We were surprised last week to receive a call from someone with a connection to Croatia. There is a group of people who live in a small village approx 45 min. drive from where we live in Cakovec. By God's grace they contacted a tract company in America for some information about Christ. After receiving a sample of tracts and studying them each of them made a profession of faith in Christ. Their response is that their is not a church in their village which teaches this Truth so they desire to start one.
We have contact information for them and have shared this information with our co-workers in Cakovec. Very soon they will be in contact with them personally. Please pray for this opportunity to plant another church with nationals who now have a burden to reach their community with the Truth of the Gospel.
A Very Productive Week
Here in Hampton, VA we had some snow to fall last night. It mainly stuck to the grass and on roofs. At this time most of it has already melted. The excitement for Erin, Ally, and Noah was enough for Kristina and I to delay today's homeschool lessons for two hours. We threw a few snowballs then cleaned off the mini-van. Then I took some time to review how this week has gone.
By God's grace I was able to schedule two more Mission Conferences, reschedule two meetings to allow for two more. On Wednesday Pastor Lloyd Donica of Bethel Baptist Church invited me to speak in the chapel service for the Jr & Sr High students. What a blessing to share some experiences and a message from God's Word to a group of eager and attentive students. After chapel Pastor Donica and I were able to get to know one another over a cup of coffee. While there He introduced me to another Pastor in the area with whom we may be able to schedule another meeting. Pastor Donica also expressed wanting to learn more about our ministry in Croatia with a desire to partner with us in the future.
Today we are rejoicing that God is opening doors for us here in the states. The open doors here will provide means to return to Croatia well equipped for the work that God has for us there. To those of you who pray for our ministry; thank you. God has certainly answered your prayers.
By God's grace I was able to schedule two more Mission Conferences, reschedule two meetings to allow for two more. On Wednesday Pastor Lloyd Donica of Bethel Baptist Church invited me to speak in the chapel service for the Jr & Sr High students. What a blessing to share some experiences and a message from God's Word to a group of eager and attentive students. After chapel Pastor Donica and I were able to get to know one another over a cup of coffee. While there He introduced me to another Pastor in the area with whom we may be able to schedule another meeting. Pastor Donica also expressed wanting to learn more about our ministry in Croatia with a desire to partner with us in the future.
Today we are rejoicing that God is opening doors for us here in the states. The open doors here will provide means to return to Croatia well equipped for the work that God has for us there. To those of you who pray for our ministry; thank you. God has certainly answered your prayers.
Where We've Been
It has been far too long since my last blog post; but blogging was the last thing on my mind. All of October was preparing for our first furlough: saying good-bye's to neighbors and friends, scheduling meetings, packing, etc., So now we are here and wishing we were still in Croatia.
We were privileged to spend Thanksgiving with my family in Marietta, GA. Christmas and the New Year were celebrated in VA with Kristina's family and our sending church. While it has been fun, it has also been slightly difficult adjusting to life on the road again. By God's grace we all had grown to love and appreciate our home in Croatia. We dearly miss our friends.
While in Richmond, VA it was a blessing to be able to help Pastor Kohout and our sending church: making visits, phone calls, performing a wedding, and preaching. We have reported on our ministry in three of our supporting churches: Sharon Baptist of Hampton, Victory Baptist of Hampton, and Battlefield Baptist of Warrenton. In February we will be traveling to GA, SC, VA, WV, and TX. Please pray as we drive that God will keep us safe.
I am also happy to announce that God has provided tremendously for our ministry. Our sending church, Buford Road Baptist, Richmond, has collected a love offering that covers 50% of our costs for the return flight to Croatia. An anonymous donation will cover 50% of the expected cost toward a vehicle in Croatia. Praise the Lord to have received so much toward our goal this early in our furlough. It would be wonderful to be able to return to Croatia earlier than October. Please pray that God will continue to provide the much needed support.
Lord willing we will have more consistent access to the internet and I can begin blogging more often. Thank you all for your continued interest in our ministry. We sense your prayers.
We were privileged to spend Thanksgiving with my family in Marietta, GA. Christmas and the New Year were celebrated in VA with Kristina's family and our sending church. While it has been fun, it has also been slightly difficult adjusting to life on the road again. By God's grace we all had grown to love and appreciate our home in Croatia. We dearly miss our friends.
While in Richmond, VA it was a blessing to be able to help Pastor Kohout and our sending church: making visits, phone calls, performing a wedding, and preaching. We have reported on our ministry in three of our supporting churches: Sharon Baptist of Hampton, Victory Baptist of Hampton, and Battlefield Baptist of Warrenton. In February we will be traveling to GA, SC, VA, WV, and TX. Please pray as we drive that God will keep us safe.
I am also happy to announce that God has provided tremendously for our ministry. Our sending church, Buford Road Baptist, Richmond, has collected a love offering that covers 50% of our costs for the return flight to Croatia. An anonymous donation will cover 50% of the expected cost toward a vehicle in Croatia. Praise the Lord to have received so much toward our goal this early in our furlough. It would be wonderful to be able to return to Croatia earlier than October. Please pray that God will continue to provide the much needed support.
Lord willing we will have more consistent access to the internet and I can begin blogging more often. Thank you all for your continued interest in our ministry. We sense your prayers.
My, How Things Change!
Twenty-eight years ago two parents bought a tenor saxophone on credit for their son who was in the seventh grade. He wanted to learn to play for selfish reasons: some of his favorite songs featured a tenor sax solo, he dreamed of playing and all the women swooning, etc.,
Somewhere between then and today this young boy realized that when surrendering his life to Christ for a life of service; he did not surrender his dreams. Once he surrendered everything then God began to change the direction this young man's life was headed.
Today he, his wife, and three children are serving as independent Baptist missionaries in the country of Croatia. Today the saxophone was used to play Amazing Grace at a funeral where a clear gospel message was presented to more than two hundred people. Many of which had never heard that salvation is a free gift in Jesus Christ.
His grace truly is amazing; especially to this young man who used to think more selfishly. If only I could be even less selfish how much more His grace would abound. "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30
Team Missions
On Saturday I was able to take Erin, Ally, and Noah with me to the city center to help me be a witness. It was not an easy day because so many were not receptive to the tracts that we offered or interested in talking with me. However, there was one young man who stopped and talked with me for nearly twenty minutes.
His name was Vlado and he had many questions. Very slowly and methodically we talked through the gospel in English. He did his best to ask his questions using the English that he knew. Like many, he was not ready to trust Christ as Savior; but we have not given up hope.
He recognized that all men are sinners; even admitting that each man must make a decision to right or wrong. His trouble was accepting that Jesus Christ had come to die for our sin. He thought that salvation was more a personal decision to do what was right only. The good news in all of this: He is interested in learning more about Jesus Christ and studying the Bible. Please pray that he will come to church and listen to the Holy Spirit with an open heart.
His name was Vlado and he had many questions. Very slowly and methodically we talked through the gospel in English. He did his best to ask his questions using the English that he knew. Like many, he was not ready to trust Christ as Savior; but we have not given up hope.
He recognized that all men are sinners; even admitting that each man must make a decision to right or wrong. His trouble was accepting that Jesus Christ had come to die for our sin. He thought that salvation was more a personal decision to do what was right only. The good news in all of this: He is interested in learning more about Jesus Christ and studying the Bible. Please pray that he will come to church and listen to the Holy Spirit with an open heart.
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