The Ellenwoods

Romania Girls' conference

A year ago, Diana, one of our key female leaders in Romania, came to spend some time resting in our home.  Diana ( or DU) is a faithful servant of Jesus with a deep passion and love for young women in her country.  During her week here, Jesus met DU sweetly yet powerfully.  From that time, God grew a desire in DU’s heart to call her other sisters into deeper intimacy with Jesus.  A couple of months later she invited me to come and speak about this at their 3^rd annual conference for women in ministry. 

 

Around 125 young women from all over Romania came, most in their 20’s, and all actively involved in serving the women in their churches and communities.  In refreshing new ways, DU and her national team of women have come together to be purposeful about discipleship. They are a true picture of multiplication.... intentionally passing on Jesus’ example to other women, who are then passing it forward to more.  These women came from varied backgrounds, but they have sacrificially poured themselves into the women around them. 

Though they are young, they are FULL of faith.  And their pursuit of Jesus is relentless. It was my very great privilege to walk with these beautiful young women as they press into new territory and take new ground for the kingdom.

View photos from conference

After the 2x3 Vision Night Tour

This project consumed most of my time and energy this fall, but I never could have expected that my heart would be so profoundly encouraged in the process.  We hosted vision nights in 11 cities throughout the U.S.  Every single night, as I watched the faces of eastern European students flash across the screen, I was deeply moved by what God has done and is doing.  He IS mighty to save.  It meant a lot to Amy and I that we got to bring our world to you. . . so you could taste and see the fruit coming from your prayers and sacrifices.  And so you could hopefully grasp the bigger picture of what God is doing here.  Wow, what a  joy to see so many of you face to face!  We are so thankful for each one you.

Amy and I are writing to invite you to the Josiah Venture "2x3 Campaign" Vision Night happening soon near you (or maybe not so near city:)  Some of you may have already received an invitation in the mail. Those of you who live far from any of the venues, we also want you to have an invitation (below). Maybe it's really not too far, or maybe you might be close to one of the other cities.

You can click on this link and register right now.

http://www.2x3campaign.com

The purpose of the evening is first, to celebrate what God has done and is doing in Central and Eastern Europe through the ministry of Josiah Venture, secondly, to thank those of you who have in faith supported this ministry through prayer, giving, and even serving, and thirdly, to invite people into a new and deeper connection to the ministry of Josiah Venture. This event is the first of its kind in Josiah Venture's 15 year history. We hope that you will be encouraged and inspired as you hear the bigger story of Josiah Venture and the vision God is calling each of our eleven countries to. It will be our joy for you to meet nationals from these countries that will be present at the events. We are truly an international community of servants passionate about reaching this generation for Christ.

Look forward to seeing you there!

http://www.2x3campaign.com

Heaven's Battle Cry

This summer has been quite different from summers past for us. Instead of us traveling around from camp to camp, or town to town, God has been bringing ministry to our doorstep….often to our kitchen island or living room sofa….

It has been a very sweet summer, as God has led us to step deeply into the lives of dear people.

And a clear theme has been coming thru each interaction….

I hear a voice in this wilderness

Where darkness has reigned for so long

Ground is being taken

Amen and Amen! The darkness has reigned long here, but this summer, ground has been soundly taken back from the enemy as thousands of students heard the Gospel proclaimed and saw it lived !

The trumpet sounds

And Your glory touches the ground

And we all stand in awe

Who is this?

This glory far beyond us

I hear a voice

from Hannah

I’d love to thank you all for your prayers during camp.  I felt stronger knowing that people all over the world were fighting this battle with us.  And God heard our prayers!  The camp was an amazing experience; I was challenged in so many ways.  At least ten friends from my school showed up.  One of my good friends, Verca, kept surprising me with great questions on people having souls and what happens to us when we die.  She asked about my faith and what I believe in.  She has continued going to youth group with me and is open to everything going on there.  She sings all the worship songs and prays with us….but I am still praying she will see that she can’t live without God.

Another friend, Pavel, played it all cool while he was there, careful not to show interest in anything.  But once we all got home, he wrote me saying he didn’t understand why all the people at camp were so different, “How could you love everyone, even people that you don’t necessarily like”?  I had a great conversation with him about that, though he has kept his wall up.  I am still praying that God is working inside him.

My friend, Vita, is a young believer and he really stepped up to the plate sharing his faith with his whole English class and anyone else who would ask.  I was so thankful for how God used him with our classmates. 

I was in a room with Lenka and we had great late night conversations about what her family believes.  They are from Viet Nam so we both understand what it means to be a “foreigner”.  She asked me about church, youth group, and Christianity.  She seemed really interested and will hopefully be coming to youth group with me sometime soon. 

Though no one gave their lives to Christ, it was clear God started working inside them.  That’s what it’s all about…as I am in relationship with my friends, I can introduce them to Christ.  God came thru and I am so thankful for that!