Arlington, WA Team

Ken and Vance came from Washington to work at camp. It was originally going to be a team of ten men but God had other plans. Because there were only two men we were joined by six national workers, plus three missionaries. We ended up with a team of eleven.

It was a great partnership between all three groups and together we were able to frame-in the hallway upstairs, drywall ceilings, begin tiling the two bathrooms, and finish the insulation.

This is the last team for this year. We could use four more teams for 2010. Please pray for us and join us if you can.

Wyncote, PA Team

The first week of September a MAPS construction team from Calvary A/G in Wyncote, PA and one member from Michigan, came to work at camp.

They did an incredible job on the second floor of our cafeteria/kitchen. They framed in ten rooms, insulated walls and ceilings, put up a lot of tongue and groove ceiling wood, and walls for our rooms. They framed-in and dry walled our upstairs bathrooms. All this in 4 1/2 days of work.

We are standing in Vilnius with our friend, Allen, from Michigan. We have known each other for over 26 years.

PAKILK Conference 2009

Bette Sue and the Pakilk Women's leadership team directed the second Women's Leadership Training Conference for Pakilk (means "rise up" in Lithuanian) ministries with the Pentecostal Union. There were 46 women in attendance. This year's speaker was Kathe Holt from Wyncote, PA. Kathe taught principles of leadership from the life of Esther.

Last year our conference focused on the practicals of setting up a leadership team and setting goals, etc. This year Kathe spoke to the women about our hearts and developing our lives as leaders the way that Esther grew in her leadership. She challenged each one to be ready "for such a time as this" to let God use each one of us where we are.

It was thought provoking and challenging. There were times of small-group interaction to discuss the principles being presented.

We are thankful for Kathe's ministry and willingness to give her time to minister to the women's leadership in Lithuania.

Our neighborhood

This is the area near our home. We can walk to the bank, post office, grocery stores, open market, and even a place where Bette Sue gets her hair cut. (Kirpykla)

We are thankful for God's provision in giving us such a wonderful place to live.

September 1st

It is the first day of school in Lithuania! The kids always start on September 1st. (What if it is a Sunday? We get asked this all the time. Our friends have said that some schools may choose to have a party that day and invite students but they will officially start on Monday, the 2nd, if the 1st lands on a Sunday.)

The tradition is to buy flowers for your teacher on the first day. As you can see from these pictures, children and parents were busy buying flowers. The market was full of eager shoppers and vendors. There was excitement in the air while everyone was rushing to get their flowers.

I got some teenagers to pose for a picture. (Two other guys didn't want their picture taken but these two agreed.)

The bus stops will be full again with students riding to school. They all use the public system here for transportation.