Open Hearts, Ready to Hear

Thank you so much for your support and your prayers as we headed with a team of 19 Americans and 1 Canadian into the mountains on the southern border of Poland. After a three summers with no English camps, we were not sure what to expect heading to a new facility with nearly all first-time attendees.

Our camper consisted of Poles and Ukrainian refugees, approximately half-and-half. Translation into 2 languages is extremely time-consuming, so most English and Bible Reading classes were divided into Ukrainian or Polish students. This left many shared, all-camp activities in the mornings and evenings. The camp was smaller than some with about 95 students (130 with Americans and translators). This size was wonderful as it allowed us to meet and get to know nearly every student at some point throughout the week.

God answered prayer in miraculous ways this week. The entire spirit of the camp was God-filled. It was clear that God was preparing hearts before the campers stepped into the facility. There was complete openness to discussing spiritual things almost from the start. Many Ukrainians have lost homes, family members, and all sense of security. Many of the children have lived without their fathers for more than a year. Most of us here in America live with a false belief that peace and security in the norm in this world. The Ukrainian refugees came to the camp with an acute understanding that true peace and security cannot be guaranteed by anything this world has to offer.

The results of the camp were astonishing. Of the 75 adult and teen campers, 34 (nearly half) indicated on their surveys that they had made a decision to accept Christ during the week. We do not know how many started the week as believers, so when we heard this number we were brought to tears.

I intend to stop praying prayers too small for an infinitely powerful and loving God, so I went into this week asking–not just to reach the lost–but for God to transform unbelievers into missionaries and disciple-makers. Mid-week, God blessed me with a conversation with a Polish teenager. He pulled me aside and asked, “My girlfriend isn’t a Christian. I’ve started a Bible Study with her, but I am wondering if you have any ideas how I can help her become a believer.”

I asked him, “Do you have 6-10 other friends who are unbelievers who you think need Jesus? What would you think about inviting the entire group to your Bible study? This could be a more effective environment both for your girlfriend and also introduce the others to Jesus.”

His face lit up. “Oh,” he said, “and I could use the same kind of Bible study we were are doing here at the camp!”

“Great idea.” I replied, shocked that God’s Spirit had given him the very idea I was about to suggest.

“Thank you,” he said earnestly. “I am going to do it!”

Amazing. Please pray with me that this young man follows through and God uses him to reach other teens.

This is one story. If you talked with our team, I am sure there would be 95 other stories of God’s goodness and grace as he reached the hearts of both unbelievers and believers alike. If you’d like to hear any more, feel free to reach out to Mary and myself.

Again, thank you for your prayers and financial support. God shows up when we ask him. I believe he can’t wait to show his love and power when we request the impossible and step forward in faith together as his body.

Your partners in ministry.

Mike and Mary