January 2020 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Remember this and stand firm,               

              remember the former things of old;

for I am God, and there is no other;

              I am God, and there is none like me.  

Is. 46:8a,9

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

With the close of the decade, this seems to be a fitting time to remember and stand firm.    In this spirit then, let us rejoice in what God has done these past ten years.  Those of you who have been part of this work will remember, and those who've joined us more recently can see how our God has been working mightily.

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• Ten years ago, we were seeking prayer for Stan to regain legal standing to be in the country.  With the independence of Montenegro, Stan had to re-establish residency through the byzantine labyrinth of bureaucracy just mere days before leaving on furlough (or not be able to leave the country at all).  God came through with 48 hours to spare.  And, two years later, his Montenegrin citizenship was formally recognized.  We appreciate the privilege to be here and the freedom we have to proclaim Christ.  Thank you, Lord.

• Ten years ago when on furlough or traveling, we were bringing in others, from outside the country, to lead the church.  Now we have a solid core of faithful men able to lead within the fellowship.  They regularly lead in prayer, in the consecutive reading of Scripture and giving insightful comments*, in helping to serve Communion, and preaching occasionally. *We've read through the whole Bible this past decade, too!

• Over the past ten years, the church has witnessed several baptisms, nearly a dozen marriages,  and sadly, even a few deaths within the congregation.   Ten years ago, there were no little kids in church—all the children were in their teens.  Now, with the blessing of marriages has come the blessing of children.  This year, for the first time, the little ones gave a short presentation at our Christmas service.

The Next Generation!

• Over the past 10 years, both our hospitality ministry and camp outreaches have grown expansively.  The Camp Monty Outreach continues to reach young people through sports but has broadened in these last few years:   a women’s outreach has also taken place the past two summers; and Heidi, originally a Camp Monty volunteer, is developing a Hearing Testing/Aid ministry reaching even wider into the community.  She was here this past month and will be back again, Deo volente!

• Ten years ago, Danijel had just begun his work to transform the informal student ministry into a formal student ministry. This past summer, the local student work, EUS CG, was officially recognized and accepted into the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students at the IFES World Assembly 2019 held in South Africa.

• Over the last decade, in Montenegro as a whole, God has been working mightily:  the number of missionaries (mainly in the capital city) has more than doubled; the evangelical churches *still*  gather yearly for our All-Montenegro Believer’s Meeting (no small thing in an area rife with division); both the Evangelical Alliance (our representation to the government) and a national Gospel Coalition (bringing Christ-centered helps to a needy nation) are moving forward.

• In looking over ten years' worth of prayer requests, we note that the (previously) oft-mentioned request to pray for regular work opportunities has been answered!  Everyone in the congregation seeking work has it; it may not be the *best* job, but it is honest work.  At the same time,  may we pray ever more diligently for the saving of unbelieving spouses.  One young woman, whose husband has been a believer for more than a decade, is just now willing to concede that he is not “in a sect.”   Oh, may the Lord grow this small seed into much fruit!

• Over the past decade, we’ve also had our share of opposition: The repeated marring of the Church sign (which took years of prayer to get).  Stolen offerings.  Slanderous lies.  Persecution of people who start to attend by their families.  Health issues.  We’ve seen God provide grace and help in all these things.  If God is for us, who can be against us?

• Finally, we thank you for the past decade of praying for us as a family.  You've been with us through sending off kids to university, struggling with FAFSA applications, dealing with the logistics of three in college at once, launching young adults, becoming empty nesters, facing personal health issues, celebrating the wedding of our youngest daughter and now, with Stan’s mother living with us,  learning firsthand about eldercare.  This new season of life is both a joy and a challenge.  Please continue to pray for us.

Our God truly is like no other; praise be His Name!

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We eagerly look forward to this next decade.  It seems to us that God has laid a good foundation here for His church, and we anticipate seeing the Lord grow His church--in faith, in numbers, in maturity, in influence.  Thank you all for helping to make this happen!

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support,


Stan and Vicki Surbatovich

December 2019 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

For unto us a Child is born,  unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

With end of the year and the end of the decade drawing near, we reflect on how privileged we are to be here in Montenegro, proclaiming the Son, Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, of whom the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.  And we rejoice in the certainty of knowing that our labor is not in vain, for the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Hallelujah!

• Stan is currently preaching through Exodus 17 in our morning service.   We continue to see the entire gospel played out in this foundational book as God is with His people and rescues them again and again, proving Himself the faithful covenant bearer to faithless covenant breakers.  This past Sunday evening, Saša (the recent theology school graduate) preached from Hebrews 4,  showing forth the superiority of Christ as the Great High Priest.

• Unexpectedly, we will have fewer OCC Christmas boxes to distribute, actually less than we asked for.  Montenegro as a nation received the usual number of boxes sent, but a greater number of groups requested packages to hand out.  Overall, this is a good thing as more children in more towns, cities, and villages will be reached.  Here in Nikšić there will be just one day of presentations on December 24th--please pray for the children and their parents to be touched and pointed to Christ through this ministry.

Explaining the European Leadership Forum Vision

• In early December,  Stan attended an event in Belgrade, introducing the European Leadership Forum (ELF), which seeks to mobilize evangelical Christian leaders working in many fields of life (not just pastors) to stem the tide of atheism being exported from Europe to the world.  Upon prayerful consideration, despite the worthy aim of ELF,  Stan will be focusing his "beyond the local church" time and energy to furthering the establishment of TGC Southeast Europe and Montenegro.

Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests:

• We will have a packed month of Holiday events and visitations.  

• December 19: St. Nikola's Day--a major Slava (Saint's Day Celebration)--We'll be visiting two families.
• December 24:  Samaritan's Purse OCC Outreach
• December 24&25th:  Birthday and Christmas Celebration
• Dec. 27-Jan. 4:  Heidi Sharpe and her Hard of Hearing Ministry visit
• December 29:  Last Sunday of the Month Festive Fellowship Lunch together 

• January 1:  New Year's (more major holiday than Christmas here)
• January 5:  Pre-Christmas Sunday Evangelical Outreach services (morning and evening)
• January 7: Christmas celebration service with children’s presentation (unbelieving spouses will be attending) 
• January 20:  St. John the Baptist Day--another major Slava which closes the holiday period. We expect to be visiting a couple of families this day.

Please pray to God for many opportunities to open our mouths to speak the truth of Christ and the meaning of Christmas in the coming month--for us personally and for all the believers here in Nikšić and Montenegro.

• Barring unforeseen circumstances, we will be hosting an intern, Benjamin Burlaga, this summer.  Ben has been in Montenegro many times previously in conjunction with Camp Monty, but this internship will be centered on the missionary church/pastoring ministry as required by his college studies.  Please pray for us as both hosts and mentors and for Ben as he raises funds and crystalizes what he wants to focus on while here.

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• It is with grateful hearts that we find ourselves agreeing whole-heartedly with the Apostle Paul when he writes the Corinthians:

There is no need for me to write to you, for I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it. 

However, it is good for us to be reminded that

Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God.

As the year draws to a close, we want to say how very much encouraged we are by the love and support shown to us through you all.   We can attest that many have come to praise God because of your generosity of support.   Thank you for the notes and cards, for short emails and longer updates, for faithful prayers, and for the finances to do what we do.   Please continue as God enables.  Knowing that some have not been enabled, please prayerfully consider increasing your support.   There is so much more do in 2020 and beyond!

With great love and appreciation,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro

Note:  If you'd like to join our team of financial supporters or adjust the gift you already give, here’s how:

If you live in the U.S., you may mail checks made out to: Mission to Montenegro with appropriate memo and addressed to:

Faith Community Church
Attn:  Mission to Montenegro
723 South D Street
Oxnard, CA 93030

Website of Sending Church: Faith Community Church Homepage

If you live outside the U.S. do get in touch (stan.surbatovich@gmail.com) and we will give you bank transfer information.

Thank you for your support! Soli Deo gloria!

November 2019 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

The Lord is my strength and song,     

                  And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him,
                                   My father’s God, and I will exalt Him. Ex. 15: 2

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

This past month can be characterized with three Bible verses: I John 1:3 and Heb. 10:24&25.

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We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  I John 1:3 

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• In the proclamation of the Word on Sunday mornings, Stan covered Exodus 15, God’s people rejoicing in the mighty arm of God.  In our evening service, Stan has shared the pulpit with several others, so we’ve been encouraged from our continuation in Hebrews 2 as well as from Romans 8:37 and Ephesians 5:8ff.

• We continue to have a few returning visitors to our services; May they come and walk into the way, the truth, and the life of Jesus Christ and enter into everlasting fellowship with God.

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And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb.10: 24&25

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• We've enjoyed a month of fellowship, hosting old friends (Tanja and Rebekka from Denmark), Tim Savage (England/States), Terence B. (Australia), and in a wonderful providence of God, our married daughter and son-in-law for a weekend tacked on to a European business trip.  It has been a huge encouragement to our souls to spend time with friends and family in the Lord.

Treasured Family Time!

Four nations gathering together
and encouraging one another

• We had an excellent meeting with Tim Savage (of TGC)  who not only preached an encouraging Christ-centered message from Rom. 8 but came prepared to share and offer insights into TGC.  We are particularly thrilled that we had a few others from both Podgorica and Bar to hear him, and then meet with us all and discuss the new Southeast Europe TGC--its history, goals, helps available, and possible next steps for a MNE-TGC chapter.

Spurring one another on

• With the return of our fall schedule, the life of the church and EUS-CG is in full swing:  weekly bible studies and prayer meetings, mentoring, one-on-one meet-ups, fellowship dinner, and the newest:  the revival of a coffee hour after the morning service and the regular recording of both sermons.  Many thanks to Jelena V for her role in these old/new additions!

Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for Stan and the other men as they prepare and preach the Word of the Lord.  It is both an awesome privilege and awesome responsibility, unto life and death.

• Please pray for our recent semi-regular visitors to hear that Word with open ears and open hearts; that they might embrace the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

• Please pray for the upcoming OCC/Samaritan's Purse Christmas Shoebox events:  for wisdom in partnering with various civic groups, for opportunities to share gospel truth, for the children and their families to enjoy their shoeboxes and to look beyond to the ultimate Gift.

• Please pray for the many other winter, spring and summer events which are being planned for now:  Ongoing TGC developments, Heidi S's return in December ministering to the hard-of-hearing, a new EUS intern arriving in early winter, the Danish Bible School team outreach in March, a church team from the US ministering to adults in April, hosting the All-Montenegro Believer's Meeting in May, the usual summer camps, plus a possible summer church internee between May-Aug.

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich

October 2019 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

You have put gladness in my heart,

More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;

For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.  Ps. 4:7-8

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

We thank God for the gladness in our hearts for we know it is a joy and a gladness that the world cannot give: For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.  Amen!

• In our morning service, Stan is finishing up the Passover, that pivotal event in history, and in the evening, he is showing forth the supremacy of Christ (the ultimate paschal Lamb) as revealed in the book of Hebrews.  

• Additionally, in obedience to 2 Tim 2:2 (what you have heard from me … entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also)  Stan has asked several men in the fellowship to periodically preach in the evening throughout the rest of this year.  These occasions will provide opportunities for the men to prepare and feed God’s people from His Word and to gain constructive feedback as they meet up afterwards to help one another grow in their abilities.

A Day to Celebrate!

• A major highlight of this month was joining in the celebration of Sasa’s college graduation from the Baptistička Teološka Škola in Novi Sad, Serbia. The graduation ceremony itself was lovely: the caps and gowns, the processional, the speeches and the charges.  At the reception afterwards, we met some people we knew from past visits to Serbia, as well as people we didn't know connected with the school, so that time was both pleasurable and informative. We are thrilled that Sasa benefitted greatly from his schooling and has a heart to pursue even deeper studies.  Please pray for him regarding next steps!

Saša and Marina with TLI President

Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests:  

• Please pray for Stan and the other men to faithfully and reverently preach Christ's Word as He and He alone is our sure foundation of salvation and the fulfillment of the greatest need here in Montenegro.

• Please pray for our Hospitality Ministry.  In the next month we are hosting old friends back to visit all the brethren*, a TGC representative, a believer from another city here in Montenegro, a few family members, and an Australian who will be working with EUS-CG for a couple of weeks. *We often think we need a rewrite of I Left My Heart in San Fransisco to I Left My Heart in Montenegro.   If you haven't yet, come and see!

• Please pray for the other ongoing ministries and outreaches of the church: the Bible Studies, the prayer meeting, Fellowship Lunch, mentoring, visitations, student work, and more.  May we act with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that we might not build in vain.

• Please pray for Stan's ongoing health concerns including the need for cataract surgery on his right eye.  (His left eye was done in the spring before our stateside trip this past summer).  To get this done, he has to jump through all the hoops again.

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support,

    Stan and Vicki Surbatovich

September 2019 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God.  In Him was life, 

and the life was the light of men.

John 1: 1, 4

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

It is hard to believe that we've been back in Nikšić for just a month, so much has happened.  We share the following highlights that you might know, rejoice, and pray with us in all that the Lord is doing:

• Stan picked up his morning sermon series in Exodus with an introduction to the dreadful tenth plague, the death of the firstborn.  In the evening, he finished his series going through the book of James, that practical book of how to live a faith-filled life rooted in Christ.  Now, in the evening, he will be preaching through Hebrews, a timely follow-up, as we focus on Christ Jesus who is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.

• We are enjoying the regular rhythm of church life again: services, prayer times, visitations, and hospitality opportunities.   A week ago we had an extra-long* prayer meeting--for the most delightful reason.  One church member, Rade, recently moved his family into their new home after 8+ years of living multi-generationally while building it.  The first Sunday after the move, when Stan asked who wanted to host our weekly prayer meeting, Rade was quick to raise his hand.   Praise the Lord for a new point of light in Niksic!    (*Because our prayer gathering counted as a formal "initial visit to a new home", the family had prepared the typical company-over meal:  cold roasted lamb and pork, smoked meats and cheese, bread and salad.  We all sat around a big table and ate first, then enjoyed a normal prayer meeting, followed by dessert and coffee. Fun!)

• The EUS-CG University Student Bible study has resumed for the school year, beginning a series through the "I AM" statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John.  May many come to hear and respond to these truths.

• The Gospel Coalition Southeast Europe is moving forward; the goal of the current phase is to transition from one steering committee (of which Stan is a member) to national councils who will nominate country representative(s) to engage in future planning of the group as a whole.  Please pray as there are several big challenges, including how to navigate the language barriers with so many different nations involved as well as how to fairly balance representation between large countries (eg. Albania) and small ones (eg. Montenegro).

Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for Stan as he studies, prepares, and preaches, that he might rightly divide the word of truth.  Please pray for us, the believers, that we might see with our eyes, hear with our ears, and understand with our hearts. Please pray for the lost to come that they might know the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

• Please pray for both returning students and new (especially the new!) students at the university, that they realize the precious opportunity to learn from God and His Word and take advantage of the bible studies, conversation club, and other outreaches.  Pray, too, for the EUS-CG workers, all members of our local church:   Danijel, Saša, and Jelena V (just back after a two year internship in the UK!) as they are planning the school year and how best to reach the students.

• Please pray for the other ongoing ministries of the church: the prayer meetings, visitations, hospitality (especially as we are adjusting to a new normal now that Stan's mother is living with us), inter-church interactions, and more.  May we glorify God in all we do.

• Please pray for meaningful follow-up and fruit from the summer outreaches, particularly Camp Monty and a new ministry, headed by Heidi Sharpe and interacting with a local group, NVO Osig, which is reaching out to the hard-of-hearing community here in Nikšić as well as nationally.  May the people look beyond the practical, physical benefits and see Him who has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich

August 2019 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches 

of his glory in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father 

be glory for ever and ever.  Amen. Phil. 4:19

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

We certainly can testify to the kindness of our God abundantly meeting all our needs even before we knew we had them.

This newsletter, due to the very different kind of month we had, will be a bit different, too, as we recount a few of the many ways God met our needs (some even before we knew we had them) according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

The reason this past month has been SO different than any other is that we knew we had to help Stan’s mother into an improved living situation; our missionary life doesn’t magically exempt us from the weight and seriousness of 1 Tim 5:4. So, in prayerful consultation with siblings, we and Baba C (an affectionate nickname) determined to come back together to Montenegro, Baba C’s native land.

This meant packing up all her belongings to either bring or put into storage, arranging flight tickets as well as wheelchair assistance, ordering needful items not readily available in Montenegro (eg. a walker), all the while going about the daily necessities of life (in less than ideal conditions) and visiting a few churches and family members.

It had been our original intention to visit churches and family members in a concentrated manner in the first part of our trip, so we could stay put helping Baba C during the latter half.  However, God knew better, and our visits to churches and family ended up scattered throughout our time.  Those latter visits were wonderfully refreshing to body and soul; it is so energizing to connect with like-minded brethren!

Regarding Baba C, our first order of business was to make sure she was healthy enough to fly and to establish what health issues we needed to be aware of.  Despite making appointments in the past, she hadn’t kept them, so she hadn’t seen a doctor (any doctor) in more than three years.  We were able to get her into her “regular” doctors on very short notice *and* discover that she’s been blessed with a strong constitution; her inactivity, not illness, is the major contributor in her not feeling well. Knowing that she could physically handle the long flight, we decided to go ahead and purchase her tickets.

Naturally, we ordered our flight tickets months ago, but we made sure to buy the kind with the ability to change return dates for a small fee, knowing there was a distinct possibility of Baba C coming back with us. What blew us away is that when Stan went to buy tickets for Baba C a mere three weeks before our scheduled departure, he was able to get her on the exact same itinerary—all four flights—in August, the busiest vacation month in Europe.  We never dreamed that would happen.

Then, at the beginning of this month, just two weeks before departure,  Stan “happened” to notice that there was a printing error on Baba C's passport.  They had all her names, but in the wrong places.  Of course, that didn't match her ticket and when names don't match, you don't fly.

It took a full week of concentrated effort to get the mess unsnarled--many hours on the phone, hours driving, standing in lines, and more because she had used various variations of her name for years--thus, no two documents were the same, creating a very messy situation.

Fortunately, Southern California has TWO Passport Agencies (where urgently needed passports can be printed—there are only 26 in the whole country) and we visited them both—more than once—but in the end, a corrected passport was issued. We praise God that He brought the error to our attention with still enough time to reprint it and not when denied while boarding the plane.

Leaning on the Lord from whom all mercies flow

We had an amazingly smooth trip over here.  We were mentally prepared to miss our European flights — especially on our last flight (Vienna to Montenegro) which had less than an hour’s layover because it takes time to pass through passport control and trek from one terminal to another — and we figured with a wheelchair, we’d be even slower .

However, our wheelchair assistance impressed us very much.  We were met at every gate in a timely manner by cheerful helpers, assisted through passport control (in Brussels, Vienna, and Podgorica), helped by the airline personnel with carry-ons, and more.  At every juncture, the airport provided what they could:  wheelchair, tram, moveable elevator, even to being hand-carried down steps from an airplane (strapped in a chair).

Blessed with an uneventful trip, we’ve been settling down into old routines and making new ones.  Baba C hasn't experienced the disorientation that we expected but has eagerly been participating in both our daily and church life.

Coffee Klatch Balkan-Style

Since our return, we’ve enjoyed a sweet reunion with the saints here in Niksic.  The Camp Monty sports camp held earlier this month went well, with the gospel clearly and compellingly presented by Saša (a young man from our fellowship).

Saša sharing words of life, Camp Monty 2019

The Lord has been good to grow our NK Church family with the safe arrival of Rebeka P, now three weeks old.

Welcome, Rebeka!
Congratulations to the
Petkovski Family!

These are but a few of God's many kindnesses; we invite you to join us in giving thanks and praise to our Almighty Father.

Looking forward, this next month will be one of transition:  from summer to fall activities, from empty-nesters to elder-care givers, from wrapping up the Book of James to beginning the book of Hebrews in our evening service.  Please remember us in prayer!

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich

July 2019 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;

     it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

 For the word of the Lord is right and true; 

     he is faithful in all he does.

The Lord loves righteousness and justice;

    the earth is full of his unfailing love. Ps. 33:1, 4&5

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

This has been a happy time for us this past month! God has blessed us abundantly.

• In early July, the local student work, EUS CG, was officially recognized and accepted into the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students at the IFES World Assembly 2019 held in South Africa.  Please pray that God would continue to work among the university students, bringing many to faith by the saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Danijel Petkovski at the IFES World Assembly

• In the spirit of Acts. 14:27*, we have visited several churches over the past few weeks, with one still to go, giving an update on the growing Nikšić church, the proposed changes to the religion law, and current prayer requests.  As always, we come away much refreshed because you all are the best! *On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

• The absolute highlight of the past month has been celebrating the marriage of our youngest daughter.  With friends and family gathered together,  we witnessed Milijana and Sean exchange solemn vows of commitment and faithfulness; we are so glad and grateful to see the next generation rising up, building their marriage on the firm foundation of love rooted in Christ.

The Vows

The Happy Couple

Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for the men (Peter, Danijel, Nemanja, and Rade) who are leading the church and its services in our absence; for their faithful handling of God's word, for hearers that hear and respond to Truth, for love and unity amongst all.

• Please pray for Camp Monty:  The camp volunteers are all arriving this week for the start of Camp next week.  Pray for continued health of the participants,  good weather, meaningful talks, and changed hearts.  Soli Deo Gloria!

• Please pray for us as we seek to help Stan's mother make the best decision regarding her current (unsustainable) living situation and take the necessary steps to ensure that happens--all before we return to Montenegro mid-August.

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich