So It Begins!!

After years of praying, waiting on God and stepping forward in faith, we stand at the threshold of moving to Zagreb, Croatia.  Click on the 'Balkan Crossroads Blog' button at the end of this email for the chronicled journey thus far.

The ministry house, temporarily dubbed 'Mala Gorica', has been used by God to share the love and power of Christ with many people over the past two decades. The stories of restored and equipped lives that have come out from this place continue to have a kingdom impact in the region. Our prayer is to continue in that blessing, and to see how God will use us to be Jesus to our new neighbors, our city, and beyond. 

                                         “For we are God’s masterpiece.

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Eph. 2:10

RIGHT PLACE / RIGHT TIME

• Zagreb is very accessible from the rest of Europe and the States, and is strategically positioned within the greater Balkan region. 
• We envision Mala Gorica to function as a base for Vineyard church planting activity throughout the Balkans. 
• There is a solid Christian community for us (and teams) to join for mutual encouragement and outreach (i.e. refugee work, assisting the poor, leadership training, and discipleship.
• Mala Gorica has hosted Sustainable Faith cohorts, with potential for more.
• Opportunity to host leaders from around the Region in the growing DMM (Disciple Making Movement) for training and encouragement.

Pray with Us

1. For God to put together a church planting team to join us for this area.
2. For a committed prayer team of 20+ persons who will pray for us regularly, and 'check in' on us monthly.
3. For language learning and cultural integration.
4. For spiritual and physical provision and protection.
5. For protection for our family as we throw the other leg over the side of the boat!

For more information on this Balkan ministry, or the different ways you can join us, please send me an email at:  jaygeorgeff1@gmail.com

May the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts!

Jay and Natascha

Update: October 2018

Hello Friends!

Much has happened these last weeks and we have exciting news we can FINALLY announce!  We are so thankful as we look back on our summer vision-trip through the Balkans (Montenegro, Bosnia and Croatia) and to see how God has been leading us! Though we went into the trip with plans and ideas, we tried to hold them loosely, opening our hands, ears and hearts to all the different impressions and nudges the Holy Spirit was giving us.

TRUE STORY
Through 'unlikely' conversations and connections the Lord orchestrated for us, we found ourselves in Mala Gorica - a small village just outside of Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. (MUCH more can be said about these God-connections!!). There we met with a wonderful missionary couple in their home, who have lived and served in Croatia for the past 25 years. After talking about our vision and dreams for the Balkans, they shared with us their plans to move back to the States in December, and that the property they were renting would become available!!  Wow. Could this be our new home? We left later that day awestruck and speechless.

Sensing that this might be God's provision for us, we knew we needed to take some time to 'sit with it' in prayer and conversation with each other, our pastors Mike and Sherri Harder and other close friends.  Sensing God's confirmation throughout the discernment process, and having been approved by the property owner, we said YES to God's invitation to begin a new chapter in Croatia!

We stand amazed at the faithfulness of our great Father, who knows us so well.  It has felt as though God has been two steps ahead of us the whole time, gently holding our hands while leading.  Eph. 2:10 has been so alive to us lately!

MALA GORICA (little hill)
In many ways the property matches perfectly with what we had originally envisioned for a 'ministry house'.
The main house is a three story home: the ground floor has an open kitchen, living, dining and bath. The 2nd floor has three bedrooms and bath, and the 3rd floor attic is an open room that comfortably seats groups of 12-15 people. The house can sleep 11 people or more.  In addition, there is a separate 'wing' on the property that provides a cozy little apartment for us. A large, inviting outdoor terrace connects some of the spaces and allows for even more gathering places. Finally, the property stretches out into a nice long yard and garden space.  How awesome is our God!

Realistic goals for the first year:

• Continued language learning and cultural assimilation
• Connecting with and serving local leaders, churches and ministries 
• Gathering people for meetings / small groups in our home
• Begin hosting and facilitating both international and local teams for prayer, training and outreach with the purpose of planting churches; not only in Croatia, but throughout the Balkans. 
• Host individuals for R&R

FAITHFUL vs. FOOLISH??
You may already be thinking: 'that's a pretty big space for them to handle alone'.  Ha, and you are right!  God has us exactly where He wants us...dependent.  This 'Balkan Vision' thing doesn't seem to be getting smaller either. It's MAYBE even 'out of control'.  Natascha and I were recently wrestling with the FAITHFUL vs. FOOLISH dichotomy that we often live with, whereby we resist the appearance of being foolish, but would rather think that we exhibit heroic faith.  Yup, sometimes it's hard to distinguish the two, and I have no easy answers, but I am starting to understand that faith is indeed spelled R-I-S-K.   

SEEKING more PARTNERS 
Many of you have expressed interest in partnering and/or giving. We are so excited that the vision is materializing into something concrete and tangible and we need your help.  Would you please join us?  We believe these are very important days for the region, and together we have a great opportunity to bless many!

Please consider one or more of these commitments:

• pray for God's blessing over us and the Balkans
• bring a team to Zagreb for training, prayer and outreach / service
• financially support the work with $30 / month; churches $200 / month 
• one-time gifts for furnishing the 'ministry house'  (need $5000 for furniture, linens, kitchen items)

PARTNER BRIEF

We are creating a 'Balkan Brief' for those who sense God's nudging to join us. This Brief will include important news from the Balkan region, stories of God's transformative love and specific needs to maximize the Kingdom work here. We would be thrilled to add you to the list! Just shoot me an email: jaygeorgeff1@gmail.com

Thank you all for following us thus far.  We are very excited to be doing this with you, and look forward to hearing from you!
May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,


Jay and Natascha
Vineyard Church - Des Moines, Iowa

BALKAN Vineyards are ready for harvest  More workers are needed!!   Just a quick update...we got back to Denmark last week after spending 3 months in the Balkans. (3 weeks in Montenegro, 7 weeks in Sarajevo and 4 weeks in Croatia) It was a great trip of seeing old friends and meeting lots of new ones.  What a joy to see the hand of our Heavenly Father at work in so many people and places!  We have much to be thankful for, and that includes all of you who have prayed for us these last few months. Thank you! We stand amazed at the goodness of God. It's nice though to be able to sit still and rest.  A much needed rest for listening and discerning the Holy Spirits activity.  Please pray for us TODAY as we 'process' what we think to be God's leading into an exciting opportunity!!  We hope to have more details soon. May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, Jay and Natascha   Vineyard Church - Des Moines, Iowa

Snapshots of Croatia Who knew Pula, Croatia had such a beautiful colosseum? Arguing over the price of grapes!

UPDATE: 3.24.18

Moving day is fast approaching as we make final preparations for leaving the US.
PLEASE pray for travel safety AND for the smooth shipping of personal items.
We ache as we say goodbye to our kids, friends and extended family; though we know our great Father in Heaven has knit our hearts together in His peace and joy.

Below is our 6 month itinerary...please also pray for good meetings and reunions.
Also, if you have not yet decided to commit to praying / supporting us in this first phase, please consider it!  :)  Kindly send us note saying your will be praying regularly...and if possible, the $ amount you will be able to send.  Of course your love, encouragement and prayers are always WANTED and NEEDED!

Our initial 3 months (April / May / June) we will:

• Attend Vineyard DACH missions conference in April.
• Reconnect with friends and Vineyard leaders in Central & Eastern Europe 
• Identify shared vision and continue building partnerships for Balkan church planting.
• Research and apply for visas, work permits and other legalities required for a long-term presence in the Balkans. 
• Spend time with Natascha's parents in Denmark 

For the second 3 months (July / August / September) we plan to:

• Have a clearer picture of where to call home
• Begin intensive language learning 
• Create fund-raising and income-generating activities for the purchase (or lease) of a suitable building (or plot) for a hostel.

Operating a business, like a hostel, would allow us to obtain a resident permit; a goal we hope to accomplish by the end of our 6 months.  The plan is for the hostel to become a self-supporting business that would:

• fully provide for our living expenses,
• support the local community,
• fund the church planting mission.  

This really excites us, as the possibilities with this model are endless!
We invite you to join us in our mission as we look for individuals and churches for mutual encouragement and partnership.

Will you share this vision with others, as we desire to bring increased awareness of God's blessing over the Balkans. Please know that your friendship is highly valued, your prayers needed and your financial support deeply appreciated.  Since we live our best lives in relationship and community, we are truly better together.

PLEASE contact me to learn more.  Emails may be sent to:  jaygeorgeff1@gmail.com

2 Cor. 3:5-6
With gratitude and excitement,

Jay and Natascha
Vineyard Church - Des Moines, Iowa