amalija

There isn't a week or two that goes by without someone asking me "Does Amalija still live with you?" When I reply, "Yes." I receive a comment like, "That is so nice of you to host her." Or there is the classic, "she sure is lucky to have you and your family."

Quite frankly, I just don't see it that way. 

Deciding to ask Amalija to come live with us was MUTUALLY beneficial.  We knew we wanted to extend our home to some one (whom ever God had in mind) and that Amalija would introduce us to another culture.  Not only has she broadened our world view, but she also does very mundane and helpful things like cleaning kitchens and bathrooms!

Now that she's been here for over a year, when I reflect on what having her with us is like on a daily basis-it is simply this:  I get to live with one of my best friends.   In this context, it doesn't feel like she's "lucky" to have us, it is just a fact that she is part of our family now and I relate to her more as a friend, sister or cousin, rather that a "host." 

We are the lucky ones. I thank God for bringing her here, for keeping her here, and for the gift of friendship. 

Today Amalija asked if she could make a call to Serbia for 3 minutes.  Her grandmother is having surgery tomorrow on her neck.  I can't even imagine being so far away from my family at a time like this.  In Serbia she was very close to her grandmother-each afternoon Amalija would make it a habit to join her for coffee, cookies and conversation.  Now her grandmother feels very much alone.  Please pray with me for Amalija, her grandmother, doctor's wisdom, and healing.  

We love our family.....Alan, Michelle, Brynn, Jolee, AND Amalija. 

Amalija completed her first semester at George Fox with great grades and is now enjoying this semester even more.  It's much easier for her now that she knows what's expected of her and has relaxed into the Fox culture.  

She's recently completed applications for over 10 scholarships and is often sending out emails to her friends and family worldwide in hopes of collecting more financial support for the coming 3 years.

College is really expensive and there are days where I just can't imagine we'll be able to fundraise enough to get her to graduation. Her job working on campus in food service, just isn't gonna cut it!  Since she's a foreign student, it's our understanding that she can't apply for loans or work off campus at what might be a higher paying position.  

I'm constantly caught in the battle of letting things go-and letting God lead the way and my own desire to know that everything will work out so that she'll be able to continue at Fox.  Amalija says, "Don't worry, I could waste my time worrying, but what good would that do."  Her faith in God, and her ability to let Him truly be the leader of her life amazes me.  Not only does Amalija make fantastic coffee-but she's also a very wise woman!

It's been quite a while since we've shared about the newest member of our family, Amalija. Life seems pretty normal with her here. And it continues to be a joy to share our home with such a wonderful young lady. Last night I stopped by her room to say goodnight, and we ended up talking for a about an hour. How fun to have a sister-in-Christ just down the hall!

Many of you have asked about her dental situation, and I am happy to report that the first round of treatment at OHSU went perfectly. She commented, after the procedure, that now she might have to reconsider being so afraid of the dentist. We have one more treatment coming up on the 15th of November and after that her root canal troubles should be gone.

Jolee is Amalija's little buddy and quite often I find myself literally dragging her out of Amalija's room, so that our college student can study uninterrupted. Amalija is always loving, always patient. And this is teaching me something about being more Christ-like with my children. Brynn has fun emailing Amalija and sending her games/quizzes and e-cards.

Yesterday we went to a Bosnian restaurant in Portland with Amalija and some of her friends-the food was excellent and now I'm ready to visit her country if the opportunity ever arises! Speaking of friends, it has been great to see Amalija develop her own little network of friends and study partners. She is definitely finding her niche here at George Fox and is excited about school and meeting new people. Alan and I often joke that she has more friends in the US than we do. Yes, she is well connected!

This weekend we finally get to take her to the Oregon coast and we look forward to a visit from her cousin Nicola from New York in a few weeks.

Many Blessings Indeed.

Our original plans were to spend three nights in the Yellowstone area, but with how tired we were starting to feel and our clothes smelling like in the inside of a chimney after only a couple days, we decided to cut our plans short by one day and come home early. Also factoring into this decision was the desire to be able to have some down time at home before meeting Amalija and enjoining her to our family.

It actually happened that it worked out great to have Amalija come a day early (Saturday), so our return timing was good. We met on the driveway and exchanged greetings and hugs, had a tour of her new home, including her room, and then let her start to unpack. Since then, her life has been surrounded by kids, family sounds, places to go, church to attend, young adults group to meet, dozens of other people to meet, and a welcome party we had one week after she arrived.

If ever there was a high-impact, "whammo!"-style immersion into a new culture and family, this was it. I think our family life is quite a big change from what she's used to, but she appears to be rolling with the changes pretty well. But this Sunday, she's fallen a bit ill and had to spend most of the day resting. This isn't such good news with orientation at Fox starting on Monday (Today!).

Overall, so far, things have been as good with Amalija as we could have prayed for. She is so helpful around the house, the children like her very much, she has a big heart and a deep love of Jesus. We are so very fortunate to have her here, and we pray that our home can be what she needs and desires in terms of both love and support, but also a place to learn, grow and be successful in her studies.

Here is a message she has sent to her friends and family:

We are so happy to have Amalija in our family.

It has been too long since we posted an update on Amalija. We heard from many friends wanting to know what has come as a result of all of our prayers. Well, the big answer, is that she is definitely coming! Her and our prayers have been answered and more. While we were looking to get only enough funding for her first year at school, to date, from the hearts of our friends and family to Amalija's friends and family abroad, she has received almost enough money for two years at Fox. It has been amazing to see this happen.

Right now, I am unsure when exactly her arrival date is, but is probably around August 9th. This is two days before we get back from vacation, but the Stansell's have been gracious to offer their home temporarily until we return. Now that we are on this trip, we are looking forward to meeting her as soon as we can.

-Alan and Family

We have witnessed the amazing power of prayer, the warmth and generosity of our f/Friends and family, and a clear sign of way in which He wishes and intends to employ Amalija to do His good will here on earth. As of this week, with current donations and existing pledges of support in the future months, Amalija has the funds she needs to move to the next step in her journey here to be with us.

Below is a email we just received from her this morning. Our family sends out our deepest appreciation and gratitude to everyone who has given and pledged support. You are God at Work.

The letter below was sent to us just today (June 13) from Amalija in which she is excited, rejoicing, and praising God for the way appears to be opening for her.

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Below is a copy of a thoughtful email recently sent from Rick Muthiah. It talks about Amalija and our desire to find her the money to allow her to begin attending Fox this fall. With all the opportunities which have made themselves available to Amalija to attend, we believe it is His plan to have her here in our lives. But that means we need to do the practical things such as raising the money necessary. Please prayerfully consider how God can use a woman like Amalija to spread his peace and love. Bless You!

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Amalija Laslo is a 27-year old Serbian woman who hopes to attend George Fox University (GFU) as an undergraduate this fall. Amalija, who plans to study international relations with a minor in peace studies, has been accepted by the university and is one of 18 students invited into the Freshman Honors Seminar. Amalija was introduced to George Fox by (GFU professor) Ron and Carolyn Stansell’s daughter after the two of them met at a school in the Czech Republic.

Amalija writes, The vision and hope for my future is humanitarian work in the context of equipping individuals to work against poverty, conflict and society problems in their own environment and helping them with different resources. I believe that the possibility of studying at George Fox University will be more then just an opportunity for me to study, but a time to help shape my future.

Of approximately $34,000 needed for her first year, all but about $10,000 is covered (as of June 9) through a combination of scholarships, anticipated work income, and free room and board at the Duckfamily household, who are members of Newberg Friends Church. By July 1, Amalija needs proof that she can cover the remaining $10,000 if she is to be granted a student visa. Amalija's mission and sense of calling seems closely aligned with the work and ethos of the Friends church; thus, it seemed fitting to invite members of the Friends—and the broader community of believers—to support her in her calling.

Donations can be made for Amalija by writing a check to Newberg Friends Church and designating it to "Amalija." Newberg Friends will also be collecting pledges of financial support for Amalija. Please contact Michelle and Alan via the Contact form, or Denise in the church office at 503.538.8381 if you want to pledge a monthly amount. Unfortunately, donations to Amalija are not tax deductible.

In an e-mail to Rick Muthiah, Amalija wrote, I prayed and believed that God will find people who will take interest in my situation, therefore I know that your response is response from God, you are used in such a powerful way by God.

We pray that Amalija’s words would be applicable to a wide array of supporters within the Newberg community and beyond.

A couple of weeks ago we learned of the opportunity to host a young lady from Serbia in our home for a year so that she could attend George Fox University. Alan and I were immediately drawn to the idea, and it has become our hearts desire that we can find a way to get Amalija the support she needs financially make her dreams come true.

Let me share with you a few quotes from some of her emails- I think once you read them you'll understand why we are so eager to share our life and home with Amalija. We hope this will be a "two way ministry." I know she feels blessed to have the opportunity to study at Fox, and to have a family ready and willing for her arrival-but we feel that she will minister to us as well-and to anyone she meets here in the U.S.A.

If you'd like to be a part of this ministry, we are in the process of finding the best possible (hopefully tax deductible) way of getting donations to Amalija. Please leave a comment or email us directly with your prayers.

If you are interested in pledging financial support, let us know!

From Amalija: