A generation awaits...
Josiah Venture 2X3 Campaign

First we want to say to all you Minnesotians (is that a word?!) – everyone from airport personnel to hotel staff to your average guy on the street is so warm, helpful, friendly and professional here! We were really struck by that from the moment we landed at the airport. We like your state!

Of course our time together at the vision night was more of the same as we’d already experienced! People were so excited, engaged, and happy to be there…it was a joy to connect with everyone!

There were about 175 at this vision night – a great turn-out! Trevor and Cassie personally had 60 of their friends, family and supporters there! That’s about a third of the audience!

We asked for a show of hands for those who had been over to Eastern Europe with JV to serve in some capacity and over half of the audience raised their hands! No wonder there was such an excitement in the air…you already knew some of the unique things about JV!

Testimonies last night were very strong again – Katka and Ondra from Czech did a fabulous job, as well as Lukasz from Poland, and Trevor. One of Lukasz’s thoughts was especially powerful as he said,“Everything they gave me, I’m supposed to pass on”. Yes! That’s the heart of of our ministry! We don’t want to just put together programs but rather make disciples who make disciples. Awesome to hear from one of our own that he’s doing just that!

Our JV Board Chairman, Philip Vierling, was with us since this is his home turf. It was great to have he and his wife there, and be encouraged by his enthusiasm for JV!

One man and his wife were there who knew nothing about JV coming into the evening! His mission’s pastor was scheduled to come but couldn’t at the last moment so called this man and asked if he could come. He said he quickly “Googled” JV to see what he was getting into as he had no idea. At the end of the evening he came to Dave Patty and said, “That was the best event of this sort I’ve ever been to…if I had a million dollars, I’d give it to JV!” Great testimony! We’re glad that even someone who is absolutely unfamiliar with us caught our heart, vision and passion for young people in Eastern Europe!

We’re getting on a plane now to Denver…Number 10 tonight!! This will be a big crowd – over 300. It’s hometown territory for many of our JV staff so will be another “homecoming” of sorts…can’t wait!

Peoria is definitely Ellenwood and Krupa territory! There were SO many people there on Saturday night connected to these two…it was great!

Amy’s words about the evening were priceless…here’s a slice of what she had to say about it:

“We had the warmest, most intimate time here in Peoria! There were people here who have literally been praying for me and my family most of my life! What a joy it was to let them into my world through this vision night. There were more than a few of my dear friends and family who walked away with a whole new perspective on my life and ministry…and with a few tears in their eyes too! What a special time to share with them.

We stayed late into the evening talking to people, catching up on their lives, and sharing ours as well. So precious! I didn’t want to leave! Of course I had my mom and brother and his family here too so that made it all the more special. I don’t know how it could have been a better night! Thanks to all of you who are praying and standing with us in JV…it means the world to us”.

Set-up for the evening was challenging there due to a number of things…but as usual, the team flexed and made it work beautifully. Way to go team!!! It really was a great night.

We’re already up in Minneapolis now after having had a very early morning flight today. We’ll catch our breath a bit, do some e-mail, and then get ourselves ready for tonight!

We are having so much fun at this…can hardly wait to connect with those who will still join us in the coming nights!!

We had an early morning as we headed out of the hotel in Hamilton to the Toronto airport, heading to Peoria, Illinois today. This was one of our quick turn-around days, with very little time to spare.

And wouldn’t you know…it was the day the computer system was down at the airport. On top of that, we didn’t know we needed to be there so early to get through customs. So by the time we arrived, we stepped into an already chaotic situation, late and in danger of missing our flight.

The first lady at the ticket counter had little tolerance for our situation and was quite unhelpful. Thankfully the Lord sent a compassionate woman along who had the authority to help us out. But even she had a hard time figuring out how to solve our dilemma!

We sent Lauree and our two sound guys on ahead, with no luggage, figuring at least they could get to Peoria and start set-up. It was too late for luggage and the rest of us to make that flight, so we put our hopes on the Lord (and the compassionate lady!) for finding us seats on another flight.

With just minutes to spare she was able to get the last four seats on the next plane headed for Chicago…first class seats no less! We walked on the flight, sat down, and literally took off breathing huge sighs of relief and thanks to the Lord!

But then there was the Chicago airport to navigate…and let’s just say it didn’t look good for getting us on the connecting flight to Peoria! If it hadn’t been for Mel’s question to an airport employee about the fastest way to another terminal, I doubt we would’ve made it! But his directions to a little known gate with a shuttle bus (who would’ve ever known!) were just what we needed!

We were literally running through the next terminal, hearing them page our names, as we made the fastest beeline ever to the gate! Our boarding passes were waiting for us, we grabbed them, quickly boarded the plane, sat down, and the doors closed for take-off. We were THAT close!

And you know what? Lauree and the guys were on that flight too! It was our original connecting flight that we thought we’d have no chance of making!

With a sigh of relief we rested our heads for the short flight, praising God for his traveling mercies today!

The story doesn’t end there though. When we arrived, none of our baggage had made it! All our clothes for the evening were somewhere between Toronto and Peoria! We left the airport for the hotel, not knowing what we’d be wearing tonight but praising God that at least we would be there!

But the Lord was very kind to us. A couple hours after arrival, our bags miraculously arrived at the hotel!

So we’re dressed and ready to go for Vision Night #8, sure that the Lord has something special in mind for tonight since we almost didn’t make it here!

Yet another great vision night in Hamilton, Ontario! This was perhaps the most committed crowd who showed up for this evening!

Some people drove over four hours to get there, many endured bad weather in order to come, what normally would take 45 minutes to get to the hotel took 2 hours…and friends of the Patty’s drove over 16 hours from New Brunswick to be there! Thanks to all of you for caring and enduring to be there with us!

Of course you have to know that many in this crowd have been supporting JV for over 14 years…nearly since the beginning of the ministry. So these people have prayed, given, come, served and been committed to the work the Lord’s been about for a long time. It was a blessing to share the fruit with them!

One of those long time friends said at the end, “Please tell me that we conservative Canadians were the only ones who DIDN’T give you a standing ovation at the end!” He went on to say that it was all he could do to restrain himself from standing and cheering for the Lord and what He’s done in these past fifteen years through JV! Actually…we haven’t had a standing ovation yet, but who knows…there’s still four more events to go!

We thank the Lord for the sweet connections and interactions we had with people in Hamilton, and for their ongoing support and encouragement to the work of JV. It’s because of people like you, and the hundreds of others we’ve seen at our vision nights, that there is such fruit in this ministry. We have been covered in prayer and support for fifteen years by dear friends and family. For that, we feel extremely blessed and thankful to the Lord.

On to Peoria tonight!

What a great city Atlanta is! While parking is a bit tricky (at least that’s what people told us!) and we got started a bit late, we liked it here! We especially enjoyed our time catching up with lots of old friends – especially people who have served in JV over the years.

It was a bit like “old home week” seeing Desnoyer’s, Amy Lawlor, Leann (with her cute baby!), friends from Northpoint and many, many others. There were even people here that some of us hadn’t seen in twenty years! Wow…we love how these vision nights have given us the chance and reason to connect with so many great people from our lives.

Again, it was great night of testimonies and sharing our heart for the youth of Eastern Europe. Seemed like people were really engaged in what we shared, and we had conversations with people until late in the night.

Because of that, it was a short night – only about 2 hours of sleep for most of us. We had to be up and out of the hotel by 4 AM this morning, at the airport by 5 and on a plane to Canada at 6!! We’re in Hamilton, Ontario now setting up for tonight’s vision night where we expect a good crowd.

Thanks so much for your prayers for us…please don’t stop! While we’re energized by the things we’re sharing, and people we’re connecting with, this is quite a demanding schedule. Pray that we’ll continue to walk closely with the Lord, be gracious to each other, and keep our eyes on the task the Lord has for us in these days.

Loving this!!

One of the greatest joys during these Vision Nights is seeing people who have served with JV over the years. In Pasadena last night there were a bunch! It was like the best kind of “Homecoming” you could imagine – seeing people gathered together who have shared a common bond, vision and experience. Thanks to all of you who have given of yourselves, your hearts, your faith, your enthusiasm and your time to serve with JV. We hope some of you will come back!

It was a great night there connecting with so many friends, and of course sharing with them our heart and God’s heart for the future of JV.

Today is a “catch up day” since we have a two day break before the next vision night in Atlanta on Thursday. And plus it’s election day…everyone has their minds on that today. We’re doing e-mail, having meetings, drinking coffee and catching up on sleep a bit before we fly tomorrow.

Continue to pray for strength for those of us traveling – we’re tired, but at the same time, energized by what we’re getting to do! Pray that today and tomorrow will physically refresh us, and that we’ll be ready to go again Thursday night for Vision Night #6!