Lithuania Christian College (LCC)
LCC is a unique option for higher education in the Baltics. It is the only American-style educational institution in the region and has an extremely diverse population of students. It offers international experience and education all while offering a Christian community and ministry opportunities. While Christianity is not a requirement for any student, LCC makes it clear that the University is a Christian non-profit educational institution. Many of the staff are international and are supported by home churches or mission organizations. They have a passion not only for providing a world-class education that prepares students for international careers, but they also have a passion for seeing the next generation set ablaze with revival. Please pray that this University continues to have an impact on the baltics, and that students from all over Europe would continue to be exposed to the gospel and Christian community through the staff there. Pray for all the staff and those involved that they would continue to be supported and encouraged.
Alytus Christian Church and the
local Children’s Home
Cicely and I had the pleasure of going to visit Alytus where we visited the Children’s Home. It is a place where orphans from the age of 5-18 can go to live. The children are placed into ‘family groups’ within the home so that there are 8-12 children who do everything together. Aside from this setting, there is little family or love shared with the kids. The home is very nice and kept up well, but it is run more like a business than a family. Each family group is assigned certain chores and everyone has to follow a schedule. There is one overseer for each family group as well, but they usually are more like a teacher or helper than a mother or father. Our contact there, Paula Stephens- who is an American from Mississippi and has spent 12 years in Lithuania- has a passion for loving the unloved. She works with her local church to go and visit the home regularly and the church puts on VBS and children’s camps for the kids each year. Although Paula does not work for the Children’s home, they allow her to come and spend time with the kids and to offer Bible studies for any who choose to participate. It is truly a blessing that they allow her to do this and to minister to these kids who desperately want to feel like they belong. Please be praying for Paula and her work there. Right now she is dealing with finding her particular goal and place with the ministry as she wishes to expand her work there. The kids are kicked out of the home at 18, whether or not they are done
with school and there is not currently any form of help or half-way house for them to turn to. Please pray that all the children who pass through this house will see the work that Paula is doing and be drawn to the Lord, and also that the nation will step up and provide for those who go unnoticed in the system. Also that Paula and her church will continue to have favor with the government and continue to do work there.
My Camp
https://www.facebook.com/samemas
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-camp/490402734343001?ref=profile
My Camp is in the first stages of being built, but the plan is to have it’s first camp by August 2014. It’s founder Emas, and his wife, have used their personal finances to get it to where it is today and they have such a passion to see it come to life. It is under construction on their multi-acre property and they have big plans for every inch of it. The goal is to have year- round camps with many different themes and outreach styles. Emas knows that you can’t reach the youth of Lithuania by simply inviting them to church. They want to engage the youth in what they are passionate about and then show them by example how to live a life devoted to the Lord. They want to provide the next generation with an example of God’s love and provision and provide a safe place for anyone who wants to learn more. Please, join me in prayer for this camp and for Emas and his family. Pray that God would continue to provide support and means for the camp to get started. Pray for encouragement for this family as they continue to give everything they have to Lord for His work. Pray that they continue to hear the Lord speak and grow their vision even more.
These are the last of all the people we came into contact with in Lithuania. Even though I know there is so much more, I have been so blessed by everyone we talked to. I have tried to include a lot of information about each one and their website or contact information if at all possible. I have done that so that you all can look them up and show support if you feel led. Please be in prayer and if the Lord leads, reach out and contact them yourselves to let them know you are praying. Thank you all so much for continuing to support me and follow along with my adventure. And, as always, feel free to comment or send me an email if you have any further questions.
Kim- [email protected]
