Video: Center Stage Serbia 2008 - Kingdom Building

The 2008 Serbia Team members report back on their trip.

Video: Backstage Serbia 2008 - Faith Building

How God was at work behind the scenes during our 2008 Serbia mission trip.

Final Night of Serbian Art Classes

Tonight is our final night of classes. The numbers have been growing little by little and we are trying to accommodate everyone as best we can.

Friday evening, July 4

Tonight, the artists will be giving their testimonies and explaining why they came, so please pray for the reception of their words. Everyone seems to understand that we are doing the classes in the Baptist church, so we are praying that the testimonies will be a natural outflow of the gift of the classes.

The television studio came two nights ago and filmed Leah and Joanna teaching their classes, as well as a lengthy interview with Joanna and some of the students. The interviewer has returned to actually take one of the classes and he took a full sack of books to read from the free literature that the church has available.

Joanna’s TV interview

Many of the kids in the kids’ program took free books last night as their program ended. The children completed a weaving of their town with mountains, sheep, flowers, houses, clouds and the sun. I’ve sent a few pictures so you can see it.

Serbian children working on their art

It has been a challenging week and we are all trying to stay rested for tonight. Please continue to pray for our endurance and the final night. We have to completely clean up and put everything back where it was before we came, since there is a church service tomorrow morning as usual. Pray for our safety traveling back to Belgrade and for the rest of the team as they return to the States. Chip and I are staying until Saturday, the 12th as there are many conversations that still need to be had as well as a few days of rest! We will be home in a week! See you all soon.

Love,

Julie for all here in the Bor-Zajecar area of Eastern Serbia

First Night of Serbian Art Classes

We had our first art classes last night and they went well.

Wednesday evening, July 2

The classes were relatively well-attended but not overwhelming—Lalla had 10 children for the children’s program! The kids made luminarios and when the classes ended, everyone walked out of the building down the stairs lined with the children’s work that day—it was great!

Chip and Branko bought more supplies for the camp—ceramic tiles for the new kitchen, a tile cutter, cement and grout. That project is still waiting to get started, so pray about the timing of all that. The artists are doing well but we need prayer for the provision of a translator on the last two nights (Friday and Saturday). This has been a “growth opportunity” for many of the local church people here as they try to catch the vision for what these classes and these contacts with people in Bor could mean.

As always, we are enjoying our meals together and having a lot of laughs and jokes with the farmer and his family. Leah is the farmer’s favorite target this trip and “Visheh Vodeh” is her battle cry with him (it means “more water”—the constant cry of the watercolor teacher).

Love to all from Zajecar!

Julie

Plans Change in Serbia

On coming to Serbia, plans had changed—something you must be prepared for when you come.

Tuesday evening, July 1, 2008

Instead of going to the original city where they could not find a room “in the INN,” we found a very small church in the industrial city of Bor not far away, who opened their arms. People told us it was not a very pretty city: It had a big copper mine and a big smelting facility with belching smoke stacks. On an artistic side it looked grim, but oh, our fabulous Lord had other plans and could see such possibilities that we were blind to. So in faith Chip said, “sure, we’ll come.”

We had no preparation that had been done before we came. No government permissions granted to paint on the streets to do advertizing for the classes. We all wondered if there would even be a class. But on that first day, we had a trump card. Our farmer where we were staying, who was a former geologist with this copper mine, happens to know the Mayor and lots—no, tons—of other people and went with us everywhere, opening so many doors it was hard to imagine. Chip did a 20 minute radio interview that night, we met the cultural minister who told us where we should paint on the street and when and got us the permission to do so, the TV news team came and filmed us painting and drawing, and our team of Serbian believers (former students from the Bible school) plus Chip, Julie and Lalla handed out over a 100 brochures.

Handing out brochures

Maybe because it was an ugly town, not very special in Serbian eyes, they were thrilled that we came. Everywhere we went (and it seemed we went everywhere on Monday), they welcomed us, served us coffee and the doors opened. We are doing this in faith, so keep praying. Pray the right people come to the classes and that we are flexible. Pray for Lalla as she works with the kids that show up (there were tons last night). Pray most of all that we are a fragrance of Christ and that all is done to His Glory.

Love from Serbia,

The FBCA Serbia Team

Teaching Art in Serbia

Art classes will start tonight and we are expecting some fairly large crowds!

[This letter was sent on Tuesday, July 1.]

Our host at the farm has many friends in the town we are working in, and he suggested we go to the mayor and tell him about what we would like to do (have the artists paint in public and invite people to the classes). Since we are foreigners, we cannot just appear and start doing whatever we like. So, yesterday, Chip and the farmer went to see the mayor, the vice-mayor, the police chief and the director of cultural affairs for the town. All of them were very enthusiastic and arranged all the necessary permits (for a public demonstration!) in two hours time (a minor miracle in a country known for its red tape!).

Later, Chip was interviewed on live radio for 20 minutes and the radio station has been broadcasting the art classes as a major news story at the top of every hour! The television stations have also gotten in on the excitement as Leah was interviewed last night since we had set up the artists in front of the busiest square in town. This morning, at 8:30am (1:30am for you) we are meeting another filming crew for more interviews. I’ve attached a few pictures so you can see what it was like last night.

Please pray that when the classes start that we will not be overwhelmed! Also, that people will be open as the artists share their testimonies. We have several folks from the church working with us and they will be sharing as well—pray for their words to penetrate the hearts of those who hear. Pray too that the relationships we are developing with the government officials will be good for the future of the work in Serbia. Also, please pray just for the physical endurance of our schedule—it’s been pretty intense the last couple of days and we expect it to get even more so!

We are excited about the opportunity God has provided for us and we want to use it for His glory—the events of yesterday are a real fulfillment of Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

We send our love and greetings to everyone and will see you soon!

Julie, for the art team

 

Julie reports in from Serbia

Dragi nasi! (That means “Dear Y’all” in Serbian!)   We are here at Camp Timok and have been working hard for three days now.

 

We arrived on Sunday, had a delicious lunch of fresh roast pork (butchered that morning!) and potatoes and went to church at Pastor Branko’s house—the church he has started here in Zajecar.  We had our first work day on Monday, beginning with breakfast at 6:00am.  It has been very warm here and the sun rises about 4:15am—so it’s quite high in the sky by the time we get to the camp at 6:45am.  We have continued our work on the trail to the river.  This Sunday (June 29th) the Zajecar church is hosting a baptism in the river at the camp.  Though the river trail is passable, it really needed some steps and more work so that is what we have been doing (see the pictures!).  The trail will be a veritable highway by the end of the week and we are very pleased with our progress! 

Last night, Chip and I had an interesting opportunity to speak with a young couple who have a son with autism.  This is a great contact for Branko and it was a privilege to meet with them and help them process some of their experiences.  They have three other children and are looking for resources that are very difficult to find in their language.  We had a short visit (only three hours!) and hope to be able to see them again.

 

Gary Anderson is here with us and doing a great job!  He has learned quite a bit of Serbian and is having fun with our hosts who are encouraging him to take 2nd, 3rd and 4th helpings at every meal!  Don’t worry—he has learned the word for “ENOUGH!” and is not afraid to use it.

 

Our internet connection was just established here (and we are VERY lucky to have it!) so hopefully we can be better at keeping up.  The art team will get more exposure, I think.

 

We have several prayer requests:

 

• The art classes will be in another city, the town of Bor—pray for the people we have contact with as only the Lord can open their hearts.  We will be in a church building and the tension between the Orthodox Church and the evangelical church is high right now with most foreigners being very suspect.

• FBCA is paying for the camp to get a well for fresh water.  Pray for a good price and success with the drilling.  Branko is expecting 30 youth the first week of August for a camp and they need water!

• Praise God for the baptism happening this Sunday!

• Praise God for cooler weather today and that we were able to get a cement mixer!

I will write more soon!

 

Julie

 

Serbia Update from Chip

Exciting things are happening in Serbia! I just finished teaching through the book of Revelation to a group of 13 students from all over Eastern Europe. The class was great fun to teach, but grueling – I’ve been waking up at 4:30 in the morning, prepping for class for 3 hours, and then teaching all day.

The exciting news is that there are 3-4 students from my class who are thinking about joining us on our upcoming mission trips in Zajecar! This will be a great help to our construction and art teams. It’s always neat to see the unique ways God works every time we’re here in Serbia.

Much love to everyone at FBCA!

Chip
June 19, 2008

Anticipating FBCA's arrival in Serbia

Pastor Branko anticipates FBCA’s arrival in Serbia.

---

From: Pastor Branko

Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 3:33 PM

To: Chip Bell

Subject: Expecting you to come

Halo bro Chip,

We are expecting you and your team to come in the end of this month as you wrote. The political situation is not yet very clear. Please pray for it because it will be the open door for the Gospel to be preached. We trust the Lord for the guidance and wisdom how to handle your visit. Please come and we hope that things will move in the right direction.

Greetings to the Church and your team.

Branko and ZA team

Video: Serbia Trip Overview

Watch a brief video overview of our 2008 Serbia Missions Project.

Who's Going?

This year’s team includes:

Chip Bell Team leader Teams 1 and 2	Julie Bell Team leader Teams 1 and 2
Gary Anderson Team 1	Leah Heinemann Art team leader Team 2
Jane Athey Team 2	Joanna Clifton Team 2
John Shackelford Team 2	Lalla Shackelford Team 2

 

What we'll be doing...

This summer we will undertake a number of projects while the FBCA teams are in Serbia. Team members are going with the desire to serve the Serbian church in whatever way God can use their gifts. This summer, our focus is on the town of Zajecar on the eastern border with Bulgaria. Branko Tihojevic is planting a small church as well as building Camp Timok. We’re going to help him with both!

Camp Timok

Branko Tihojevic has a dream to have a camp where anyone can come and hear about Jesus. We will be working on the beginning stages of this camp and staying on a farm. This is a real cultural experience and hard work, too! Camp Timok is near the Bulgarian border, in the town of Zajecar, just south of Bor.

Art Classes

Led by Leah Heinemann, the art trip will focus on using art and artists as well as free art classes as a way to share the love of Jesus and to build His church. We will be working with the small house church in Zajecar to offer free art classes for anyone who wants to come. FBCA artists will be painting in the town square while others hand out invitations to the classes.

When are the trips?

There will be two teams going to Serbia. The first team will leave the U.S. on Friday, June 20th and return on Monday, June 30th. The second team will leave the U.S. on Friday, June 27th and return on Monday, July 7th. Both teams will be in Serbia on the 28th through 30th. This will provide the unique opportunity for the two teams to collaborate, work together, share experiences, and meet with the community.

Pastor Chip Bell and his wife Julie will spend the days before the first team’s arrival preparing projects, events, and meetings for the teams from FBCA. They will spend several days after the teams leave tying up loose ends and laying groundwork for future FBCA-Serbia trips.

Where will the mission take place?

Serbia, one of the republics of the former Yugoslavia, has a long and proud history. Ruled by the Turks for over 500 years, the Serbs are a unique blend of East and West. This has been, at times, both a blessing and a curse, making it difficult for Serbia to find a place in the current world’s political scene.

Serbia is located along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. This places the country along the most important routes linking Europe and Asia, making it a cross-roads for trade and shipping.

The missionary teams will be working in the city of Zajecar, located along the easter border with Bulgaria. The climate is considered moderate continental, with the average temperature being around 53°F. Map of Zajecar

Why Serbia?

Representing less than one-tenth of one percent of Serbia’s population, the country’s evangelical church is small and needs our help! For many years under communism, the church has been allowed to exist but has suffered from discrimination and misrepresentation by the media. With very few resources, the believers have struggled to make an impact on their culture.

FBCA has a unique opportunity to help the church in Serbia. Pastor Chip Bell and his wife Julie served as missionaries in Belgrade, Serbia for four years before returning to the U.S. in 1995 and accepting the pastorship at FBCA in 1998. Since returning, Chip and Julie have desired to continue aiding the Serbian church in any possible way.

In the fall of 2004, the Bells returned to Serbia on a short-term missions trip. This trip provided the ability for them to see first-hand the needs of the present-day evangelical church. Since then, Chip and Julie have led FBCA missions trips in 2005, 2006, and 2007, realizing the dream that Fellowship Bible Church Arapaho would have a marked long-term impact on this specific part of the world.

How can I help?

In order for this mission to occur, many things will need to happen: money will need to be raised, schedules will need to align, and many prayers will need to be answered. This is where you come in. Although not everyone can hop on a plane to eastern Europe with three months’ notice, everyone can join the support team. The support team consists of people who can help meet the various needs of the team members, and thereby allow the mission to take place more successfully. The effectiveness of the support team in many ways helps to determine the effectiveness of the mission. Here are some types of support you can offer:

Spiritual

Prayer is a need for everyone involved in this mission. If you know one of the team members, begin by asking him or her how you can pray. Team members will be given an opportunity to post blogs on this website, and prayer requests will be updated periodically. Please check back and pray for the listed needs. You can begin by praying for those FBCA members who are going on the trip, for the families left here in the USA while they are gone, for Chip and Julie Bell who are going to be gone for a month in Serbia, for the Serbs who will be receiving the teams, for everyone involved in the coordination of the trip, for those who will hear the gospel, for friends and family members who may come to Christ through their loved one’s experiences, and for whatever else God places on your heart. This is God’s trip and His mission; we seek His guidance with every step of the process. Strong prayer support can make the difference between a good trip and an amazing one.

Financial

Each team member needs to raise $2900 before taking the trip. The first $1900 of that amount must be raised by mid-April, and the remaining money is due in June. Every little bit helps! All funds go directly toward the trip: airfare, lodging, food, travel insurance, etc. Any extra money will be put in a Serbia fund to aid team members in the future. Team members cover the expenses of incidentals, such as snacks or souvenirs, for themselves. If you would like to help a team member reach his or her $2900 goal you can make a tax-deductible donation in one of the following ways:

1. Send a personal check, made out to Fellowship Bible Church Arapaho to 7815 Arapaho Rd, Dallas, TX 75248. Please write Serbia donation on the memo line. You can also include the name of an individual team member on the memo line, or it can remain unspecified, allowing the money to go to the team member who needs it most.
2. Use a check, credit card, or debit card to make a secure online donation. Use the links on the financial support page to donate online.

Practical

If you are an FBCA member and live in the DFW Metroplex, please consider offering your services to team members. Ask how you can help. Depending on the team member, there will be different needs. Show how much you support the individuals and the mission by offering your time and your services. Some practical, physical needs may include: Taking care of a team member’s pet Watering plants and flowers Mowing the lawn Bringing in someone’s mail Do not underestimate your role in making this trip happen! Your spiritual, financial, and physical support will make a difference.

Financial Support

Each team member needs $2900 for the Serbia Project. Members are required to make a deposit payment of $1900 by April 15th. The remaining $1000 is due in June. These funds cover airfare, lodging, and project supplies. Your tax-deductible contribution to specific team members (or to the trip in general) will make it possible for FBCA to form lasting relationships with the evangelical church in Serbia, helping the church grow and bring glory to God.

You can support the Serbia Project financially by one of two methods:

Making a secure online donation through Paypal:

Mailing a check to the church directly:

Fellowship Bible Church Arapaho
7815 Arapaho Rd.
Dallas, TX 75248

Checks should be made payable to Fellowship Bible Church Arapaho (or simply FBCA) — not to the team member — to be tax deductible. Please use the note/memo field to specify that the funds are for the Serbia mission and include the team member’s name if the funds are for an individual.