“We shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of our God.” Isaiah 62:3
Psalm 136:1 says, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever (NKJV)”.
Our prayer is that we never forget how God has been so good to us and how far He has brought us. Gad has been so faithful and gracious in seeing us through trials, struggles and setbacks. And we are so encouraged and comforted to know that He is with us every step of the way in this hour that He has called us into. Truly we have so much to be thankful for.
Home Group Fellowship Baptism
A family of three who are fellowshiping with us had been praying and longing to have fellowship with other believers. Angela the younger daughter shared the gospel with her mother Natalija and the older sister Martina. They both got born again. When they joined us Natalija expressed the desire to be baptized. Before the baptism day we did with her teachings about baptism and Holy Communion. It was a glorious moment seeing our sister openly declare her commitment to follow Jesus.
Women’s Meeting
The women were able to have a get together. They were so encouraged to meet and have fellowship with other women from Kotor and Budva.
Our sister Santa shared with us her testimony about how the Lord had seen her through the breast cancer treatment in Norway. She understood her identity in Christ and stood on that very truth that God would do a miracle in her life. To God be all the glory one day she discovered that the lump had disappeared. The doctors also confirmed.
they could not see or find the lump but insisted that she had to go through the full treatment. She knew she was healed but went through the treatment. Her prayer is that one day the doctors will acknowledge Jesus as Lord. This encouraged the women to know the importance of embracing our identity in Christ and standing on that truth.
Roma Families
We continue to have outreach ministry with some Roma families once or twice in a week. Working with them is teaching us discernment, patience and development of relationship. As they get more used to us hey are more open to embrace us.
Home group meetings
We thank God for the Allestards a missionary family from America that has been living in Kotor and fellowshiping with us since September as they wait for the processing of their visas to Serbia. We believe God permitted them to be in Kotor at such a time as this because He knew our need for spiritual and physical support. During their stay we have co-labored together in sharing the word within the Home group, distribution of tracts and hosting teen meetings in their home. Ben who is 15 years has been very helpful in leading worship.
Children’s ministry at Children’s Bible Club
We are grateful to God for the children’s Bible club that we hold in our home. The children are always eager to meet and interact with the Allestard children. It is always so touching when the children from Kotor thank God in prayer for giving them the opportunity to fellowship with children from other cities or countries.
Children’s Conference on Logos Hope Ship
The children had an opportunity to attend a conference on the Logos Ship that was organized by our sister Miruška under Child Evangelism Fellowship. It was so amazing to see children excited being on a ship. They had fun with the games, touring of the ship, lessons and quizzes.
Teenage Ministry with Discipleship and Teen Meetings
We are having discipleship with Anastasija who is now a teenager with her older sister Natalija. Our prayer is for them to be rooted in their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, to bear fruit and have fellowship with other believers. We are so encouraged and amazed that they are willing to go through the discipleship.In partnership with Child Evangelism Fellowship, Lazar and Isabella come with teenagers from Podgorica to have fellowship with our Kotor teenagers once every month. This is an encouragement to the Kotor teenagers to know that they are not alone in the decision they have made to follow Jesus Christ and to study His word. It is also an encouragement to us that we are not alone in the work God has called us to do in Kotor.
Volunteering on Logos Hope Ship
The teenagers had an opportunity to volunteer with other teenagers from other churches for half a day on the Logos Hope Ship. They got to tour the ship and serve in different departments every after 30 minutes. They were amazed to see people so dedicated in serving the Lord on the ship voluntarily. They had great experiences and some expressed the desire to serve on the ship. So we used that as opportunity to explain to them why it was important to be a follower of Jesus Christ and being part of the church family. Because the ship is for Evangelical purposes and the church family supports us through prayers.
Teen’s Conference on Logos Hope Ship
They also had a days conference where they got to be imparted with the word of God. One brother from the Logos Hope Ship shared with them how he was so driven to achieve a lot because he grew up in a low income family. But despite getting what he wanted he was not happy until he went back to church and discovered that happiness comes from Jesus and as we serve others. This challenged us to reflect within ourselves if we are genuinely motivated by the love of God to serve others and repented of any selfish motives.
Prayer Requests
- That as we point people to the Lord Jesus Christ, God will open their hearts and draw them to Himself.
- For the Home group to be united and rooted in Jesus Christ, and be a place where people can be
discipled, built and nourished through the word of God. - For Natalija’s husband Mladen, father of Angela and Martina to come to the saving knowledge of our Lord.
- For Natalija and Anastasija who are being discipled to desire a transformation from within to the outside
so that they can be an example to their family and peers. - For Anastasija to be interested in school. And for us to have ideas on how to motivate her.
- For the safe return of Allestard family back to Serbia and their Ministry. That the Lord use this family
mightily in Novi Pazar that is dominantly muslim.
Thank you for your prayers, love, care and support for us.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
We wish you a Happy New Year.
Srdjan & Ruth