Extending Christmas...

We finally made it to the assisted living facility. A group of teens here helping with the gypsy ministry took some time to come with us to sing songs and give gifts to some of the people in the home. I'm really hoping in the next few weeks to begin going there to visit with Vesna (Vesna is Zdenka's daughter - Vesna's daughter Sandra lives here and is pictured below). I'm really looking forward to the opportunities to serve there. Please be praying for the precious people I met today...

Anita translating for one of the women in the group.

Sandra, pictured in the orange shirt, is Zdenka's granddaughter. She's is anxiously awaiting her Christmas gift while enjoying the music program!

This lady is Ana... I had a really hard time understanding her except for that she is alone and very lonely. She cried most of the time (except for the times she was laughing with me when I was trying to understand her!) and just accepted all the hand-holding and hugs that were offered to her.

Ana during the Gospel presentation.

A happy Sandra looking for her mama.

I'm sorry some of the pictures are blurry and are of the same people and from the same angle... I was trying not to distract easily distractable people with the picture taking... :)

Zdenka

A few people have asked me to post a picture of Zdenka. I checked and I did post one a while back, so here is the picture and what I had to say about her back in October. If you would like to send any words of encouragement to Zdenka, feel free to email them to me and I'll make sure she gets them... The picture and comments below, like I said, were from a blog post I did in October. I think this was one of the last times Zdenka was able to join us - we had a small communion service. Thank you for your prayers for her and her family... Blessings!


Zdenka is pictured above (along with Anita's mom, Dragica). Zdenka is just such a precious woman. There are four generations living in her home, and it is a very difficult situation for her physically, emotionally, and spiritually . Anita and I went to visit her on Wednesday. I just love being around Zdenka. She's one of those people that no matter if she is laughing or crying, she just oozes the love and joy of Christ. I need to spend more time with her - I know she can teach me a lot.

Her First Taste of Thai...

Well, we finally got Nela to Sarajevo to celebrate her 1st birthday in Christ. We walked around downtown for a bit, had some ice cream and then headed for the Thai restaurant




Here's Nela wondering what she's gotten herself into. I just love the look on her face :) She had a chicken satay which I actually think she liked - she finished everything on her plate plus a bowl of noodles! Then we ordered desert and since they didn't have any ice cream, we all ordered "Drunken Bananas." I didn't think Andrej would like it, but he all but licked the plate clean :) Actually, Jana didn't have a drunken banana either... since she was heading back to the States where she is still too young to drink, she opted for a mixed drink called "Liquid Cocaine." I had a taste (since I paid for half of it), and it wasn't half bad... She probably still has some of the alcohol running through her veins!!

After that, we went to the Price's house where Nela was able to talk to Todd about the requirements for attending the Bible Institute. I think she was a bit overwhelmed, but as far as I know still planning one pursuing attendance there next Fall. Do continue to pray for Nela and Andrej

I just like the picture below... that's Jana BEFORE the Liquid Cocaine... It's probably good I don't have an after picture - she looked like a drunken banana... JUST KIDDING!!!

Meet the Twins!!

I'd like all of you to meet Tanja and Darka. Obviously they are twins, and they just turned 23 this past weekend. I met Tanja and Darka through email. They have been attending school in Mississippi for the last three years. Through the love and nurture of their host family, both girls have professed Christ in the past year and a half. They attend a PCA church in MS and (drum roll please) they are from Zenica!

I was thrilled to get Darka's initial email that she sent to International Teams asking for information about churches in Zenica since she and her sister would be coming to spend the summer here with family. IT forwarded me the email, and responded, not knowing anything or if anything would come out of the contact.

Darka and Tanja called when they got to town, and have been faithfully coming to church and Bible study ever since! What a joy these two young women have been to me these past few weeks! Bible study Tuesday night was me, Jana, Tanja, and Darka. It was the best Bible study in a long time. :)

It's so exciting to have Bosnians excited about the church! One thing that really touched my heart this past Sunday was when Darka began weeping for her mother's salvation. It was the first time I ever saw a Bosnian crying over the salvation of another Bosnian. It was a gracious reminder from God to me of why I'm here.

Jana and I have met Ana, the twins' mother. She is such a kind woman, yet is hardened toward her daughters new found faith. They have a Catholic background, and Ana isn't sure what to make of her daughters. The girls are faithful in sharing with her and other members of their extended family. They are so excited to have Bibles and Christian books translated into Bosnian! They wanted some Bibles after the Bible study the other day, and we piled them up with as many as they could carry - we are so excited to have them be with us!

I've also met their host father, John (he's here teaching guitar in Croatia and is making visits here as well), and have been in close email contact to Dar, their host mother. It's been great to "meet" them as well and to hear of their hearts desire for missions in Zenica and throughout Bosnia - God is good!

Do pray for Darka and Tanja as they will be here through the first week of August before heading back to school in Mississippi. (They are incredibly talented classical guitarists - I hope to hear them play soon!) It's difficult to be away from their church family in the States, but they are glad to be able to visit and share with family and friends here. Pray for their mom, Ana, and their extended family who live in Kakanj (about 25 minutes from here) and their older brother in Germany. Pray for us as we serve them and get to know them his summer.

And praise God with me for this huge blessing in my life... I am always amazed at His timing and His delight in bringing us the desires of our heart...

A Letter from Nela...

...to my pastor - Nela wrote this a few weeks ago to my pastor. I thought I'd share it with all of you as well as you continue to pray for her and Andrej...

-----------------------------

Dear Sir,

My name is Nela. I am 29 years old, divorced, and have a 4 year old son. I live in Bosnia, a country where nobody cares about God. Here, God has never had first priority, and we haven't known anything about Him. Nobody taught about Jesus, who sacrificed for us.

I wasn't a Believer either. Psychology, I felt poorly, and I knew I needed something my whole life. I didn't realize that I was spiritually dead, that Jesus Christ was what I needed. Then God sent LeAnne into my life. As I spent time becoming friends with her, I began to learn more about God, about God's sacrifice for me, about His love towards me. But even though I listened to all I could about this and read about it (in the Bible), my faith still wasn't strong. I wondered "why am I still going through such hard times?" "Why is it so difficult for me?" "Why isn't God helping me?" "Is it possible that He doesn't really love me?" I fell into nasty troubles/temptations (trials) and had no trust in God. I suffered a lot, even more than I did before I realized that God exists even when things are hard for me. I felt like He was far from me.

I began to read the Bible again, and every Word in it brought meaning. God loves me! GOD HAS A GREAT PLAN FOR MY LIFE!! Before, when something bad happened to me, I would ask, "God, why?" Now I say, "God, thank you!" because God knows it is good for me. I don't know it, but God does. I finally opened my heart and allowed the Lord Jesus Christ to come into it, into my life. I finally had peace with my Jesus. He is the center of my life, He sacrificed Himself for me and my sins, so that I could be saved. It is so beautiful for me! How much God loves me!

Three months ago, my apartment burned. I am not bitter, but I am thankful to God. he knows why it had to happen and why it is good for me.

Today i am a happy woman because I know I have my Lord Jesus Christ. I praise Him with all my heart. My faith is growing from day to day. I like to read the Bible and books about the Bible. I like knowing about Him and His Word, I want to know more about His plan for me and my salvation. i want to be the person he wants me to be and to live according to His will. I want to be worthy of His love and to live in His grace.

I am no longer the old Nela. (She is quoting a song here) "I am a new creation, a new person, the old is gone - because Jesus is my Savior."

Mark 2:17 - "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners.'" (That is Nela's favorite Bible verse) I am a sinner who has repented, and I live in Christ's love. This is an unbelieveable experience for me. Thank God that He sent LeAnne into my life. One day I was talking to her. I desire to undertake Biblical studies. I hope that, with God's help, I will succeed in doing this, if it is His will.

My greetings to you and to alll the brothers and sisters in Christ.

With love in Christ,
Your sister,
Nela
PS - This is only a small part of the experiences and faith which I would like to share with you. GOD BLESS YOU!