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