We are praising God for enabling us to touch hearts and lives while we invest our lives in St Croix, Jonesboro, Lookout Mountain, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Traveling so many places can be confusing and tiring at times, not to mention hard on my back, but God has called us to serve in this way for "such a time as this." God confirmed our yearly circular travels to our hearts through 1 Samuel 7:16-17a, "Every year Samuel would go on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mispah and would judge Israel at all these locations. Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there."
One important story from Sarajevo this year (more stories in the fall newsletters) was Igor, a friend of Mladen's, whose family has a gravestone company. As he shared about his work with us, I had the idea to employ his skill for Asima's headstone (the woman who was the impetus for starting the Kosevsko Brdo Church back in 1999), who passed away in 2022, as she only had a wooden plaque. I checked with her oldest son, Dado, who lives in Canada and who approved all the plans, as well as contributing along with a number of others from our church planting group from the late 1990's. In the process we realized that Dado's grandmother, Baka, had been buried under Asima, and so, of course, we included her name on the stone, as well. It is now complete and here is the lovely headstone.
Asima served the Temple family in the early years. Cynthia said, "She brought the culture to our family teaching me how to make coffee, cook BiH cuisine, tutored our children in the language, and tutored me, as well. We sang together, prayed together, and delved into the deep truths of the Word. She became my Bosnian mom and the kids' grandma (Baka)." Asima was very close to our family, as well as many other teammates. She told us that she stopped smoking because sweet little Lydia, at a young age, told her it was bad for her, and she should stop. Lydia told her she would pray for her. And Asima she did stop! Asima often led worship at church, with me on keyboard, in the attic of the white building for the inception of the church plant, and later, at the Kosevsko Brdo Evangelical Church after we acquired the permanent property. She attended the Brela Ladies Conference many times selling her handmade jewelry for income. She loved to sing and worship. Beginning in 2005, she attended our ministry center in town, run by Tom and Kristie and us, and learned to play the autoharp. Sweet Asima opened her home for our house church in later years when she couldn't get around so easily. We miss her greatly. ❤️
During the headstone planning, we offered Igor a Bosnian Gospel of John, which he gladly received. He also requested an English Bible, which is on its way to him. Igor previously visited the Evangelical Church with Mladen and was very moved by those who were worshiping. Pray for the Lord to draw him and show him the reality of a relationship with Jesus.
We are so grateful for your prayers to the Lord on our behalf and your generous monthly financial support, as well as periodic gifts, especially at the end of the year to help cover our travel expenses and fill a deficit. You can give through ARM Ministries at the GIVE button above. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We are so very touched by those who have given for the Lord's ministry through us for all these many years! We started this process of raising support back in 1997, packed up and moved across the ocean in 1999, expanded our outreach in 2018, and continue to have the world on our hearts. 💕
May God fill you with His Spirit as you are amazed at the Christmas message, glorifying and praising God as did the shepherds and the whole village of Bethlehem 2000 years ago!
We love you all,
Jenny and Merle
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