Day 5 Eastern Europe...

Today the team put in a full day! Spent first part of day shopping for gifts to take back home. Spent last half day putting finishing touches to things that needed it.
 
Everyone is well. And very excited about the ladies arriving tomorrow. Please, pray for their safe travel. Also, pray for the team to rest well tonight.

Which is where I am headed. :)
Спокойной ночи. ( Good Night)

His,
Vickie

Day 4

Today was our main sight seeing time. Can’t wait to send you pics but that will have to wait until Saturday. In the mean time how about a look at some of the meals we have had here.

Keep praying. Tomorrow we will have a few hours to shop at local stores for gifts to bring home. Then we will  be working on final preparation for the ladies to arrive on Wednesday.

Keep praying for His Will not ours!

His,
Vickie

Day 3

Greeting to you. We are on day 3 here in Eastern Europe. Day 1 and part of Day 2 were spent in the air. :)

This morning the team started our morning with breakfast and a team devotional. We then hit the side walks and underground metro to attend church at ICF, International Christian Fellowship. We had a sweet time of worship and time in the Word.

We had lunch that was delicious with dishes traditional to the country. Then most of the team laid down for a few hours to get over some jet lag! It is 5:30 p.m. Sunday for us as I type this. And 9:30 a.m. for you in Central U.S.
 
Please continue to pray. I was serious when I told you yesterday your prayers are being felt. Such a peace over this team as we are getting to know each other more and preparing our hearts for the arrival of the ladies on Wednesday.

His,
Vickie

Arrived Safely...

The team has arrived safely to our destination in Eastern Europe.

All luggage and trunks arrived with us as well. We have just finished dinner and are calling it an evening. Jet-lag is setting in. Ha ha

Please know that your prayers are being felt. We discussed tonight at dinner the peace that has settled on the team. We know that is because you are lifting us up.

Tomorrow morning we will be attending service with cross-cultural workers, and natives to this country. So excited!

Write again tomorrow...

His,
Vickie

Bags Are Packed… Eastern Europe Here We Come…..

Well, it is time! We have team members leaving out from Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas.

We will all meet in Chicago and headed out of the country tomorrow afternoon. 

Please pray for our luggage to get through to our destination, our flight times to be on time and us as well, for our layover times to be great team building times, for safe arrival to our destination, and finally to our hotel.

I will be sending some blogs daily. So, you can tell your family and friends to check the blog. I recognize it has been quiet on the blog front these past several weeks. Just hang with us and we will talk more when we get back.  

Counting on your prayers and Counting it Pure Joy...

His,
Vickie

Shout Out Time………

 We at Pure Joy International want to give a “shout out” to Slayden Baptist Church in Lamar, Mississippi. Also, to the group of women  from Antioch Baptist in Conway, Arkansas. These groups joined hearts to make gifts for the ladies in Eastern Europe for the first time. They have joined forces with all our other partnering churches and individuals that pray, go, gift and give regularly towards the ministry of Pure Joy International. Thank you all for your excitement to get on board and minister to those serving cross-culturally. The ladies in Eastern Europe are in for some sweet surprises from all of you that serve with us in this ministry, yet never leave the country. You are responsible for helping set the table as we prepare to serve.

We close registration for the Eastern Europe Retreat March 28, 2018. Please let anyone that is considering this retreat know about the deadline. Go to www.purejoyinternational.org
 
Well, the team is for sure in total preparations for this trip. We are just at 4 weeks from leaving the country. Can’t believe it! Also, lift up the ladies that will be attending the retreat. I suspect we are all in for some really awesome time together.

This week may we all remember…….

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38 (ESV)
 









His,
Vickie

Is it I (?)…..

I remember the very first time I saw this truth pop up from my daily scripture reading. A truth that required me to ponder the question, “How do I perceive Him?” You remember the scene, it is found in Matthew 26:17-25…

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”  And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

Did you see it? Eleven of the disciples called Him, LORD. But, the one that would betray Him called him, Rabbi (teacher). Friends, there have been, are, and will be a lot of great teachers in this world before it sees its last days. But there is only one LORD. I have sat under, and grown in my walk with Him, because of great teaching and teachers. But I don’t worship them, nor do I desire to follow them or submit my life to them. Because only the LORD deserves my worship, my following and heart of submission.

What do you call Him?

His,
Vickie

Note: We still have spots available for the Eastern Europe Retreat. Get the word out to your friends that serve in that part of the world and email me at vickie@purejoyinternational.org for more details or go to www.purejoyinternational.org to register online.