November Update from Croatia

Dear Friends,

Celebrating Diversity in Croatia

Croatia, like many of the countries of Central Europe is an ethnically diverse place. Most of the Reformed congregations in Croatia are in fact Hungarian, some are Czech. I was in Hrastin (or, in Hungarian, Haraszti) recently for a fall festival, full of dancers, choirs and great food from several different surrounding villages, and some guests from Hungary as well.

Part of our mission here is to affirm the diversity of the body of Christ by making sure that people have a chance to hear the gospel and be nurtured in faith in the language that they know best.

Reformation Day celebration

October 31, the Day of Reformation, the day in 1517 on which Martin Luther nailed up his famous 95 Theses to the Wittenberg door is remembered here in the Reformed Church in Croatia with joy. Most of our congregations were begun in that same century as the Reformation spread like wild-fire through Central Europe.

This celebration of the Lord's Supper took place on Reformation Day in the village of Velika Pisanica (which means "large colored Easter Egg") because this congregation is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the church building. So, for over 450 years there has been a Reformed congregation there, and for 100 years they have shared the bread and the cup in this sanctuary.

A group of Reformed pastors came down from Hungary to help lead the service. It was a special blessing to remember and affirm our connections to the body of Christ throughout time and space.

The congregation in Velika Pisanica is small; they have no resident pastor. This is another side of the reality of the church here in Croatia. There are strong and deep roots, but there is also a lot of work to do to make sure that the gospel that was planted here so long ago can blossom in this generation as well.

Youth conference in Hrastin / Haraszti

Building on the momentum established at the very successful summer day-camp, we had a youth conference this fall, again in Hrastin / Haraszti. Peter and Wanda Szenn organized it using help from several pastors from Hungary just as they did last summer. (Some of you have met Anita and know of her gifts speaking, leading, and playing guitar—she was a great help again.) These conferences are a vital part of the ministry here for many reasons, the chief of which is that they are for the youth, the future of the church. That so many young people come is a great sign; they enjoy being together in the context of learning more about their faith and how it fits into their lives.

These conferences are also important because they help the young people from different congregations come together as one church, at least for the day. It's easy for our young people to feel alone and isolated in a village, but coming together with people their ages from different congregations helps them to understand that the Church is much wider than merely the local church. The Reformed Church in Croatia, and all of the Protestants taken together still comprise a tiny minority in this overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country, making it all the more helpful and encouraging to be together.

Here are our future elders, and maybe even some future pastors. At the minimum we can say, here are the future active lay-people who have not drifted away into secularism. They are being given a history of experiences of being together as the church in a positive and even fun way. For all of you whose support helps us to pay for the bus, the food, and heat the room, making these kinds of conferences possible, thank you!

Family news

• Nathaniel just turned 8. There are still un-popped balloons left from the party.
• Benjamin is learning first-hand what it means that European schools put more emphasis on math and sciences than American schools. In his seventh grade he is already taking physics, chemistry, and doing math at levels that make me nervous.
• Steven just finished teaching an intensive two-week course in Old Testament theology and ethics. We ended with holy war (that is with a discussion, not a demonstration).
• Michelle has been actively engaged in the seminary and in the peace center. These two areas come together in the quest to establish an MA program at Evangelical Theological Faculty in Peace-Praxis. There are several interested potential partner colleges in the States.
• We ask for your prayers for Michelle's mother who continues to struggle with difficult health issues.

Steve and Michelle

The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.81