Mission to Montenegro newsletter
Blog entry for 16 November 2013
November 2013 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter
No one is like you, Lord;
You are great, and your name is mighty in power.
Who should not fear you, King of the nations? This is your due.
Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their kingdoms,
There is no one like you. Jer. 10: 6,7
I will proclaim your righteous deeds...
- Stan was recently interviewed by a journalist for the largest Montenegrin newspaper. This reporter is researching and writing an article on "small" religious groups in Montenegro. Among many points, Stan shared the truth that evangelical believers are not a small sect, but rather number in the millions world-wide, even if not (yet) in Montenegro.
- With just a few days to spare, Saša was able to get together and submit all the paperwork (properly stamped!) for his volunteer visa (through the church) which he needs to be able to stay in country legally.
- Vicki had the opportunity to write a brief post on one aspect of our ministry experience here in Montenegro for Nathan Adams, one of the first young people to come to Montenegro for a summer camp ministry many years ago. You may read it here: One Perspective
- The Samaritan's Purse ministry continues to gain momentum with the Christmas season approaching. The leadership team met earlier this month. Training for the follow-up children's program (The Greatest Journey) is scheduled for the end of this month as well as logistical paperwork and permits for the receiving of the packages themselves.
- Now that we have more discretionary time available, we are busy establishing a visitation routine to both believers and unbelievers, with a special emphasis on working adults and the elderly as so many of our special events are geared toward university students. These visits are in addition to our various regularly scheduled discipleship activities.
- We were blessed beyond measure to host and visit with Stan's brother and new sister-in-law as they fit in a day-and-a-half stopover here in Montenegro while on their honeymoon earlier this month.
Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro
- Praise that Stan was able to clearly share the gospel and explain that all small religious groups are not equal. Pray that the reporter understood and will not lump biblical Christians with other non-Christian religious groups.
- Praise for the completion of the visa application process for Saša as well as our ongoing good relationship with the local authorities. Please pray for a quick approval of this visa and for continued goodwill with those who handle visa and visitor registrations.
- Praise for the good work and visible fruit of the ministry over the years and the privilege of being part of it as well as the joy of continued relationships with brothers and sisters all over the world. Please pray that many more would be eager to come and give of their time, talent, and finances to further God's work here. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
- Praise for the many hands who make the Christmas package ministry possible, both here in Montenegro as well as abroad. Pray that the legal logistics would be quickly and professionally handled and that people would make the effort to come for the follow-up training session.
- Praise for the local culture that values and makes time for visits! Please pray that much good would come from our commitment to maintain and cultivate relationships and conversations.
- Praise for God's faithfulness in providing for our children's education. With three children attending university this fall, our financial needs have increased. While all the children have attractive scholarship packages, the additional cost of transatlantic flights at Christmas and summer is not covered. Please pray and consider donating frequent flyer miles. If interested, please contact us at stan.surbatovich@gmail.com for more details of how you might help in this practical manner. Thank you so much.