Great to be in Minneapolis!
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!
