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Tabitha, Antun, Marjia & Samuel
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NOTE From Editor: I want to
recommend this family who have been
faithful servants on this hard mission
field. Read about their fruitful year of
ministry and then prayerfully consider
giving a financial gift. Email them
directly for giving instructions. The
seeds you sew, they will multiply.
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Koprivnjak Family
Newsletter 2009
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Our mission field
In Vukovar, Croatia you can feel the global
economic crisis in every part of your life.
Every day, more and more people are
desperate because they lose their jobs and
salaries are
decreasing rapidly. This year we will have
the election of a new president. We pray
that God will choose the right person for that
high position of responsibility and
opportunity to make good changes. Croatia’
s big desire is to become part of the EU, but
first it has to solve imposed conditions
required for membership. Most of the
citizens have lost faith in the government
and politicians, because of the corruption
and lack of justice. But we are sure that, if
people would humble themselves and pray,
seek God’s face and turn from their wicked
ways God would give them faith and hope in
better and just future.
Ministry
Publishing ministry
Marija is the general editor for publishing
ministries. Besides regularly publishing the
magazine “Izvori” (4 times per year), we
were able to translate and publish two new
books; one for prison ministry for ladies
(“Women Rising” by Eleanor Clitheroe)
which contains testimonies of converted
prisoners. The second book which was
translated from the German
language (“Geschenke, die der Himmel
schickt” by Elisabeth Mittelstaedt) which is a
collection of true stories and testimonies of
God's love toward ordinary people. Other
than the Internet, books still have a powerful
influence on people and can reach people
that are sometimes unreachable by the
Gospel. That's why we are often giving
books as presents to unsaved people and
people in high positions (ministers,
politicians, etc.).
This summer we received a message from
one lady and she wrote: "I received your
children-book (“Treasure of the snow” by
Patricia St. John – which we translated and
published ). I gave it to my father, a true
atheist and loyal communist, who was almost
80 years old. After he
read that book, he gave his life to Jesus and
soon after that he died. But I will meet him in
heaven because of this book."
Humanitarian ministry
We are also involved in the distribution of
humanitarian aid to poor and needy people.
Many people from the city are blessed by
this ministry, especially gypsy people. In
October we received a donation that came
in a big lorry from Norway, it was full of used
clothes, furniture, toys and appliances. It
took us a whole week to unload the truck,
sort things out and organize the distribution
and transportation for those who cannot
come to pick up items but are in real need.
We are also regularly receive food
donations from Italy (every few months).
Sometimes material things such as
humanitarian aid opens the door for
evangelizing people.
Prison ministry
We are much involved in prison ministry.
Regularly we visit the women’s prison in
Pozega, which has about 130 prisoners. We
always prepare a program for them
including songs, a Gospel message,
testimonies and we give them small gifts.
Below we have included one encouraging
letter which we received from one
imprisoned lady.
Other ministries
Our church became the place for ISOM
(“International School of Ministry”) teaching
program. Many people are attending and
getting a good Christian education. We are
supporting this and see it as being very
important.
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Our family
Antun feels much better after his heart
operation (pacemaker implant). He is
regularly teaching and preaching in the
church. He has also started a seminar for
couples who are getting ready for marriage.
He helps in translation for the Christian
magazine “Izvori” the editor of which is
Marija. Marija, also works with ladies
through different kinds of ministries. Also
she is a member of Pentecostal Church
Presbytery in Croatia.
Samuel, our son is studying Electrical
Engineering at the University in Osijek. He
has started preaching in the church in
Nasice and leading the prayer meetings. He
also leads worship, and helps the pastor in
many ways. Throughout the whole summer
he and his wife Valerija were volunteering in
Christian Summer Camps. Valerija is editing
the Christian children’s magazine “Ribice”.
She also helps in translating Christian
books and teaching Sunday School.
Besides all that, she is doing post graduate
studies in Social work in Zagreb.
Tabitha is in doing excellent in High school.
She also volunteered in the Summer Camps
and leads worship in the church in Vukovar
as well as helping us with correspondence
and technical support.
Prayer needs
• God's guidance & wisdom in
His service
• Family health and strength
• More fruits of our ministries
• Church spiritual & number
growth
• Financial support
- - - - - - - >< - - - - - - -
Encouraging letter from prison
Dear friends,
After your kind visit and unselfish spoken
words, beautiful music and performance
which stirred my heart and brought up lots
of emotions, I decided to thank you from the
bottom of my heart. It is great to feel love
and understanding by people who were
never convicted and haven’t been
imprisoned. Your gesture has made a deep
impact on me.
I have always believed in the Creator and
was raised in my faith. Faith is my
foundation, which holds me and gives me
strength to endure. I find my daily comfort
and strength in reading the Bible, praying
and believing in a better tomorrow. In prison
I found time for myself to collect my
thoughts, and deepen my faith.
The night before your visit I was reading in
the Bible verses that the preacher
mentioned in his testimony, (he read from
the Bible the story about the women who
was caught in adultery and was almost
stoned to death). I am specifically familiar
with the Pentecostal church, but I would like
to know more.
Thank you for your visit, your words of
encouragement, the music, prayer and gifts.
I hope that we’ll meet again and stay in
contact by way of letters.
Warm greetings from the bottom of my heart
and a big thank you! M.F.
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