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:
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:
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
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
