Mission to Montenegro newsletter

Please pray for Stan and others who are and will be ministering the Word to preach winsomely that many may come to faith.

Pray for the church to continue to grow in number, unity, and service to one another and for the prayer meetings (and other gatherings) to be well-attended.

Please pray for God to raise up the next generation of leaders from Montenegrins, for men and women with noteworthy moral character, but particularly men able to faithfully preach the Word and lead the flock.

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As noted above, we are back in Montenegro!  We finished out our final weeks strong (more details below) and are grateful to have flown around the US and back to MNE with no delays and all luggage intact--quite a contrast from our trip a year ago.  

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In our last newsletter, we had just landed in Washington, DC to spend the last week of October with friends and family.  Highlights: 

• Visiting with daughter and son-in-law and getting to prepare a Birthday Meal for her 30th Birthday.  Extra special because it has been years since we were together for a birthday celebration.
• Catching up with friend and former missionary to Montenegro; along with great conversation and encouragement, we were treated to a personalized tour of the Museum of the Bible in DC. We were surprised at how well done the exhibits were and would recommend going if you are ever in Washington, DC. 

With Jeff at the Museum of the Bible

• Visiting with Gordana and Matt and their son Nikola—Gordana was one of the first converts here in NK many (many!) years ago.  Praise God that despite age, time, and distance, the bonds of fellowship are stronger than ever.

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From DC we flew back to California where we finished out our stay. Highlights:

• Being able to squeeze in 6(!) Physical Therapy appointments for Stan by calling in daily to see if there were any cancellations.  (This is the reason we left this period relatively 'unbooked')
• Having the opportunity to meet and share with Ranch View Baptist Church in Encinitas, CA, what God is doing in Montenegro.
• Visiting with California family on Stan's side as well as our children who currently live there.
• Enjoying a solid week+ of connecting with the people at Faith Community Church (our sending church).  Between dinners, lunches, and a Ladies' Brunch, we were able to spend some quality time with dozens and dozens of fellow saints.  We very much appreciate all the efforts made by many to pull this off for us.  

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Now we are back home, moving (mostly) full-speed ahead (jet lag is a thing) with teaching, preaching, hosting, reaching out, living.  We are so glad to be back!
 

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Bits & Pieces:

We are about to enter holiday mode with December's arrival:  with lots of comings and goings and guests, cookie baking, 2 Christmas celebrations (12/25, 1/7), possibly helping out with Samaritan's Purse shoeboxes, and a couple of Slava's (saint's days other people celebrate and which we are invited to) plus birthday celebrations as well. This season will last until late-January when schools go back into session.  Please pray for wise use of time and that God's name be ever more glorified!

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In closing, we want to say once again how truly blessed we are to be co-laborers with you all in seeing God establish His church here in Nikšić. We truly could not be doing what we are doing without you.  

We appreciate your earnest prayers, your sacrificial support, your quick notes and cards, and the blessing of working together for God to be exalted here in Montenegro. 

One with you in Christ,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
 

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Vicki's Snapshot:  Cultural Perspectives of Time

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Through all our meetings and greetings this past month, I’ve been reminded how curious people are about our ‘ordinary life’ here in Montenegro and the cultural differences between life in the States and life in Nikšić.  There are so many little things—none of which are a matter of right or wrong—but which are just delightfully different. On this trip, Stan and I both experienced these differences particularly with respect to ‘time.’

For example, while in the States we noted so many events, but especially church events, which include a beginning time as well as an ending time.  And when that time comes, people really do pack up and leave, turning off lights and locking up.  This…is something we are not really used to!

Here in Montenegro, we have far fewer events with ending times and even when we do, that time is more of a “If you leave then, you won’t miss anything important” time, but people may and do stay around longer—sometimes much longer.

Another example from our recent trip:  We met up with Gordana and Matt at a DC restaurant close to where we were staying.  From the minute we sat down together, the conversation just buzzed—we all had so much to say.  So much so, that we had to make real efforts to actually eat our delicious meal.  Intent as we were in our conversation, we took absolutely no notice of the check being placed on the table.  

However!  When it became apparent to the restaurant that 1. we had, in fact, finished our dinner and 2. we had not finished our visit and we’re not making moves to leave, the manager stopped by.  She politely hinted and then directly told us that the table was needed for other patrons.  

Our first thought was—How rude! why are you rushing us??!!  We’ve only been here an hour and a half!  (Which, admittedly, is not *that* short a time, although it felt like it!)  In Nikšić, dining out is a treat and an experience and never, ever hurried.  In fact, most foreigners sigh at how long everything takes.  

(We did leave the restaurant, of course (When in Rome and all that….) and walked back to where we were staying and continued on there.  A happy ending for all!)

This last Thursday, Stan and I had a good laugh when we realized how even our short time in the States had tweaked our perspective of time.  We got home on Wednesday evening.  Thursday was a full day of activity including our weekly prayer meeting which starts at 6:30pm. (Note—no ending time!)  

Thursday was also the 13th birthday of Stefan and Danilo, twin boys who come to church with their dad, and we’d been invited to drop by for cake.   When we realized that we wouldn’t have enough time to visit before prayer meeting, we called up and asked if it would be too late to come over after prayer meeting?  We totally understood if it was and were quite apologetic; however, they told us it would be no problem.

After prayer meeting (which wrapped up about 8:20pm that night), Stan and I headed over, feeling concerned that we might have kept them waiting, fully expecting to give good wishes, a quick hug, and be on our way.  We pulled up and opened the car doors—and laughed and laughed. 

What we were we thinking?! This is Montenegro!  Even from outside we could hear the music blaring!  And inside, the living room was filled with kids playing games at one end, and the grown-ups sitting at a long table talking and eating “cake”  (which was really a full meal of mezze, roasted meats, sarma, salads, breads, and *two* kinds of torte),  When we left an hour later, the party was still going strong.

It was a great reminder that yes, WE ARE BACK! :-)