Dear Faithful Prayer Partners
We want to wish you a very special Thanksgiving Holiday!
Also we would like to give you some highlights of the work of the Holy Spirit and how God is moving in our school and our community here in Bratislava. Please will you join us this season thanking God for opening doors, tenderizing hearts, and giving us opportunities with our students and colleagues.
- Our colleague Slavo joined us for a cup of coffee. Immediately he began to share how he was a believer and now is an atheist. We in no way prompted this conversation. He told Vic, "Maybe I shouldn't share with you because what I say might cause you to doubt if there is God". Vic promptly responded, "that won't happen." By the end of the conversation, after Vic boldly shared with Slavo why we are sure there is a God and that God saved us from sin and gave us purpose, Slavo responded "I am sad when I see people who know their purpose but I don't know mine, and I want to know." A few weeks prior to our coffee and conversation with Slavo, I was in the bookstore and saw John Eldridge's book "Journey of Desire" translated into Czech. I clearly knew in my heart I was suppose to buy that book for Slavo, but felt awkward giving it to him. After that night that Slavo so openly shared, I knew it was time. The next Monday Vic gave Slavo the book,we both knew God had opened the door, and the time was right.
- Lucy, our student who just became a believer this summer, celebrated her 18th birthday. I wanted to have a special party for her inviting Tom & Debby Johnson, the other missionary couple who have been so instrumental in her conversion. Vic has been developing a relationship with Lucy's twin brother Lukas so we decided to see if Lukas wanted to come too! We were so thrilled he accepted and he had a fantastic time! The comment Lukas made touched my heart, "Mrs. D'Ettorre the meal was fine! In British English that means EXCELLENT!" How cool to see God moving in this family! It is obvious Lukas is desiring what Lucy has.
- We attended our annual ESI Thanksgiving retreat this past weekend. Vic and I served on the prayer team at the communion service. What a blessing to be part of God's move on these young American teachers as they came one by one for prayer desiring more of God's strength, joy, and anointing as they serve our Lord here in Europe. Vic also shared a message this weekend, which was truly words God gave him; his lips were filled with encouragement to these young teachers from the scriptures about LOVE being the carrier of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- I had the opportunity to represent the parents at Narnia's first International Day of Prayer, this event motivated parents to want to know more about the Mom's prayer group I organize at Narnia. The Moms in Touch prayer meetings at Narnia are growing, with 11 in attendance this past meeting and moms sharing tears as God moved through our prayer time together. God is teaching us as parents how to realize change in our school and in the lives of our children through persevering prayer.
Daily we pray for opportunities to "carry the gospel of Jesus Christ" into our community and CS Lewis - Narnia Schools and daily God blesses us with that privilege, but it is not only us He is blessing! He blesses you with that privilege too because prayer and financial gifts are necessary for the work to go on. Thank you for being here with us! Thank you for partnering with us so we can have the opportunity to carry the gospel to Slovakia.
As you join around the table and count your blessings, please praise and thank him that you have the blessing to be part of God's move in Slovakia. Continue to pray for our students, like Lukas, and our colleagues, like Slavo. Pray that we will know God's Word, be obedient to Him, and be ready with an answer when people ask where our hope comes from.
It is a tough being separated from family, the holiday season is a reminder of family and there is a sense of emptiness, also when our loved ones need our encouragement it is difficult to be so far away. We are encouraged that God loves our family members better than we know how and our prayers connect us through one Father and praying is the best way to love our family.
We have two very special prayer requests.
Vic's step-dad Dean Mead is in Cleveland Clinic diagnosed with Leukemia. Over the weekend the situaton was looking very bad as Dean's kidney's had shut-down and he was in the intensive care on dialysis. Praise the GREAT Physician, Dean is now in a regular room and off of dialysis, but please continue to pray for him. Pray for Vic's mom Bonnie, as she copes with this situation.
Please also pray for our daughter Kayla, she will probably deliver her baby boy by the weekend. Please pray for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.
We are so grateful!
Love
Vic, Darla, Dominic & Ana
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