Wow! If you ever have a chance to visit the Adriatic, pick Croatia. Dubrovnik is beautiful!
Originally i picked Croatia over Austria because it was cheaper. This was a risky choice because in Austria everything is taken care of for us and I've been there twice and other staff were there before me. In Croatia I didn't know where to stay, if it would be what it said it was online, where we would eat, where we would meet, where to exchange money, etc. God was definitely in control of the whole process!
I found a great hostel right in the center of Dubrovnik, right by the sea. I saw pictures but didn't know what it would be like. It was amazing. Literally 5 minutes from the main walking street and 6 minutes from the sea, we could see it from our patio! Our rooms were small but livable. Our hosts were so nice, they showed us where everything was after picking us up from the bus station and they also showed us on a map how to get there, they suggested good restaurants, and gave us traditional Dubrovnik snacks! If you ever want to go to Croatia check out Begovic boarding house.
It was also great to hear how God had been at work during the summer in each person's life and how they were going to apply it. Some students were struck by the lack of opportunities and corruption in the University system, some touched by the depth of friendships, others the poverty and unemployment. Each student came away with commitments for their life and time on campus. Some made commitments to pray every time they drink coffee, some to take more risks with their friends at home, and others to step up in leadership. Every student learned something about living in community that I pray will spread throughout the rest of the fellowship.
I feel like this summer God was teaching me about community and faith.
In community I was challenged to be vulnerable 24/7 with my team, to depend on them and let them help me when I needed help and admit that I couldn't do it on my own. That was hard for me but I didn't have any other choice and my team was so great, they really were the hugest blessing this summer. Praise God for a great team! They all have unique gifts that they brought to the team and they were intentional about initiating and leading in their strengths! I need to not be independent but trust those in my community.
In faith I was challenged to examine what I really believe. I have learned in the last few months that i have the gift of faith, I really believe God will provide when he calls me to something, i believe he wants the best for my life, including healing. But this summer I wrestled with the situation of believing but not yet receiving and what does faith look like then. My team prayed for me and shared great scripture with me. I don't know if i ever told you but we prayed together every morning at breakfast and every night after sharing stories from the day, before we would go to sleep. Prayer was something I initiated but they continued to make happen every day- so great! Anyway, I'm going to keep praying and believing.
All our flights went well and we're all back home safely!
Thank you all so much for praying for me and our team this summer. Your prayers made it happen! You were there with us.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Camp- A great time for everyone!
Thank you for your prayers for camp! It went so well!
All summer I and the Zenica team were praying for 10 of our friends to come but only one did. We wish all our friends had come because camp was so great! But we are thankful for our one friend and the 10 Bosnian students who did come!
The content of the camp was really great! The EUS staff all did an amazing job planning it and thinking how to make it more fun and interactive while still allowing students to encounter God in his Word. (Note: Deron and Jessica Bauer are staff in Sarajevo, they’ve been there for a year and are alumnus from UCSB)
The camp was called “A better life,” “Bolji Zivot” and Deron found an old (Frank Sinatra style) song in Bosnian called, "Bolji Zivot" to play at the start of each session. Jessica was the MC and brought lots of energy and depth to the sessions. Students got practical communication skills, thought about what would make their life better, heard Sladjan’s powerful testimony about questioning life and God and seeking answers until finding Jesus! Then students were encouraged to discuss in small groups their thoughts on faith, relationship with God, Heaven & Hell, where they thought they would go and why. It was the most in depth, clear conversation I’ve been in while in Bosnia! Two girls from Banja Luka were in my group along with Charlene and Crystal and we all took turns sharing our thoughts and questions and answers. It was a great session because Charlene, Crystal and I had been having a lot of fun with the girls and it was so good to hear their thoughts and how they live their lives and to share with them what we believed freely without pressure on any side. I pray this conversation will continue to work in their (and all our friends’) hearts and draw them closer to himself. Then a pastor from Sarajevo came and talked about Jesus clearly, all the students were focused and paid attention even thought many had never heard the Gospel before they listened and though we didn’t see fruit, their response was better than last year and I still believe God’s word won’t return empty! This was a great step for the students that did come!
Thanks you for your prayers!
I got to co-lead an investigative Bible study one morning and it was great! I enjoy teaching and it was exciting that this was the first time many of the Bosnians had ever looked at the Bible!
We also had a lot of fun swimming in the lake, chatting over coffee, playing volleyball, and the last night we had a talent show and karaoke (in Bosnian and English)! Many good memories!
I was able to have enough energy to engage with the students and didn't have a bad headache even though I was sleeping on the ground. God is gracious! I did twist my right ankle and it still hurts but overall I was okay :-)
It was hard to leave my new friends and the EUS staff especially Deron and Jessica, my good friends from UCSB. Please keep praying for them and the other EUS staff as they continue the work in Bosnia for the rest of the year.
Pray they would build on the relationships already started and that students would be interested and respond.
Thank you so much for all your prayers while we were in Bosnia! God was with us!
All summer I and the Zenica team were praying for 10 of our friends to come but only one did. We wish all our friends had come because camp was so great! But we are thankful for our one friend and the 10 Bosnian students who did come!
The content of the camp was really great! The EUS staff all did an amazing job planning it and thinking how to make it more fun and interactive while still allowing students to encounter God in his Word. (Note: Deron and Jessica Bauer are staff in Sarajevo, they’ve been there for a year and are alumnus from UCSB)
The camp was called “A better life,” “Bolji Zivot” and Deron found an old (Frank Sinatra style) song in Bosnian called, "Bolji Zivot" to play at the start of each session. Jessica was the MC and brought lots of energy and depth to the sessions. Students got practical communication skills, thought about what would make their life better, heard Sladjan’s powerful testimony about questioning life and God and seeking answers until finding Jesus! Then students were encouraged to discuss in small groups their thoughts on faith, relationship with God, Heaven & Hell, where they thought they would go and why. It was the most in depth, clear conversation I’ve been in while in Bosnia! Two girls from Banja Luka were in my group along with Charlene and Crystal and we all took turns sharing our thoughts and questions and answers. It was a great session because Charlene, Crystal and I had been having a lot of fun with the girls and it was so good to hear their thoughts and how they live their lives and to share with them what we believed freely without pressure on any side. I pray this conversation will continue to work in their (and all our friends’) hearts and draw them closer to himself. Then a pastor from Sarajevo came and talked about Jesus clearly, all the students were focused and paid attention even thought many had never heard the Gospel before they listened and though we didn’t see fruit, their response was better than last year and I still believe God’s word won’t return empty! This was a great step for the students that did come!
Thanks you for your prayers!
I got to co-lead an investigative Bible study one morning and it was great! I enjoy teaching and it was exciting that this was the first time many of the Bosnians had ever looked at the Bible!
We also had a lot of fun swimming in the lake, chatting over coffee, playing volleyball, and the last night we had a talent show and karaoke (in Bosnian and English)! Many good memories!
I was able to have enough energy to engage with the students and didn't have a bad headache even though I was sleeping on the ground. God is gracious! I did twist my right ankle and it still hurts but overall I was okay :-)
It was hard to leave my new friends and the EUS staff especially Deron and Jessica, my good friends from UCSB. Please keep praying for them and the other EUS staff as they continue the work in Bosnia for the rest of the year.
Pray they would build on the relationships already started and that students would be interested and respond.
Thank you so much for all your prayers while we were in Bosnia! God was with us!
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