Ivan's Story

Outside Ivan's house

In October 1993 Ivan started taking the Esperanto Bible Course with only a written knowledge of the language because, as he said himself, he had no opportunity to practice speaking it - though, of course, that must be true for most who use it.

At first Ivan's letters were short and infrequent but, as the Croatian war developed, he wrote more. Then, about two years ago, he was introduced by letter to Lambe, a Christadelphian in Macedonia who was able to correspond with him in his native Serbo-Croat and help him in his studies.

Six years later, in October 1999, Ivan was baptised in Zagreb. We set out from Zagreb in a hired car to collect Ivan from his home. The district bore all the scars of the recent war and Ivan's house was no exception. Next door was an electricity sub-station which had obviously been marked down as a target, but much of the fire had been inaccurate, for the whole area was pocked with bullet holes and Ivan showed us the scar on the side of his home where a bomb had penetrated. The damage has been repaired and there is a new roof. Along the road were burnt-out houses which had belonged to Serbs.

Ivan has a small-holding and keeps pigs, rabbits and poultry. He also has enough land on which to grow potatoes and other vegetables including maize for feeding the pigs. Although officially retired, his time is fully occupied with his farm work. In the farm kitchen we were introduced to Ivan's wife and son.

During the journey to Zagreb we were able to talk to Ivan in Esperanto about his new-found faith. He answered in Serbo-Croat and, for my benefit, Lambe translated into English. When we got to Zagreb, Brother Ivan was baptised and rose to a new life in Christ, whilst we sang "The Lord bless thee and keep thee" and a multitude of angels sang in heaven.

Judy Holt
from The Bible Missionary, no. 155, January 2000

Information about Adriatic states