Bohall Ministry

The Great Commission has a Great Foundation: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me..." (Matthew 28:18) Though we are back in the States for 3 months, the call to join with disciples from all nations in endeavoring to make disciples of all nations does not stop.  In fact, as we mentioned in the previous post, one of our goals while we're here is to keep you involved in what the Lord is doing through our ministry in Croatia.  That's why it's important for us to be reminded of the foundation of our call to go.  Yes, Jesus urged his disciples to go, just as the Lord urged Abraham to go generations before.  But simply going won't get us anywhere - at least when it comes to disciple making.  We obey the call to make disciples because Jesus has the authority to send us.  He lived the perfect life of word and deed.  He was sinless yet paid the price of sin.  He displayed his power through love.  So as we continue t...

Our trip to the States is rapidly approaching.  As we anticipate traveling on October 25th, we invite you to pray specifically for the following: - The travel from door-to-door - about 18 hours in all - that the Lord would cover the four of us with peace and safety.  Pray for patience as we find creative ways to keep the boys content on the two flights.  Pray also for Enoh and Ian as they adjust to a new time zone, new surroundings and the busyness that awaits us as we hit the ground running. - Our fund-raising efforts.  We have determined that we need to raise our support by approximately $400 a month.  The Lord has been faithful thus far in our ministry and we are confident He will continue to provide for our needs. - The ministry we are leaving behind for 3 months.  Pray for Sara - an 18 year old who is contagiously passionate about Jesus - as she takes over the Junior High youth group.  Pray also for the boys who have been coming regularly to...

With a very busy summer behind us, we've settled into our normal routine.  Petra's leading two youth groups and teaching Christian Education on the weekends, while Jeremy continues teaching English in a local elementary school and preaching occassionally. Jeremy also has a new opportunity this fall as he and a friend from Orahovica are offering guitar and drum lessons for up to 8 boys from the town. They've been meeting 3 times a week and it's proven to be a welcome challenge for the boys who are looking for something constructive to do. Just this week, we had a team from EuroMission Norway visit again.  Several of the members have shared some of what they know with the boys.  It's great to see non-believers from Orahovica connect with teenagers who are passionate about their faith.  Finally, we’re excited about an extended 3 month trip to the States from late October until the end of January.  Our plans are to meet with supporters, spend time w...

As you know, camps are one of the highlights of our year. They are where Petra first felt her call to Croatia and it was the place we began our ministry when we moved here in 2005. As it turned out, due to reconstruction, that was the last year camps took place in Orahovica before they returned this summer. What a reunion it was! We went back to 4 weeks of camp—2 kids camps, a teenage camp and a young-adult (18-35 years old) camp. Altogether, over 300 campers and leaders participated in camps. Though the building is not 100% complete, the logistical side of camp ran smoothly. Even more importantly, the Lord worked in the hearts of many campers each week. As soon as it became clear that camps would be in Orahovica, we made the decision that Petra would be a leader and administrator during the two kids and teenage camps, while Jeremy stayed home with the boys. We reveresed roles for young-adult camp. We are encouraged to see new campers every year. One of the most exciting things is ...

Today our camp opened its doors to youth ages 18 through 35.  Though the location and facilities stay the same, there is almost a complete change-over in staff.  Petra and Jeremy will aslo make a switch as she'll stay home with the boys while Jeremy works as a leader.  During the last couple years youth camp was not well attended.  Last year our team made a strong effort to revitalize the camp and it shows in the registration this year.  Although it's still the only camp that isn't filled to capacity we're expecting over 40 youth along with 20 leaders/volunteers.  This year's theme is "A life without compromise."  Please pray that the Lord would work in the hearts of the young people who attend.

We are in the second week of Children's Camp.  The one major difference between this kid's camp and the last is that this is for ages 10-12.  Other than that, the all of the bullet points in the previous post remain the same.  Please pray with us for the following:  One boy who was sent home at the beginning of the week.  Pray that the Lord would use a conversation he had or something he heard during his time at camp to penetrate his heart.  Pray also for his family situation. That the seeds that have been planted this week would grow and blossom. That the Lord would continue to renew the leaders' strength throughout the rest of this week. Two of the leaders of this week's camp - a couple - traveled by train from Split, Croatia - a 14 hour train ride.  Remember, leaders are not paid for working at these camps.  Many of the volunteers give up their vacation time in order to be here.  In the case of the two from Split, they brou...

Camps are back!  It's been 5 years and a lot of reconstruction since camps were last in Orahovica, but they are finally underway.  As a way of helping you get a better idea of what camps are like, how we are involved and how you can pray, we will be updating this site once a week with details about each camp.  Camp Week 1: Children's Camp - July 5th through the 10th - Ages 6 through 9 - the requirement is that each child has finished first grade and are able to read and write. - The price of camp is $40. - This year, more than others, fewer people were able to pay the registration fee.  The camp policy is to accept everyone and usually outside donations help to cover the cost of paying for the kids who can't.  This year we were in the minus to start camps, but during the second day of camp someone donated money to pay for 16 kids who were unable to which turned out to be the exact amount needed to erase the deficit.  Praise the Lord! - Please pray:...

This summer is a very special one for us.  Camps are returning to Orahovica!  Though the reconstruction is not 100% complete, camps will come back to Orahovica for the first time in five years.  What does this mean?  It means at least twice as many campers can attend and hear the gospel.  It means that camps no longer have to take place on pavement in a nearby city.  Rather, they will be in a small town near the lake where the first ever Christian camp was founded in the former-Yugoslavia more than 30 years ago.  It also means that there's a lot to do before camps start on July 5th.  That's why last weekend - a holiday weekend in Croatia - many of the camp leaders gathered in Orahovica for a work weekend to prepare the building for camps.  Over 100 mattresses, some of which haven't been used for 5 years, were cleaned.  Bunkbeds, which have been stuck in storage had to be put together.  Sheets were was...

In an effort to keep it simple, yet informative we'll summarize the last two months in a few pictures and several words: On March 19-21 we had the privilege of driving to Vac, Hungary to take part in our first CEO gathering.  (If you're unfamiliar with CEO, please scroll down!)  We had a very enriching weekend interacting with other believers who have many of the same goals and passions as we do - but for different parts of Eastern Europe.  Since then, we've established a relationship with Tom Foley (far right) in which he has begun encouraging and mentoring us.  The move to CEO has been a huge blessing! This is a team from EuroMission Norway who came down during the week before Easter to do a series of concerts in Orahovica and surrounding towns.  They helped us establish numerous contacts, and even more importantly showed a passion for living out their faith which many youth here have not witnessed among fellow teenagers.  .  The 6th -...

Since we've lived in Orahovica, there has never been a lack of things to do - which was one of the things that confirmed our calling in the first place.  There has been a growing list of opportunities both in the church and the community that are well worth our time and effort.  Never has that been more apparent than this spring. With the wonderful news that camps will return to Orahovica comes a new set of challenges for Petra.  A growing baseball team means that Jeremy can invest more time into training kids and teenagers who are over the initial hump of learning the basics.  Two expanding youth groups give us new opportunities to disciple teenagers at various points in their spiritual lives. We count it a privilege to be busy.  God is a God of action.  From his call to Moses, to Jesus' command to his disciples, God has always urged us to "go!" as we obey the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). But Jesus also withdrew at times duri...

We are excited to announce a small but significant change in our ministry.  We have become partners with Christian Educators Outreach (CEO) - a nonprofit organization for the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Please take some time to look at their website - especially their Story, Practice and Core Beliefs section .  The reasons we made the change can be summarized as follows: 5. Connections.  The head of CEO - Tom Foley - has been to Orahovica, met our pastor and his wife, and preached in our church.  He is familiar with how ministry works here.  In fact, he brought a team over 5 years ago to begin English classes in Slatina - the same English classes Jeremy now teaches.  In other words, CEO has already had an influence on our ministry without our knowing it. 4. Finances.  New Europe Vision - our former organization  - was primarily designed to send humanitarian aid to the former-Yugoslavia.  NEV ...

It's impossible to overestimate the importance of prayer in our lives.  We often try to calculate various things in our ministry:  How many lives are we influencing and to what extent?  What aspects of ministry are most worth our time?  How much have our donors given this month? Sometimes we give too much weight to those sorts of questions. But prayer is different in that it can't be calculated.  It is invaluable.  So when we tell you, our supporters, what our prayer needs are, and constantly ask for your prayers, we do so genuinely, knowing that prayer is the most important way you can support us.  We’ve seen our ministry blossom because we have such strong prayer partners.  The Lord has directed our paths through your prayers.  What an incredible thing!   So please continue to keep us in your prayers - it's the most powerful way to be part of our ministry

Ian Rahim Bohall was born on Wednesday, January 13th at 1:40 pm local time.  He and Petra are doing well as they both recuperate in the hospital.  At 8 lbs. 1 oz, he is more than 2 lbs. bigger than Enoh was when he was born!  Ian means "God is gracious" while Rahim means "compassionate".  We feel blessed beyond measure with the birth of our second son.  Thank you for your prayers and support!

On Sunday, Croatia will vote for their third president since their independence 20 years ago. I’ve learned a few things about Croatian politics, but one of the things I appreciate most is what happens the day before citizens hit the booths on Sunday. Today is called the day of “election silence”. Neither candidate will speak publicly, debate or campaign at all. Laws demand that we don’t hear anything from them for 24 hours before voting begins. A day of silence from the voices of the candidates gives us the perfect opportunity to pray for His will to be done "on earth as it is in heaven".  Please pray for the future President of Croatia.