President,
Thanks so much for attending the baptismal service in Zagreb on Saturday. I thought that you might like the attached pictures. I have them in higher resolution if you would like them.
Also, President Sambunjak is having a remarkable effect on the Branch here. It is being organized in an impressive manner. I attended one of the best sacrament meetings I can remember in Zagreb last Sunday. It was so good because there was such a warm, wonderful, caring spirit. There were two youth speakers, a missionary speakers and a member. Elder Clark did a fantastic job. We will sorely miss his incredible talents when he is gone. President Sambunjak also is organizing and changing the Branch in many areas. He is calling new individuals to serve in the Sunday School. He has organized the Aaronic Priesthood. I believe that some of the individuals who he wants to develop into leaders are being called and trained by him. Sven’s wife made the comment to me that he does everything by the Spirit. Elder Hammer is remarkable in helping Sven, but in also ensuring that he is the counselor to Sven. With the current Branch Presidency you will never have a moment’s concern. I also believe that you will see miraculous results from the service of these brethren. The Branch is not yet perfect and is still faced with problems, but it is on the path to excellence.
I know of your other organizational pressures, but I believe that Zagreb will become a significant training ground for new, strong young leaders in Croatia while Sven is here. I know of no other place in the country where this can occur as it can here in Zagreb. There are several eligible young men who are returned missionaries – this includes of course the Estigarribia family. There is the potential here to about double the number of fully active families in the Church here (I am assuming that there are only about 6 or so fully active young families in the country). You have Mate Bilic, next Antun, then there is Domagoj, Kiki, and the three Estigarribia sons and some families here that Sven is reaching out to. There are several new investigators starting to emerge – including Nikolina (who was just baptized), Diona (who has been to Church, had a couple of lessons, and has had two home evenings at our home and one with the Estigarribia family), and now Maya who appeared in an English class and has now attended Church. Interestingly, these young women are about age twenty and beautiful, spiritually sensitive young women. We have invited two other young women – about age 23 – to our home for home evening. I believe they will both come next week. One is originally from Chile and the other is originally from Italy.
I have given a copy of the Book of Mormon to the young man in our class studying to be a priest – one copy in Spanish (his native tongue) for him, one copy in Croatian for him and the priest, and one copy in Portuguese for the priest in his native language. I was waiting for a moment to be alone with Angel to present the books to him. Then, with most of the class in the hall on break, one of the young ladies asked what I had in the bag. I told the class that it was a gift for Angel. So, in front on most of the class, I presented the Book of Mormon to Angel. He looked very surprised and didn’t seem to know what to do, then one of the other class members said to him in Spanish – That is a wonderful gift, Angel. Tell the Chabries’ thank you for such a fine gift. That is really nice. You should be so grateful for this. Then Angel broke into a smile and said thank you so much. Immediately he relaxed and looked genuinely pleased.
However, I believe that we will shortly have some even more exciting things to share with you.
Starješina i Sestra Čabrajec
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