BY ROBERT JURJEVICH
At a recent women’s conference held in Charlotte, NC, a woman sat beside Sandrina (she did not know this lady) during a lunch break. Amid the conversation, the lady (who is a church goer for many years) asked Sandrina what she did for a living, to which Sandrina answered, “I’m a missionary in Bosnia.” The woman then replied, to Sandrina’s surprise, “You are the first missionary I have ever met!’
How connected are we in our individual hearts and within our local churches with the Great Commission that knowing of or personally meeting a missionary is a rarity for one’s Christian walk?
As we enter the 4th quarter of 2022, the ‘post-corona’ world is facing a global crisis in all spheres of the social strata – from the threat of economic collapse to energy shortage, from educational gender activism to political elitism, from potential nuclear conflict to interrupted food supplies – with fear and uncertainty trying to grip a spiritually lost generation.
What relevance do we as followers of Christ, particularly those of us serving as missionaries in distant lands, have in initiating change? Without God’s calling, anointing and presence, we cannot accomplish the work of God. Reflecting upon our own missionary service during this year in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are thankful for the continual faithfulness and encouragement from God and His people.
THE BOSNIAN BODY OF CHRIST
The local churches of Bosnia and Herzegovina generally are struggling with stagnation, with more believers seeking to leave the country in hope of a better life elsewhere. This is a common challenge throughout the Balkan nations. We continue to pray that the younger generation of Bosnian believers will have a heart and vision to remain within the nation and to grow the local churches.
The annual unity service with all the churches in Sarajevo and three other nearby towns took place this year since Covid restrictions were lifted on public gatherings – Robert was asked to preach, and his topic was A NEW BEGINNING FOR A NEW HARVEST.
BIBLE AND NEW TESTAMENT DISTRIBUTION
Through online offers via Facebook, we have mailed out 600-700 complete Bibles and Gideon New Testaments throughout the nation. No better gift to a spiritually desperate soul that the living Word of God.
PRO LIFE MINISTRY
The first ever Balkan Pro-Life Conference (nations of southeast Europe) was held in Sarajevo from June 28-30. The directors and staffs from all the pro-life/pregnancy centers in Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Croatia, joined with us in Bosnia and Hercegovina for three days of training, prayer and encouraging fellowship. Sandrina and Dejana both had opportunities to share during the conference. Sandrina gave an overview of the various pro-life activities and programs of the Center For Life LIGHTHOUSE (SVJETIONIK).
We were honored to have executive level leaders of the world’s largest pro-life organization, HEARTBEAT INTERNATIONAL, to speak at our church and to attend the pro-life conference in Sarajevo. On the far right of the picture is Jor-El Godsey, president of HEARTBEAT INTERNATIONAL.
BABY CLASSES
Sandrina and her assistant, German missionary Astrid Harms (who is a registered nurse), have conducted several workshops and classes for pregnant ladies to help prepare them for the birth of their babies.
CHURCH SUMMER CAMP
Nestled high among the steep Bosnian mountains beside a glacial lake, the Christian campground Emek Beraka (meaning Valley of Blessing) provided a beautiful surrounding for a peaceful and restful week for our local church family to experience together. The forecast for the entire week was to be rainy, but it turned out to be absolutely perfect weather the entire time. Our daily camp schedule was very simple and relaxing – breakfast, workshop, walks and swimming, lunch picnic, walks and swimming, evening meal, evening worship and campfire to close out the night.
This building (3 floors) was where we slept – enough separate rooms for each couple with children, and two large rooms extra for men and women separately – perfect for our group of around 25 people. The outside terrace was used for mealtime, workshops and fellowship.
The chapel building was covered but open-sided – in case of rain you are kept dry, but you might need a blanket for the evening breeze. This is where we held our evening worship meetings – singing, praying, testimonies and preaching.
Our daily workshops were on the theme ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ – while originally, we planned for it to be only for the children it turned out all the adults participated!
Our precious sister Suncana wanted her water baptism to be celebrated during the camp week! Oscar and Dania (Central American missionaries to Bosnia) asked to have their baby boy Noah to be dedicated to the Lord during the camp.
Normally in the Balkan nations, the men, women, youth and children all have their own summer camps – this was the first time for the members in our church to experience a ‘family camp’, where all the generations are together. It was a blessed time for all.
BALKAN CALL CONFERENCE
Nearly 30 years ago, the BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL hosted the first ever conference for Balkan/Turkish church leaders, which took place in the beautiful town of Orhid, Macedonia. The anointing released in that gathering continues to be manifested through the present-day BALKAN CALL network. PLEASE PRAY for the 2022 BALKAN CALL CONFERENCE, which will be taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, from October 27-29, 2022. The BALKAN CALL will be a gathering together of 300 intercessors and church leaders from all the Balkan nations for the purpose of repentance and forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration between these nations. Robert will be one of the speakers at this gathering.
FROM R.K.’S CORNER
Robert and Sandrina have deep roots in the Balkans. In 1985, as a young missionary couple, they left for the region. They spent several years in Sarajevo, Bosnia, pioneering a church among the Muslims. The Balkan war (1992) forced them to return home, where they stayed till the war was over and there were more stability in the Balkan countries.
In the interim years while living in the Netherlands, Robert was the coordinator of The Bridge’s mission outreaches in the Balkans, then later, pastored churches and fellowships in the Netherlands and the States, while raising their four children.
In 2013, Robert and Sandrina set again their course to Sarajevo where they live and thrive. This is an update on some of their recent activities.
On a regular basis, they return to their home countries to visit their children and grandchildren, as well as sponsors and friends. They were supposed to visit us here in South Florida, but Hurricane Ian had ruined the route and homes of their friends on Florida’s west coast, so we missed them this time.