The Nigros in Treviso, Italy: Burek, Boxers and Baptisms: August 2012

Sharing in John 4 at CC Subotica

Burek (Serbia)

Our visit to Serbia in July was busy but blessed. We try to go once per year to see family but a large part of our time is always spent ministering in those churches with whom we have a longstanding relationship, as well as visiting friends.

I (Mark) was blessed to teach in two different churches on the same Sunday for two weeks in a row (the Brethren Church of Subotica and Calvary Chapel).

Sandwiched between, we shared at the leadership/servants ministry meeting Tuesday to encourage those serving in Calvary. On Saturday, we had a brief visit in Backa Topola during a joint conference and baptisms with a few of the other Calvary Chapels in the area.

Protestantska Hrišćanska Zajednica, Novi Sad

On Wednesday, we headed south to the amazing city of Novi Sad to minister to the men from Duga (Rainbow), the drug rehabilitation center run as a ministry of the church pastored by our longtime friend Danijel Kuranji and his wife Vera. The Lord is doing a great work there but they do need help to keep up with the growth. Pray for that.

Enjoying some of the finer things in life :)

It just would NOT be a legitimate visit to the Balkans without Burek. So we ended our time in Serbia with some of Subotica's best at our last breakfast with Renata’s family.

Boxers

We are thrilled to say that the Lord is continuing to reach new people and draw them into the fold. Many of you will recall our mentioning last time the variety of individuals that come through our doors, one of them being a boxer. Nathan has been coming faithfully and made a commitment to the Lord some weeks ago.

Since then, he seems genuinely to be a changed man. We just love witnessing such transformation the Lord makes in people’s lives. People who know Nathan can see something is different and often ask him what’s up. He speaks about his experience and others are now asking if they can "come along" with him to church service. How great is that!

Camila and Frances glowing after the baptism!

Baptisms

Frances who made a commitment to Christ some months back, has grown in giant leaps and bounds. The Lord is using her to reach others also, and one of those people is Nathan.

But we are excited to say that last Sunday, we had the pleasure of baptizing both her and Camila for their public profession of faith. We held the joint baptism at the Piave River with others from CC Montebelluna and Feltre. It was a wonderful day. Scroll down for pics of Camila and Frances in the water.

A Few Odds and Ends

Quickly for those who are wondering the latest, my father is doing well. Still fragile, but stable to the amazement of the whole family!

The earthquakes have also stopped for now, we had become so used to the tremors that things seem a little flat these days. But we’re not complaining.

Next week we head to Austria for the annual missions conference at Schloss Heroldeck. Looking forward to the refreshment of fellowship with many missionaries from all over Europe.

September 7-9 we will be holding our annual church retreat for CC Treviso. This year, we are excited to have pastor Brian Cambra (director of CC Bible College, Italy) as our guest speaker and his wife Maria who will be overseeing the children’s ministry and leading us in a time of worship.