FULL OF UNDERSTANDING & LOVE

A young man in Bosnia-Herzegovina becomes a Christian thanks to the witness of MWB and the local church

A Life Changed

Orhan’s family struggled with poverty when he was growing up in Mostar, Bosnia- Herzegovina. His mother, Marina, worked as a hairdresser and cleaner for a local company. His father was unemployed but picked up any manual work he was offered.

Orhan grew up sharing a small house with 11 other family members: his parents, his sister, who is five years younger, and his grandparents, uncles, and aunts. The house had a living room, bedroom, kitchenette, and inside toilet. Orhan, his sister, and his parents slept in the bedroom at night and the other family members in the living room.

Orhan’s family was enrolled in Mission Without Borders’ family sponsorship program.

As a result, Orhan had a childhood filled with the Mission’s summer camps, special children’s events, and, later, youth meetings. His faith had its difficulties – but Orhan always had a sense of God’s hand on his life – and was drawn to Christianity because of the people he knew. Growing up in a Muslim community, Orhan would never have been exposed to the Bible and its truths were it not for MWB.

Orhan, now 20, said, “It’s always been interesting for me to observe how people in the Mission and the church are full of understanding and love.”

When he recently saw a friend of his, Vanja, getting baptized, Orhan realized he also wanted to be baptized. He felt that baptism was a cornerstone of his relationship with God – that one piece he was missing to demonstrate his commitment to Jesus.

As soon as he found out that the next youth conference would take place at Boracko Lake, at a campsite called Emek Beraka (which means ‘valley of blessings’), he felt a calling and sense of perfect timing that this was where he should be baptized. Emek Beraka was where Orhan first went to MWB’s summer camp – and first felt God’s presence in his life.

Orhan's baptism is the proof that the seeds we sow in people's hearts reaped years later, by God, and by the church and his people.

 

Drazan Jarak, the MWB staff member who supported Orhan’s family, said, “Orhan always had big eyes as a child, wide open to everything around him. He was eager to learn and socialize, and I’m proud of the young man he is today.

“Orhan’s family was withdrawn from the program ten years ago when he was 10, but I’m glad that we still have a connection with him, thanks to the way that MWB works closely with the local church.

“Orhan’s baptism is proof that the seeds we sow in people’s hearts are being reaped years later by God, and the church and his people.”

As Orhan shared his testimony at the baptism, he said, “I’ve been thinking about baptism over the last two or three years, and I’m glad that I’m doing it right now. I decided to follow Jesus with my own will, and I want to share the good news with others. I decided to follow Christ because it makes the most sense, and I finally understand it clearly.”

In Matthew 5:16, it is written, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Thanks to the commitment of so many Christians – both in MWB and in the local church – to Orhan and his family, Orhan now knows Jesus for himself.

Through family sponsorship, you can shine a light into people’s lives – as they come to experience for themselves the love and faithfulness of God through the Christian witness of our staff and church partners. 

2376

That is how many families are being impacted through sponsorship.


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