Dear Friends, Family & Ministry Supporters -
Greetings from Herceg Novi, Montenegro. It will be a few weeks before I get my next newsletter written, so I wanted to email you with one important prayer request and a few updates.
*** VISA RENEWAL TIME (aka A Time to Pray!) ***
Last week, my team leader Eric successfully renewed his visa for the next year. This week, my teammate Jan and I are turning in all of our paperwork. We had our first meeting with the Police Inspector for Foreigners this morning... So praise the Lord with us for Eric's visa, and please pray that Jan & I will be able to navigate this process quickly and successfully.
BACK TOGETHER
PIONEERS Team Montenegro (Eric, Susan, Alex & Noah G., Jan G. and I ) is back together in Herceg Novi for the first time since August 2007. Home assignments and travel had kept us apart over the past 5 months, so we're excited to all be together again. Pray for us as we settle back into team life and look forward to the ministry opportunities and challenges that 2008 will bring.
KOTOR CHURCH and HERCEG NOVI BIBLE STUDY
The believers in the town of Kotor (about 30 miles from Herceg Novi) continue to gather together weekly for a time of Bible study and fellowship. We're encouraged by the way these believers are sharing their faith and growing in love for one another. Pray for our team as we continue to seek out ways to encourage and serve these believers, and that a church will eventually be planted in Kotor. Pray for these Wednesday evening meetings to be a time when God is worshipped and made known. In Herceg Novi, we're hoping to restart a weekly Bible study with the local believers on Sunday afternoons. Pray for us as we prepare and lead this time, starting March 2nd.
KOSOVO - CHANGE HAPPENING NEXT DOOR
You'll likely hear a good bit this week about Kosovo's recent declaration of independence. Kosovo does border Montenegro, however we are not expecting to feel any direct impact from the events that are happening there. Still, please pray that this time of transition will not escalate to violence, nor cause unrest in other parts of the former-Yugoslavia. Pray also for the PIONEERS team in Kosovo as they continue to labor diligently, on behalf of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in a place of great need.
TIME IN THE USA
Recently I was blessed to have accumulated enough frequent flier miles to have a free trans-Atlantic ticket available to me, and so I chose to spend the Christmas 2007 holidays with my family in NC. While there, I was able to connect with many friends & supporters at Grace Community Church (Fletcher, NC) and Redeemer Pres (Travelers Rest, SC). I also began my graduate studies with my first intensive course via Columbia (S.C.) International University. Right now, through the Seminary & School of Missions "Advancement in Ministry" distance education program, I'm slowly beginning to work towards a graduate certificate in Biblical Ministries, but that may eventually turn into a Masters (in Intercultural Studies?). Pray for me as I figure out how to balance on-going study with my ministry responsibilities.
CLARION CONSULTANT TRAINING
After those four weeks in the USA, I returned to Montenegro and left again immediately for two weeks of training in Hungary, Croatia & Bosnia to be trained as a Clarion Consultant. PIONEERS partners with Clarion Consulting in order to better equip teams to proactively address the major factors than can lead to team failure or ineffectiveness. The Clarion Model is an ongoing development process that addresses individual and team growth needs. Ultimately, the goal is that healthy teams will stay on the field longer and have a greater Kingdom impact, for the glory of God. I've now been trained to help my team participate in this ongoing process, and also to consult with other PIONEERS teams in the area as needed. I enjoyed the opportunity to gain more skills in this area, and believer that the Clarion Model will be a helpful tool that will supplement our team's vision, growth and health.
Beyond that, English Classes are in full swing and the days a rushing by! Thanks for your prayers and generous giving that sustain this ministry!
Grace and Peace in Christ,
Elizabeth
