sharing the life-changing Message of Jesus
“Dear Friends,
“I wish you all the best from the Lord in this new year 2012. Right away at the beginning of this year, the Lord encouraged me with a verse from His Word. The verse is written in Galatians 4:18“It is good to be zealous, but for good things, and for that always…” In this letter I want to inform you about some of the many “good things” which we are planning to do this year….”
Darko has been in touch with very encouraging news from the camps through the summer!
“This summer I was involved in summer-camp activities… I would love to share some of the experiences with you.”
Click here to read on! Darko Newsletter – DEC 2011
“When I read this, tears came to my eyes. This message came from some young people who, because of the war, were displaced from Kosova and now live in a collective centre (refugee camp)…”
“Jesus Christ very lovingly tells us:
“‘So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.’ (Jn 16:22-23)
“At that moment we will understand that everything has worked for our good and that the many difficult paths led us to salvation. ‘We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.'”
To read on, please click here. If you would like to receive further information about supporting the many projects that Darko and Lidija are involved with, please get in touch through the contact form.
Darko writes:
“…I am filled with joy and happiness when I see how God works and fulfills our vision with which we came to the south our country…”
Click here to read more: Darko and Lidija Family Prayer Letter – September 2011
Darko and Lidija are encouraged by news from the camp in Mrcajevci! Click here here to read the latest!
Dragan and Danijela – also part of the team there – wrote recently,
“the work that the Oak Hall group did in the camp ground was a good practical example of love!”
It is excellent to hear of how well the camp is being used.
Thank you for continuing to pray for the Balkans…
Last week, the Oak Hall “Taste of Mission” Team spent three days with Darko and Lidija helping to prepare the children’s camp for the summer programme.
They shared with us the needs that remained for them to be able to finally purchase the camp ground. Many of us prayed for them. Together we can now praise God that the purchase was successfully completed on the 1st July. This is wonderful news and the camp ground in their ownership will bring blessing to thousands of children in the years to come…
Just before the purchase deadline, Darko and Lidija wrote this news: Prayer June 2011 – Darko and Lidija (Click to open)
Today we were in Pancevo visiting some of the children near to the chemical works that were heavily bombed by NATO in 1999. Many of the children were effected by this terrible time.
Here are some photographs of the time of sport, music, communication and friendship that we enjoyed with these dear people.
For now we are all bedding down for a short sleep before we leave at 3am for the airport…
Good night from us all and thank you for your continued prayer.
LISA WRITES:
“In our time in Serbia so far, we have been privileged to meet a number of graduates of the Bible School, as well as their families. They are without exception fully devoted, highly amazing, inspiringly humble warriors of God.
“The work that is being done with children here is alive and growing, and appears to be making an impact in the lives of both the children and their families for the Gospel.
“We really got to see the servant hearts of the guys yesterday as ‘boss Jan’ and Dragan taught us how to build a road and sweated alongside us!
“As with everyone serving Jesus these families need our love and prayer to take on the immense task of reaching a lost world. I pray God will keep their eyes on him, give theme : strength and fill them with unbelievable joy.” 🙂
Right now we are finishing our work at the camp…
Floors are being laid, a fire of branches cut from trees that overhung the road we laid yesterday burns, rooms are being cleaned for a final time…
All of this work is punctuated by interviews with Bible School graduates who are coming and going. Jovica and Kaca shared about sharing about Jesus following the earthquake that hit their city (see older blog posts for more about this including videos). Jan and Ruzenka spoke about their next challenge as they move to a new city to plant a church there…
In half an hour we leave from here to head to the university city of Kragujevac. Here we will eat and explore Serbia’s fourth largest city before continuing north to Belgrade to the Bible School.
Thank you for praying for our safety and success for this stage of our journey. Amongst other things, we’ve laid a road that is about a quarter of a mile long, made thirty beds and laid flooring in eight rooms…
Here’s a photo of us this morning as we finished our next study in 1 John:
AS A MASSIVE THUNDERSTORM APPROACHES TONIGHT, MERVYN WRITES:The Serbian word that best describes this experience so far is “Strava” which means Awesome”
It’s awesome that so many people from vastly different backgrounds and experiences have come together to share this time and already after what seems like at least a week, but which is merely 3 long days, there is incredible bonding as we share this work, putting our hands to things we’ve never tried before (I’ve never laid lino, a gravel road or used a ride on mower, but hey! What fun.)
More than that we’ve shared our faith in our conversations as we’ve worked together preparing this place for the children & young people with whom the team here will have the privilege of sharing the good news of Jesus who can transform their lives as he has transformed ours.
Today we met an incredible guy called Jovitsa, a Serbian Christian who felt called by God to move to Kraljevo, a city 15 or so miles from here. I’d met him at the Bible School a few years back. As he was talking with us his phone went off. Was it a surprise to hear the tune: “Our God is an AWESOME God.”
Along with so many others on this trip I thank God for all he has done in my life and all He is doing here and still has planned.
Ending with one of my favourite verses (from Jeremiah 29:11) “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a hope and a future.” What a promise for us and for Serbia!
– Mervyn Roberts