Global News | The Buzz
Reachingthe world takes the effort of everyone, not just those on the field.
Knowing our Global Partners well, and how to pray and encourage them appropriately, requires time and energy. Your presence to hear and learn from them while they are in-country is a HUGE encouragement, even when financial support isn’t possible.
This page will be updated regularly with updates from our short-term teams and information on who’s in town and how you can be engaged in Memphis or around the world.
Fall 2026 Teams
Peru Team | September 26-October 3
Belize Team | October 11-17
Asia Team | October 11-November 15 (2 teams)
Asia Team | November 13-21
Summer 2026 Teams
Spain Team | May 15-23
Czech Team | July 1-13
Moldova Team | July 14-24
Serbia Team | July 24-August 1
Japan Team | August 21-31
Japan Short-Term Team
Date: August 21, 2026
Day 1:
“We left the Memphis airport at 5:40am, and arrived in Dallas at 7:20am. Around 8:00am, we prayed together at our terminal before an emergency alarm informed us to evacuate the area. While riding the tram around the airport, we theorized by the presence of firetrucks that there must have been a fire hazard near our terminal, and the situation was cleared up after a short time. Our flight to Tokyo took off at 11:00am and had no troubles other than the general lengthy time of the flight.”
-Keegan Fowler
Date: August 22, 2026
Day 2:
“We landed in Tokyo around 2:00pm local time. Customs were packed, but we made it into the country without any trouble. Roger met us at the airport at 3:30pm. He drove us our apartment room through a thunderstorm, which Roger informed us was unusual to have such heavy rain. The Lowther’s graciously hosted us for dinner. We got to know each other and had good fellowship.”
-Keegan Fowler
Date: August 23, 2026
Day 3:
“Early in the morning, there was an earthquake that shook our beds and stirred us awake. It did not last long, and the Lord protected us. In the morning, we explored the area, stopping at coffee and grocery shops next door. In the afternoon, we met the congregation at Grace City Church in Tokyo and worshipped with them. We took the train to Nojiri Lake in the evening and set up to stay at our cabin.”
-Keegan Fowler
Date: August 24, 2026
Day 4:
“We marched to the Lowther cabin in the morning with our gear and met Sheyen and Mark, two local craftsmen who used their expertise to help plan our week of work. Most of the day was spent demolishing, planning, and digging dirt out from under the cabin floors. We also purchased timber and plumbing hardware to begin building.”
-Keegan Fowler
Date: August 25, 2026
Day 5:
“There was more digging to be done in the morning, as well as demolishing rotten wood around the shower of the cabin. Plumbing work started, as we replaced the piping for the kitchen’s water. Mid-morning, we took a break to visit a house Sheyen and Mark had recently renovated to see their typical work and gather some new ideas for the cabin’s renovations.
We also stopped to see Sheyen’s own home and met his wife. During lunchtime, we invited Sheyen and Mark, as well as Sheyen’s mother, who is staying in the area. We had good conversation about the things of the Lord. The good conversation continued into the afternoon as we worked on more digging, sharing insights on topics like the nature of sin and disciple-making. We began cutting new wooden beams to start building the new walls of the shower room. We also re-routed the main water shut-off to be inside the cabin to make access easier and protect it from the heavy elements.”
-Keegan Fowler
Date August 26, 2026
Day 6:
“The morning was filled with more planning and strategizing, particularly regarding the drainage systems around the land the cabin is built on. More digging was done around the outside of the cabin, and completed areas of plumbing were filled in with clay and soil.
With the franticness of the morning, we used our lunch break to drive around the mountains to treat the group with a local ice cream made with freshly grown blueberries. The treat refreshed us for the afternoon as Mark returned from an errand run with a truckload of supplies that needed to be hauled up the hill.
We hiked up and down the hill with new foundation stones, along with several bags of sand and gravel. With that, Sheyen and Mark could jack up the center of the cabin and begin meticulously placing and leveling new foundation along the inside. They cut a new load-bearing beam and slotted it in across the stones. Meanwhile, progress was made on the plumbing, running pipes towards where the new kitchen will be placed, and beams for the new walls of the shower room were carved out and jointed together.”
-Keegan Fowler
Date August 27, 2026
Day 7:
“Rain rolled over and persisted all night long and into the day, making it difficult to begin work. Though I think the Lord blessed us through it by giving us a slow morning to rest. The rain also gave us a chance to test our new drainage ditch. The rain lifted in the afternoon, and we went to the site to see that only two areas of the under-cabin had water flowing through, which we were able to patch up. We continued working mostly inside the cabin, sheltered from the rain, placing new foundation stones and fitting along support beams for a new flooring. The more intimate workspace fostered gospel and discipleship conversations. At the end of the day, we had some fellowship and games with the team and the Lowthers.”
-Keegan Fowler
Date August 28, 2026
Day 8:
“There was still some rain, but nothing to hinder us from a full day of work. The morning was mostly ruled by bringing a full shipment of lumber down into the village and up the hill to the cabin. The afternoon excitement was attributed to our crafty efforts to cut down a diseased tree on the side of the cabin hill. With makeshift harnesses, chainsaws, and pulley systems, we cut and pulled down branches to fell the tree. This was our last day working with Sheyen and Mark, and we gave them some trinkets of our appreciation from the States. In return, Sheyen gave us some of his homegrown vegetables. It was a bittersweet goodbye, but I am rejoicing because I believe the weight of their departure proved that a strong depth of friendship was achieved in only a short week of work.”
-Keegan Fowler
Date August 29, 2026
Day 9:
“The rain returned with quite the fervor today. The locals said this was the most it has rained all year. Nevertheless, with only one day left to work, we were on the site early in the morning with umbrellas. For a time, we worked inside, sawing and chiseling boards that would be the foundation for the cabin’s floor. A challenging afternoon activity had us removing the demolished wall and floor lumber that was piled up over the course of the week and tossing it all down the hill to be moved and collected for firewood. The rain and mud buildup made it an intense challenge, but it was a needed task to ease up the work Sheyen and Mark will continue next week. We packed up our personal gear and tools as the sun went down, and we prepared to return to Tokyo tomorrow.”
-Keegan Fowler
Date August 30, 2026
Day 10:
“It was a busy morning of packing and cleaning the cabin we had been staying in over the course of the week. The team split up that morning to return to Tokyo, half of us taking the bullet train, and the other half riding in the car with Roger. We arrived just in time for service at Grace City Church Tokyo, where we enjoyed worship for the second time with some of the familiar faces we met the previous Sunday. With an afternoon to rest before our flight back to Memphis tomorrow, the team hit the town without any of our local guides. We explored well and managed to figure out public transit in a foreign language well enough to make it back safely to the Tokyo apartment, where we will sleep only one more night in Japan.”
-Keegan Fowler
Moldova Short-Term Team
Date: July 16, 2026
Day 1 (Part 1):
“We had a mostly uneventful trip minus a delay before we even left Memphis, but otherwise travel was smooth with a few spouts of turbulence in air as to be expected.
We had a sweet time visiting with Dan and Ema Onu, Dan’s brother Radu and their niece, Teodora Baciu. It was nice to catch up and fellowship with them over dinner and gelato at Iasi’s Palas mall.
Marcela Muresan, who translated for First Evan teams in the 2000s and 2010 met up with Abigail at Palas. She enjoyed catching up with her.
The team went grocery shopping to get some water and then came back to the hotel to encourage each other and spend some time in prayer. It was a sweet time as a team as we prayed for the kids coming to Moldova camp and the details.
Thank you for your prayers.”
Day 1 (Part 2):
The Romanians gave us an opportunity to rest Thursday morning, which we all took. We ate breakfast early but then went back to our rooms and were able to nap, read our Bibles, etc.
Dan then drove us to lunch at Moldova Mall. The mall is called that but it is actually in Romania. The region of Romania we are staying in is known as Moldova. Those who have been to Romania may remember a Moldova mall closer to the Palace of Culture and Palas Mall. However, that closed many years ago and is now more of an office building with the restaurants remaining on the ground floor. This Moldova Mall is newer and was constructed within the last two years. It’s still nicer than any mall in Memphis, but Palas is still a popular place with more people than we saw at Moldova Mall yesterday.
After that we went to Eclesia Tudor is Iași to meet with Teo Baciu, Dan and Ema’s niece, about camp. Teo runs camp like a well-oiled machine. Then we practiced our skits for camp.
After that the team went to Iulius Mall for dinner before returning to the hotel for a restful night.
Meg is supposed to join the team Friday afternoon. Pray that she arrives safely with her bags. We look forward to her joining us after spending a few days at the beach with First Evan students.
-Abigail Warren
Date: July 17-18, 2026
Days 2 & 3:
“Friday we continued to prepare for camp and spent time in fellowship with the Romanians and Ukrainians with whom we are serving alongside this week. We played volleyball, ate pizza and prayed expectantly for the Moldovan children.
Saturday we left for camp. We arrived and said hello to the Moldovans. While we were still unloading our luggage, the bus full of about 70 children and more Moldovan leaders arrived. Some of them remembered us from last year, even asking about those who didn’t return — especially Bethany Scoggins.
Maxim, one of the children, got off the bus and ran straight for Caleb Love. It’s sweet as they come up to us, telling us they remember us. Although Geoffrey wasn’t here like the remainder of the American team, you wouldn’t be able to tell because he’s a natural with the children and in building relationships with the Romanian leaders.
We played and played and played with the kids Saturday afternoon. Sidewalk chalk, European football (also known as soccer) and group games.
It’s sweet to see the Moldovan leaders who are serving faithfully. It’s also sweet to see new leaders. Yesterday, we were introduced to Irina and her husband David. Irina grew up in Tirnova, one of the children’s projects with Eclesia. Now she is married and has two children. She is helping with the children’s projects in Moldova. This is the Eclesia vision in action, a new generation shining for Christ. Dan and Ema and the other Moldovan leaders have faithfully poured into children and those children can rise up so the work continues for many many years.
Florin Trandafir, who served in Țaul previously, drove us to camp yesterday and his younger two children are serving with us. It’s wild to see that Florinel and Estera matured into young adults and want to serve. They very energetically lead the kids in songs during chapel.
We are using Pilgrim’s Progress as a guide for our camp curriculum. Last night Abigail shared the gospel and the kids seemed attentive. Please pray the kids realize knowing Jesus is not about works and all about what Christ did — that it’s about relationship, not rituals.
The Romanian and Moldovan leaders want to build relationships, so after the kids go to bed, some of the younger leaders remain up playing games.
It’s sweet in the mornings to feel a sense of oneness with the leaders from other nationalities as we are united because of Christ and in one purpose, to share Jesus with these kids.”
-Abigail Warren
Date: July 20th, 2026
Day 5:
“It’s hard to believe we are halfway through our time at camp. Monday we had no rain until we went to bed (praise the Lord). It was a beautiful day.
The schedule was mostly the same with morning rotations and in the afternoon they have team time. Many of the Moldovan leaders said the kids seem to engage and perk up when they share stories from their own life.
Dan said most of the kids have been in the Eclesia children’s project but some have not and he wants to invite them. The kids sometimes are the first point of contact Eclesia has with a family. He told me a story this morning of after one child coming to the project, he met the family and several of them are now believers engaging in the church. Camp gives the kids a week of fun and love, but it also can help unlock doors for the gospel in the villages the kids are from (Taul, Tirnova and Plop).
The kids played the first half of a soccer game in the afternoon picking Brazil and Argentina as the teams they wanted to be. They also got to zip line, which is a unique experience they wouldn’t get at home.
So many of the kids want hugs frequently. We love giving them and it makes us wonder about their home lives. Dan can tell the story of every child. Several of them have parents who have died. Others have parents who aren’t present. It’s so hard to comprehend what the kids have been through from a young age.
Yesterday the skit the Americans put on related to Pilgrim’s Progress included a giant. Geoffrey (the giant) had to roar and when he did several of the kids jumped!! Addie gave a strong message about the armor of God and following Jesus even when it’s hard.
Please pray for the continued planting of seeds, for endurance for us and that we (kids and leaders) continue to have no injuries. Also please pray that the kids are seeing Jesus love through our hugs and smiles.”
-Abigail Warren
Date: July 23rd, 2026
Days 6-8:
“We had a blessed final two days at camp. The rain held off mostly and it only sprinkled the final night so the kids were able to enjoy the bonfire.
As the week went on, some nights the Americans would stay up late with the young Moldovan and Romanian adults for fellowship purposes. While it made for long days, the relationships formed were sweet.
Thursday we watched the kids load up on the bus. They shed many tears and some of us cried too knowing they are headed back to broken situations. We are praying they remember how much Jesus loves them and he is with them even in their hard situations back home.
The line at the border was somewhat long we spent about two hours. On the way over to Moldova the wait and lines were much shorter.
We will fellowship with the Romanians we serve alongside tonight before a short night rest and returning to the airport in Iasi.
Our flight leaves early Friday morning. We will be at the airport before Memphians even go to bed Thursday night. We will Lord-willing get to Memphis late Friday night.”
-Abigail Warren
Serbia Short-Term Team
Date: July 24. — August 1, 2026
Update 1:
Our travel went well and without any major complications! Sunday morning was a real joy as we were able to worship in the town of Opovo, Serbia in the new Joni’s House (supported by the ministry of Joni Eareckson Tada) that is dedicated to serving adults and children with special needs. The grand opening was the day before we arrived and is the fruit of a ten year vision by our host Sladjan Milenkovic. It was a very exciting weekend!
Sladjan is the father of Sarah, a survivor of a childhood brain tumor, and we are here this week to serve them as they lead a family camp for survivors of childhood cancer. We are so thankful that our team has worked well together to clean the camp and make preparations for the families’ arrival this afternoon.
Pray that we would decrease and Christ would increase. Also please pray that we would take the form of servants as we work alongside the Camp Hope staff who know these families so well.
Update 2:
What a sweet place this is. A communist era hotel built in 1952, now converted into a small campus in rural Serbia, that serves as a Bible school during the academic year, and in the summers, a happy place for camp for children with disabilities, and this week for children who are survivors of childhood cancer.
Of the 10 families here this week eight have been at least once before, and many have been coming for years. This has provided a reunion-like atmosphere, where relationships previously formed grow deeper. Cancer may break the body down, but it certainly opens the heart wide.
We have witnessed many things. Linda and Kari taught the young children this morning from the Bible. Our own children have been able to play, nonstop, with the many children here and quite simply, just have fun. Here, in this environment, survivors of childhood cancer can “be just like everybody else“. This is no small blessing to them.
Pray for Stephen tomorrow as he speaks to the parents from 1 Peter 1:5-6, about “…an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for you. In this we rejoice!”
Thank you for praying for us and having us on your hearts….
Update 3:
Well, who said missions couldn’t be fun? In the last two days with more than 100 survivors of childhood cancer, siblings, parents, volunteers, and staff we’ve had Olympic games, an incredible Bingo night and a talent show that truly had us laughing for hours. Imagine a place where a child with Down’s syndrome, a childhood leukemia survivor, can walk the red carpet and take first place at a talent show. I wish you could’ve seen the joy! One of the goals of this camp is to help these children and their families feel three things: Loved, Seen, and Welcomed. And do they ever!
This is our third summer to come to Camp Hope, but, compared to previous visits, this time there was a clear inflection point. After a session with the parents that included an adult sibling of a survivor a child of cancer reflecting on the trials of watching her older sister go through cancer treatment, we really saw growth of the relationships here between the parents and the desire to help all of the children and their family through this process.
There also was a spiritual inflection point as well. After another session, a parent, actually one of the leaders in this parent group, asked if they could learn how to study the Bible. This was spontaneous and six parents decided to skip their afternoon free time and asked us to teach them the Word.
Most of them had never read the Bible. So we started by talking about how to look up passages using chapters and verses. Then we spent an hour looking at the last chapter of the book of John, studying Jesus’ three-fold forgiveness for Peter’s three-fold denial. What a great narrative to show the love of God!
We depart Serbia tomorrow and we leave behind what is clearly a work of the Holy Spirit to create a new desire among a number of these parents. We are so thankful for our host, Sladjan and his ongoing work for almost 20 years. Starting next month, they’ll hold weekly church services in the neighboring town of Opovo, at the newly opened Joni’s House. Since many of these families live regionally, they’ll now have a place to meet and worship together.
