This summer has been so crazy, wild, and B U S Y!!!! Between working at Pine Cove for 6 weeks, having two weeks of training for the World Race, and now for the second time in my life I am finding myself in New Prague, Minnesota. Now I am close to positive that the majority of you have never heard of this place, however this city is the place of immense nostalgia. New Prague; which is a small suburban city about an hour outside of Minneapolis — and the place I fell in love with children’s ministry. Two years ago, I was here for the very first time with my youth choir partnering with Calvary Church to put on “Energize” a day camp for kindergarten through sixth graders. When I came here, I had been on several other trips with my youth choir; but none like this. When camp started on Monday morning, did I have any clue that it was going to change the course of the rest of my life? Not in the slightest. As it was the first year, I had a total of just two campers. As the rest of camp went on, I got to know my two campers really well. They shared with me their struggles, wants, and their desire to know the Lord. As I was able to share the Gospel with them on the final day of camp, I got to pray with them and assure them that Jesus loves them more than anyone else in the whole world. More than their parents, more than their dog, more than their friends, more than ANYONE. Jesus worked through each of those boys to speak to me. The Lord has since then awaken a passion inside of me for children. I realize that children are the future of the church. They are our future presidents, doctors, lawyers, and pastors.
Eye Opener: Realize that out there right now there is a seven year old that has the potential to be running for president in the year 2060.
Since the last time I was in New Prague my passion has grown for children both inside The U.S. and Globally. This has a big role with how I got to this upcoming Journey called the World Race. I have been to two other countries to work with kids, both Haiti and Guatemala. As well as that; I have worked in country with Indian kids in Arizona and done camp in five different cities around the state of Texas. All glory to Jesus for all of this. He has provided the funds, strength, and knowledge in order to complete each of these ministries.
As you can imagine after hearing this, hearing that my youth group was going back to New Prague this summer — I decided in that VERY SECOND I was for sure getting on that plane with my youth group. Coming back I have seen immense growth in the church that we partner with here, Calvary Church — doubling their size in the last two years since the last time I was here!! Energize camp has grown from me having two campers to now I have a whopping nine. I have seen my host home family grow in their relationship with the Lord as well as see their kids to grow to follow Jesus. I am overwhelmed with the way that Jesus has worked in my life as well as the lives here in New Prague over the past two years.
Thank you to Ben Bolin who is a HUGE part of my youth group coming here to New Prague to work with Calvary as he left my church as music minister to become the pastor of Calvary. Thank you to Jason and Angel Skluzacek for opening your home to me twice now, for the hospitality you’ve shown me and my youth group, and for all the filling conversations until late at night you’ve given me. Thank you to Calvary Church for treating us as your own and building relationships with me and my friends, we love you guys. Lastly, Thank you to my youth pastor Joe Zinkgraf for pouring into me all you have. Whether that was here, in Haiti, or back at home in small town Canton. You’ve helped to plant seeds in me, water me, and you’ve got to watch me grow and bloom — I am forever grateful.
FUNDRAISING UPDATE: I am now at $5,417 and I need to reach my goal of $10,000 by the time I launch for my trip in September in 44 days. As it is approaching fast, I would be overflowing with gratitude for any type of financial support as well as prayerful support. Thank you all in advance. Each of you have blessed me.
Thanks for reading!!!!!
