who enslaved him.  He refused payments for baptisms.  He reached the wealthy as well as the poor.  He refused gifts from kings, so that he could not be persuaded by man.  He was beaten and put in chains for his beliefs. Legend has it, that he used a three-leafed clover to explain the Trinity to the Irish.  

What an amazing testimony of God's redemptive love!

So today, let us meditate on the words of the prayer attributed to Saint Patrick.  May Christ be seen in all that we do and say.  May Christ be seen in how we treat others.  There is no testimony in treating kind people kindly in return.  The real power is in reaching out in love to those who we don't understand, don't agree with, and those who even hurt us. Let us remember to ACTIVELY love those who hate us, or stand in stark contrast with us.  

The Prayer of Saint Patrick / The Morning Prayer

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

Starting Off 2019!

Hello, friends!

December and January were full of ministry opportunities, celebrations and festivities!  Here are some of the things we've been up to:

1. Church Christmas

Abigail was very excited to be a part of the Christmas program for our church! She sang in the choir, and led the kids' ministry bell choir, which debuted at our Christmas service. It was a huge success, and everyone loved seeing their children perform something new, so well!

2. Young Adult Ministries

Dan continues to be a part of the country's leadership team for the Young Adult Ministries. They are in the process of planning the Winter camp, and have had a number of worship nights. Dan has greatly enjoyed getting to know some of the pastors better - in fact, he and a pastor friend will be attending a symposium in Spain next month, hosted by the Assemblies of God, about reaching secular people. We are thrilled to be a part of the ministry towards the youth of Slovenia!

3. Bethany Global University Missions Trip

Our church in Ljubljana is a host site for Bethany Global University interns. We currently have 6 students taking part in the training. Our pastor asked us to help them find some areas of ministry. Abigail's mom, fellow missionary Jocelyn Gracza has taught English at one of the Hungarian high schools in Budapest (actually, the school where Abigail and her brothers attended), and was able to have the interns go and facilitate conversational English lessons. Dan even ended up substitute teaching for one of Abigail's former teachers! We were so glad to be able to strengthen the relationship with this high school, as well as help the Bethany students fulfill some of their academic requirements.

4. Friends and Neighbors


We have loved getting to know our friends from church, as well as from our son's school. God has blessed us with exceptional people, who we are blessed to live in fellowship with. We spent Thanksgiving with a family from church, have had cookie decorating parties, baby showers and play dates. At Christmas time, we once again baked cookies and delivered them to our neighbors. Through this we've gotten to know our one neighbor and her dog, another neighbor had cookies for us too, and we have a mommy-baby walk planned.

Najlepša hvala, thank you so much for your love and support! We couldn't do any of these things, if it weren't for your prayers, encouragement and partnership! As always, we appreciate you more than you know!