Slovakia 2005

Posted May 26, 2005

Dearest Friends,

We are safely home. Many children in Slovakia are not safe and have no homes.

Hear Claudia's story. She is a young gypsy girl of 14 who with several of her friends had such terrible lives at home that they became prostitutes. Working at the local train station, she makes about 500 to 600 crowns (about $16.50) a day selling her dignity. With that money she pays the daily rent on her apartment, gets something to eat, and buys glue.

When our friend DoDo asked Claudia why she sniffed glue, she replied that she needs it. The glue makes it possible for her to do what she does as a prostitute.

Her life is ugly to her, but still she dreams. Claudia dreams of having a nice boyfriend who will ask her to be his wife. She dreams of a happy home filled with children. In less than 1 year, she has aged more than 6 years. One day, she will probably have to go with a man for a bowl of soup.

Claudia's story is not unlike many other stories told by gypsy girls her age. For 4 years, she attended a Bible Club run by The Father's Heart in Kosice, but she walked away. Working with at risk children is always heart breaking and often discouraging. Ask God to encourage Bevan, Laura, DoDo, Atdia, Shegy, Rado, Lubo, Mishka and Tibi as they give their lives to the children. Ask God to protect them from the attack of the evil one. Ask Jesus to deliver Claudia and her friends into His arms.

Less than 1/3rd of 1% of Kosice's population is believed to know Jesus as Savior. Many more attend church, but they do not appear to have a relationship with Christ. Ask the Lord to strengthen those who love Him and make their light bright.

Each morning in Slovakia, we met for prayer, devotions, and worship even if we had to get up at 4:30 of 5:30 AM. Our last morning, we wanted one last time together, so since our flight was early, we woke up at 2:15. Actually Sam, Anna, and I never made it to bed. There were too many last minute details to sort. Jonlyn and Hadia had only a couple of hours to rest. Still, we all wanted to have this time together.

Imagine singing together, part of the voices in Slovak, and part in English, "Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you." We ache to see life as Jesus sees life. Ask God to give us hearts full of His love and His truth.

Last weekend, we attended a national conference for people who work with at risk children. Though at first we were disappointed that we did not have more opportunity to share with and encourage the workers, God showed us once again that He always has a plan. One lady, Katka, who works with very poor and troubled children in Slovakia, begged us to teach her some new skills. She also shared a special skill with us. Her hunger to learn blessed us. Katka often sacrifices personal comforts, even food, to have the money she needs to work with the children. Please pray for Katka as she shares Hope with the most hopeless children in Bratislava.

Our team from Bratislava joined us for the seminar on storytelling that we taught at the conference. It was awesome! They are anxious to add Bible stories drawn with chalk to their program. Please ask our Father to increase and bless their skills. They are very eager to do more street shows, reaching a part of the population that is not normally reached by churches.

Finally, the sweetest part of the conference to me was the opportunity to speak with a young man named David from New Zealand. He was very kind to me. Visiting with friends, he was not a Christian and commented to me that he felt something nice as he listened to the time of worship and praise. We began to talk about the Holy Spirit, evil, truth, light, real faith, Buddhism, Hinduism, Capitalism, and especially Jesus.

When I asked him if he had ever read the Bible, he said no. Then I asked him if he would be willing to read it if I gave him my Bible. I had just bought a new decorated leather ESV Bible and he received it with enthusiasm. Immediately, he went and told his friends about the gift and promised to reads the book of John. Pray for David to find the truth he seeks. Ask the Lord to please call him to faith as he reads God's word.

Please continue to pray for Hadia's friend Ludmila. Hadia wrote her 2 letters before we left and Ludmila managed to get Hadia a letter the night before we came home. Please pray that this young girl will put her trust deeply in Jesus.

When children have behavior problems or learning disabilities in the children's home, they are sent to a special home. God blessed us by allowing us to go to this place and share His love and Hope. The teachers did not expect the children and teenagers to listen, but they did. The Director was amazed at how well they paid attention. One teacher came up to me after the show, crying, because she was so touched by the message. One little girl never smiled during the entire program, but as we finished she came and thanked us, with a big smile on her face. It is a joy to put smiles on children's faces. Only faith in Jesus can make these smiles last.

Please continue to pray for Slovakia and for the work of Bevan Stein at The Fathers Heart. Pray especially for DoDo and Atdia who carry much responsibility for this ministry.

On June 9th, we leave for Brazil. Please go ahead of us and pray for God to do great things in the lives of the children Thank you for all you do!

I need to finish the summer schedule before I leave for Brazil. If you are interested in having us come to your church, summer camp, Vacation Bible School, or work with you in any other ministry, please call me at 706-397-2956 before I leave for Brazil.

In Jesus Linda for Anna, Sam, Jonlyn, and Hadia

Posted May 16, 2005

Dearest Friends,

Today is our last day in Slovakia and God has really blessed us. We had a party tonight and a training session for the Kosice puppet team. They were so grateful to receive the ministry tools that we had brought for them. They even gave me a yellow rose to say thank you. We count it a privilege to have such faithful partners in sharing Christ with children. It was very difficult to say goodbye, after spending so much time together over two weeks, standing in dark and difficult places together, and praying together for hours and hours, all of us felt a sense of great loss. More and more I find that I look forward to heaven where the conversations and joy we share will not have to end.

Earlier today, we had three programs, two of them at schools and one at a club meeting. At the first school something amazing happened. Again, as we prayed, God was so good to touch the hearts of the teachers and children. Twice we saw teachers crying after the prayer. One even rushed up to us after the program, tears still in her eyes, so that she could thank us. A director of one of the schools stood in front of all the children and thanked us, stating that they had never had such a wonderful program. She wanted to know when we would come again.

The two programs were in the same place and during the time in between, they treated us to coffee and tea. I stayed with the equipment so that I could rest my leg and pray. Quietly, so that I would not disturb passing teachers, I called on my Father, asking Him to touch the children and fill the room with His Spirit. I asked God to please wake up our friends around the world and have them pray for us. In America, the time would have been about 3 AM. For those of you that God stirred awake to pray for us at that time, "Sorry about that!".

I asked God to send His angels to stand guard over the room so that the children would not be distracted. The second group of children was from a Catholic school. As I was praying I had a strong sense someone stood behind me on my right and left, angels. I began to cry with joy. My heart was so full. I always know that my Father hears my prayers, but today I also felt deeply God's answer was standing near me! It was a very big crowd of children who came, followed by dozens more who were passing by and stood in the doorways to listen. One teacher of religion brought her class of high school students and they laughed as much as the little children.

Still there were several children who never even smiled. One little girl would not even look at the puppets, but when Jonlyn played her violin and Sam juggled, she smiled at them. Praise God! How deep must be the hurt of a child who cannot even smile or laugh!

Many of the children that we have been working with are at terrible risk because of their poverty. We received news today that a man had come to the shelter where we were the other day and offered little girls 8 and 10 years of age 100 crowns (about $3.10) to come with him. He said he wanted to show them something. Almost daily, evil men come to this place to take advantage of the children's needs. There is only one Christian man, Tibi, who works there. He is not always present and there is none to back him. Ask God to make him strong and ask the Lord to send His angels to guard these children.

Several times God used unbelievers and even men who deny the existence of God to help us schedule shows. Pray for Natasha, a very nice lady who helped us schedule school programs, to come to faith in Jesus. Ask God to show Boris that He is real and He loves him. Pray for the director of a gypsy school to understand that good works are not enough.

Praise God for the children at a nearby school who enthusiastically called on God, asking Him to be their Father and Jesus to be their Savior. It is a wonderful thing to see children come to faith. For many He is all they have in this world.

We are coming home. Our hearts are so full for all we have seen. Pray us safely home! There are more stories that must be told.

In Jesus, Linda for Hadia Jonlyn, Anna and Sam

Posted May 15, 2005

Dearest Friends,

As soon as we arrived at the gypsy settlement in Presov, the children crowded around the van. They were so excited and they did not even know why we were there. A crowd of over 200 gathered in front of us, restrained by ropes that many ignored. We were constantly afraid that one of the children was going to get trampled or pushed to the ground. Children, teenagers, moms and dads, and also grandparents, were to our right and left and behind us. People hung out of windows to listen and some boys climbed trees so that they could see. Ironically, we told the story of Zacheus.

The crowd was not quiet, but since no one threw anything at us, we all decided that it was an easy show. Many of the parents and grandparents were grateful that we had come and tried to help us control the children. This was no small job! We worked with a local church that goes there every week. Please pray that these children will find their hope in knowing Jesus. They live in such a hard place where they grow up seeing an experiencing terrible evil. Pray that God will show them mercy and call them to himself.

Lunik Devit is another gypsy settlement located in Kosice and it is said to be the biggest Gypsy settlement in the country. Originally, it was built by the Soviets for officers, but today it bears little resemblance to its former glory. Recently, for 2 weeks they had no water at all. They never have hot water. In the winter, there is no heat. Two families share a three-bedroom apartment and sometimes there are more. It is so hard for the children.

At the local school, we shared with several hundred children and teachers. We parked inside the school fence so that we would have air in our tires when we returned. The children filled the gym with laughter, as they delighted in the puppets. More they really listened to the Bible story. Best of all, they prayed out loud, almost shouting asking Jesus to be their Savior. We were so blessed by the way the Holy Spirit touched that place!

Our hearts were full after sharing in a program for the terminally ill at a children's cancer hospital. Moms and Dads, carefully cradling their sick children in their arms, came to the show. Several were still attached to IV's or had needles in their hands. All were so little and pale, dwarfed by the machines that shadowed them. They smiled and their parents thanked us for coming. When we got to the car, my eyes filled with tears as I thought of their suffering and then I smiled, remembering that in this hopeless place, Jesus is hope!

Tomorrow, Monday, we have 3 shows, a training session, and a party for our Kosice puppet team. Then, we must pack and be up at 3 AM so that we can fly to Vienna at 5:20 AM. Please pray for strength, wisdom, clear minds, and open hearts as we share and fellowship tomorrow. It is hard to say good-bye to our Slovak brothers and sisters, who love Jesus with such passion! We have been so blessed by the ministry of "The Fathers Heart"!

Pray!

In Jesus, Linda for Anna Jonlyn Hadia and Sam

Posted May 13, 2005

Dearest Friends,

One and one half years ago, the last time we were in Slovakia, we shared with a puppet show for a group of very small children ages, two to four. I do not like doing programs for children this small, because they are often terrified of the puppets and they do not like the loud sounds that we use to tell the stories. The program is simply "to much" for them. When I found out they had scheduled us for this age child, I confess that I was not very excited, but God did a wonderful thing through that show. God's plans are not our plans.

The director of the nursery school was very excited about what we did for the children. We had changed our program and tried to make it something that would be very special for those little ones. She really appreciated all that we did to change our program and then asked us to come to the distant village of Forbassy, where her husband was the Mayor. She wanted the whole village to see the program and we immediately said, "Yes!"

To reach Forbassy, we drove through a blizzard, which made us one of only two cars that we saw as we neared the village. The village is located only 17 kilometers from the Polish border and it was a very long drive from Kosice. Everything was white and almost everyone in the village came to the program that night. Though the town was 100% Catholic, the response to our program was unusually warm. Children, teenagers, and even old people could be heard praying out loud asking Jesus Christ to be their Savior. It was awesome!

Tonight, we had the sweet privilege of returning to this same village. Now everything is green, as far as we could see, and the welcome was even warmer than our first visit. The children and the adults loved the puppets, clapped for Anna when she spoke in Slovak and delighted in Jonlyn's violin. Everyone followed the Bible story, laughed with Sam as he shared his testimony and listened intently to Hadia. Rado, a wonderful musician who works with The Father's Heart, blessed everyone with his singing. Again we heard many people praying out loud asking Jesus to be their Savior and some were adults. Afterwards they had prepared a special feast for us and many of the key leaders in the town were there, including the Mayor of a neighboring city. Praise God that he asked us to come on our next trip to do a show for his city's children. It was hard for all of us to leave because they had been so kind to us and were so grateful that we came.

None of these wonderful things would have happened, if I had done what I thought best. God is so faithful and uses us in spite of our weaknesses. Thank you for praying. Please keep praying as tomorrow we travel to speak at a youth conference for young people across Slovakia who work with at risk children. Ask God to put His words in our mouths.

In Jesus, Linda for Sam, Anna, Jonlyn, Hadia

Posted May 12, 2005

Dearest Friends,

I asked Hadia what she thought about what she had just seen. I then asked the same question of our French puppet director, Anna. Both had the same response. "I have no words" was their reply. What did they see that left them so speechless?

This afternoon we visited 2 Gypsy homes in downtown Kosice. To get there, we passed lovely shops, nicely dressed people, and many beautiful flowers. A large fountain was enjoyed by the people having lunch under big tents set up in the main street to celebrate Kosice days. The air smelled delicious, as the aromas of many good restaurants filled the street. People smiled and hurried to appointments.

Then, we walked through a large double door where everything smelled very different. It was another world. One hundred people crowded into a decaying building. Among them were dozens of children who were very hungry. They received the fruit, bread, milk, butter, and other basics that we brought with great joy. In minutes, everything had disappeared. I wanted to cry when I saw how much they enjoyed an apple or a banana. You would have thought that it was much more.

Nothing smelled good. All of the children had lice. No one had anywhere to go because everyone was unemployed. There was no running water, no bathroom or kitchen. Four and five people slept in what passed for a bed. The roof had fallen in and the family continued to live there because they had nowhere else to go.

These people are Maria's friends. For 12 years, she has given herself to their children, meeting every week for a Bible club. For 10 years, she has run a summer camp for them. Under her direction, we bought the groceries. All of us, and Maria as well, understand that the adults bear much responsibility for their problems, but the suffering of the children overwhelmed us all. Pray that they will come to the clubs. Pray that no matter what happens, they will trust Jesus. He is their only hope.

By God's grace, we kept our eyes on Jesus, smiled, and loved them. I know that none of us were bothered personally, but we ached for the children. All of us understood that there is nothing good in us. More, these children have experienced abuse of every kind. They are Gypsies and hated for the color of their skin. They grow up never seeing a normal family. Maria takes children to her home all the times to that they can taste another life.

How do we spend our free time? This question would not leave my thoughts. We pray that when God asks us this question, we will be able to answer that we invested our lives in eternity. What will you answer?

Stay on your knees! God is pouring His spirit on these shows. Tomorrow we have 4 shows scheduled. Please pray for strength.

In Jesus, Linda for Anna, Sam, Hadia, and Jonlyn

Posted May 11, 2005

Dearest Friends,

Our blessings are too many to number! Our Joy is beyond our worlds! Thank the Lord for the following blessings.

Dozens of children at a small gypsy school in the village of Boliarov prayed loudly, shouted, asking Jesus to be their savior! It was a wonderful time for all of us as the children responded with incredible enthusiasm to every part of the program.

At a children's home for the mentally and physically handicapped, a single voice could be heard praying softly. These children were in wheelchairs. One little boy had no arms, a young boy's face was badly burned and many struggled to walk or think clearly. Even with all of these problems, they laughed and smiled as they heard how much Jesus loved them!

Today, we did a puppet show for gypsy children in a remote village called Sol. It means salt in English. We are a team from 4 countries; Slovakia, France, Ireland, and America. A missionary from South Africa asked us to come and share with the children that he served. God literally brought people together from all over the world to tell children He loved them. Amazing!

In Kocerovce, 100 village school children listened amazingly well. This is the work of Gods Holy Spirit. Pray that all the children can listen well! It is hard to pay attention when you are hungry or home is a scary place. Three trips ago, we first went to this school and the teachers remembered!

Yesterday, we did 3 programs in schools before 1:00. Then, there was still more work to do!

At one school, the teachers were thrilled that we came! They gave us wonderful drawings that the children did to thank us for coming. In 2 of the pictures, I had brown hair and looked very skinny! Sam liked like the wolf man, but the puppets looked very happy. Children are so much fun! They also rushed out to buy me a yellow rose. We were blessed!

Not everyone is happy when we talk about Jesus. Some teachers frowned through the entire program and mocked God. Others were more direct as one director told us exactly what she though about Christians, but she had a problem. The children, visiting parents, and the other teachers loved the program; they didn't listen to what she had to say. She yelled at one of our friends, but everyone else wanted us to come again. Please pray for this lady to come to Jesus. Her face was full of pain and bitterness. Only Jesus can take away her anger.

At Krizovei shelter, we shared with homeless children who finished with the orphanage system and had nowhere to go. There were also many abused women, with their children, as well as others who were homeless for other reasons. Imagine having the privilege to tell those dear women and children that there is someone who loved them. His name is Jesus.

In one of the worst areas that I have ever visited, someone had drawn a big heart on the wall with a cross above it. On it, they had written the word love. We were visiting Gypsy homes in Kosice where 14 people share 3 rooms. Even in great darkness, His light shines.

Hadia was very moved by a visit to an orphanage. A little girl told her that she thought that they looked alike. Hadia visited her room. She said that as you walked into her room is was full of beds with no room to walk around. It smelled so bad. She told Hadia, "You could stay here with me or take me home with you". When we got to the van, Hadia Wept. The little girl kissed her goodbye and told her how much she would miss her. Pray for this dear little girl to trust Jesus who will take away her loneliness.

Jonlyn noticed a little boy at an orphanage who kept acting out and trying to get attention. He kept playing with her. Finally as we were leaving, he came running out and threw his arms around her. All he wanted was a hug! We have hugged an ocean of children who want hugs more than any other gift. They ache to be touched.

Anna, our French Puppet Director, has said many times that she is seeing things that she has never seen before. With the eyes of faith, she has seen how many children live in totally hopeless situations. Nothing in this world will ever be better for them. Her heart burns to tell them and others that Jesus alone is the true hope. Pray for her, as she returns to France, to be able to share her new vision with her brothers and sisters in France. She has asked that you pray for this understanding in her spirit to be a permanent understanding that gives her passion for Jesus.

Sam has been blessed by the village children, gypsies, and orphans smiling and laughing at our presentations. By God's grace, the Lord is using our programs to bring hundreds of children joy. This is no small gift.

Let me finish with these thoughts. This is the most blessed trip to SLOVAKIA that we have ever had. I am staggered by the outpouring of His spirit. Thank you for praying! Please keep praying. You are touching Slovakia for Jesus Christ.

In Jesus, Linda for Hadia, Jonlyn, Anna, and Sam.

Posted May 9, 2005

Dearest Friends,

Not everyone was thrilled to see us there. One Slovak lady came up to me, angry and very loudly in perfect English, told me how unhappy she was with our program. She said, "Not everyone wants what you are selling." She did not understand. Please pray for her!

Then, God encouraged us by sending another Slovak lady who also spoke English. She thanked us for coming and told us that as soon as she heard us start, she had races home to get her grandson.

Whether people love the Gospel or hate it, we are grateful to have the privilege to talk to them. Pray that we will always show them His love!

An amazing thing happened as I began to tell the story of how Jesus calmed the storm on the sea. The sky above us grew dark and it started to lightly rain. When I came to the place in the story where Jesus stopped the storm suddenly, our rain also stopped. All of us were aware of how God answered our prayers and enabled us to finish sharing Jesus with the families who gathered. God is awesome!

We were working with our new puppet team in Bratislava. One of their leaders became very excited about doing street ministry. He had never tried it before and was very excited by the way the crowds gathered and listened. Rasto could not wait for his team to go out again and share.

For all of you who gave to make this trip possible, I wish that you could have seen how grateful these brothers and sisters were for the new equipment that they received. They could not believe that people who did not know them would care so much about the Gypsy and Slovak children that they love and work with, in a very difficult area of Bratislava. They were overwhelmed by your generosity. Thank you for giving!

We shared in programs in Petrzalka, a massive number of multi-story gray apartment buildings that houses 150,000 people. Evil rules this place. Children do not get to be children as they are very young when they become sexually active, only 12 or 13 years old. Drug and alcohol abuse is common. We shared with one little boy who lived in a very small apartment, probably the size of your living room, with 12 other people. Often. 4 families or more share an apartment.

I wept, as I left the place, because of a conversation that I had with one young gypsy girl. We talked a long time about how God could be the good father that she did not have, a father who would never hurt her. Tears filled her eyes and I pray that hope now fills her heart. My heart broke for her, as she told me about how her father drank and beat her. Ask God to show her that there is another life for her!

In your prayers, beg Him to deliver these children from the great darkness. Our friends were surprised that we finished the show. At the start of the program, through the first puppet song and the beginning of the Bible story, the children just yelled and screamed. They ran around in circles and tried to pull the puppets out of the stage, their bad behavior was a test of sorts. They wanted to see if we would give up and go away. Please see these children as God sees them. Jesus died and rose for them. Pray!

Earlier in the day, we had a show at a theater that the team rented. All during the week, they visited every class in the area with puppets and invited the children to come to the program. Many parents joined them and all heard about Jesus. Pray that they trust Him.

Our time in Bratislava was a sweet blessing! We were challenged to love Jesus more by the example of our brothers and sisters who serve with The Fathers Heart in this place. Pray for these dear friends to be a continuing bright light for Jesus.

We have dozens of stories for Sunday and Monday that will have to keep until tomorrow. It is almost 11 PM and it will be midnight before we were in bed. Tomorrow, we are up at 6:00AM and we have 4 shows tomorrow and possible visits to Gypsy homes. Please pray for a break in the weather so that we can share outside at the Gypsy village.

In Jesus, Linda for Anna, Sam, Jonlyn, and Hadia

Posted May 6, 2005

Dearest Friends,

Slovakia is green and full of flowers. It is beautiful! We all arrived safely from the USA, Northern Ireland and France and all of our equipment (except the one giant bird puppet) arrived and in good condition.

Tonight were blessed to be in Slovakia and working again with The Father's Heart and Bevan Stein! As we shared our "red soup" with friends (we have no idea what flavor it was) and all of us were touched but their stories.

We want to share with you some of these stories over the next few days. Many gypsy children have very poor diets and live in conditions that are extremely difficult. Make a list in your mind of the basic things that you need to raise your children. To understand how these children live, mark everything on your list as a luxury or maybe only a dream. Three meals a day is an unrealistic expectation.

We need your help! The following is a detailed list of prayer requests for Friday through Monday. Please share this list with praying friends. Surround us with your prayers. Love these children by getting on your knees. So many of these children have no real opportunity to hear about Jesus Christ and how He loves them. Pray!

Prayer Requests:

1. Friday, we will travel across the country to Bratislava to begin work with our second Slovak puppet team. Please pray for a safe journey.
2. Saturday in Bratislava, we have three shows outdoors. Please ask God to stop the rain and give us good weather!
3. Sunday, we will share in a church about what God is doing around the world in the lives of children. Please ask the Lord to put His words in our mouths.
4. Monday morning, we have an outdoor show in a very poor gypsy village. Pray for good weather, as there is no indoor facility available. Ask God to cause the entire village to attend.
5. As always, we have unexpected needs and expenses. Since most gypsy children get no fruit in their diet, it has been suggested that we buy apples to give the children at certain shows. Please ask the Lord to supply these funds.
6. Please continue to pray for the thief who stole our big bird puppet and that God will call him to faith. We do not know in which airport this happened, but God knows. Please pray for the $130 necessary to replace this puppet.
7. Ask the Lord to give the Slovak children a hunger for the things of God. Ask Him to call many to faith.
8. We have 4 places in our schedule that are open for puppet shows. Ask God to fill these opportunities with children.
9. Please pray for the team. Ask God to put His love in our eyes and His kindness in our every action.

In Jesus, Linda for Sam, Jonlyn, Hadia, and Anna

Posted May 6, 2005

Dearest Friends,

Today was a wonderful day. We shared with a puppet show in the village of Krasna for a group of gypsy children. The name Krasna literally translates beautiful and it was beautiful to see what God did today. The children were attending a special school, which targeted the needs of gypsy children. The program was designed to help them succeed in learning to read and write, as well as emphasizing social skills. The teachers realized that the children were unable to learn because they had not learned certain things at home that would make it possible for them to succeed in school. Sixteen-year-old young people were in 5th Grade. So the teachers began to teach basic life skills.

The principal is an atheist but she allowed us complete freedom to share everything we wanted to share about Jesus. She had a plan for every one of the children's needs, but one, she could not give them hope. Only faith in Jesus Christ can give these children real purpose in life. The children live in very difficult situations and are in desperate need of knowing God as their father. Alcoholism is a big problem in the Gypsy community and home is not a safe place.

Two years ago, when she began this program, 40% of the gypsy children in this town did not attend school. Now only 8% fail to get an education. Please pray for this principal to see that there are some problems that she cannot solve without God. Please pray for her to come to faith. She had an injured hand today and I promised to pray for God to heal her hand, I felt very strongly impressed to tell her this. Please ask God to do this and show her that he is God.

At the end of the program the children sang for us two songs, one in their gypsy language of Roma and one in Slovak. Their response to the entire program was incredible; everyone was amazed at how attentive they were. They laughed and clapped and enjoyed every moment. All of us could feel God 's spirit in that place. Please pray for God to call these children to faith in Him. Ask the Lord to call them to pray tonight and ask Jesus to be their Savior.

Love in Jesus, Linda for Sam, Anna, Jonlyn and Hadia

Posted May 6, 2005

Quick Note:

Answer to Prayer...

n Washington, the stewardess took Jonlyn's carry on bag saying it was to big, but she did not give her a number to claim the bag by. Jonlyn was getting on the plane and did not have time to get anything out of her bag. Inside was her passport her money and all her clothes. When we landed in Vienna the bag was lost Jonlyn had no passport God, but sent us a wonderful Iraqi lady. She was a Christian who's family had fled Iraq before the war. She found Jonlyn's bag and helped me clear customs so that I could go and retrieve it for her.

All of the bags arrived safely except for one which was opened somewhere along the trip. Someone stole the 6ft tall bird puppet that the team here had requested.

Prayer Request...

Please ask people to pray for the salvation of the thief. Also, please let them know that the replacement cost of this puppet is $130. The team here had especially requested that puppet for a program. There is another team coming into Slovakia this summer that could bring it for us if we could replace it.

In Christ, Linda

Posted May 3, 2005

Dearest Friends,

Today Jonlyn Linville, Hadia Jackson, and I are leaving for Slovakia. Our dear friends, Sam Shaw and Anna McIlwaine, the Irish and French Puppet Directors, will join us. Please pray for us as we share Christ with hurting children whose greatest need is not food or clothing, but Jesus!

I have spent a lot of time working in my garden over the last month and praying while I worked. Our recent trip to India was often on my mind. I thought about how most people, even Christians in India walk past beggars on the street without seeing them. Many are crippled, all seem hungry and too many are children, but they do not exist. I began to wonder.... Who do I not see? Please ask God to give me His eyes and His heart. Other believers lived with little or no concern for themselves and their personal comforts. Please ask God to give us the same spirit of self sacrifice. I plan to return to India next year and would ask you to begin now to pray that the Lord would call many to faith. Please pray for our 3 puppet teams in India and ask the Lord to give them great skill and much wisdom.

This spring, in 5 days of puppet shows, we saw several hundred children confess Jesus as Savior. One little boy said, "My parents are getting a divorce and I am afraid. Then I asked Jesus to be my Savior and He took my fear away!". We are so grateful to Fred Judd and The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as Mt. Paran North School in Atlanta for opening such sweet doors.

Hold us in your prayers!

IN Jesus, Mike and Linda