THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING |
|
|
At Christmastime, many are looking for the perfect gift, something that will fulfill the receiver and give endless hours of joy. However, we as followers of Christ already have that perfect gift. The love of Christ which fills us with joy, peace, and hope is something that some people spend a lifetime searching for. Giving that gift away is our primary goal this month. |
|
 |
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Our church will be hosting its annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox giveaway this Saturday. Our people have invited their friends, family members, and loved ones to bring their children to meet the popular Superbook mascot, Gizmo, hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and receive an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox gift. In fact, we have so many registered to attend in advance this year that we had to close registration early due to a lack of space and shoeboxes. Please pray with us that the Holy Spirit would draw hearts to receive salvation on Saturday.
Many of you may participate in lovingly shopping for and packaging shoebox gifts for OCC and Samaritan’s Purse. Be assured that those gifts are making their way into the hands of children in need (both physically and spiritually), and they truly make a difference. Thank you for your generosity and love.
As of this year, there are 27 Operation Christmas Child partners throughout Croatia. Mario was asked to stay on as national leader this year; and another member of our church joined their 5- person team as a logistics manager.
|
|
|
|
SAMARITAN'S PURSE RETREAT/UKRAINIAN REFUGEES
Mario along with his refugee work coordinators, Danijel and Gris Behin took a trip to Germany last month to attend the Samaritan’s Purse Retreat and meet with the Ukrainian disaster relief partners across Europe. We are presently working with approximately 120 refugees, all of whom have successfully obtained their Croatian green cards (refugee status) and most of whom have found work, and apartments, and successfully integrated into Croatian society.
We have seen so many miracles during the past 8 months in our work with the Ukrainian refugees. One of the largest happened this past month. We had a family arrive 3 months ago. The mother had been outside of Ukraine when the war began and the daughters joined her in Poland, obtained refugee status there, and for reasons of their own they ended up in Croatia. However, Ukrainians who were outside of Ukraine before the war began are ineligible for a green card as are those who already registered for refugee status in another European country. This family had come to us and was in great need but was completely ineligible for refugee status which meant they could not receive any governmental help, enroll in school, receive health care, get an apartment, or work. We were praying as a church for God to give us a miracle on their behalf. Danijel contacted a woman that has been willing to help us in the past. He collected and handed in the pertinent papers even though he knew in all probability they would be denied, and by the end of November, they would no longer be able to stay in Croatia. Danijel and Gris were in the office last week with her file before them, praying and not knowing what to do if their situation remained unresolved. That very day this family’s green cards were granted. God had truly made the impossible, possible!
Unfortunately, we are awaiting a new wave of refugees, due to the continuation of the war and the present lack of gas and electricity in Ukraine. Please continue to pray with us for peace in Ukraine.
|
|
PRAISE REPORT>
>Our church still continues to grow.
>We had many more people register for our Operation Christmas Child event than we’d expected.
>God has been giving us miracle after miracle in our work with the Ukrainian refugees.
|
|
DARIO KAPIN - BOSNIA
A few months back you’ll recall that we shared with you the need that a pastor friend of ours, Dario Kapin, has. He has been trying for several years to purchase his own church building but has been lacking the necessary finances. Dario visited our church this past Sunday and shared his need with our congregation. We have been collecting finances for his project just as we know that some of you have, as well. Dario let us know that much of the needed finances have come in over the past several months, and he truly believes that he and his family are seeing a historical miracle happening for his city Zenica. Please, continue to pray for him, his family, and his church. They are doing amazing work for the Kingdom of God in Bosnia.
|
|
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Thank you so much for all that you have done for us this past year. We are truly thankful for you, your generosity, and love. It is that very love that spreads joy, peace, and hope that is eternal. As the business of the holiday season tries to take over, don’t forget to consciously slow down and share that love with others, for it is the only true gift that keeps on giving.
Merry Christmas and a blessed 2023 to you.
Blessings,
Mario and Bonnie Ducic
|
|
PRAYER REQUEST>
>Our Operation Christmas Child event on Saturday, that we would see many come to Christ.
>Finances, wisdom, and guidance for the refugee work.
>That our support would continue to grow. Croatia’s currency is converting to the Euro as of January 1st and we are concerned with what this will do to our economy.
|
|
Croatian Evangelistic Outreach |
|
|
|
|
|
|
