Neighbours? Relationships? Covid 19 has certainly reminded us quite strikingly of our need of relationship, of being together with others of our own kind.

Recently a number of Samaritan’s Purse Gift boxes arrived for distribution among families we have contact with in the town of Bugojno in Bosnia where a small group of us are reaching out with the gospel and studying God’s Word.

At the end of April, we had the joy of making the boxes ready and it was truly a ‘neighbourly’ venture as Keti (Croatian) Zijo (Muslim) and myself (a Serb/Macedonian) worked together to prepare for the big distribution.

On Gift-Day a good crowd met with us in the church building and listened attentively (despite the excitement) as I spoke of the compassion of the Samaritan for his neighbour when he did everything that was needed, and more, to care for the man who had been attacked. (Luke 10:33) What a great reminder of what the Lord Jesus has done for us as He too did all that was needed, to care for sinners like us, when he died on the cross to take our punishment.

You can see the anticipation of the children and the faces of the families as they received their boxes. One lady was given enough for her 7 children, and if you look closely the gift of the word of God has gone out with each box in the form of a children’s book of bible stories.

Praise God for these boxes and the compassion of the Samaritan’s Purse in bringing them to Bosnia.
Praise God for the opportunity to show the love of Christ and the joy that this bring to the families who receive them!
Pray that the word of God, shared with adults and children alike on distribution day, will sink deep into hearts and bear fruit.
Pray that adults and children alike will read the children’s bible booklet, be curious to know more, and to ask questions of those at the church about Jesus the Saviour.
Pray for God to move in the hearts of the people of Bugojno and to protect and encourage all who want to know more and who seek to follow Jesus.
Ask God to raise up more and more Christians and mature leaders and workers to help us share the message with our neighbours.