The Earth Quakes Again

On Tuesday at 12:19 pm, while most of our family was in the living room, our apartment started rocking. We've experienced aftershocks from the quake in March for months now. But the one on Tuesday lasted longer and gained strength until it ended. The only feeling I can compare it to is like turbulence on an airplane. The obvious difference is that you don't expect the floor beneath you to move when you're in your own house. Some of our cupboards opened and spilled their contents. Thankfully, that was the extent of the physical damage in our apartment. None of us were hurt.

We would soon learn though that we were on the outskirts of a much stronger quake than the one in March. Several towns and villages about an hours drive from us experienced the full brunt of the earthquake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale. As of this writing seven people have died and many more are injured. 

Photo courtesy of Josip Škof

Though there is damage in Zagreb, it's not nearly as severe as what the capital of Croatia sustained in March. All eyes have instead focused on Petrinja, Glina and Sisak, the larger towns near the epicenter. There has been an incredible response from citizens all over the country, many coming immediately to help search for those trapped under rubble, clean up, lend a helping hand or even build makeship roofs to cover residents who refuse to leave their land. 

Photo courtesy of Josip Škof

The response has been so strong, in fact, that authorities have told people to stop coming so that emergency aid can arrive unhindered. Humanitarian organizations and churches have gathered and sent whatever food and other necessities. Hotels have offered to house those who are displaced, Hospitals throughout the country have opened space for patients having to be moved from Petrinja. Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Italy have all offered to help in any way they can. There has been an overwhelming response by people all around us. 

Photo courtesy of Josip Škof

So we would ask you to pray for those who have been affected. Pray for those grieving, and for those who are in need. There are several small Baptist churches in the area who are receiving and distributing aid. Pray that the Lord would shine through their words and efforts. 

We'd ask you also to pray specifically for our family. With the ground shaking so frequently, it's constantly on our minds. It's an added layer of stress on top of the pandemic and now being at home constantly throughout the holiday break. 

On the other hand, we are reminded of all we have to be thankful for: health throughout the year, all we need and more. 

Thank you to all who have checked in with us. We're so thankful that you are thinking of us and praying for us. 

Here are some related links if you're interested:

Video of the mayor of Petrinja giving an interview when Tuesday's earthquake struck. 

Photos taken by Croatian photographer Josip Škof just hours after the earthquake. 

News coverage of the quake from Croatia in English.

Video of mobile homes arriving from Austria.

Merry Christmas!

This has been a sobering year for many of us. It's a year in which the significance of a Savior who understands and sympathizes with us brings us more comfort, perhaps, than in other years. Our prayer is that you would be surrounded by peace as you celebrate the birth of Emmanuel. May the news of Christ's birth fill your heart with joy.

Merry Christmas!

Angels We Have Heard on High

 Seeing one kid after another take up an instrument has been a joy for us as parents. This year we put together a simple arrangement for our unique instrumentation and played Angels We Have Heard on High. Enjoy!

The Fullness of God in the Church

I've long been drawn to the incredible promise in Ephesians 3:20-21. Abundantly more than we can ask or imagine? How can that be?

When I use Paul's beautiful hymn of praise as a benediction at the end of our church services, I fear some may feel it's just a nice way to leave. But can these words really be true? Are they true?

In this sermon, I try to get at the heart of what Paul is saying in this lofty text. I preached it in Croatian a couple weeks ago. But I also practiced it in English ahead of time. 

Royal Rangers and Covid-19

As is true of so many segments of life, our scout ministry has been affected by the pandemic. We've had fewer and shorter meetings since the virus came to Croatia in February. Last Monday was the third day of a three-day weekend and a beautiful day for a hike. We took advantage of it. 

 I (Jeremy) have the pleasure of leading Royal Rangers with one of my good friends, Danijel K. His two oldest boys (middle) are pictured here with our two oldest boys. I am so thankful for the friendship our two families have. 

God Creates Order out of Chaos: Genesis 1:1-5

I had the pleasure of digging into Genesis over the summer. This is a sermon I prepared for our local church in Zagreb in July. By way of preparation, I recorded it in English ahead of time. 

Summer Without Camps

 This was the first summer since we moved to Croatia that we haven't been involved in camps. They were cancelled due to Covid-19. Although it was disappointing to not be able to serve in one of the most exciting parts of our ministry, the break came at a good time. We took the extra time to be with friends and family at the coast. 

Is it Worth it?

On most occassions when I (Jeremy) preach these days, I preach in Croatian. But there are times when I practice the sermon ahead of time in English. I've found it's important to feel what it's like to preach the sermon in my native language before preaching in my second language. 

This is a sermon I preached earlier this year on the value of Jesus Christ as Lord. 

Covid-19 and Earthquakes

 Two weeks ago, Petra traveled from Croatia across the border to Hungary for the weekend without a hitch. She went to a women’s gathering while I (Jeremy) stayed at home with our five children. My parents and my mother-in-law helped me manage the whole situation. Our life was completely normal. There were 12 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Croatia. 

One week ago, Petra and I went out for breakfast in Zagreb to plan for the upcoming change in our schedule. The government had just announced that there would be no school for at least the next two weeks. With four of our children affected, we had to plan ahead. Thankfully Croatian officials were on the ball. They had already begun recording classes for pupils to watch on television and over the internet. There were 49 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Croatia.

Zagreb on March 14

Today, we’re not allowed to cross the border to any other country. We can’t go to a restaurant because they’re all closed. In fact, we’re not allowed to leave our apartment if we’re not getting necessities for my parents or ourselves. Today, or rather right now, there are 206 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Croatia – 78 more than yesterday at this time.

We’ve kept our eye on what’s going on in Italy for awhile now. They are, after all, a ferry ride or highway away from us. The Croatian minister of health has been incredible. He’s been one step ahead the whole time. Yesterday they filled an arena with beds to supplement the hospitals if this situation gets bad fast. Officials have been calm, but strict. Even today, with the high spike in confirmed cases, I feel confident I am in a country where the politicians and health officials are leading wisely.

I’m not sure I can say the same about myself. At home, with five kids between eleven months and eleven years, it has gotten chaotic at times. Sure, it’s nice not driving all over Zagreb to baseball practices, swimming lessons and parent-teaching conferences. But having 5 less-than-mature personalities around me all the time can be draining. So it has been nice having my parents around to help with the kids. 

Last week, they enjoyed time with our 11 month old Mihej in the park on a daily basis.

But parks around the city were closed on Thursday. And my parents have been told to self-quarantine. So they are no longer able to spend time with their grandkids – one of the main reasons they decided to come to Croatia.

I took the kids out to play baseball a couple times this week. But these sort of outings are also no longer allowed. 

So we are at home together for the next 4 weeks at least. This is our new reality. It’s going to take some getting used to. Yet, as I write, I realise that if we are all at home together for the next 4 weeks, we’re going to be just fine. It’ll be challenging. But it’s a lot better than the alternative of one or more of us being hospitalized. 

So I’m thankful; thankful for those whose authority we are under; thankful for a wife who has been so very patient during this time; thankful that my parents are close; thankful to more closely observe and interact with my children as they grow and learn.

As I edit this and get ready to post, Zagreb has been shaken by several earthquakes this morning. Among other damage, the first quake broke one of the spires on the cathedral.

A pandemic and earthquakes; it seems like a lot. But we’re still far away from many around the world who are dealing with wars, famines and other catastrophes. 

That’s not to say we’re not affected as a family. We are. But Psalm 46 is an incredible help during this time:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

All the events of this week have made this command more relevant and important to me. 

May I, may we, Lord, learn to be still and know that you are God.

A Quick Look at our Ministry in Croatia

Home Again

Jeremy here. I am headed back to Croatia. My trip to the Northeast was incredible. Just about everything went as planned - something I'm not accustomed to experiencing with five kids. Petra dealt with the unpredictable in Zagreb, school strikes and all, while I traveled through the News: England and York. 

Of course, pleasure was not the reason I visited the States. Still, I've always said that family and friends were the #1 thing I miss about the U.S., just ahead of baseball. I got both on this trip. 

What I loved most about this particular journey was meeting many people who are excited about advancing the Kingdom of God. Between churches, pastors and friends and family, there were at least 15 various gatherings in which I was able to share our story and talk about what's going on in Croatia. 

So much of that was because many of our long time supporters graciously hosted me, arranged gatherings, and spoke on our behalf. We are so grateful for you!

We don't know whether the specific dollar figure we set out to raise will be met. But throughout the trip I was struck by how the Lord guided the various conversations I had. I love the way Nehemiah says it at the end of chapter two; "...for the good hand of my God was upon me". That's how I can summarize my trip. 

What We're Doing

I am leading a Bible Study on Thursday the 31st on the Spiritual Disciplines. Dallas Willard has a tremendous definition of the disciplines which will help me as I teach why they are so important. He says the Spiritual Disciplines are "an activity within our power—something we can do—that brings us to a point where we can do what we at present cannot do by direct effort." 

We also have a Royal Rangers meeting on Saturday and Petra has a couple quarterly camp meetings this month. 

We're especially excited to be promoting Biblija365 (the first Croatian daily reading app)  at the largest book fair in Croatia. There are expected to be 200,000+ visitors between November 12-17. 

How you can support us

Please pray for my reentry back into Croatia. I want to be with the kids as much as possible so Petra can get a break. But I will be battling jet-lag and preparing for Thursday evening and Saturday morning. 

Also continue to pray for the Lord to provide the necessary finances for us to continue. As I mentioned above, we have no way of knowing yet whether we have reached our goal. We would ask you to prayerfully consider supporting our ministry financially. You can do so here.  

Please pray for our relationship with the Lord and our marriage. We believe that what we do flows out of who we are. Pray that we would continue to grow in our love of Jesus and each other. 

What we're reading 

Books

• Discipling in a Multicutural World by Ajith Fernando. Fernando has a lot of experience discipling in various contexts. This book is practical advice built upon a sound biblical foundation. 
• The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction by Sinclair Ferguson. I'm reading this in Croatian. Ferguson wrote a new introduction for this republished Croatian 2019 edition. It's a classic, and a very handy resource for the Croatian church. 

Articles

• Revive Europe: This Christianity Today article talks about an initiative connecting European students in prayer and a conference at the end of the year. We attended Urbana 2003 before we were married. It sounds like the gathering in Germany ringing in 2020 will be a lot like that. One of our close friends is involved in organizing the Croatian chapter. 
• Croatia: A Stabilizing Factor in Europe Despite ongoing corruption which reportedly is amongst the highest in Europe, Croatia brings some stability to the region. 

Contact Information

We love to hear from you. Please feel free to respond with any questions, comments or prayer requests you have. It is a pleasure to partner with you in ministry. For more information about our family and ministry click here. 

We love our missions organization, Christian Educators Outreach. Go here to check out what they're doing. 

Grace and Peace, 

Jeremy on behalf of Petra and the kids