I am in Kosice!

Well, we have finally made it to Kosice, Slovakia...and I am sweating all the time. It is actually hot here during the summer, and no a/c in site. I kinda understand the situation b/c it is cold enough to not have one 11 months out of the year here. Now that I am done whining I will move on with what has been happening here in Kosice.

We left Sunday morning at 5am on a bus to the Denver airport. We arrived in Kosice the next day, Monday, at 2:30pm, with all bags intact. A pure miracle. Aaron and I made it to our apartment, which is a really sweet joint in the old town part of Kosice. We have bunk beds and I sleep on the bottom. We went out to eat the first night and I had Halusky, a traditional Slovak dish. It tastes almost like southern mac and cheese, but it is made of potatoes. So clutch. Then we had to say goodbye to Jeremy, who is returning to be long-term staff in Slovakia, but has to return to the States for more training.

The first morning we all crawled over to the girl's apartment for prayer. I really didn't want to force everyone to come, but I felt like it would really help the team in the long run, both spiritually and physically. It was a little dry, mostly b/c we were tired and we haven't gotten to know each other yet. But it was still good because God's Spirit was with us.

The past few days we have been doing logistical stuff, such as getting cell phones and bus passes. We are planning to travel to Bratislava, the capital, for briefing next week. Briefing doesn't really consist of much content, but we just want to get away for the "retreat" feel....and I wanna see the city. We also have to go get our fingeprints taken to make sure we are not criminals so the we can get student visas. Yeah, I know. Missionaries getting fingerprinted.

We are going to be official "students" though. We are taking six hours of langage a week, which should be good for the ministry in many ways. We really want to start to transition the ministry to be more Slovak-led. There are now three Slovak girls on full-time staff, and of course we just need more MEN to step up and pursue other men. Typical.

Things are still fun here. I am still in honeymoon phase, and still exploring and re-exploring things. Please pray for us as we have lots of bonding to do and lots of encouraging to do. We NEED unity among the team if we are going to get anything done. Also, pray for Aaron and I as I don't feel very connected to him right now. He is my only male felllowship this year, so it is critical that we spur each other on this year.

Thanks, everyone!
Chao.

CO!

Well, I'm finally in Colorado. I am really amazed at the weather here. It's cold, even during the day.

Me and two other guys walked to Quizno's today. We were supposed to get sandwiches at the lodge, but they ran out. Soooooo, we quickly made our way to the Quizno's about a mile away.....on foot. We ordered and then one of the sandwiches got stuck in the heater rack thingy. It was kinda funny, but Amber, the girl at the register, did not think so. By the way, she likes to frolick. That's just what her name tag said. No lie, seriously.

Then we made our way back, thanks to my navigational skills through the golf course and enjoyed our beautiful sandwiches.

Later on the rest of our team made it to Colorado. Then I found out that Aaron got some more support, and he should be able to fly out on Sunday with us all. But, I don't know about Carlyn. I must keep praying for her. But she will make it.

I'm just praying for God to show up in amazing ways.

WATER?

So this morning I woke up with the dread that I had to go to the dentist to get two cavities filled. I was very upset about this because I take pride in clean teeth, and my pride was damaged when I found out my teeth cleaning was not sufficient. Well, I had them done and then came home to realize that there was no water running in my house.

NO WATER? You've got to be kidding. I live in suburban America where no running water is just a myth...a situation only for third-world places. So I call my mother and inform her that we have no water. She tells me that she forgot to pay the bill.....DOOH!

I'm a little "frustrated" at my mother by this point, so I decide to get out the house, the source of frustration, to run errands. Much to my enjoyment, it is 104 degrees in Columbia. AWESOME! I have no water, and the heat is so ridiculous that I can't even open my eyes without them burning. I think I hate Columbia more at this point.

I make my way to the mall to buy vitamins and a new bible before I leave....on Saturday. Wow. I come back to the house, where I am reminded we have no water after I try to wash out a glass so I can put store-bought water in it. Ugghhh.

I have to stop and admit something at this point. I'm a brat. I'm selfish. I've got it made in America...and even in Slovakia, where I'm supposed to be "suffering" for the Gospel. How many people just live with the fact that running water is not part of their lives? And better yet, how many people are still happy despite the fact...and even BETTER yet, still are thankful to the Lord for what they have. In most cases, family.

Tonight I will go without my nightly shower. I'll probably complain about it in my head, telling God that this isn't fair. And how many people will go to sleep tonight just thankful that they have salvation in Christ?

YES!

God taught me a lot today about His sovereign providence. I'm glad He's doing this thing, and not me.

I'm at 80% of my support overall. I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel...and Slovakia. Man, I'm REALLY excited.

"but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me." Hosea 7:2

really awesome rainbow

sometimes you just gotta find the rainbows in life...

i had a hard day today...but God taught me about my weakness through it

mmmm....support

So I'm in Columbia for a few days trying to meet with as many people as possible about support. I had a pretty successful day today, with three new supporters. I've been praying for God to bring in 20 new supporters this week and to raise up 10,000 dollars. Pray for me if you would, please.

I did have the chance of sharing at a camp on Wednesday night, which is something that the Lord wanted me to do for a long time. I just shared how God had grabbed my heart over the past few years to go overseas.

I went to my doctor's office today for a checkup before I leave. As I was rushing over there, b/c I was late, I kept praying that the Lord would give me a chance to share with my doctor about what I'm doing. He kinda knew what I was doing last summer, but had no clue I am going back. And of course God did it. He asked me what I was doing and then he mentioned that he had just gotten back from a mission trip to Peru. Hello. Awesomeness. So we kept talking and then I got the chance to ask him if he would consider supporting me, which he quickly replied positively and I'm sending him some info in the mail. God is cool like that.

But you know what's cool about right now? I get to watch God be God. I get to see Him bring in support which I do not have the strength or power to do. Good deal.

More support appointments tomorrow. I'm going to be really glad when this is over.

Korea and such

So I had the pleasure of going to CM2007. The following is a list of what I learned there:

-my prayer life is weak, Koreans pray all the stinkin' time

-God really wants me to be in Slovakia next year, it's not just a joke

-Koreans are for real about their faith, unlike 90% of Christians in America

-God is serious about reaching all the nations of the world, by sending the nations

-I have no ability to lead the STINT team next year, only the HS can

-I love the way Crusade does things, building spiritual movements not just doing ministry

-if I ever can afford it, I will fly first class b/c 28 hrs of travel is rough in economy class

-winning students to Christ is going to be hard

-it's going to be really cold in Slovakia

-ministry is a lot more work than I ever thought

-I absolutely have to believe God will raise all my support, still another 2/3 and only one month

-Korean people are fun

My brain is still somewhat fried from jet-lag and being sick. Please pray for my support to come in quickly. Til next time.

Matt