Slovakian Annual CEF Conference

I have just returned from taking part in the annual CEF conference in Slovakia. Around 100 people of all ages were in attendance for all or part of the 4 day programme. I had a couple of seminars each day on Youth Challenge related subjects. This was particularly appropriate as it tied in with the launch of the JYC manual, 'God Says' in Slovakian.
It was a particular privilege to share the pulpit with Czeslaw Bassara who was the main Bible teacher. After the conference I accompanied Josef and Lubica to visit the CEF camp centre, the National Office, their home and a half day visit of the centre of Bratislava.

Text revision of the next JYC manual completed

Together with David Crutchley, I have just completed the text revision of the next JYC manual 'The World'. We are very excited about how this project has developed and we think this could be the best manual yet!
Please pray for Sarah as she now edits and proofreads and for Brent as he works on the layout and design.
We praise God for giving us the strength to reach this important milestone. The finished product should be out in May.

Illustrations for new JYC manual completed

These past two weeks I have been working in Kilchzimmer alongside Marek from the Czech Republic. He has just completed all the illustrations for our fifth and final manual - 'The World'. Marek has now redrawn all the illustrations for all 5 manuals in the JYC teaching cycle. We are so grateful that he has been willing to use his God given gifts in this way. It was also great that his wife (Veru) could travel with him this time.

Marek, Veru, me and Brent

Following Jesus is here!

Today we received the first printed copy of the new JYC manual - Following Jesus. The rest are on their way to Ireland and the USA to be used in the new school year. On such an occasion as this Brent couldn't pass up a photo opportunity. Do we look relieved or what? :)
Thanks to David Crutchley (co-writing), Brent (design), Marek (illustrations), Sarah and Lizanne (proofing) and Bogdan (overseeing printing).

Photo: Brent and me

Next stage for new manual

After many weeks of intensive study and writing I am pleased to say that the manuscript for the next JYC manual has now been completed. Now it is being proofread by Sarah and Brent has started the design of the handouts and visuals. It will then be sent to the printer in Poland (some time in June DV). This continues to be the biggest project I have worked on since taking up this post. I have been particularly thankful for the helpful assistance of David Crutchley in the revision and writing of this text. Thank you for praying for us thus far and please keep praying that this manual will soon be printed and distributed to those who are reaching young people throughout the world.

New JYC manuals in other languages

I just got two pieces of good news today concerning our JYC literature:
1) German CEF are about to start printing "God Says" and they hope to have it ready for distribution by the end of the month. The James manual sold very well in the German speaking countries and we believe that this, the first manual of the 5 year cycle to be translated, will also sell very well.
2) Romanian CEF are planning to have their third manual "The Christian Soldier" ready for distribution at their regional conferences in February 2008.
Praise God with us for these positive developments and pray that everything will run smoothly so that these materials will soon be in the hands of JYC teachers across Germany and Romania.