Allen Belton Reports from Croatia

Dear Saints,

Thank you for praying for me and my time of ministry here in Eastern Europe.  I am ending a month long trip of traveling to Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria.

My Balkan journey began at the ROM (Renewing Our Minds) Gathering 2010 in the hills of Fuzine, Croatia. Two significant things about ROM this year were: 1. it was a smaller group of participants which allowed each person to go deeper in their relationships with one another and have more time to reflect on the powerful messages and information they received. The smaller number of participants allowed me to spend more one-on-one time with each of them which blessed me and I hope I was a blessing to them. 2. After ROM we had a very crucial meeting which was called a Summit.  This Summit lasted two days and it critically examined the past, present and future of ROM.  As the results of the work are summarized I will share more about the progression and development of ROM.

When ROM ended I was able to travel to Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria. During that time I had the privilege to be a roommate with Brett McMichael.  Many of you have prayed for Brett as he battled through and had a successful kidney transplant.  He has been a real blessing for me because of his knowledge and experience as a missionary for 11 years in Croatia.  He is fluent in the language which has been a true blessing, as you know my struggles with foreign languages.  He has been a tremendous help with his caliber and competency in the language and culture.

Currently I am at a camp called Cinta on the Island of Ugljan off the coast of Croatia. The organizers of this camp are Momir Blazek from Croatia and Samuilo Petrovski from Serbia. Momir is the leader of STEP (Students Evangelical Movement) and Samuilo is the leader of EUS (Evangelical University Students). Both of them are quite active leaders in their respective countries. This camp is about the coming together of Serbians and Croatians. Due to the war here in this region in the early to mid 1990s there is a tremendous need for reconciliation and friendship building across ethnic and national divides. This camp allows reconciliation and friendship building to happen between college age students. There are also good representations from different Christian denominations. This allows those from different Christian backgrounds a chance to exchange ideas and see that we all believe in Christ, we just worship Him in different ways. This year's theme is "No Man is An Island" and the text that is in focus is about the Good Samaritan. I was privileged to be the opening speaker of the evening lectures. Each night we have different speakers.  One night the speaker was Miroslav Wolf, he is a well known theologian from Croatia and a professor at Yale University.

At this camp I have been speaking, leading workshops and conducting a gospel choir of 20 voices, which we called Voices of Praise.  Another workshop I had been asked to do was one about finding a good  life-mate. It was well attended by 16 men and 14 women. Another workshop was held by Vanja Miljevic on Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Literacy. She did a masterful job on unfolding the whole topic of emotional intelligence, feelings, communication and relations in this Eastern European culture and society.  Some of you may remember Vanja as a staff member for nine months at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle in the University Ministries ministry. We all have a great deal of respect and admiration for this leader.

Each day we wake up at 7:30am and have a staff meeting with prayer at 8:00am. Breakfast is at 8:30am followed by morning speakers and some free time until lunch which is at 1:00pm. We again have free time and meet once more from 5:00pm - 7:00pm for some workshops. Dinner is at 7:00pm and at 8:00pm there is time for worship followed by a lecture. The evening program usually ends at 9:30pm. The camp is the emergence of young leaders and among them is 21 year old Ela, who is pursuing a Master's Degree in Theology. I'm certain God is going to use her and that we are going to hear about her and other people like her.

I have also had an extremely heavy schedule both at ROM and Cinta with one-on-one sessions of coaching and mentoring leaders and participants. I am convinced that this is where God is leading me and giving me strength, wisdom and grace.

Thank you again for making this trip possible through your prayers and your support to be instrumental in the development and encouragement of leaders in this region of the world.

"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.  From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.  For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name."  Psalm 61:1-5 Christ is all.

From your partner in ministry, Grace and Peace!

Allen A. Belton
Senior Partner Reconciliation Ministries
www.breakthroughpartners.org
abelton@breakthroughpartners.org