Summer Report Part II Written August 1 2008

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Enjoy the photographs and captions from our summer trip to Bosnia



We ended our time in Herrnhut, Germany and drove to the Eifel to reconnect with friends we have built while working with George and Hanna Miley over the past five years. After a short visit we flew out of Cologne to Osijek, Croatia



Bible School in Osijek, Croatia:
I first stayed here 13 years earlier while working with Bosnian refugees. It was a surreal experience, being back and reconnecting with old friends before catching a train to Sarajevo


Waiting at the train station


Train to Sarajevo

This is a photo that captures the raw real-life stress and fatigue we encountered on our month long trip, you can see in Ethan's face how much he is 'enjoying' this 8 hour train ride





Driving Mladen's car from Sarajevo to Mostar

Our trip was definitely a planes, trains, and automobiles experience. Although the travel and schedule was intense and challenging God was merciful in all our travel.






Experiencing the birth of a baby goat
Ethan and Keilah were outside the church in Breza playing and we hear them yelling for us to come down and look at something--that something was a baby goat. It was a cool unexpected experience for them both and a good taste of what rural living in Bosnia is like.



Ethan and the local Breza Shepherd






















Mladen and Violeta and their son Andrej

This precious family has become some of dearest friends in Bosnia, we have a deep committment to them and the church they lead in Breza.




Keilah and Ethan cleaning a rug the 'old-fashioned' way



Ethan and Keilah helping clean Elvis's house
Elvis is a young man whom I have known well for the past 7 years. His Father was the first person to pass away in the Breza church years ago and this past January his Mother died. One of the ways we served the Breza Church was to help them rennovate Elvis's house-it was an 'extreme makeover' Bosnia style. It was such a joy to be able to serve together as a whole family. Ethan and Keilah enthusiastically worked along side us and the whole team. It doesnt get much better that serving with your own family



Keilah Cleaning



Elvis (left)and Sanel (right) at the Prayer Conference














Ryan Andrews with Micah
One of our highlights of our time in Bosnia was having Ryan with us, he was a great asset to our team. It was an important part of our development of a discipleship process that at the foundation is inviting young adults to live and serve with our family


Noleen with Svetljana and girls from a U.S. team we partnered with















Mladen and Violeta praying with a small group at the Prayer Conference
It was amazing to be able to participate in the second of the three prayer conferences in Bosnia this year. This year has been a special focus of prayer for Bosnia. This was the largest gathering of Bosnian christians to gather for the purpose of focused prayer. It was so encouraging to see the unity and focus of the Believers to gather together to pray for their country.



A young woman dancing and worshipping freely














One of the ways I sensed God affirming Bosnia as place of focus for my family was the way that God gave me such sweet and powerful times of worship as I worshipped Him through singing songs in the Bosnian language




Basketball at the Bible School in East Mostar



Sejo (left) & Boske (right)
These two friends I have known and loved since I lived in Mostar back in 2001. They were only teens back then but are now in their twenties and trying to figure out life.




Sejo
One of the greatest highlights for me was being able to spend time with Sejo. After playing basketball together we spent many hours catching up, when we parted Sejo wept openly. Our friendship is deep, when I lived in Mostar 7 years ago we spent almost every day together and I often ate meals and spent the nigth at his parents house and felt like an extension of his family. Sejo is one of the only young men I know from Mostar who have chosen to follow Jesus, he has little fellowship and support I have dreamed and prayed about bringing Sejo to Phoenix to participate in 'Apprenticeship to Jesus'





Some of the faces of Bosnia



Young woman and two older men watch a chess match in Sarajevo


Man in Sarajevo
















Woman in Breza

















Man in Mostar
















The Beauty of Bosnia


Train Station-Breza
















Old Bridge-Mostar
















Nretva River-Mostar















Nretva River-Mostar
















Sunset-Breza
















Mostar-A city divided and trying to cover up its pain & shame
“Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,” (Isaiah 64:1) This cry of Isaiah communicates the cry of desperation that God would take notice of and act on behalf of the pain, suffering and injustice rampant among His creation. It could be translated, If only you would tear the heavens in two and see what is happening among your creation… If only you would sever this distance that sits between us like a heavy garment… May this be our prayer for the places and people that God has entrusted to us.

Summer Report Part I (Written July 1, 2008

We are home, we made it safely and are now readjusted to the time changes and feeling caught up on life. Having the entire family at the meetings in Germany was very powerful. We are so grateful for Brittney and Ryan's help with the kids, their participation in our lives and ministry was a highlight. As we move forward in Apprenticeship to Jesus we recognize that the greatest opportunity for discipleship occurs in the context of sharing our lives with others!

The time together with the AN staff and the many guests from around the world brought strength and richness to our prayer and worship time. The speakers did a great job challenging and leading us. (we recorded the teaching times if you are interested—click here:

We will send out some photos and stories from our time in Bosnia in a later email. Again we want to thank you for your prayers and support that allows us to minister both here in Phoenix and Bosnia