An Update from Colleen

Hi Everyone,
Hope all is well with you. Here's an update on where God has
me at the moment and I appreciate your continued prayers.

It is difficult for me to write to these words but God knows all--I had to
change my return to the Czech Republic to 6th of January 2010. The reason is I am still in need of financial partners. My monthly partner shortfall is $1,000 per month. (Translates into 10 partners at 100 per month or 20 partners at 50 per mon)

This challenges my faith and yet God gives me a peace and an assurance that I will return to my beloved Czech Republic. I am trusting my God in directing each step I take and I continue to learn from this experience.

I would appreciate your continued prayers as God opens the doors & windows He has for me. Until next time--Take Care! Below I have included a message from my Team Leader, who gives a interesting perspective...

Dear Ministry Partners and Friends of Colleen:

Ten years ago this October Colleen came to the Czech Republic for the
first time. On that Vision Trip a seed was planted in her heart to
serve the Czech people and share the good news of Jesus Christ with
them. Over the next seven years she often returned on short-term
ministry trips to teach conversational English.

Early on we noticed Colleen's humility and love for the Czech people.
We also paid attention to how Czech people loved and responded to
Colleen's ministry. Through her unpretentious ways many people were
drawn into friendship with her. Czechs would make positive
exclamations to us about Colleen. When we saw these qualities in her
life we started to recruit her to serve with us on our Czech ministry
team. The planted seed was being watered.

You have been a part of the watering and growth process in Colleen's
life. Your financial support to get her to the field and your prayers
to keep her on the field have helped her fulfill God's calling on her
life. I can assure you that the potential we saw in Colleen produced
fruit in her first term of service. She has invested herself in
relationships, more than we can number! Many people are eager for her
return and Colleen herself is anxious to return to her adopted home.

We have set a return date for Colleen's return, the first week of
January. It is important for Colleen to return by then for several
reasons. One, the annual visa renewal process takes significant time
and energy. Her presence is the only way to expedite that process. If
she can't be here then she risks having to start the process all over
again. This is even more difficult than the renewal process.

Another time-sensitive commitment is a two-week, intensive Czech
language course at Masaryk University in February. This intensive
course leads into the winter semester. These language study
opportunities play a critical part in Colleen's long-term ministry
future in the Czech Republic. The earlier she can complete her
language studies and achieve Czech linguistic competence the sooner
she can engage in full-time ministry with our team. A delay of a few
weeks in her return could set this goal back six to nine months!

Finally, Colleen's friends--many of them are unbelievers--are eager
for her return. She has so many opportunities for personal evangelism
that her "free" time is almost entirely taken up with them. This is
exceptional and we are amazed at the number and variety of
opportunities she has. Colleen's personal ministry and calling are
maturing; we believe people will come to know the Lord Jesus
personally through her friendship and witness. We do need her here to
maintain and develop these relationships--fruit unto eternal life.

Now is the ideal time to help Colleen on her way and invest in the
coming harvest. Let us encourage you to begin by sending in your
regularly pledged support this week. Perhaps you haven't pledged
regular financial support but would like to make a one-time
contribution. That would be most welcome and we thank you for your
generosity. Before Colleen can return to the Czech Republic the first
week of January she must have 100% of her support raised. In practical
terms this means promises of support and gifts must be realized, i.e.
they must be received into her account at UWM. In this way we can be
assured she has the necessary funding to do what God has called her to
do here in the Czech Republic.

Be assured that the fruit borne in Colleen's life and ministry is your
fruit as well. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of her
financial support. May God bless you richly.

by his empowering presence,
Br. Don and Ellen Harris
UWM, Czech Republic