Spring has sprung in Trebinje! And oh how lovely the blossoms! Each popping white bloom on the cherry tree outside our door reminds us of the marvelous new life that springs from knowing Jesus.  Not to mention, all the “news” with our school, students, and family.  Much has happened since our last letter!

School News

Of course, the biggest news is that the school will be closing at the end of this month. Before word of that, the dorm supervisor for our younger guys returned to China. Mark was asked to take his position in addition to the older girls we oversee. So we have a new home! We’re now in a second floor apartment sandwiched between the first floor younger guys and the third floor older ones, a five minute walk from our previous apartment. Males everywhere it seems, which feels familiar to Mom! ;-)

No sooner had we started getting to know the five guys through walks and evening Bible reading, three of them announced they’d be returning to China because of our school’s instability. They left the second week of April. So now we’re down to just two. However many, we’re thankful we can walk alongside those God's put into our lives at this time and place.

We’re also thankful He has blessed the second semester with deeper spiritual conversations and opportunities to speak into our girls’ lives about needed areas of growth.  We’ve seen changes and are looking forward to what lies ahead for them as they continue to seek Him! And of course, through the process God’s grown us in patience, persistence and prayer!

With the decision to close the school, some certainty has come, but also much stress with a shortened semester. The teachers are doing all they can to make sure the students have the credits they need for further study in another place. That means cramming as much content and as many projects in the time remaining.  Everyone is feeling the pressure—and students have the added stress of finding another school to continue their high school education. Our time here’s been short, but we wouldn’t change it for anything! Please pray all of us will finish well these last three weeks.

Student News

We had been praying all year that one of the students who just left would receive Jesus as his Savior. He told us early on he wasn’t a Christian, but wasn’t opposed to God either.  Yet until recently he only attended Bible class, chapel and church because they were required. Imagine our excitement when we moved over and he enthusiastically joined almost every Proverbs reading in our home. When Mark told him we would cancel the reading for Easter break, he asked if he could come anyway! And, on Easter morning, when Mark administered Communion, this student asked if he should take it if he still had some questions. Mark asked if he believed in Jesus’ death and resurrection as payment for his sins and assurance of eternal life. He replied, “Yes,” so Mark said he could partake. We’re thrilled he’s made the decision to accept by faith the good news he’s heard many times over the course of the year! Still questions, of course, but we trust God will provide those answers through his own Bible reading and other believers on the next leg of his journey.

A few months back, an older student stole food from our cafeteria along with some other guys, but he was unwilling to confess and repent. He received a more serious consequence and admitted anger and discouragement in his Christian walk. Student Life members strongly encouraged him to talk with one of them. Many weeks passed and he hadn’t reached out. But just after we moved over, he approached Mark, talked with him several hours, and has been coming over almost every night since to honestly share his heart, ask questions and read the Bible with us. His financial and other challenges are enormous, but we see a sincerity to understand and follow God we haven’t seen in a long time. He has so much potential! Please pray for his future, as it’s very unclear.

Family News

As we mentioned in our last letter, our second son, Micah, just got engaged to Victory, a lovely Christian young lady he met while serving at Future Men. Their union will take place on June 20. Please pray they can quickly plan a wedding and honeymoon before transitioning to the Dominican Republic in late July. Micah’s accepted a position as high school Bible teacher and Outdoor Education Assistant at Doulus, the K-12 Christian school for Dominicans where our son Timothy presently serves. He and Victory also need to speedily raise the support needed for their first missions endeavor. If God leads you to help, you can find out how at https://www.doulosdiscovery.org/sponsor-staff/micah-bemenderfer.

We praise God that funds have been given for all three of our tickets to return to the US this summer and attend the wedding. Thank you for your important part of the work here in Bosnia. We look forward to hearing your news as well! It’s a joy to pray for you as you do for us!

He is risen! He is risen indeed!