Hallelujah!
We are OFFICIALLY at the 50% point in our support raising! God has been answering your prayers!
We are celebrating reaching the 50% mark for several reasons...
We are celebrating because God is showing himself faithful yet again! God called us to minister in the Czech Republic and he will make a way for that to happen. He has given us the strength to work toward our goal. He has provided opportunities for us to share our vision for the church in the Czech Republic. He has caused us to find favor with churches, districts, and individuals.
We are celebrating because this represents churches and individuals who believe in global outreach, and who are obeying God's call. The body of Christ has a mandate to make disciples of all nations. Our family has been called to GO (and we are giving, and we are praying). But we cannot reach all of the Czech Republic by ourselves. We need all of you who are GIVING and PRAYING. Thank you for responding to God's call!
We are celebrating because this will ease financial stress. Global Partners allows us to draw one-half of our salary once we reach the 50% mark. In order to concentrate his energies on raising our support team, Alan stepped down from his position at Heritage Wesleyan Church at the end of September. We haven't been unemployed, but we have been "between paychecks." Receiving half-salary will help us meet our financial obligations each month. (Let me also praise God that he has provided for our needs daily. He has been our Shepherd, and we have not been in want.)
Friday, November 9, 2007
October Trip out East
What's Been Going On?
In October, we packed up and headed out on a three-week trip to visit churches in Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan. First, we had a great time at Coleville Wesleyan Church in Bellefont, PA. Pastor and Mrs. Ron and Blanche Kilgus were fun hosts. We loved how the church faithfully sets aside time during each Sunday service to pray for missionaries.
We then headed up to Vermont for a week with Alan's family. Vermont is beautiful in the fall, and we enjoyed relaxing and visiting family and friends.
After Vermont, we drove back to Pennsylvania for a weekend with Pastor and Mrs. Ken and Arlene Stephens at the Summit Hill Wesleyan Church in Howard, PA. We are usually the ones doing all the talking about missions, so it was a treat to hear Pastor and Mrs. Stephens and Annie Crissinger share about their recent trip to Swaziland. God is working around the world!
We drove to Clearfield, PA, where our friend Scott Muirhead lives. Scott led the EuroCamp team with Alan for several years. That evening, we visited the Hyde Wesleyan Church. We really enjoyed meeting Scott's family and catching up with him.
Next was Cuba, New York! Our friends, Jon and Ashley Ward, pastor the W
esleyan church in Cuba. They allowed us to stay in the church's mission house for over a week. This was a restful break for us. Toby and Benjamin loved the park right across the street from the house. We loved that it was a small, safe community and we could let the boys go play by themselves. While we were in Cuba, we visited Houghton College and our friends, Kevin and Cindy Austin, former missionaries to Germany and the Czech Republic.
The next weekend, we traveled up to Buffalo, New York, for a missions conference at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church. We stayed in the home of John and Faith Fisk (thanks, guys!) and enjoyed connecting with the people of Eastern Hills as well as the other missionaries that participate in the conference. About half of our team to Czech this summer were from Eastern Hills, and we loved seeing them again.
We traveled b
ack to Cuba for a few more days, before heading to Dryden, Michigan. It's (theoretically) shorter to drive through Ontario, Canada from where we were to where we wanted to go. Plus, the kids have never seen Niagara Falls. So, we visited Niagara Falls! The boys' reactions were so fun to watch. While we were in Niagara, we were shocked to run into Jason and Kerensa McFrederick, who are also missionaries to the Czech Republic. We had a great impromptu visit. Then, on across Canada!
Our last weekend away from home we spent at the Dryden Wesleyan Church in Dryden, Michigan. Pastor and Mrs. Dan and Carla Wilson welcomed us, and Jerry and Linda Pakkala welcomed us so much, they moved out of their house for the weekend so we could stay there! We shared with everyone from the children to the youth to the Best Years Fellowship group!
What's Next for November and December?
Since we've been back home in Rock Island, we visited the Hoyne Avenue church in Chicago. We stayed with Pastor and Mrs. Joe and Donna Blasczyk. This weekend, we'll visit the DeKalb Wesleyan Church in DeKalb, Illinois. Next, we are at Broadview Wesleyan Church, again in the Chicago area. We'll take a break for Thanksgiving!
The first weekend in December, we will participate in Heritage's missions emphasis weekend and travel to Hope Wesleyan in Galesburg, Illinois. December 9 we will visit Lawrenceville Wesleyan Church in southern Illinois.
Praises
We cannot adequately tell you how grateful we are for your support. Some of you provide prayer support, some financial support, and some are able to do both. We know that God is hearing your prayers and honoring your contributions. Thank you for caring about taking the gospel to the Czech Republic.
If you feel God prompting you to give, you can visit http://www.praygivego.com/. Click on "Give," then on "Become a Financial Partner."
For photos of our October trip, click here: http://picasaweb.google.com/alanaimee/OctoberTrip?authkey=uPUMqHCIPCM.
In October, we packed up and headed out on a three-week trip to visit churches in Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan. First, we had a great time at Coleville Wesleyan Church in Bellefont, PA. Pastor and Mrs. Ron and Blanche Kilgus were fun hosts. We loved how the church faithfully sets aside time during each Sunday service to pray for missionaries.
We then headed up to Vermont for a week with Alan's family. Vermont is beautiful in the fall, and we enjoyed relaxing and visiting family and friends.
After Vermont, we drove back to Pennsylvania for a weekend with Pastor and Mrs. Ken and Arlene Stephens at the Summit Hill Wesleyan Church in Howard, PA. We are usually the ones doing all the talking about missions, so it was a treat to hear Pastor and Mrs. Stephens and Annie Crissinger share about their recent trip to Swaziland. God is working around the world!
We drove to Clearfield, PA, where our friend Scott Muirhead lives. Scott led the EuroCamp team with Alan for several years. That evening, we visited the Hyde Wesleyan Church. We really enjoyed meeting Scott's family and catching up with him.
Next was Cuba, New York! Our friends, Jon and Ashley Ward, pastor the W
esleyan church in Cuba. They allowed us to stay in the church's mission house for over a week. This was a restful break for us. Toby and Benjamin loved the park right across the street from the house. We loved that it was a small, safe community and we could let the boys go play by themselves. While we were in Cuba, we visited Houghton College and our friends, Kevin and Cindy Austin, former missionaries to Germany and the Czech Republic.The next weekend, we traveled up to Buffalo, New York, for a missions conference at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church. We stayed in the home of John and Faith Fisk (thanks, guys!) and enjoyed connecting with the people of Eastern Hills as well as the other missionaries that participate in the conference. About half of our team to Czech this summer were from Eastern Hills, and we loved seeing them again.
We traveled b
ack to Cuba for a few more days, before heading to Dryden, Michigan. It's (theoretically) shorter to drive through Ontario, Canada from where we were to where we wanted to go. Plus, the kids have never seen Niagara Falls. So, we visited Niagara Falls! The boys' reactions were so fun to watch. While we were in Niagara, we were shocked to run into Jason and Kerensa McFrederick, who are also missionaries to the Czech Republic. We had a great impromptu visit. Then, on across Canada!Our last weekend away from home we spent at the Dryden Wesleyan Church in Dryden, Michigan. Pastor and Mrs. Dan and Carla Wilson welcomed us, and Jerry and Linda Pakkala welcomed us so much, they moved out of their house for the weekend so we could stay there! We shared with everyone from the children to the youth to the Best Years Fellowship group!
What's Next for November and December?
Since we've been back home in Rock Island, we visited the Hoyne Avenue church in Chicago. We stayed with Pastor and Mrs. Joe and Donna Blasczyk. This weekend, we'll visit the DeKalb Wesleyan Church in DeKalb, Illinois. Next, we are at Broadview Wesleyan Church, again in the Chicago area. We'll take a break for Thanksgiving!
The first weekend in December, we will participate in Heritage's missions emphasis weekend and travel to Hope Wesleyan in Galesburg, Illinois. December 9 we will visit Lawrenceville Wesleyan Church in southern Illinois.
Praises
- We've reached 50%!!!!!
- Safety and provision during our long 3-week trip
- Time with family and friends
- Good fellowship with pastors and churches
- God's flawless timing
Prayer Requests
- For continued favor with churches and individuals, that we may push on to the 100% goal so we can move to the Czech Republic!
- Safety as we travel many miles in the van
- For physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being for our family members
- For the team of missionaries and Czech believers that is already working hard in the Czech Republic.
- For those Czechs who do not yet know Christ. May their hearts be softened and their ears opened to hear the gospel.
We cannot adequately tell you how grateful we are for your support. Some of you provide prayer support, some financial support, and some are able to do both. We know that God is hearing your prayers and honoring your contributions. Thank you for caring about taking the gospel to the Czech Republic.
If you feel God prompting you to give, you can visit http://www.praygivego.com/. Click on "Give," then on "Become a Financial Partner."
For photos of our October trip, click here: http://picasaweb.google.com/alanaimee/OctoberTrip?authkey=uPUMqHCIPCM.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Reflections from Camp 2007
EuroCamp 2007!!
We believe that they will enjoy living in the Czech Republic. Toby has asked some insightful questions about his part in our ministry, and we have encouraged him that he is a part of the team. Thank you for your prayers!
See photos from this trip by clicking on the link under "Other Sites."
Thanks for your prayers during EuroCamp 2007. God granted our team safety as we traveled to the Czech Republic and participated in Majak's English and Sports Camp 2007: "Pirates of the Caribbean." It was fun to get to know our teammates from Oregon, Michigan, New York, South Dakota, and Canada. God amazes us every year by uniting former strangers together to do his will.
Camp Activities
Every day, campers met for morning assembly where they sang silly camp songs to wake up. Campers would then go to English class or a sports clinic. After lunch, teams met for competitive games. These games always include physical, mental, and teamwork components. After dinner, campers gathered for an evening rally of fun songs and goofy skits, capped off by a testimony or a spiritually meaningful skit. Afterglows included talent night, team game night, and a campfire night, at which we had the opportunity to just sit and talk to campers.
Answers to Prayer
We were able to renew relationships with missionaries and with Czech friends. God also allowed us to forge new relationships. Please pray with us that these friendships would continue and grow as we return to the Czech Republic.
Aimee was able to visit some of the missionary homes to get a sense for what our home will look like. This will help a great deal as we plan for the future.
Our top-priority prayer request was that our boys would sense a call of their own to Czech. Many have asked us if we believe this prayer was answered. At this point, we can report that the prayer seems to have been answered in a round-about way. While Toby and Benjamin still say they don't want to move away from Rock Island, we saw that they adapted quickly to life at camp. The boys had the time of their lives playing all day long around the campgrounds. They ran and jumped and played and sweated and got dirty all day, everyday. Toby and Benjamin made lots of friends, both American and Czech. They were not shy about talking to the Czech campers and asking them to play ping-pong. Both boys were willing to learn Czech words and to practice using them. We only had one homesick episode, and it passed quickly.
Aimee was able to visit some of the missionary homes to get a sense for what our home will look like. This will help a great deal as we plan for the future.
Our top-priority prayer request was that our boys would sense a call of their own to Czech. Many have asked us if we believe this prayer was answered. At this point, we can report that the prayer seems to have been answered in a round-about way. While Toby and Benjamin still say they don't want to move away from Rock Island, we saw that they adapted quickly to life at camp. The boys had the time of their lives playing all day long around the campgrounds. They ran and jumped and played and sweated and got dirty all day, everyday. Toby and Benjamin made lots of friends, both American and Czech. They were not shy about talking to the Czech campers and asking them to play ping-pong. Both boys were willing to learn Czech words and to practice using them. We only had one homesick episode, and it passed quickly.
We believe that they will enjoy living in the Czech Republic. Toby has asked some insightful questions about his part in our ministry, and we have encouraged him that he is a part of the team. Thank you for your prayers!Looking Ahead...
We have lot of traveling on our schedule. Here is our schedule for the rest of August and September:
- August 26 Rockford, IL
- September 9 Fairfield and Bridgeport, IL
- September 16 Whiteford, Michigan
- September 21-23 Urbana, IL Missions Conference
- September 30 Robinson, IL and Zone Meeting
How You can Pray
- Safety as we travel many miles
- For God to raise up team members for our family and for the Czech Republic
- For the team already in place in the Czech Republic
- For our transition and for provisions, as Alan closes out his ministry at our church and commits his time fully to team building
Thank you for lifting our family up in prayer!
EuroCamp 2007 was a great opportunity for us to confirm God's call on our lives. We are more eager than ever to join the team in the Czech Republic! As of this writing, we are funded at 38.4%. We are grateful for those who have joined our team, and we are praying for God to bring the rest of our team together.
Global Partners has made giving online simple. If God asks you to join our team, you can follow these easy steps:
- Visit http://www.praygivego.com/
- Choose "Give" from the choices on your left
- Click on "Become a Financial Partner." This takes you to a simple form.
- To ensure your pledge is credited to us, in the first field, "Name of Missionary," you just type "Alan & Aimee Williams, WM04-0325."
If you would like to join our prayer team, just drop us an e-mail at alanaimee@gmail.com.
See photos from this trip by clicking on the link under "Other Sites."
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Prayer Calendar For EuroCamp Trip
Alan, Aimee, Toby, Benjamin, and Katie are returning to the Czech Republic for EuroCamp July 22-August 7, 2007. The team will be teaching English and American sports.
Helpful Tips and General Prayer Points:
- Time in the Czech Republic is 7 hours ahead of Central Time.
- Please pray for the families of team members: for their safety and for peace while loved ones are away.
- Please pray for this team, for the missionary staff, and for the Czech national staff, that they would all join in unity in Christ.
- Pray for unity, purity, and clarity of purpose. Satan seeks to divide the team, to corrupt their witness, and to cause confusion and frustration. Pray for divine protection from Satan’s attacks and deceptions.
- Pray for God’s spirit to fall on this camp, for campers’ hearts to be broken by Jesus. Please pray for the American team (33 strong!) and for the on-field missionaries and Czech Christian leaders.
- Please pray for Toby, Benjamin, and Katie, that God would call them to the Czech Republic.
Prayer Calendar
Sunday, July 22
Leave QC for Chicago. Meet with team co-leaders.
Pray for Alan, Beau Bendigo, and Jenn Carruthers, that their hearts will be united for God’s purposes.
Monday, July 23
Team members arrive in Chicago; training begins at 1:00 p.m.
Pray that the team will be united and consecrated to God’s purposes for them. Pray all trip for unity, purity, and clarity.
Tuesday, July 24
Training continues. Leave Chicago en route to Czech Republic early afternoon.
Pray for safety in transit; pray against anxiety and illness for team. Pray for rest on the airplane.
Wednesday, July 25
Arrive in Prague; bus takes team to Camp Protivanov.
Pray for continued traveling safety and for physical stamina for team.
Thursday, July 26
Toby's birthday! Camp orientation and team building with missionaries and Czech staff.
Pray against jet lag and for love and unity to quickly grow between our team and the staff already at camp.
Friday, July 27
Final preparations for camp. All camp staff worship and communion time in evening.
Pray for clarity and unity of purpose and tolerance of uncertainty about details.
Saturday, July 28
CAMPERS ARRIVE!!! Teams spend intense afternoon of team building.
Pray that the camp staff will fearlessly jump into relationship building to show Christ’s love to the campers.
Sunday, July 29
First full day of camp.
Pray all week for English and sports teachers to be able to communicate clearly. Pray that solid connections with campers would already begin to be established.
Monday, July 30
Optional Bible study today.
Pray that campers would feel compelled to attend the Bible study.
Tuesday, July 31
Team games today. Team skit night. This requires some intense cross-cultural communication and cooperation.
Pray for safety of the teams. Pray that the camp teams will bond and share.
Wednesday, August 1
“Hump day” of the trip. Night soccer game as afterglow.
Pray for unity—this day is often when homesickness hits hard. Pray for physical safety during soccer game.
Thursday, August 2
Optional Bible study; Talent night.
Pray for good attendance and open hearts at Bible study. Pray that the campers would realize who gave them their talents. Pray for the relationships of all campers and staff in cabins.
Friday, August 3
Last full day of camp. Final team competitions.
Pray for good sportsmanship and safety.
Saturday, August 4
Morning assembly; clean up camp; all campers and staff leave 10 a.m. for Majak in Brno.
Camp debriefing in afternoon; stay at Majak.
Pray for traveling safety back to Brno. Pray for clarity, love, and unity during debriefing process.
Sunday, August 5
Morning worship at Majak, lunch with church family, tour Brno and hang out with campers. Pray for good fellowship.
Monday, August 6
Return to Prague; day of sightseeing and relaxation. Some team debriefing.
Pray for continued unity of team. This day between camp and travel can be difficult. Pray for love, honesty, and clarity during debriefings.
Tuesday, August 7
Team departs Prague en route to Chicago. Team debriefings conclude.
Pray for safety again; for debriefings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)