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...

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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!