Open hands, open hearts...

Once, a long time ago I had a conversation with a friend about keeping our hands open. It was at a time when close friends were beginning to go in different directions, courses were changing as life's dreams were beginning to be aspired to. Of course there was sadness in my heart as my friend kindly told me, "Grace, you have to keep your hands open; if you hold so tightly to the blessings the Lord has already given you may miss the blessings He wants to bring." whether it's friends, places, roles or ministries there is a time for every season. Some seasons we gladly say goodbye to, some we wish we could draw out indefinitely.

As I look back on the seasons that we've been in Split, I'm so blessed to see the Lord's hand in each of them. Always He has been faithful to lead and guide, so gracious in His provision. So, now we stand at a new crossroads; those of you who read our last newsletter know that the we really feel like the Lord is leading us to close the cafe. Of course there is some excitement at the thought of what could be coming next, but isn't it human nature to cling to what we know? When I think of the Global Cafe I think of all of the friends who have contributed to its being. Of all the hopes and vision that have been prayerfully considered, of sweet times of worship and fellowship, of many conversations with many students.

Sometimes, to be obedient is to look past what is logical. Recently I was reading the kids the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan river into the promised land. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant had to step into the water first, then the waves receded. I wonder if they thought Joshua was crazy, or if they remembered the Red Sea? I love in Psalm 34 when it says, "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who puts his trust in Him." God's past faithfulness demands my present trust. I've tasted and seen that the Lord is good, every good and every perfect gift comes from my Father with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. So instead of standing on the shoreline, thinking I prefer the security of solid ground beneath my feet, I know that when we step out into the water He has already gone before.
We still have to find a place to meet on Sundays, a daunting task when we consider that before meeting in the cafe we were denied many places when the owners found out that we wanted to have "non-Catholic" Bible meetings. I'm confident that as we open our hands, letting go of what we see as practical, the Lord will fill our hearts and hands with new blessings, showing Himself strong on our behalf yet again.

July Update!

Hello everyone!

Here's an update for what's going on here in Croatia with our family and ministry. I guess we'll start out with the fun and exciting stuff, so here we go!

Family: We just recently found out that Grace is Pregnant with our 4th little bundle. She's about 9 weeks along and has been experiencing morning sickness and some tiredness, but thats to be expected and she is fine and the baby (from what the Doc said) is doing good. Thomas and Mila are enjoying summer and Oliver is running around screaming and pulling anything down that he can get his hands on. We're all doing well and are very blessed.



The Global Cafe: For those of you who understand what the Global cafe is you will be pleased to know that this past season it still functioned as a great place to meet and share with students that attend the near-by schools, and a place for the church to meet and have it's functions. However, it is with mixed feelings of sadness and excitement that we have to inform you that we believe the Cafe has run it's course as being part of our ministry. Over the time we've had it, it's been a great blessing and used to the full capacity of the vision the Lord had given us for it. Recently, we've received some fresh vision for the ministry and the Lord now has us going in a slightly different direction. The nostalgic part of us is sad to see this season pass, but we're so blessed to hear from the Lord and receive fresh vision from Him. We will try to focus a little more on the city center and we're looking for a place that we can just pay/use once or twice a week. Please pray for a place and this new season the Lord is bringing us into.

The fellowship is doing very well. Grace and I are so blessed by the people who are part of the body here and encouraged in the growth we see in each of their lives. We are currently studying though Genesis, and might I say, having a great time with the Lord as we continue each week.

Just a couple last things in closing, please keep the fellowship and the people here in this area in prayer. We so badly want to see the Lord touch many peoples lives! Ben and Emily Spector will be joining our team here in September and we're very excited to have them, especially since they will be taking over worship for Tim!! It's going to be 3 years since we've been to the States and we miss many of you dearly. We're planning on bringing the whole family over in December and letting some of you see kids you've never actually met in person! More details to come about that, but keep it in mind if you would like to get together when we are there.

God bless you all abundantly!! We love you and are so blessed that you are a part of this work our Lord has called us to.

~Tim, Grace and the kiddos