July Update
- Published
- in Spiritual Life
After a two-week break, I am writing this blog again.
Charlotte and I have been on vacation, celebrating our 30th anniversary in Italy. This was our first visit there and we loved it. We spent time being tourists in some of the cities you might expect. We also spent time relaxing in the beautiful Tuscany and Cinque Terre areas. (The picture in today’s post is Vernazza, one of the Cinque Terre villages.) It was a wonderful trip that we enjoyed very much.
Last weekend, we went to Zagreb, Croatia, and spent Friday through Monday morning with Mladen and Dragica Jovanovic. (This was our first time in Croatia also.) Our church in Waco, Texas, has had a partnership with this couple for over three decades. The Jovanovics have spent many years working in Croatia to build up the church and plant new congregations. Last Sunday I preached for the congregation in Zagreb where their ministry is based.
Later that same day, I preached for the Zagreb Downtown Church. Charlotte and I spent time with two Croatian ministers, Mislav Ilic and Vlado Psenko. We were very impressed with both of these men. They impressed us with their love for God, their commitment to the believers in the Croatian congregations, and their gracious spirit.
While there we also spent time in Tom and Sandra Sibley’s home in Zagreb. Tom is the director of the Biblical Institute, a very fine school in Zagreb that is helping equip people for ministry. I am very impressed with the perspective and work of the Institute.
We came away from our weekend trip to Croatia refreshed by the Christ-followers we met there and grateful for our relationships.
I am also grateful to be back to this blog. Thanks for coming here as well.
Congratulations! We too have just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary (30 June for us!). And we too love Italy and the Cinque Terre. One day we hope to get back there!
Sounds like a wonderful time, Jim. We hope to get to Italy someday. Glad you're back to the blog. Happy Birthday!
Welcome back! Glad you had a great time – on vacation and in ministry! Look forward to more sharing! Happy Anniversary! May you have many more exciting adventures with the Lord.
Glad you're back! Sounds like a wonderful trip! Happy Anniversary – and Happy Birthday!
Yes, congrats on three decades! I've always wanted to visit Italy. And other places. Okay, coming from North Alabama, I've always wanted to visit ANY place!!
Congratulations! Don't you just love Italy! That is definitely a place I want to go back to someday. We miss you guys. Looking forward to when you are back.
Welcome home!
Congratulations!! We celebrated our 29th on July 5th.
I’m not much of a traveler. I like day trips, I love being home. I think probably because I had to work for so many years. Now that I’m retired I love being at home.