Mission to Montenegro newsletter
Blog entry for 18 January 2016
January 2016 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Ps. 24: 9,10
Grace and peace to you in the name of God our Father!
Even though Orthodox Christmas is over, there is still a sense of holiday in the air as John the Baptist Day (a major Slava celebration) is celebrated January 20th plus the schools are not back into regular session yet.
- We had fewer guests than we hoped for at our Christmas outreach on Jan. 3 although we were thrilled that amongst those who did come, some hadn't been in a church for years and appeared to be attending to the words of truth preached. The low turnout is due, in great part, to family/guest/holiday obligations, so we are planning another evangelistic meeting, with refreshments and fellowship following, in early March. However, our turnout on Jan. 7, the Christmas celebration for believers, was larger than expected and a sweet time for all.
- Stan has begun a new series on 1 Timothy in the evening; having given an overview of the whole book last week, he is starting at the beginning of chapter 1. In the morning services, we are currently in chapter 9 of Luke's gospel, challenged with the weight and meaning of "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (v. 23)
- Recent changes in law are affecting the granting and renewals of visas. This has affected both short-termers (who are now registered differently and must pay a daily tourist tax) as well as long-termers (Peter S. whose visa expires in early Feb and was hoping to qualify for permanent residency may have to start the counting of 5 years of continuing residence all over again--for the second time. Please pray that a miracle occurs instead!).
Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests
- We now have the intercom equipment necessary to allow those in the nursery area to hear the sermon. We currently need to have some stands and accessories made to house the equipment and then install it. Please pray that this be done in a timely, cost-effective manner for the benefit of all the families with young children.
- Now that the holiday season is ending, the regular ministries of mentoring, bible studies, and visitations have begun. Please pray for us as we prioritize our time spent on these good works. Also please pray especially for those who are elderly and experiencing physical ailments as the current extreme cold (highs still below zero) exacerbates any problems.
- It is not too early to begin praying for the outreach ministries of spring. Please pray for the evangelistic meeting our local church will host in early March, the nationwide outreach with Nick Vujicic in April, and the visiting Danish Bible School team activities, also in April. It is so important to pray for the ministers (team leaders/members and the local church), for the ministry (outreach and follow-up programs and activities), as well as for the ministered-to (the unbelievers, the sympathetic-but-not-yet-committeds). "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." Ps. 127:1a
With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support in this great work of God,
Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro
Prayer and Praise Bulletin Points:
- Praise God for His love in sending His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Please pray that we would clearly and gladly spread that love through our words and deeds and the His church, His body would grow here.
- Praise God for those workers of the gospel that He has brought to Montenegro and to Nikšić in particular. Please pray that necessary paperwork and visas be granted to those desiring to come and particularly for Peter S.
- Praise God for those who contributed to the purchasing and obtaining of the intercom system. Please pray that God sends us a gifted children's worker, so that our ministry to families and young children may increase.
- Praise God for the freedom, time, and energy to engage in Kingdom work. Please pray that we would maintain a God-honoring schedule and commitment to all our responsibilities.
- Praise God for the upcoming events and outreaches. May these events quicken and prick the hearts of all--those helping, those receiving.