Last Update

Hi guys!

I finished my last week in Lithuania with lots of good memories. During my last week we said goodbye to our last group, we had a time of fellowship at the lake with a couple from the Vilnius church. On Thursday I had the opportunity to tour the concentration camp in Kaunas. It was very sad to see the conditions that so many were subject to. I was able to see a newly opened part of the camp which was used as a barricade. To enter the area we walked through tunnels that were 140 meters long, had no lighting and were wet and creepy. We then went and had Bible study with the college students in Kaunas which was a lot of fun as always!

On Friday we had some water balloons so Preston, Peyton, and I filled them and launched them off our four story balcony! I enjoyed spending the summer with them and will miss them greatly.

On Saturday I got on the airplane after just a tad bit of trouble and was on my way. On my first flight I was able to share my story with one lady and her son when she asked what I was doing in Lithuania and if I thought their country had any hope. When she was a teenager she sought religion and her mother burned the Bible she had found and beat her for studying it. Pray for her that she would take her new freedom and seek God. It was a long trip but on Sunday afternoon I made it to New Mexico where I am attended collegiate week at Glorietta as a wrap up to my summer. I was able to fellowship with other students who have also served on mission this summer from across the nation.

This summer I have learned so much. From the flood, to meeting the president of Lithuania, to dealing with groups I have learned so much about ministry, my strengths (and weaknesses), and myself in general.

I covet your prayers as I return to life in the states. The transition so far has been difficult for me. Pray that as I get ready to begin school that I would be able to live with the passion I have developed for missions, and people, and especially Lithuania, but that I would be able to find focus and clarity.

Thank all of you for your prayers and messages of encouragement. It has been a huge encouragement for me to know that I have had people praying for and thinking about me. I pray that God has blessed you through these stories. If any of you would like to hear more about my experience please let me know! I love talking about my experiences and would enjoy sharing with you.

Much Love,

Elizabeth McLellan

Women's retreat

The Women’s retreat went really well this past weekend. We had 22 ladies that attended the whole weekend and an additional five that attended the sessions on Saturday. The theme of the weekend was that God makes everything beautiful in his time. On Friday evening we had a devotional time and then sang worship songs in both English and Lithuanian for over an hour.

On Saturday the Bible studies continued and that evening the men came out and we had baptism. We baptized one lady from Vilnius and five other believers from the church in Klaipeda. It was a great time of testimony and worship for everyone. After the men had left we were in small groups talking just having fellowship and three women shard the gospel with two sisters that attended the retreat, both accepted Christ as the personal Savior!

On Sunday morning we traveled to the church in Šilute for worship. Three women shared what the retreat meant to them and how they were encouraged over the weekend. One more woman that had not attended the retreat accepted Christ after the service. It was my last Sunday in Lithuania and qute emotional for me. I said goodbye to many good friends that I will not get to see over the next week.

It is hard to believe my time here is almost finished. Please pray for me in my last week here that I will make the most every opportunity presented to me.