Godspeed
by Daniel Casella, Searcy, AR
EEM Event at Searcy, AR
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. –Paul, the apostle, Ephesians 6:12
Recently, EEM hosted a dinner here in Searcy and shared the amazing stories of God’s continued work in Eastern European countries. From Bible teaching opportunities to newly opened doors to Bible distribution miracles. Whether the stories unfold faster or slower than what some might prefer, they’re all unfolding at God’s pace, to which EEM has learned of no better way to respond than with the sentiment “Godspeed.”
Dirk Smith, vice president of development, who gave the presentation said something that speaks to the pace God has set lately for EEM’s mission.
“People ask me all the time, ‘Man, how do you travel so much?’ My response to that is I can’t not travel. I can’t not tell this story, because I want to share it with as many people as I possibly can because it’s truly a blessing to be a part of this.”
As Dirk continued, he told dinner guests about the Youth Camp program and the Ukrainian government’s invitation to teach Christian ethics in the secular youth camps.
“Here’s the challenge: There are 500 camps and not a whole lot of EEM staff. We’ll do all the heavy lifting. We have four years of curriculum – in Ukrainian, in Russian and in English. We will find the interpreters for you. But you have to go. You’ve got to put together the team and go.”
To that call, six teams have responded this year.
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Team Training, Dallas, TX
Two weekends ago, EEM hosted its Team Training retreat in Grapevine, Texas to help these teams prepare to go full speed into the spiritual battles each will face – now, as they continue preparing, and later when they arrive to their respective host camps. Activities of the training weekend met three needs: mental preparation by learning what to expect this year, emotional preparation through spending time together as teams, and spiritual preparation in praying for Ukraine all throughout the weekend.
The teams were blessed to hear the perspectives of three Ukrainian team members who are presently in country. Each of the teams were able to receive the firsthand perspectives from these Ukrainian team members that will aid them in avoiding unnecessary hang-ups and keeping God’s pace when they get to camp.
Although I will not be able to join my team this year, I was welcomed to come to the training weekend to assist with the event. I was there to help, contribute to discussion, and wish the teams Godspeed in person as much as possible.
When Christians think of “camp”, what probably comes to mind is the idea of a place you go to find retreat. To some extent, these camps in Ukraine are a retreat, especially for some of the Ukrainian children who attend. To a much deeper effect, though, these camps are more like boot camps when we remember the spiritual warfare that is the very reason these teams go.
Though I can’t go this year, I remind myself that an invaluable element to the spiritual battles these teams will encounter is the distance team members: those who lift them up in prayer, contribute funds as a blessing from God, help purchase or donate supplies for the trip, or those who in any other way offer support and assist these teams’ preparation.
As we continue to wish these teams Godspeed and join God’s team as their distance team members, let us always keep in mind that at God’s speed and pace the mission will be served. Godspeed, EEM Youth Camp Program teams!
“God’s work, done God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” – Hudson Taylor
