Ana and Dosta are the two who write the previously posted testimony as to how God through His son has changed their lives. We are thankful we have been able to know these two girls a bit through the years but even more thankful for the care and compassion shown by the CEF team in Serbia, especially Katarina and Katarina, as they continue to make regular trips to the girls' refugee camp and show and share the love of the Lord Jesus. These two girls are some of the fruit of your prayers. Thanks.

A big “thank-you”We want to take the opportunity of thanking you for everything you have given us. We thank the Lord our God because He sent such good people to teach us about everything. Thankyou for the fantastic camps on Fruska Gora, thanks for the care you showed us, for the advice you gave us, for the workshops, the outings and the brilliant games. But above all else we want to thank you for teaching us how to get closer to God.While we were living in Kosovo we didn’t know who God really was. Then in 1999 we had to come to Belgrade with our family (we have been living in the same camp for 9 years now). After everything we’d been through our hearts were empty, and we didn’t have the will to live. We didn’t think that anyone in Belgrade would help us. Then you (Child Evangelism Fellowship of Serbia and Montenegro) came into contact with us, and - just like that - joy came back into our hearts. We listened carefully to the stories and songs about the Lord, and most of all to the prayers – we needed those. That day we received the Lord God into our hearts and realised that, “Whoever has the Son, has eternal life, and whoever does not have the Son of God, does not have life.” Thankyou for teaching us to forgive our enemies, and to love. If it wasn’t for you, our hearts would still be sad and therefore we’re saying a big “thankyou” for everything.We recommend to everyone that they should pray to God for forgiveness, “since God is so good that He gave His only-begotten Son to die for our sins.” Pray and forgive others because you will be saved and have eternal life. The Lord said, “Pray continually, give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)Ana and Dosta Zivkovic.

Well we are still shooting for a mid-January departure across the great pond in the sky i.e. atmosphere above the Atlantic Ocean! Continue praying with us. We only need another tiny little 13% plus automobile funds.

We had our first snow storms of the winter last weekend. Alas Jan and I had to be in Texas wearing shorts and t-shirts while plains states persons were wearing plenty more than that. But, there was always the news coming out of the Nebraska Athletic offices to take the chill off of snow and ice - a new Nebraska football coach. LSUs loss is Nebraska's gain as Bo Pellini leaves his defensive coaching position at LSU to become the new head football coach at NU. Even more exciting is the fact that Coach Pellini is bringing back Ron Brown as one of his assistants. Coach Brown is a great man of God that was instrumental in helping many NU players of the past come to faith in Jesus Christ.

No matter whether one is an NU football player or an unknown 10 year old Serbian refugee from Kosovo, the message of what Jesus has done for each one of us is the greatest and most important thing that can ever be shared.

Well...this is enough from the road. So, good-night and farewell from Dallas, Texas.

"Hail Varsity" - Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band

I had the privilege to be a member of the University of Nebraska Marching Cornhusker Band when Jan and I were studying at the University. It was fun to relive some memories listening to the band's pre-game warmups.

Moving Ahead

Greetings from Lincoln! It is the end of another beautiful fall day in Nebraska. The trees are at their peaks or have lost their leaves, depending upon the tree. We have had frosty mornings and clear "see your breath" nights.

We just returned from a long weekend trip that included a missions conference at Bethesda Church in Huron, South Dakota. It was great to be back with those folks and share our vision and passion for Europe. Katie and Nicholas stayed with Grandpa and Grandma (Jan's folks) and their Aunt and Uncle (Jan's brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Becky) and cousin Jon. We are sure they were not lonely or did without!

Monday we returned to the farm to get the kids and enjoyed an evening at a high school football playoff. Wow, was it cold! But once we returned to the folks that same night, the stars were amazing. There are no city lights and haze to block the stars in Naper country. It was an awesome display of God's creation, love, power, and mercy.

Now we are back in Lincoln, preparing for an Open House at Berean Church Friday night and then more fellowships in Bonesteel, South Dakota and Sioux City, Iowa next weekend.

Thanks for reading, sharing with us, and praying for us. The Father continues to move us ahead as we target January 13 for our return to the ministry field.

Part of the beauty of the wide open spaces of Nebraska as we journeyed up to Jan's folks earlier this fall.

What a State

Good afternoon from Lincoln! Friends and acquaintences often shake their heads in amazement that anyone would want to live in Nebraska or even claim to be from the state! But hey, where else would local television stations pre-empt normal broadcasting to present a press conference introducing the new Interim Athletic Director at the University of Nebraska? That is very cool and just one of the things that makes Nebraska a great place to live and claim! Why is that cool? I don't know, it just is! OK on to other stuff...

So now we are bloggers. Our kids told me that was a good thing. I will have to believe them since I have only read about 2 blogs in my lifetime. But I did see on Fox News that millions and millions of people around the world regularly read blogs, so...we shall see how many of those million touch base with this Awesome Bloggom! (Get it, like Awesome Blossom only Awesome Bloggom?)

God continues to move us forward toward a January return to the field: We are at nearly 85% of our required support; we are now asking God for 300 prayer partners and are on the way to that number; God has raised up nearly 45% of our outgoing expenses which include airline tickets, major appliances, shipping of our goods back to the field, and a car. In fact, our greatest need for the outgoing expense is funds for a car.

Would you please commit to earnestly pray that God will continue to raise up the support partners, funds for the car, and additional prayer partners? Thanks so much for doing this. And when you want to join us, please let us know that too and how you would like to join.

Well this is it from the state with the newly appointed Interim Athletic Director! Take care and keep praying and reading.

"Big Red" Saturday

As part of a belated birthday gift from Jan and the kids, we attended the Nebraska/Iowa State football game in late September. It was a fun and memorable day, particularly when Nebraska managed to win the game! It was also fun to relive memories of being in the Nebraska marching band during undergrad days at the University when Jan and I were first married. Thanks Jan, Ryan, Johanna, Katie, and Nicholas.

Light to the Balkans First Try

Greetings from Lincoln, Nebraska, home of the University of Nebraska and some very, very sad supporters of said institution's football team! After several weeks of dithering, we have joined the new century and added a blog spot to our repertoire of information giving. Friends tell us that people, perhaps millions, will die to read our blog simply because it is a "blog" and, I guess, that means we are officially cool!

Of course it also means we have to be on top of updating the blog and keeping you informed as to what is happening, how to pray, and how to praise. We look forward to trying to do just that and trust we will receive much feedback from readers near and far as they access the blog.

Thanks for checking us out. Have a great day.