This week's newsletter from Steve

For the past few years, Amy and I have been involved with a ministry called “MKR,” or Missionary Kids Retreat. We, along with a team from Texas, New Mexico, and California host a week of camp for the teenage (13 – 18) children of our International Mission Board missionaries. Our team of volunteers (we raise our own support each year) teach Bible study three times a day, lead worship, organize and lead recreation (indoors, as it’s usually REALLY cold outside), take the students on outings in the city, lead small group discussion and prayer, and much more. It is an amazing time for these students, who come from all over Europe, northern Asia, and Australia. For many of these students, this is the only interaction they get with other Americans during the year. So many of them tell us just how amazing it is to be able to worship and hear Bible studies in English. It is a wonderful time of refreshment, encouragement, and just plain fun for these kids! This will be our fourth time to host an MKR in Prague. We have also done them in Thailand and Hungary.

Amy and I will be helping to lead the team this year. Katie Cline, Brandy Williams, and our daughter Meaghan will also be going. We will leave the day after Christmas, and camp starts the next day. We covet your prayers as we travel, and while we work with these teenagers. Please pray for the students and adults we will be working with. Pray for their spirits to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Pray that those who struggle with living in another country will be encouraged, and will receive a fresh vision from the Lord. We also ask you to pray for safe travel for the team, no lost luggage, and security while in Prague. Obviously, we have been monitoring the security issues closely with our IMB and State Dept. officials, but God is our ultimate protector!

Lastly, please pray that this week will also be an encouragement to the families of these teenagers. We hear from many of these families throughout the year. Their struggles are real, and any amount of encouragement is welcome. Obviously, they love their calling, but we all know our calling can also be difficult at times. Thank you so much for your prayers!