Dear Friends and Family,
Well, our 11 weeks in Europe are over, and we are back in the States. The summer was an exciting, challenging, growing, and revealing experience for our entire team. Chris and I thoroughly enjoyed serving with Josiah Venture for the third time, and once again we saw God at work in the lives of Polish
youth. As you read some of the highlights from our summer, please know how greatly your prayers and support were necessary and appreciated in order for all of this to happen. Thank you!
Chris’s Highlights:
- Leading our Intern Team: We were blessed with a great group of people as part of our team for the summer. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to pour into them and see their growth over the course of three months. I also learned a ton about leadership and discipleship with these people.
- Milosz and Agnieszka: Milousz and Agnieska are two of the youth leaders that we worked with this summer. It was a pleasure to work alongside of these people who are relatively young in their faith and new to leadership. They were so willing to step up when no one else would. I was excited to be able to encourage and disciple them during our time together at camp.
- Fruit: God allowed us to see abundant spiritual fruit this summer. We witnessed over 20 people place their faith in Christ for the first time, and many more take steps toward knowing Him. We also had a part in the personal growth of many young Polish leaders. Although God calls us to share the gospel, we don’t always get to see the result. It was a gift to be able to observe God’s work in this way.
Kelly’s Highlights
- Relationships: English camps are not all about English, they are about relationships. Starting with our first camp and into the third, God gave me the grace and strength to pursue campers throughout the week. This resulted in sharing the gospel, telling of God’s work in my own life, answering questions, and seeing a few Polish girls take steps toward God. Having these relationships is such a great privilege.
- Leadership: I loved sharing my knowledge and experience with our team of interns. Kelsey, Jessica, Daniel, Tim, and Kornel each have a special place in my heart now. Cheesy, but true. Although I made a lot of mistakes and sometimes did things backward, our team was a good context for me to learn how to lead. I’m so thankful for their graciousness. One of my favorite aspects of the summer was seeing each person serve and grow. They did a great job, and I honestly could not have asked for a better team.
- Service: Obviously, I served the entire summer in a variety of contexts. However, this summer exercised my personal interests, talents, and strengths in service. As I directed a choir (It’s true. I’m shocked.), guided English teachers, and trained American teams, I felt satisfied and energized. It’s my hope that God will continue to use me in similar ways.
Hopefully you can see that God was at work in us, through us, and in the lives
of many Polish youth this summer. It was a difficult decision to spend our summer overseas, sacrificing some stability at home, but we definitely made the right decision.
The vision of Josiah Venture is: a movement of God among the youth of E
astern Europe that finds its place in the local church and transforms society. This summer we not only saw, but we were a part of this movement of God. As we continue to seek God for His direction in our lives, we hope to be serving again in Poland in the future.
To you who encouraged us to go to Poland, supported us financially, partnered with us while there, or prayed for us; thank you.
Chris and Kelly Lillpop
