My family in Germany!  

Happy New Year all!  December has come and gone so quickly!  I hope you all had a great holiday season, I know I did.  My family was able to come for Christmas and News years.  They arrived in Budapest, from there we spent 4 days in Zagreb.  The day after Christmas we headed to Germany, then on to Switzerland, Italy, and finally ended back in Budapest where they flew out.  It was a great time to see them but also for them to see where I have spent the last year and half of my life. 

My sister and I 

Now we are in full swing in Zagreb.  Amazing things are happening.  THIS Sunday, January 20^th, we are starting a service/bible study type thing.  We are so excited!  It is called International Christian Community.  My role in this is helping the teens with worship and working the children workers preparing the curriculum.  This has been something that we have been wanting to do for a while but just waiting on God’s timing and all of a sudden it was kind of thrown into our laps.  God is good!  I will keep you posted how it goes. 

Another really cool thing that is happening is that we have found a space for a thrift store/community center.  We will be able to move in on March 1^st.  This will be a place where we can serve the community not only by having sales but also providing English classes/camps and many other fun activities.  We are excited to get to know the surrounding community.

Update on Puscine (where the flood hit).  There is still a lot of damage and families are nowhere near from recovering their homes.  Unfortunately it is very cold here right now so it is almost impossible for them to do any work.  They plan to wait until the spring to start working again.  I am starting to go up once a week to work with Karmen on her home and the surrounding area in whatever way I can. 

Update on the car front… I have one!!  God provided through all of you and we were able to purchase a vehicle for me to use for the remainder of my time here!! 

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Right now there is about 2 ½ feet of snow and they are expecting almost another foot by the end of the weekend.  This is the most snow Zagreb has had… EVER.  I am not a huge fan of snow, however I do have to admit that it is pretty cool to be here for this.  Not to mention it is absolutely gorgeous.  I haven’t quite mastered walking in the snow and ice BUT I would like to point out that I have not fallen as of yet.  Fingers crossed it stays that way.

 Until next time
-S

My car is somewhere under there.