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!