UPDATE: Balkan Trip 2014

It’s time to say THANK YOU for all your prayers and support which allowed us to take the 2 week trip to the Balkans this past July.  We are so grateful for all of you and love how we get to be better together. Thanks for partnering with us in prayer and giving. Kingdom living rocks!

Autumn is upon us here in Iowa; with its crisp mornings, earthy scents and breathtaking colors. Preparations for winter will soon be observed everywhere in the Midwest in anticipation of a projected harsh winter. It is good to be prepared. Likewise God calls us to be attentive throughout the seasons of our lives; calling us to lean in to His embrace for shelter, comfort and reassurance of His goodness and love towards us; calling us to trust Him completely because HE is trustworthy. God never changes. His delight in you and I is unwavering - no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. So we can relax and enjoy all that God wants to be for us right now - in this particular season of our lives. In Christ we are complete, lacking nothing, becoming more than conquerors - ready and fully prepared to be Jesus to a hurting world around us. 

Jay and I have allowed ourselves some time to process the experiences from our trip. We had so many impressions and encounters that continue to pull at our heart strings.  During our two weeks in the Balkan region (Croatia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Montenegro) we were blessed with generous and warm hospitality by dear friends all around. Their love for Jesus and heart for people was evident and a powerful reminder of practical, authentic and unpretentious faith. 

We had an amazingly smooth trip: no sickness, injuries or damage to our rental car. Praise God for protection and favor during the entire stay! Without such distractions we were able to really focus on connecting with people, praying over cities and asking God for direction and confirmation for the vision he has placed on our hearts. The vision is becoming clearer and the call was confirmed during our stay! We continue to experience Gods’ leading and provision for us in our desires to move to the Balkans to do Kingdom work. 

Since last year Jay and I have had this dream of opening a hostel in the Balkans.  The vision/dream kept coming up in times of prayer and in dreams  at night; it simply hasn’t left our hearts and minds.  You may not have had an opportunity to stay in hostels, but be assured they provide a great environment for relationship-building and for serving others. 

Hostels typically appeal to a variety of people: 

1. the young and adventurous lone traveller. 
2. the free spirit looking for purpose; ready to make the world a better place.  
3. the more established tourist who looks for a cheaper accommodation.

Travelers in general, and hostel users in particular, tend to be more open minded and ready to experience something new; possibly even looking for something ‘out of the box’. Many of the younger travelers are often disillusioned with the conventional, stereotypical way of life and are looking for alternatives to fill and mend the rift in their soul.  Jay and I would love the opportunity to provide an inviting environment at our hostel where we would live; gathering people for meals, fellowship and friendship;

but also give our 'guests' an opportunity to join us for community outreaches, prayer, worship, teaching, and so much more - the list goes on as the Lord continues to expand on the vision. And who knows, maybe our 'guests' would chose to join us in this vision!  In other words: the hostel will be a center for missional living, the birthplace to a new Balkan Vineyard Church! Are you excited yet? We sure are.

Many of you have asked about the timeframe of our move, to which our answer has been “when we have reached some of the financial goals necessary, including the sale of our home”. An answer that keeps us trusting and praying for God to increase our income to that extent. Praise God for his faithfulness to us, his goodness and mercy never ends!  Upon the return from our trip, Jay received an offer for a construction management position for a series of projects in Southern California. We really felt peace about it and sensed that Jay should accept the offer. He has now been at his new job for about 6 weeks, and though we are challenged during this time of living so far apart, we experience the unifying power of the Holy Spirit, his comfort in loneliness, and his protection over each of us during this “in-between time”. 

We are so thankful for your friendship, love and support for us.  Please continue to pray for us, specifically for the following areas:

• protection from spiritual, emotional and physical attacks
• strength and endurance for demanding jobs
• continued favor with employers
• releasing of funds (or a property!) needed to open and operate a hostel
• favor with government agencies to grant necessary visas, work permits and licenses
• for God’s kingdom to continue to break into the lives of the people in the Balkans,
• team-building:  would YOU consider coming to the Balkans with us??  

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, 

Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those
who love Him"
But God has revelaed them to us through His Spirit.
1 Cor. 2: 9, 10a

That is an exciting promise to hang on to. Be blessed!
Natascha and Jay

Balkan Flood Update

The report below is from a friend of mine, Malcolm, who is part of the leadership at the Sarajevo Vineyard Church.  I received this information yesterday, June 10th, and wanted to pass it along to you.  Please join us in praying for quick recovery for those that have been affected by this disaster; and that God's peace would be over the Balkan people.  Natascha and I will be in Sarajevo in a few weeks to meet with the Vineyard leaders.  Please pray for safe travels and meaningful meetings.  (by the way, we are still needing some financial assistance for travel expenses….rental car costs have risen more than expected)

Also, please consider a financial gift for the relief efforts.  I will bring your gifts to the Sarajevo Vineyard Church.  (see previous blog on how to send your gifts).


Here is Malcolm's report:

As you may have read in the news, our beautiful host country Bosnia-Hercegovina, as well as the neighboring countries Serbia and Croatia, got hit by a major natural disaster. In Bosnia alone Flooding and landslides left over a million people without access to clean water, over a 100.000 homes have been completely destroyed (some of them had just been rebuild after the war) and landslides are still occurring! Large amounts of livestock are lost, agricultural produce unusable, businesses, hospitals, schools, government buildings out of function landmines from the war have been relocated by the landslides numerous roads and bridges are broken people in the flooded areas now fear outbreak of diseases and epidemics We had flooding in our area but we were not affected by it, our district was unharmed. The economic situation in the country seemed hopeless before the floods as we shared in our last newsletter, and this natural disaster has just amplified that feeling of hopelessness and is paralyzing many people. Needless to say Bosnia needs a lot of prayer and a lot of financial help!  If you want to make a donation for the victims of the flood you can send it to our Globe account, just make sure you let us know the intended purpose of the donation by emailing us. And please pray for this country! We know that Hope is alive, it has a name Jesus Christ! Pray for a spiritual breakthrough for Bosnia!  We went through fire and flood,  but you brought us to a place of great abundance. Psalm 66:12

Debris on the road to Doboj

CONVOY TO DOBOJ Malcolm joined a group of believers from different churches that organized a convoy to Doboj in Northern Bosnia. Here is his report: The convoy that took relief supplies to Doboj went well.  We were really surprised about how much flooding occurred and how many houses are damaged. The main highway was closed about 40 kilometers south of Doboj so we traveled on the old road that is parallel to the river that caused much of the flooding.  So we could see the debris along the banks of the river and wrapped around the bridges.  Most of the flooded houses were under 10-15 feet of water so the entire first floor was under the high water mark.  Some houses had water marks on the second floor. All business in the main city were damaged by the flood as well. So you can imagine the amount of ruined furniture, clothes, and other household items.  The roads were lined with debris that people had put out for dump truck to pick up.   By the time we were bringing the medicine, food aid and some clothing and other items for children, the water had receded and many people were drying and cleaning their houses and appreciated the items.  They were thankful that we had come to help and bring many things that they needed. I was able to speak with some youth and other residents as well as encourage the pastor who we know from the area.

Malcolm wih Roma youth and our pastor Jasmin in Doboj

Lemonade Anyone?

The other day I took a sip of some fresh-squeezed lemon juice; somehow expecting it to taste like lemonade. It was tasty, but rather sour. It needed some sweetness. The phrase "making lemonade out of lemons" is a modern day proverb that encourages us to make the best out of a bad situation; for bringing a little sweetness to an otherwise sour existence.

I was reminded of the Scripture that says, "what was intended for evil, God used for good."  These wise words were spoken by Joseph, who himself endured an enormous amount of slander, torture and suffering. Joseph goes on to say, "He (God) brought me through it all so that I could be in a position to save the lives of many"  Gen. 50: 20.  God does not cause bad things, but rather He is there to bring us through it so that others can be blessed through us!

Throughout history, as recorded in the Bible, we see that God is the ultimate lemonade producer!  Our Heavenly Father continues to be exuberant in making something good out of what was meant for evil.  He is indeed a very present help in times of need. The life and work of Jesus reveals the Father's continued desire to bring rescue and comfort…to turn bondage into freedom; sorrow to gladness.  "For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins" Col. 1:13-14.  See also 1 John 3:8 and Luke 4: 18-19.

Old Town Sarajevo

In a month, Natascha and I fly to the Balkans to meet with other church planters, as well as to work out more details for our move there. We will visit Croatia, Bosnia-Herzogovina and Montenegro. As you've heard and seen the recent TV / Internet reports, a few weeks ago the Balkan region was hit with the worst flooding in over 100 years.  The devastating waters have since subsided, but the cleanup and rebuilding will continue for many years.  The link below describes how the international rescue efforts are unifying the region with a wonderful sweetness not seen for a long time.  http://blog.novakdjokovicfoundation.org/good-news/thank-you-all-the-time-when-the-balkans-got-united/  The Balkan people are coming together like never before in the bond of love and care for one another.  Could it be that the flood waters are acting like a healing balm over the Balkans?  Is God washing away old wounds? I believe that our loving Heavenly Father is making lemonade out of lemons here!  He is bringing a little sweetness to the Balkans.

As we finalize our trip, would you please pray with us and FOR us?

• Pray for continued healing of old wounds.
• Ask that God would continue to bring His sweetness to the Balkans; and that Natascha and I would be 'honey and oil' for all we meet.
• Pray for good meetings; planned and unplanned.
• Pray / give $ for the Balkan flood victims.  (we will bring flood funds to the Vineyard Church in Sarajevo).
• Pray / give $ for travel expenses.  (we still need $1000…airfare has already been taken care of!!)
• Thank our extraordinary God for using ordinary people to bring His sweetness to the Balkans!

GIFTS

Mail or E-transfer tax deductible gifts to:

The Vineyard Church

PO Box 13218

Des Moines, Iowa 50310

OR  

online at:

http://yourvineyardchurch.org/contact-us

Please write: ‘Balkan Missions’ in the memo line with either 'flood relief' or 'travel expenses'.

If you are able to give any $, please let us know as soon as you can, so that we can plan accordingly.

As always, Natascha and I are VERY thankful for you…your friendship, your prayers and your encouragement.  We NEED you….we can not do this alone.
Blessings to you!

Jay

A Little Goes a Long Way

It's true what Scripture tells us, 'what God has begun He will complete'. I am very grateful for this deep truth, as it gives me hope for tomorrow and excitement for today! The passions He deposited on Natascha and me for Eastern Europe continues to burn today…even 30 years later! Maybe you too have felt the nudges of God in your life. Well, I can tell you it is NEVER too late to respond to those nudges.  God is extremely patient! The energizing work of God here on the earth is a marvel to witness; and to think that He includes you and I in it is both humbling as well as invigorating.

Natascha and I are thrilled to visit the Balkans this summer…to see for ourselves how God is energizing the Church. Please pray for the Balkans; the various governments, peoples and the Church. Natascha and I are excited to see old friends and to make new ones. Our goal is the same; to live and work in the Balkans, and to join in what God continues to do there.

Two years ago, the first Balkan Vineyard Leardership Conference was held.  Take a look at the video link to get a great idea of what God has been doing.  http://www.cross.tv/81440  A little goes a long way. Although this conference was small by some standards, it was mighty in its impact. The momentum started two years ago continues today.