Lipa-Faith

And [Jesus] called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: [Mark 12:42]

It is known as the “widow’s mite” offering, but here in Zagreb, we’d call it “lipa-faith”. [One hundred lipas to one kuna; six kunas to one dollar.] What this poor widow cast into the treasury equaled approximately two Croatian lipas, or one third of a US cent. She put in more than everyone because she left with nothing. A faith statement. A trust-fund. She took a lipa-faith, and the Lord took notice.

What a privilege to cast into the treasury, to give our time, energy, and finances to the work of God, but may we cast what we cast by faith, believing it is making a difference. The disciples were fishing all night long and the Lord said, “Cast your net on the other side”. Just one cast of faith and the net began to tear at the bounty. Lets cast something by faith, whether it’s a lipa to the cause of Christ, or a fishing line into the sea of lost humanity, cast by faith and watch God do it.

“There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” [John 6:9]

Sljeme is Zagreb’s mountain, it sits just north of the city line. Last Sunday, we all came dressed to the morning service in our hiking clothes and after a great time of fellowship in the word we set off for the trails. Several of our Croatian disciples joined us for the three hour climb. Hiking is an ideal way to get to know people and listen to their stories, time is in abundance. One young man, Boris, led us on the excursion which he had done many times before. He found it humorous to remind us at the most inconvenient moments, “We are almost one-tenth of the way there.” Along the way we passed some concrete bunkers with firing cavities and hidden entrances, reminders of the wars here not so long ago. It is something that often comes up in conversation on the streets, a bitterness many people hold in their heart towards neighboring countries and political leaders. I am often thankful that I never knew such a way of life, but also I know that there is no better place to pour out the love of God. After a great while, we came to clearing with steep cliffs off the right side and a beautiful view. Across the divide I saw what appeared to be a different mountain peak with a radio tower and I said, “Maybe we can hike that next week.” Boris laughed and said, “That’s Sljeme.”

I couldn’t believe my eyes, we had been hiking for two hours and the peak looked about a three days journey away. Nevertheless, we made it and enjoyed the rewarding view.

Night was creeping upon us so a few of us decided to take the cable car down and dangle mercilessly from a wire some ninety feet off the ground in a four-man carriage, rattling and creaking all the way to the bottom, it was awesome. After our Sunday morning service this week we went to Park Maksimir for some soccer and badminton. While we were having fun one man Danjiel, who accepted Christ several weeks ago, asked about the process of becoming a pastor, God is drawing people out and calling them to Himself. It is a wonder to behold.

This past Wednesday we had a ground-breaking event in the Greater Grace Church of Zagreb, we officially began Bible School offering two courses for the fall over a twelve week period: Introduction to Theology (taught by P. Tomas and Myself) and Applied Bible Doctrine (taught by P. George Arman). Three people are officially registered and several others are joining them. We were filled with joy as we cast the vision and people responded. Nothing is small when God is in it, that’s “lipa-faith.”

Bible School is the heart of church planting because it is discipling the core group who are coming regularly. Over fifty people have come to our meetings at least once but you can not build a church on that, it’s the five to seven people that are coming every time. We do not despise the day of small beginnings. Please pray for the finances of the Church that we would be able to continue renting a place for our meetings and that we would be able to print quality literature for evangelism and advertising the Bible School.

Its about time that we show you are picture of our apartment building. The Armans live on the bottom level, the landlord reserves the middle for himself when he is not in Germany, and the upper level is ours. A display of roses great us each morning as we open the door and prepare for a new day. The street is very quiet and just a few minutes walk from the nearest tram stop. Tomas and Eva Bulicek found the apartments when they first arrived from the Czech Republic, a manager at McDonalds directed them to it. When they moved out to a different apt. in the spring, we spoke to the landlord and he held it for us until September, an answer to prayer.

The only problem was that there was no washing machine and with Camden’s eating habits we are always needing to do a wash. We prayed that we would be able to find something cheap when we arrived but with out us knowing it, our landlord had purchased a new top of the line washer, thank you God.

Camden loves to help Mom load and unload it, many a toy has been found wrapped up in with the laundry.

I mentioned in a previous post about Friday, our “family day”. These are some recent pictures from our visit to the Zagreb Zoo. Mom snapped a picture as Camden and I watched a Zebra break for lunch, Camden enjoyed pointing at all the animals.

I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through her mind when she saw the hippopotamus, the bear, the jaguar, and the seal. I would add monkey to the list but I knew exactly what she was thinking during that exhibit. She was sitting on my shoulders bouncing up and down, slapping my head, saying, “ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh…” It was loud enough for passer bys to stop and get a good laugh, I think someone took a picture, even the monkeys seemed to be watching the whole scene.

Yes that is a Lion, and yes that is a chain-link fence. I was thinking the same thing. Overall, Susana and I had a lot of fun at the Zoo, I think Camden felt the same way.
We are having a wonderful time as a small family on the missionfield, trusting God with our calendar… it can be done! Things are happening, October is here, Bible School has begun, the air is cooler, and God is still on the Throne. We are daily on the streets speaking with people, meeting together, listening to messages from Baltimore, praying for the impossible, casting lipas into the treasury, bringing our loaves to the Master and watching him multiply them, casting our nets into the deep, and allowing him to make us fishers of men.

There are times when we miss our family and friends dearly and desire so much to be with you all but God is faithful to encourage us. The other day Susanna was a little discouraged that Camden doesn’t have any other kids to play with, we had gotten so used to her playing in the Mother’s Room in Baltimore with all the other infants. We prayed about it and that same day Susanna found an International Mother’s Group that meets every Thursday morning from 10-12, just to let their children play together and share toys. Susanna went this week for the first time and Camden made a great impression. God knows what we have need of, try him. Take a lipa-faith!

Love Never Fails,

Ben, Susanna, and Camden

P.S.- Thank you Aunt Joanie for your comments, also Aunt Debbie and Craig, it is such a joy to hear from our family abroad and to know you are thinking of us and praying for us. Soon we will have internet in our home and be able to correspond much more efficiently. We love you much.