Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Ciao from Montenegro


Ciao!
Just wanted to give a quick update from Montenegro!
Things are going well. It feels like we have been here for months, but it has only been 6 days. We are half way through our trip so when I think of it that way it seems like we just got here!

Our travel to Europe was pretty smooth. Now don't get me wrong 9 hour flights across the atlantic are never really exciting, but Advil pm was my friend... I slept about 3 hours. We were able to spend the day in Frankfurt Germany on Friday because we had about a 12 hour layover. We just walked around for a bit then found some lunch and coffee. Then I took a wonderful much needed nap on a bench by the Main River.

We then made two more connections in Zagreb Croatia then on to Dubrovnik Croatia before taking a very windy and rather fast bus ride to Niksic ( think NeekSeetch). Praise the Lord we made it since our oh so talented bus drivers facebooked and text the entire way through the mountains (think dirt/rock roads- thousand foot clifts and all sorts of interesting wildlife).

We spent the weekend handing out flyers advertising the camp. There is a walking street close by that is lined with cafe's and interesting shops :)

There is a little cafe right across from our hotel that has become a morning tradition coffee spot!

Camp has been going well. The Lord has been gracious seeing that English is a bit more complicated than we thought it would be. We have so many kids that are at various levels in their English learning that it makes it difficult to keep everyone involved. Art has been fun for them however. They have really enjoyed making different things that they can keep. SO far we have made duct tape wallets and prayer journals. Please pray that the Lord will make His glory know through the little things we do. We are able to have bigger worship meetings at night so pray for those as well.

This has been a very different from any other missions trip I've been on before. This country has so much history yet it is so new ( It just became its on independent country in 2006). You can see such a communist influence everywhere. The people are very suspicious of us and are not quick to trust at all. Lauren said hello to a lady passing by her on the street and the lady replied "it is a nice night, but I don't know you". Very different from Latin America.

So all that said... we need prayer. The Lord has been so good to us and we have been able to build a lot of relationships with some of the kids and families, but we need more. WE need to go deeper. It is not as easy to tell them about Jesus here. You must have relationship first or they will never trust you.

That is about it for now. Just a quick update!

I will update more before we leave. We head to Dubrovnik on Saturday and then Frankfurt on Monday before arriving back in Birmingham at 4pm on Monday night. We loose 7 hours on the flight though so it will feel like about 3 am!

Thank you all for your prayers. They have been felt! Our God is so so able!!!!

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for man, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

He Provides!


I'm not sure I could imagine a more crazy, busy, awesome Summer if I tried! God has been so gracious to me over these past few months as I have been able to travel to Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic to spread the gospel and serve in His name. I have one more trip coming up. We leave for Montenegro in 2 days ( I can't believe it is already here)! Our team will travel to Eastern Europe spending time in Germany, Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro. We will be teaching English and Art to youth in the city of Nicsik, Montenegro.
This will be my first time doing missions work somewhere besides Central America so I am really excited to be able to experience working with a totally different people group!

Thank you to all of those who have supported me through prayer and/or financially. Through His grace both of my trips to Costa Rica and The DR have been fully paid for. Praise the Lord!!

That being said I still have about $2,000 to raise for the Montenegro trip.

I realize that I probably missed a lot of people when I sent out support letters ( considering the year we live in finding someone's mailing address is way more challenging than finding their email address!).

If you feel lead you may send a check to :

3733 Carisbrooke Dr.
Hoover, AL 35226

Make checks payable to SMIC (Shades Mountain Independent Church)
and designate it for Rachel Jones


More than anything I want to ask you for your prayers. Money is a small part of this trip and our entire team is in need of much prayer. The Bible says that the prayers of the righteous really make a difference. I am counting on that!!

Thanks again for all of your support and prayers!

What a privilege that He allows us to be His hands and feet!

For His fame and renown,
Rachel

OH and here is a link to some photos that I took in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Photos