Driving in Eastern Europe, JV Family Conference & Theresa Kerns

We have been back in Tirana just over a week now from our long road trip to the Czech Republic. We traveled 17 hours from Tirana, Albania up through Montenegro then into Croatia. We spent a few nights in Kastav, Croatia, with the Vuletic family who serve with Josiah Venture there. From there, Stevo Vuletic and Justin continued their journey of 10 more hours through Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, and on into Czech for the JV Council. Gretchen spent a few more days with Sarah Vuletic and made the same long trip up to Czech with Sarah and her 3 kids! We had a packed car, but it was such a good time of fellowship. We thank the Lord for keeping up safe every kilometer of the way.
Our time at the JV Spring Conference was wonderful. It was our first official Spring Conference since joining JV at the beginning of 2008. The JV Council meetings as always are a highlight for Justin. We were inspired and energized by being reminded what God is currently doing all over Eastern Europe. At the conference we were thankful to experience some precious moments with the JV family as they said goodbye to some very important families and singles.
It definitely was not a relaxing time for us physically, as Evangeline had a viral fever during the first 6 days of our trip! That combined with the fact that she and Samuel were not in their normal beds made for precious little sleep for their parents!! But God really encouraged our hearts with many precious times of sweet fellowship with co-laborers. We have some very dear, like-minded friends in Croatia now…and we can’t wait to get back to that beautiful country!
Following the conference we tackled the 27 hours back to Albania from Czech. Actually we were able to do it in 26 hours on the way back ☺ And this time we had a very special passenger, Theresa Kerns. That’s right, she braved the trip with us. It was a bit more demanding on the way back because we drove for two days in a row (with one night in Croatia again at the Vuletic’s).
Theresa Kerns cares for the JV missionary wives all over Eastern Europe. She sacrificially travels to visit each of the missionary wives in order to encourage them through a Titus 2 sort of ministry. She has incredible godly wisdom, insight, and perspective. Having Theresa here with us for one week was so helpful to me (Gretchen). She helped me organize (woohoo!), build lots of shelves for our kitchen and bedroom (woooooohooooo!) and plant flowers, herbs (parsley, dill, mint, cilantro, and basil) and vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers) on our balcony garden. My mom should be so proud! Now I just hope that I can keep them alive ☺ So far they are doing well, but Theresa only left 24 hours ago! Gardening is so satisfying! I will post some pictures of the progress on the balcony garden soon.
Theresa also spoke to the women of our church on Sunday on the passage Titus 2:3-5. She brought a personal aspect to the message and the women (ages ranged from about 16 to 60) received it very well. Titus 2 relationships are lacking in our church, but are essential for a healthy growing body of believers. Please pray for the continued impact of this passage on the women and girls.
We are so thankful to Josiah Venture and Grace Church of DuPage for the ministry of Theresa Kerns (as well as those who financially support her to do what she does)! We are grateful for her sacrificial and selfless love for us in her verbal encouragement as well as homemaking skills. She is truly a godly woman and such a blessing to missionary wives! Thank you, Theresa!!