Zagreb, "The City of A Million Hearts"

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." [Ezekiel 36:26]

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It was two weeks before Christmas, the place was a small town along the rails one hour out of Zagreb. We brought a young Croat disciple with us as we ventured into the uncharted territory of Sisak, Croatia. With packed lunches and stirred hearts we walked the streets holding forth the word of Life. After finding an address of a local cafe we printed gospel tracts with information about a Bible Study in the town that evening. The conversations on the street were exciting and we spent the enitre day there meeting perfect strangers. Pastor George and Carol witnessed to a young girl dressed up as Santa Clause (figure that one out), and Pastor Tomas and I spoke, in small groups, to a large gathering of students lounging on the High School steps between classes. The day was well spent and though no one showed up for the Bible study that night we praised God and prayed along the river overlooking the area, wondering how long it has been since someone prayed for these people. Maybe that was the only reason why God led us there. We shook the dust off and we will target the next city around Zagreb for a visit. Out of the six cities nearby, perhaps a handful of people will come out for a study and become Lidias, laying the groundwork for future churches in thier homes. Pray for us as we go, not knowing exactly what we will see God do.

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27 Croats, 2 plastic trees, 4 tables of food, Sketchboard, Music, a skit, and the Word of God

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The second annual Zagreb Christmas Party was a tremendous success as many people came out to join us and celebrate Christ. Along with the team we had a room of over thirty people, it was a fun night. Through creative sketchboards, a funny Christmas skit, and the preaching of the Bible we all enjoyed the central truth of the season... He came, thank God, He came!

"And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. ...And [Elijah] said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand." [i Kings 18:41-44]

This passage depicts exactly what is taking place in Zagreb. We need the Lord to open our eyes so we can see His work. Naturally we miss the cloud because we are looking for the downpour but God is in the details! Praise God there is a sound of abundance of rain in the city and there are five croatian men fervantly seeking the Lord, a church the size of a man's hand.

meet some of the Zagreb Bible School students

*maxboris
daniel toni
shaban

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Camden racks up the long distance bill on her Christmas gift from the Buliceks...

Our trip to Baltimore for the Holidays was a tremendous blessing to us as we enjoyed the company of our dear friends and family. The Fitly Framed Conference was timely and the atmosphere at the campus was one of motivation and excitement with a peculiar softness as we stepped into the new year with hearts fixed on God. I returned January 4th and arrived in Zagreb Saturday evening. The house is quiet without Susanna and Camden (who remain in Baltimore till the 25th of January), pray for us as we haven't been apart for this long. I am stirred to say the least about what this season holds in store for the Greater Grace Church in Zagreb. We were given a brand new PC projector while in Baltimore, by a dear friend in the Body. The practical use can't be underestimated as we will project our worship lyrics and bible school charts...etc, along with a whole new opportunity to show Bible School classes from MBC&S, live services, Christian films... we are looking forward to these new avenues of ministry.

Brethren, pray for us!

Baked in the Throne! (thats original)

~The Tanguay Family