Bogdan and Sara are the MC's for this week. They make us smile and laugh, tell funny stories, lead games, give announcements and get the audience ready for whatever is next. And they do it in English, which is their second language. Bogdan is from Czech and Sara is from Poland. They're amazing!
After their warm up, we started off with an interview of Olya from Ukraine, telling about her experience of getting "unstuck" in a personal area of her life. She shared so openly from her heart as Aleisha asked questions. It was a great way to engage us in the topic of "Unstuck".
After great worship, we broke up into seminars, one of which was led by Dave. This summer he wrote two follow up Bible studies for new believers, so shared about what it means to care for them, as well as how to use this new resource.
After lunch, there was a volleyball tournament, which I never made it down to because I was having my first mentoring sessions, something new that we're offering this year. With fifteen mentors available, anyone at conference can ask for a session to talk about an area of their life they'd like help and input in.
It was my joy to meet with these two dear ones today, one from Slovenia and one from Latvia. I love mentoring!
The hotel was hopping all afternoon with many conversations and other mentoring sessions taking place. I love the hotel too! What a beautiful setting for God to work and speak to us in.
A quick cup of tea, and then it was time for more mentoring!
Following dinner, we all headed down into town for our evening program.
Two days ago I met Bethan from Scotland, who is working with our new JV UK office. Aside from the fact that it's just so cool that we have staff in the UK now who are working to launch missionaries to JV in Central and Eastern Europe, Bethan and I share something in common. Her last name is France, the same as my maiden name! So we think we're distant relatives of some sort!
Our evening got off to a fun start with Bogdan and Sara warming things up again. Here's Dave being interviewed by Bogdan about how it feels to see the growth of JV and fall conferences over the years. Dave shared how he remembers our early fall conferences when all the JV staff could sit in a small circle!
Aleisha led another interview with David from Slovenia, about how his youth group got unstuck this past year. Powerful testimony.
Excellent worship followed the interview, and then it was time for the main teaching. That's my brother-in-law, Josh, knocking it out of the park as he talked about the role of the Spirit in helping us get unstuck.
Dessert for a mere 326 people followed in the foyer, and then the day was done!
We'll do it all again tomorrow. I can't wait!
So awesome to see the growth of JV!
ReplyDeletePlease let us know if there is a fund set up so Aleisha can get new jeans that don't have holes in the knees. Is there a "jeans for missionaries" fund set up yet?
I want an hour mentoring session with you...maybe just a phone call would suffice!
Love you and praying for a great week.
Uncle Mike, it sounds like your niece needs to come visit you and give you all the style updates! Jeans with holes are what's "in" right now! I can come cut some holes in yours, if you'd like? I'll be keeping mine whole though. ;)
Delete:)))))))))
DeleteAmazing!!!!!
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