Mission to Montenegro newsletter

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Vicki spoke at the local monthly Ladies' Brunch Outreach at the end of November  on the theme of Whatever You Do, Do for the Glory of God.  In early December, she was then privileged to be the speaker for the quarterly women's meeting of the Word of God (Evangelical) Church in Podgorica, covering the last virtue listed in Gal. 5:23: The Fruit of the Spirit is .... Self-Control. Several of us ladies from Nikšić went; it is so good to be connected and encouraging one another!

Please pray that the truths spoken would bear fruit in our lives.  Join us in giving thanks for the unity that does exist between the evangelical churches here.  Please pray that we would all continue to strive for unity as the churches grow and (Lord willing) more churches are planted.
 

With our Sisters in Podgorica!

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We also said farewell to Sarah K, the EUS intern from Denmark who wrapped up her 6-month internship on Dec. 4.  

Sarah K from Denmark

Although an intern for student work, she was active in the church, active in reaching out to university students, active in following up with contacts made through the various camps and outreaches this summer and fall.  She is much missed! 

Please pray for Sarah as she transitions back to life in Denmark (reverse culture shock is real) and moves forwards with her studies.  Please pray and consider as well if you or someone you know is being called to come and help for a season.  As Jesus said: The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  Matt 9:37,38

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We are now entering in the busy holiday season here in Nikšić which informally begins on Dec. 19 with the celebration of Saint Nikolas  and continues through Christmas 1 (for us on Dec. 25), New Year's (Jan 1), Christmas 2 (for us and everyone else Jan. 7), til Jan. 20 (Saint John the Baptist Day).  Many families celebrate their Slavas on Dec. 19 or Jan. 20; hence they are also days of feasting.   Many from church will be away, including co-leaders.  Stan and I hope to get a break in late January or early February. Please pray for us to enjoy good health and to "hold down the fort" with wisdom and good cheer.

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich

This past autumn, we had the honor of attending my niece’s wedding and it was a treat!  They chose a Napa Valley vineyard as the setting, with towering trees, rustling brook, flowering arches to set a beautiful stage for exchanging their vows.  After the ceremony, we feasted under the grapevines, enjoyed good conversation with friends and family, and danced til tired on a makeshift stage.  A truly memorable event.

As mentioned in recent newsletters,  Stan has been preaching through the Book of Revelation in the evening.  Not too long ago, he preached on the Great Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19).  To illustrate the long-awaited ceremony,  Stan mentioned elements often seen at weddings:  the festive garments,  the flower decorations, the special music, the feasting.  While the details of wedding celebrations differ all the world over, the desire for lifelong love and commitment to each other is the same.  

To focus attention on the beauty of the fulfillment (finally!) of joyous union, he wrapped up with “Envision that special moment when the expectant groom first sees his bride adorned in her beautiful dress moving forward to become his wife.  How his face lights up with love and wonder.”  But instead of heads nodding in agreement, some people looked puzzled and one person even went so far as to say aloud “I’ve never seen that.”

Here in Montenegro, we don’t see much ‘cherishing of one another’ between husbands and wives. Sadly, here as elsewhere in the world, many marriages are broken, if not by divorce,  by a lack of mutual affection and working together for the benefit of all.  And adultery on the husband’s part, while not considered ‘good’, is certainly considered to be prevalent.

With this context, you’ll better understand this last little snapshot about Milijan; he was an early contact, our family friend, my language tutor, and an active Bible Study member who came to a better understanding of Christ and His salvation. 

Milijan participating in Bible Study

One of my most favorite memories of Milijan came about by happenstance.  One Saturday afternoon, we were in town with our troop of five children heading home down the main walking street. We met the entire Simunović family, Milijan, his wife Rada, and four daughters, heading into town.  

Walking Street and Square in Nikšić

While we had spent time with the Simunovićs in Milijan’s childhood village (last Snapshot) or going on a short hike up Trebjesa, our local mountain, this was the first time I’d ever seen Milijan with his family in town.   

What made it so memorable was not that shock of a student seeing a teacher outside of the classroom and realizing his teacher has another life that is “Not Teacher.”  Nor was it that he was taking his family out for pizza (although I had to do an envy check: In those early days (with no Yellow Pages), we didn’t even know there *was* a pizza place in town.)  

No, what etched that picture forever in my mind,  was his sunny disposition, his beaming smile,  his happy countenance, the spring in his step.  He was not Milijan, my tutor, but Milijan, a family man, delighted to be taking his family out for a treat.  So supremely notable because we saw so little joy and happiness in families in general.  It warms my heart still, to remember.