TRIP DATES:  July 22 - August 10

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18:
Pastor Mike Gaston writes:

The last six members of our stranded Czech team arrived home safe and sound on Wednesday evening, and were warmly welcomed by their friends and family. This brings to a close not only the Czech ministry, but the entire Grace to the Nations 2006 summer missions outreach. Thank you for praying our team members home, and for helping us to make an impact in 8 countries around the world. Grace to you!

MONDAY, AUGUST 14:
Pastor Mike Gaston writes:

The travel plans for our Czech teams were impacted by the ripple effect of the foiled terrorist plot last week.  The teams were due to fly through Heathrow airport on British Airways last Thursday, but the flight was cancelled just before take-off, and the teams were stuck in Prague.  After we were initially told that it could take up to three weeks to get everyone home, God worked powerfully to provide tickets for our 21 team members to travel individually and in small groups, with everyone scheduled to be home by Wednesday, less than a week later than planned.

10 team members arrived home safely this last weekend, though several had eventful trips that included cancelled flights and missed connections, with one actually spending a night in the terminal at Heathrow.  None are traveling today.  Five will travel on Tuesday, and the last six will leave Prague on Wednesday.  Please continue to pray for those who have yet to arrive home, and for their families as they await their return.  We will update this website every day until the teams are home.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6:

Becky writes:

Hi, prayer supporters,

Our camp ended very well.  On gospel night, Katka (first time camper, 16 years old, in Justin , Kimberly, and Clara's class) accepted Christ.  Praise God!

Olga, here last year, made an official declaration, too (she had prayed last year because she believed in God, but did not live a life of love).  She really felt loved this year in our discussion group time.  Zuzka, Jana, Vlasta, Jenna and all in the class really reached out to her.

Marketa had an opportunity to talk with Martina (Katka's friend) who had never even heard about Jesus in her lifetime.  She was given a Bible and really wants to read more and learn more about God, Christ, and Christitanity. 

Tomas, a happy Vietnamese, talked a long time with Justin about the gospel message.  He had never heard of these things, as his family is all Buddist.  He has a soft heart and is very open.

Kaja, Martin's older brother, had a great spiritual discussion with Nick and Jenna.  He is seriously thinking about everything he has heard this week.  He lives right next to the church and today was the first time he has ever set foot in the building.

God is also doing an amazing work in the youth group, that I believe will bring reconciliation and peace to the whole church.  The youth group came across many physical injuries at camp and heard some hard news from home while at camp.  The girl leaders had a prayer session for the trials they are encountering. 

Today the whole church was encouraged.  Right now the church is without a pastor, so Landen let them know that GBC was in a pastor transition as well and that 100s of people from GBC were praying for the Cheb church.  The elders in the Cheb church were touched. 

Honza shared how God had humbled him through an injury at camp and had encouraged him through talks with Adam about how to do youth ministry.  He asked the church to pray for a lot of things that were shared about what God had started at camp. 

Zuzka shared with the church how their youth group has started to love one another by sharing each other's burdens and for praying immediately when hardships occured.  Since their church has several difficult situations going on, there was a time for the church to pray with those sitting near them. 

I am excited about what God has done, is doing, and is continuing to do through the Cheb youth.

Thank you for your ongoing prayer support.  Prayer is powerful.

Much love,
Becky and the GBC team

SATURDAY, JULY 29:

Justin called saying:

Czech 1 team is doing well.  The camp was great and the team made some good connections with campers.  Everyone is healthy and enjoying a great ministry among the Czech youth!

THURSDAY, JULY 27:

Becky writes:

Our team has had a blessed time in the Czech. Since we have arrived at Malenovice for training camp, we have had opportunities to spend a lot of time in devotions, worship, fellowship, preparations for camp, and rest.

The Bohumin Czech 2 team has some praises to report. When we left the States there were only ten youth from the church signed up for camp and seven non-believers. The goal of Josiah Venture is to have more non-believers than believers attend camp, so that the discussion groups are open for the non-believers to state what they truly think.
Today we heard that there are now twelve non-believers. So, Bohumin team will have small English classes where they can really get to know each person at camp.

The Cheb Czech 1 team has about 45 campers planning on attending English camp. Last year there were about 15 Christians and 14 non-Christians, with very few boys. This year we will have 28 girls and 32 boys at camp (that includes our ministry team). This increase in students attending camp is largely due to the fact that the youth group has been more intentional about inviting their non-believing friends to camp. We would appreciate your prayers for evening discussion groups where we will be talking about what they think about the gospel. Also, our team is leaving at 4:45 am in order to travel eight hours by foot, bus, train, and maybe even tram with all of our luggage through the Czech countryside to our camp. The camp is a few hours north of Pardubice (northeast of Prague).

Thanks for your prayers. We are encouraged by them and know that the unity among our team is a result of prayer.

God bless,

TUESDAY, JULY 25:

Becky writes: