It's December!!! :-)

Yay, December is here...winter in BiH, summer in S.A, my B-Day month, Christmas month....the list goes on. All in all, I really like December:o)
The last few weeks have been very busy at klub. We've started with the theme "Giving"...giving support, love, friendship, respect, encouragement etc. and it's been really good and the young people have enjoyed the activities and talks.
On Saturday mornings we've also been doing arts & crafts (a favourite with the girls) and uni-hockey (which is mostly attended by the boys). See pictures attached of our "creations".

It's also been raining ALLOT with parts of BiH actually eperiencing floods (check out this link: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/floods-hit-bosnia-serbia-as-rain-continues-to-fall). Even the Neretva river here in Mostar have been rising and the river is flowing very strong. Today was one of the first days in a long time that there were blue skies and sunshine (with a few white clouds) and I took some photos on the Stari Most this morning as I was walking to church and also on my way back

The 2 photos of the side of the bridge is an area where there's usually sand and seats where they have shows in summer time. It's completely covered in water - which just shows how much it's been raining the last few weeks!

Well, that's about it for now. Hope you have a very blessed, and fun December!

Take care,

L xx

Team retreat in Sarajevo

This past weekend we had our Novimost team retreat in Sarajevo. All three teams (Mostar, Jajce & Čapljina) came together for some time of fellowship, prayer & encouragement. Being new on team, it was great to meet the guys from Jajce and Čapljina! We had an awesome time...inspiring and allot of fun (he, he as you can see in the photo I've attached:-)
I am truly excited for what God is doing in BiH and for the year that lies ahead. I've been here just over 5 weeks now and thank God for all my new friends and the young people I've met.
Buidling relationships is a key part of our work here and it's so important to remember that it's often the small things you do (giving someone a smile, an encouraging word, to spent time and just listen what someone has to say) that can have the greatest effect/impact. Thinking of Jesus and how He just went about doing good, listening to people, talking with people, loving others - and the great impact His life had on those around Him....which had a ripple effect to the whole world...that is amazing. As Edward E. Hale said: " I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do". Wow, yes... may this be my resolve...our resolve - to do the something that we can do.

All my love,

L xx

"Učim, učim, učim.."

Study, study, study... Myself and the Leese family have been very busy learning the local language. Talk about grammar! :-) It's been great fun and also very challenging. We've still got a loooong way to go (learning a foreign language is definitely not an overnight thing!) but as they say..."malo po malo"..."little by little" we're getting there. Apart from the actual classes, it's been great picking up words and phrases by just listening to my friends or even reading the subtitles on the television screen. Last Friday I attended our church youthgroup for younger kids (5-9 year olds). We played the game “Šimun kaze” (Simon says) and it was so much fun to learn the words for knees, elbows, head, stomach etc!

The people in BiH are generally very kind and helpful when it comes to learning their language. They are wonderful teachers and don't mind to correct or help you if you don't know how to say something. I am really looking forward to see how much I will have learnt in 3 months time. Hopefully by then I'll be speaking more as well!

Take care, L xx

In Mostar..

Now that's a picture you don't see everyday! A Roman Catholic tower and mosque minaret in the same skyline. Here in Mostar I stay very close to the border of the West and East side (West being Croat(R.Catholic) and East being Bosnian Muslim). That's why the mosque and church are so close to each other. It's really interesting to hear the Muslim "call to prayer" and the church bells everyday. Usually you only hear one or the other...depending on where you stay in the city as the distinction between West and East is very clear. Even in the buildings you can see the difference. Allot of restoration has been done all over the city, but it seems to be more prevalent on the West side.

Yay...my first cappucino in Mostar! :-) Myself and team members Senada and Karin went for coffee last week after team meeting. I am soooo happy to be part of the team in Mostar! :-) I've only been here 8 days but I allready feel at home! The team feels like family...I really love these guys! I am soooo excited for the year that lies ahead!

Please pray for me and also the Leese family as we "tackle" the language studies. There are so much to learn...but God's grace is sufficient! :-)

The weather has started to change as winter draws near. My friends here in Mostar were telling me about the cold winter wind. I think they call it the "Bura". They say it doesn't matter what jacket you've got on...it even gets through the zip - it is REALLY cold! Will have to wait and see!

Well, take care!

Tvoja prijatelica (your friend),

Laura xx

Pozdrav iz Mostara! (Greetings from Mostar)

I'm here, I'm here, I'm here!!! :-) Arrived Saturday night (or rather Sunday morning...00:30!) in the beautiful city of Mostar. Met Caroline (who I'll be staying with) and her two cute cats. Was quite tired after all the travelling (2 flights and a car ride of 2h30min).

Had an interesting first day as the lock from the front door of our house broke (with me and Caroline inside!). All the windows got burglar proofing on them & there´s no back door! So we were under ˝house arrest˝ for a while until someone came to help us at about 11am. They popped the door from the outside. They also replaced the locks so hopefully we won´t have the same problem again! ;-)

Yesterday afternoon I went for a walk in the Old Town with its beautiful Stari Most (Old Bridge) which you can see in the picture. It was a warm day and there were many tourists. The evening I was invited for supper at the Leese´s. It takes about 25min to walk to their house from where I stay. We had a great time..and even learned a few Bosnian words! It helps not being the only new face on the block!

This week is time to settle in and get familiar with the new surroundings. I'll also find out about language lessons and hopefully start that soon. Wherever I go I take my small pocket dictionary with me and that helps allot! Tonight we had home group here at our place and it was great just listening to the girls speak and trying to figure out what they say! Made new friends...which is really awesome!

Tomorrow I'll meet some of the other team members at team meeting. Looking forward to that! Will also be visiting Mirjana...she use to cook food for the teams that came as summer volunteers. She stays near the Neretva river (not far from the Stari Most). I really enjoy visiting her and she helps me allot with the language because she doesn't really speak English and is very patient with me as I learn to speak and practice the words I know.

Well, that's about it for now. Take care...

All my love,

L xx

Great news!

Today I received news from the embassy that my Bosnian visa will be ready for collection on Friday! THANK YOU JESUS!!!! :-) I am so excited! Can't wait to go to BiH!

Thanks for all the prayers! Our God is faithful - all glory goes to Him!

Will most probably be flying this weekend. Will keep you posted!

L xx

Waiting patiently...

Today it's been exactly 11 days since I've submitted my Bosnian visa application. The embassy said it could take anything between 10-15 days. Was thinking to wait till next Tuesday before I give them a call...In the mean time I just need to wait patiently and trust God :-) He is in control!

Last week we had our mission training here at Novimost in Chesham, U.K. It was so nice to meet the Leeses (Alan & Liz) who will also be joining the longterm team in Mostar with their 2 children. Their flight was actually yesterday...so they're in Mostar right now! I'm hoping to join them soon. Training was great! Interessting, encouraging, insightful...and allot of fun! :-) We also talked in more detail about what our role will be on the field..although that is subject to change depending on what the team in Mostar needs & decides.



I am currently staying with people from Novimost. They have been so wonderful and have really blessed me so much in the short time I've been here. Praise God for all their love and kindness!! I am not exactly sure how long the visa will take, but I don't want to take this time I have for granted. It's an ideal opportunity to read, learn Bosnian, pray and follow up with supporters and just prepare my heart for time to come.

On Wednesday I did a bit of 'sightseeing' in London. I was a real 'tourist'...backpack and camera in the hand;-) Had a really great time...walking in the streets of London - visiting allot of the tourist attractions.



Saw the Tower Bridge, Tower of London. Walked along the river Thames. Saw St.Paul's Cathedral, The London Eye, Big Ben, Parliament buildings at Westminister, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, London's 'China Town', Piccadily Circus...did allot of walking!!!!

Please continue to keep me in prayer. As it says in James 5:16b: "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." We all need God so much! He is our source...our life...our everything!

Some prayer points:

* Bosnian visa - that it will come through at the right time
* That I will use this time wisely in preparation for Bosnia
* For God's blessing over the people of Novimost who have been so kind & generous towards me

Thanks for all your love and support. It really means a lot to me. Hope that I will soon have news regarding the visa!

With all my love,
L xx

Flying to the U.K

Here are a couple of pics from my journey to the U.K. My flight was via Cairo (Egypt). On the first flight, I sat next to a girl who was also on her way to London. It was great having someone to chat with during my stopover. There wasn't much to do, so we ended up taking photos with the statues in the duty free shop :-) The flight from Cairo to the U.K was really awesome - beautiful view of the Mediteranean sea, Adriatic sea and parts of Europe. When I arrived at Heathrow airport, it took a while to get through the border control as the international queue had a VERY long line.

At the baggage collection area, I realised that my guitar was "missing in action". I inquired and found out that it got left behind in Cairo! Apparently the lady that booked my luggage at Johannesburg airport, only booked the guitar to Cairo! But, the airport managed to find it and will be delivering it tomorrow here in Chesham.
I stayed over at some friends on Saturday who had also been in Bosnia (Carol & Ollie). On Sunday they brought me to Kate's place where I am staying for the first week.

Today we woke up very early to go to the Bosnian Embassy near Gloucester Road Station. It was great travelling on the tube again! Had some spare time before the Embassy opened, and decided to grab a coffee. Talk about strong coffee!!! :-)

All went well at the embassy. Had a short interview with a lady from the consulate and submitted my application. They said that if all goes well, I should receive feedback within 10-15 days. It can however take up to 30 days to process. Please can you keep this in prayer. It would really be awesome if the visa came through quickly as then I'll be able to join the team in Mostar sooner.

Tomorrow our mission training starts. Am looking forward to meet the other couple who will also be joining the Mostar long term team in the next few weeks.

Well, that's all for now. Will let you know as soon as I receive feedback regarding the visa application.

Take care,

L xx

Today's the day!

Wow, all I can say is THANK YOU JESUS! ... Look what the Lord has done! :-) It almost feel sureal that tonight I'll be climbing on that aeroplane after months of preparation & trusting God! I can honestly just fall to my knees and thank my faithful Saviour Who has made my dream come true! I am very excited about the journey that lies ahead..a new chapter in my life. To all my friends that would like to join us tonight at the airport, we're meeting at my place 6pm after which we'll be driving together to Oliver Thambo Int. The plan is to grab a bite at the airport b4 I fly at 21:45pm. A few ppl have also asked regarding my banking details. Just to confirm it will stay the same while I'm abroad (ABSA account). I will be able to draw money while in Bosnia, but i'll try to limit it to once a month because bank charges are quite high for international transactions. I have internet banking which is a great help in managing my funds. Once again thank you so much for all the love and support i've recieved from friends and family. You guys are awesome! Love you so much! Vidimo se! (Till I see you again!). Lovies, Laura xx

What a lovely surprise!

Yesterday afternoon my homecell had a surprise farewell party for me!:-) It was so special....everyone prayed for me and gave me an encouraging word for the journey ahead. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family in Christ...I will miss them dearly!

The time is really going fast now. Only 12 Days to go! I am still trusting God for more sponsors, but I know He will provide in ALL my needs! In these last few days I still have a few things to do like get my international driver's licence permit and also go for a medical checkup (for the Bosnian visa application). I also need to pack my things and write a few letters .. not to mention all the appointments with friends who want to go for coffee before I leave! ;-)

Please continue to keep me in your prayers...especially regarding preparation and funds!

Take care...

With all my love,

L xx