In June I went to Austria to continue my studies at TCM International Institute where I took another class for my M.Div. Theology and Practice of Christian Counseling taught by Dr. Paul Boatman. It was very practical and I could learn a lot of new things and could spend wonderful two weeks with Eastern European students.
One of my passions is to help single women and throughout years I could stay next to a few single women. This summer I went to a wedding of one of them to England and I was excited by being able to see how wonderful plan God has for this woman and how she is happy to enter this new season of her life! God is good to give as the opportunity to see the harvest of our care and prayers, praise be to Him!
I finished my summer by a family event – my younger brother´s wedding in a castle. It was quite difficult for us because he did not marry a believer but it is my prayer that God would meet both of them on their way and show them His great love and give them His salvation. I believe He is greater than our hopes and desires so I continue to lift my brother and his wife to Him.
This was my first summer with our baby girl Klara. Being a mom makes things a lot different including ministry. Especially different challenging situations help me to see how God is working. When we are in charge of many things or someone close has a problem or when we are just overwhelmed – then I experience the great power of God because I am finally forced to give him control as I realize that I can’t work it out on my own. I experience God’s power when I pray with someone for specific people and specific problems. For example for people at our church English camp.
ZUZKA
I spent my vacation with my friends from Evagelical Pentecostal Church of Croatia in Pula. Everytime I am there the Lord inspires me with some story of local people. One story I heard this year was transforming for me. It reminded me of Noah building the ark even though no one belived his story about the flood.
There was a man named Nevio. The Lord put old and sick people on his heart. He felt he should build a home for them. In the begining he was alone for this plan. Just him and the Lord. People around doubted his intentions but some prayed. One day Nevio was given an old house in Grandići – a former school. This house needed a lot of reconstruction. Nevio believed and kept praying. He had a house and he had a date for grand opening. He didn’t have money and workers. So he started alone. Soon a few volunteers from church started to help him. Then he got a mail from France from a group of seniors who wanted to help. They came as a work team and made a difference through manual work and buying some tools. Then a team from Czech appeared to help. I was a part of this team. We helped with painting the walls. Still the house wasn’t ready for opening and the date was close. On the last day before the grand opening a big number of people, especially the youth, came to achieve the impossible – the house wasn’t ready at all and local construction inspector wouldn’t give the authorisation for the use of the house on the next day. The last 24 hours people worked as hard as they could and the Lord blessed their effort. When the inspector came, he didn’t find anything that could forbid his approval. The house was ready and approved.
I was struck when I heard all the story. When I was painting the walls a couple months ago, I had no idea about the big picture of this story I heard this summer. I thought I was just painting a wall. Nothing special. But I was a part of an amazing story from Nevio’s life. When the Lord starts something, it may seem impossible or hopeless at first, but He will find people who are open to hear and to act , He will provide and He will finish what He had planned. He is almighty and faithful! I’ve heard that Nevio has another house in Pula – for poor people who can’t afford to rent a place to live. So the story goes on.
To relax I went on a canoeing trip for 3 days and also spend time with my family at my grandma’s house. My favorite time of rest was just to hang out with my closest friends. We went blueberry picking and visited Holasovice which is a UNESCO registered landmark. I also had a chance to dress up a little as I was a maid of honor at my best friend’s wedding.
LENKA
I have lost my best non-Christian friend. Don’t be afraid, though. The reason is that after five and half years of our friendship she turned in my Christian friend! It happened after this year’s family English camp. The whole week at the Camp was a time for me when I saw God in work through his people. And we all felt His presence and mercy with us.
Matthew 16:25 "For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it."