June 2025

Chicago XJ - Mission Trip

Experience Jesus (XJ) is a youth discipling and evangelism event hosted by SonLife at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.  This is the second year of XJ as they started up again after Covid, but I knew the mission by its former name SEMP (Students Equipped to Minister to Peers) as I had attended SEMP in 2009 as a high school student.  When I was invited to come as a trainer to XJ, I felt I had come "full circle" as SEMP had been the catalyst for desiring to go on short-term mission trips to the Czech Republic.  I was excited to be a part of this mission again!

In the morning, the students participate in two training sessions about Foundational Christian Truth (Anchor Training) and Evangelism (Net Training).  I was a co-trainer for the Net Training as we taught the students how to cast "nets" in the relationships they have to share the gospel with their friends and family and then do some CPR - Cultivate the relationship, Plant seeds, and Reap the fruit of discipleship.  I had so much fun teaching and encouraging the students and youth pastors!  We shared many stories of our own ministry experiences, but mainly looked at Jesus's model of ministry and focused on how He reached the lost.  We looked at stories like Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, and the Woman at the Well along with others and then applied what we saw from Jesus's example to our own lives.  The students were phenomenal!

Neither my co-trainer nor I are very tech-savvy, but we managed with a few hiccups - the tech support staff was amazing and even awarded us a "Most Improved" certificate at the end of the week!

Between the stories, discussion questions, and video clips, we had multiple interactive games for the students to push them outside of their comfort zones in speaking and sharing while also giving sometimes a silly and fun atmosphere! There were about 200 students and youth pastors (about 15 youth groups) represented at this conference from all over the United States.  The larger youth groups were often divided into multiple classrooms to mix them in with other students.  It was fun to see the students try different seats in the classroom throughout the week to talk to new students as they became comfortable with one another.  On the final day of class, the students all wrote letters to a friend they had been praying for all week.  As they had learned much during the week, we challenged them to continue sharing their faith at home and ask their friends for a time to meet.  We are praying for God to continue to work in the hearts of these students as they return to their homes and have these conversations with friends and continue to share the gospel. 

In the afternoons, the students went with their youth groups out onto the streets of Chicago and shared their faith with people in the city.  On the first day, I reached out to one youth group I had connected with in my class and asked if I could join them for their outing and, since then, they became my "adopted youth group".  I joined them most of the days and had some really great conversations with people out on the streets of Chicago.  I rejoiced as students I was with said "that was the first time I prayed for a stranger aloud!" or "that was the first time I shared my testimony!" and "that was the first time I told someone about the gospel!"  It was clearly the Holy Spirit working and their hearts were passionately going deeper and deeper to seeing the lost people of Chicago each day.  There were many times we sat with people for an extended amount of time and just heard their stories.  We prayed for a homeless young man as he went to a job interview, prayed with a group of high school foster kids who were coming from their mom's funeral the day before, prayed with a couple as they asked Jesus to give them a sign to soften their hearts as they desire to make Him Lord but overthinking kept stopping them, prayed with a man whose brother has terminal cancer and only months to live, prayed with a fisherman who has anxiety and just wanted Jesus's forgiveness, and prayed with a young man as he desires to raise his three-week old baby to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior!

One afternoon, instead of joining the youth group out on the streets of Chicago, I joined the SonLife Team as we took to Chicago on bikes!  It was a wonderful time, and I really enjoyed the change of pace halfway through the week and getting to hear from many other stateside missionaries about their ministries.  It was a blessing to be able to connect with the other trainers and hear their encouragement also. 

Youth Group

As of June 1st, I am a co-discussion group leader for a group of 6th grade girls at church!  I am so excited for this upcoming journey with these young ladies and have been ecstatic getting to know them and jumping in with all their energy!  We took first place in our summer kick-off event against all the older grades (7th-12th), which really set the bar high for competitions in the future with this group.  What I loved about that first night was hearing the girls talk after the program.  As we looked into the wisdom of Proverbs, the speaker touched on many points and I watched as the girls frantically took notes in their Bible margins and whispered to each other "there's so much good information!"

I've been reminded of the little joys with this group as they engage in the activities and when the games are over, they are quick to make up a new game all on their own!  They invite upperclassmen to join them, and I'm learning so much as their leader.  Specifically, I've learned I should mic one of my students because she is nearly constantly saying something comical; I've learned how much sugar gives one of my girls a sugar-high (and it isn't a lot...); and I've learned some 6th graders don't have a concept of age as they've asked if I'm a teenager or 50.  Looking forward to this fun, wild, blessed ride with this group this year! 

Our first summer event outside of regular youth group time was a Nerf War with all 6th through 8th graders, and I had so much fun with these ladies!  They are tough and strategic - we filled the hoodie hoods and pockets with extra ammunition and regularly checked in with each other to leave no soldier behind.  (In the battle, I broke two nails, got two minor cuts, and had a bruise for a couple days, but it was all worth it!)

Student Link

Summer schedules bring new commitments, but these high schoolers and young adults are still focused on their Student Link commitments!  We are finding times that work to meet and trying new places, but are always so happy when it works to gather and encourage each other.  I am so proud of the ways these girls have grown in these five months as they desire to seek God more! 

We concluded our weekly morning prayer now that school is out for summer, and we celebrated by bringing donuts to a few high school students on their final day.  It has been a great reminder this season to focus on praying for teenagers in this community and in our churches.  I recently heard how one student focused ministry calls their ministry the 9 Month Mission as they work with high school students as they are lights in their schools during the school year.  I used this phrase to encourage a couple students this semester and pray God will continue to use them as they meet with their friends over the summer months too!

Toddler Tuesdays 

We are continuing in our theme about emotions with the toddlers.  Last month, we stated with the emotion "angry" and this month, we looked at "fear".  After reading a book about a character who was afraid and connecting it to our own worries, the toddlers listened to the story of Peter walking on the water.  As I got to the part when Peter started sinking, I asked the kids what they thought would be a good prayer to say when they feel afraid.  One child said, "maybe just 'help me.'"  I told them that is exactly what Peter told Jesus and Jesus did help him when he was afraid in the water.  We made floating Jesus and Peter crafts and the kids continually tried to sink Jesus and Peter, even making little waves to try to keep them under the water, but, without fail, the foam characters floated back to the surface despite the preschoolers' and toddlers' efforts.  They were all excited to have try out their new "bath toy" at home too!

Madison and Czech Teams

I am looking forward to two upcoming mission trips in July and September as I will be joining the high schoolers on a mission trip to Madison, WI, and helping lead a team of young adults back to Czech in September.  Our Madison team had a team serve day as we helped prepare VBS (Vacation Bible School) at one of the church campuses.  It was a great time to get to serve together and also help out the staff in their final days of preparation for the busy week ahead. 

I enjoyed chatting with a few members of the team as we completed tasks and learned lots about their strengths working together as a team throughout the serving day.

Little break by the campfire... 

With everyone back for summer, we were finally able to meet as a whole team in person for our Czech team meeting!  It was so fun to have everyone together around the table as we are often used to having a couple people call in online to join.  We made a quick promo-video to share with the students in Czech as we are all really looking forward to seeing everyone, and then did a team building activity.  I led the team through a leadership strengths team building activity as we looked at the importance of our strengths and how to use our strengths together.  We were all really happy to see that there is a very large and balance variety of strengths represented on our team, and we felt we could communicate well with each other in the story challenges that were given.  I am so excited to see how this team will share the love of Jesus with a community that is so close to my heart.

May 2025

Dubai

About a week before needing to fly out for training at a conference, my aunt and uncle called to ask if I would be available and willing to join them on a trip to Dubai.  They had realized two couples who had planned to attend this important training would be unable to attend because they did not have care for their children.  My aunt and uncle quickly reached out to me knowing my heart for children.  We arrived in Dubai and made it to the hotel in the middle of the night.  In a couple hours, I was an awake and thankfully without jet lag as I quickly met five children and took them on our first outing in the city.  They were the ideal group of little travelers, and we had many joyous memories together at the Children’s Museum, the aquarium, looking at attractions at the mall, playing in the hotel room, and swimming in the pool!  It was wonderful to be able to bless these kids and their family in this way.  

 

On one of the mornings, while the youngest child napped, the older children and I walked through a lesson on managing fear - an important tool for all children, especially applicable for those growing up in dangerous environments due to their parents calling.

My lesson on fear is available here:  Theology of Risk Management for Children 

The discussion was incredibly enriching.  After just a couple days, I was attached to these kids, and we said goodbye with lots of hugs and recalling all the favorite memories of the last couple days together. 

I took “jet lag” days on the way out having jumped into childcare in a foreign culture so quickly!  I was able to recollect the lesson I had taught the day before for the children regarding fear to create a lesson plan for others to use in similar settings with children.  (Planned out and working to get a teen lesson on fear on the website also!  Though this lesson has not been field tested yet.) In the interim time, I enjoyed a couple outings to see the nature around Dubai and the old city.  It was definitely a memorable trip!

 

Women's Retreat

I enjoyed a bit of respite with other women from church at their annual women’s retreat.  There was a lot of great study time as the speaker focused on lots of scripture and the sessions were packed with information. The camp ground was beautiful with walking trails by the river and many outdoor activities. A group of ladies and I enjoyed walking around, playing mini-golf, and coloring while chatting at a picnic table during the free-time.  To kick-off the free-time, they also incorporated a “ministry fair” for the missions represented by the registered women on this retreat to share about their ministries.  One of my favorite parts of the weekend (besides all the wonderful concerts and laughter with these women) was the petting zoo. There was a variety of animals, including a camel, but my favorite was this fluffy bunny who gave happy bunny licks and purrs when she was held.  She reminded me of my dear rabbit who I had to leave in Czech.

Student Link

The Student Link groups continue to meet as we work through different topics in faith and have accountability with each other and peers in reading scripture, memorizing, praying regularly, sharing our faith, and serving.  As the school year wraps up, some of the groups have found it is harder to find the time to meet with many end-of-the-year activities, sports, and work schedules, however, we are seeing that even in all of that, we still find space where we can meet, and on the weeks we miss, there is encouragement that happens between the girls over messages!

 

We had Student Link with PUPPIES!!

Toddler Tuesdays

The moms have been saying the toddlers and preschoolers are often looking forward to their special activities when moms are at Bible Study.  It is so fun to build onto the lessons and get to know these kids and their moms!  With Mother’s Day this month, we spent the day outside making ink-fingerprint flowers for a Mother’s Day card.  We then continued at the playground.  While the kids were playing we talked about Jesus’s mother, Mary, and things they may have done together.  I asked the kids, “Do you think Jesus and his mom played video games together? Or basketball?”  There was a resounding “No! That’s silly” from this bunch.  One preschooler said “Maybe Jesus went on a trip with His mom.”  I explained that we know Jesus did do this, and that he had gotten left behind in the city on their way home!  The kids said they thought Mary would have been very worried.  Another preschooler said, “Maybe they played a game together, like marbles.”  And another preschooler said, “I don’t know, but I know I like to cuddle with my mom, so I think probably Jesus cuddled with His mom.”  I loved thinking of that image of little Jesus cuddling with His mother. 

In our next lesson, we began talking about emotions.  I asked generally when the kids think is a good idea to do when they get angry.  One said to take a break, another said to have some calm breaths, and one said to scream into a pillow.  We talked about different ways people express anger.  We read a book about a child who becomes angry and how it was okay that the child felt anger, because that is a natural part of feeling misjudged or misunderstood, but it is how we react to anger that is important.  We talked about how God can help us when we feel angry and I asked the kids, “What is something we can pray when we feel angry?” Thinking the kids would give a specific example of something to pray, my heart warmed when one of the preschoolers just said, “…everything.” 

Youth Group Speaking 

Starting next month, I will be joining a friend as we begin leading a 6th grade girls group as middle school youth group leaders.  We are looking forward to this time with the girls, and to get my feet a little wet in with the middle school crowd, I was invited as a speaker to conclude their series on Ephesians as they finished the school year.  The final chapter of Ephesians is a full and intense section as the apostle Paul talks about obedience and facing spiritual battles.  

I have seen in my own life how important it is to enter battles with the appropriate heart attitude of obedience and also to go equipped in being surrounded by the armor of God.  I enjoyed sharing with these rowdy and energetic middle schoolers the value of each piece the armor represents.  To bring this lesson to full visualization, the youth leader suggested I use modern military-wear just as Paul used the Roman military uniform.  The favorite part of the suiting up was getting to use the NERF gun to take a couple shots at the youth leader in the back corner.  We then talked about how the gun only works with ammunition just like we have to be consistently in scripture and prayer with the Father to build that “ammunition” so when the attacks come, we are able to fight the enemy.  There were many different visuals I used, and even up to the day before speaking, God continued to give me new ideas.  I did tell the leaders if I speak in the future, I will be taking a lighter topic, like Peace or Sabbath, but I was grateful for the opportunity to speak and enjoyed seeing just how eager many of the middle schoolers were to participate, share comments, volunteer to read scripture, and engage with the speaker.  While they may be a chatty and boisterous crowd, their engagement with the lesson was wonderful to see. 

 

Team Meetings & Team Building

As this group of middle and high school students are getting ready for summer mission trips, we brought them to Crown College for a training session as they heard from college students who have gone on mission trips and then joined the college body in a worship session.  The speakers talked about being prepared for the unexpected - that many times on mission trips plans change and expectations aren’t met, but that focusing on God in those settings continues to glorify Him in the greater mission.  It was a valuable lesson for the students!

As we have two different groups going to serve on Mission Trips to the Czech Republic within two months of each other, one team member thought it would be fun to connect the two teams for an afternoon at the lake.  The summer team is geared towards high schoolers and the fall team is for young adults, but since they are really only a couple years apart, many of them were in youth group together, have friends that overlap, and some have moved from the high school trip into the young adult trip now!  Since we are working with the same youth group in the Czech Republic and building the relationships there, it was fun to see these two teams unify during this training and preparation time as well.  I am really so proud of all of them for making this commitment to go and serve in one of the most atheistic countries in the world. 

Czech Visit

While one Czech friend visited in January, a couple in February, another drop-in in March from one Czech family I know, it seemed only fitting that there would be another visit from a Czech friend in May!  This friend used to come to our Youth Club Center with his friends to use our workout room that we had at that time.  These friends were talented strength trainers, and it was fun to see all the new tricks they would try.  As time went on and their lives became busy, we saw less of them, but this one friend found his way back to ELIM as he met a friend who pointed him towards Jesus.  He remembered ELIM and the Christian leaders he had met there, and just a couple years ago, made the decision to follow Christ!  He has since connected with ELIM even more as he helps volunteer at many events.  I am glad he made so many friends with the Americans who visit Letovice and had the opportunity to come to America for some fun experiences!