Poland, Ukraine, Hungary - Ministry with our Grandson Asher!

We are excited to share with you the events that occurred on our recent trip to Europe. We had the great pleasure of having our 15-year-old grandson, Asher, on this trip with us. He came as part of our ministry team. The primary focus of this trip was Converge’s regional gathering for the European Mediterranean region. This brought 167 people together for a week in the mountains of southern Poland. Part of that group was more than 50 children of our workers. To better serve our staff, we brought a team of people from the United States to provide children's ministry. Asher volunteered to be part of that team and raised $3000 in support to join the effort. It was a first opportunity for him to see global missions firsthand - including the raising of personal support!

The gathering itself was a wonderful experience. A sense of unity, deep spiritual connectivity, and commitment to our mission were the hallmarks of the time together. Most of the teaching came from members of our team. The worship sessions were led by a praise team from a local church in Poznan, Poland. There were members of the Converge headquarters staff who joined us and added to the quality and excellent results of the gathering. We were also blessed to welcome several local partners as part of the gathering, with ministry leaders from Finland and Ukraine among the group. They personified the desire that sits as a core value for Converge: our goal is to not only send workers but to develop and support local leaders and local ministries within the culture.

One major development at the gathering was the conclusion of the service of our Regional Director, Dennis McMains. Dennis and his wife Amanda are shifting to part time with Converge International Ministries, where they will serve in Member Care trauma response. While their leadership has been exemplary, and under their leadership the region has become the largest and fastest growing within Converge, their exit was done with honor, dignity, and faith in God's leading.

Bob has been asked to fill the role of Regional Director. He steps into it with humility, faith, and gratitude for the excellent team that God has put together in the Europe and Mediterranean region. We're excited to see where God is going to lead Converge in general, and the region in particular. We are deeply committed to the values, the mission, and the vision of Converge International Ministries.

Following the experience in the mountains of southern Poland, we visited Auschwitz. For Asher and Carol, it was a first-time visit. But whether it is a first time or a familiar experience it never fails to sober the mind and break the heart. It's so important for anyone who can see and recognize just how cruel people can be to one another, and how even a modern, advanced culture can be swayed by hatred, political speech, and greed to commit incomprehensible evil against others. It's also important for us to realize that while we may say “never again,” the truth is That such evil continues in our world to this day in places like central Africa, and even in Eastern Europe.

We left Poland and travelled to western Ukraine. Asher had a chance to see that the evils of World War 2 continue to be duplicated in the 21st century. We visited and stayed with leaders of a ministry entitled Transform Ukraine. Doug (from the USA) and his wife Marina (from Ukraine) have been serving there for more than 25 years. They are currently involved in church planting, leader development, and providing shelter for displaced people from the eastern war zone. When Asher was later asked by his mother Nicole, “what was the most impressive thing you saw on your trip?” His response was, “it was seeing the small housing units that are being built for people who've been left homeless in the war." Even more than the horrors of Auschwitz it was the present-day plight of oppressed people that stayed with him. You can learn more about Transform Ukraine at: www.transformukraine.org

Following our days in Ukraine we traveled to Budapest Hungary. While there we had the chance to visit with a Ukrainian worker with CRU. Zhenya is a veteran of 2 1/2 years in frontline service in the Ukrainian army. Prior to the invasion of 2022, Zhenya had been a worker with crew but when he saw people being sent to the front lines, he felt called to go and serve with them and share the gospel. He left his wife and two children and spent his time in the trenches and in active battles on the eastern front against the Russian army. He has been discharged and has returned to crew as a member of CRU military, where he serves active duty soldiers veterans and the families of soldiers in the midst of the trauma of war. For more information about Zheyna’s ministry, go to: https://yazvinskiyfamilyministry.blogspot.com/

We covet your prayers in the days ahead. With Bob's new role comes a larger sense of responsibility to the entire staff of the Euro-Med region. Frankly it can be a bit overwhelming, but we know that the God who has called us will also sustain us. Thank you for your vital partnership in our ministry! Without the prayerful loving support of our partners, we could not do what God has called us to do. And as we go and serve you by your prayers and your financial support journey with us and share in the fruit of the labor