The Holsteads Spring Newsletter 2017

After a very cold winter it is lovely to see spring coming and daffodils blooming. It has been a busy term so far with lots of encouraging activities and seeing God work in people’s lives. This is a hard land with a difficult recent history and with few people putting their trust in Jesus. So, when we see God moving it is great to be able to share this with you.

Young people in the church

We held a two-day event for the church youth and some of the young

people who attend Novi Most. The theme was based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 where if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone and the new is here. So we looked over the past year, where we were now and where we want to be in the future. It was a great time with games, talks, discussions and activities. The event was also attended by young people from Ploce and Korcula in Croatia. For those young people there is no youth work in their locations so it was good to encourage them and each other. We are planning to do another event during the next term to build on this.

Centar activities

English classes: The English classes continue and for the beginner’s groups the starter book is either just finished or nearing completion. It is really encouraging to see how all have come on from knowing nothing or very little. The third level English group is also progressing well and we aim to complete the course in the summer, having lots of time to practice for the exam in the winter term. It is also good that Ali is getting to know the students

better and has met them for coffee and helped one student with a mock interview for a job which she successfully got.

Conversational English: Many of Ali’s students and some young adults who we have met through past courses enjoy meeting Mick and Ivica in the Hotel café to speak English. They enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and being able to have the opportunity to practice spoken English. The conversations are varied and a great practice in giving all increased confidence.

Saturday morning activities: Mick helps run Centar activities on Saturday mornings. The young people attending are mainly in their teens and enjoy playing table football, table tennis, play station group games or doing crafts. It is a great time to see young people from all the ethnic groups coming together and enjoying hanging out together.

Church

The Church is doing well and we are seeing an increased attendance of young people each Sunday morning. Mick has been meeting one young man in particular, called Lovro. He lives just across the border in Croatia with his family. He wanted to know more about Jesus and met a believer from his town so now attends church with him. Mick has been going to visit Lovro each week and going through a discipleship course. Lovro is keen to be baptised soon.

Mick and Predrag are the church elders and are currently leading the church whilst the Pastor is on sabbatical. Mick has preached several times focussing a series on the Prayer of Jabez, which has greatly encouraged the church. Both he and Predrag have also visited the believers in their homes to encourage and pray with them. This is particularly important in this country as many believers struggle with friends and family not understanding what a relationship with Jesus looks like.

Nada, the Pastor’s wife, had a dream of opening a centre in the town for women to get together. This began in June last year. Ali, along with two other ladies help her. Ali teaches English one evening a week and is currently leading a craft workshop this month with the theme of flowers. She opened the craft by sharing how perfect God made flowers and indeed us and how we are all beautiful and loved by God. It was a good time to not only share a love of craft, but also to get alongside these ladies who are from all three ethnic groups.

It has already been a busy time and summer term hasn’t even begun! We ask you to join us in prayer for the following and we look forward to sharing with you next time how God has been working.

Please pray for:-

• Opportunities in all we do to share Jesus’ love and see the spirit move in this town.
• The young people in church to remain inspired and develop their relationship with Jesus. Also we have started a new generation worship band. Please pray that the young people are encouraged to practice and play in the church services.
• For the young people in Novi Most to attend the church youth activities and to feel at home in the church.
• For Mick and Ali for managing all the different things which are happening and also to find a good balance of home and ministry time.

Mick Holstead