December 2018 Name   Pete Stonelake Work   Proofreader and translator Non-work responsibilities Helping out with EUS student work in Nikšić. Help with the church's outreach work in Nikšić, with music in worship services and occasionally preaching. Generally being active within the local Christian fellowship in Nikšić specifically and also Montenegro as a whole. As Christ's ambassadors, people scrutinise our every action/reaction and I aim to give glory to God by having a godly and moral reputation, as well as speaking his love meaningfully into everyday situations.

Prayer & praise

• Student ministry: This semester, somehow the momentum from previous years has not been maintained for a variety of reasons, but we are keeping going! This involves now much more one-on-one work, but also the starting of a group in the capital, Podgorica.
• House hunting: I'd appreciate prayers over the next year as I start making more definite plans about purchasing a property in the Niksic area.
• Our student in Paris: Some of you have been praying for a student who came to faith during this year, called Dragan, who was offered the opportunity to study music in Paris. We were concerned that this period might be an obstacle to his growth as a young Christian, since it is not an automatic thing for a foreign student to plug into a church and CU group. God has been gracious and provided contacts for him in both, and so we rejoice that, in all the normal challenges of moving to a new country, city, university, that he is clearly testifying to God's providence and goodness!

During this year

• Prayer letter hiatus: Several people have asked why they have stopped receiving prayer letters, and the reason is because I haven't sent any since last October. This is a reflection of a significant rise in my daily workload. God has really been looking after me in terms of having enough work, although I realise this is not a valid excuse for not sending my "monthly" bulletins.
• UK visit over festive period: I'll be in the UK from 20 Dec-10 Jan, with a visit to Nottingham around the New Year for about four days. If anyone there would like to catch up with me, please get in touch to arrange, and much of the rest of the time I will be in the London area.
• Preaching: Along with some of the other deacons in the local church here in Niksic, I have been contributing to the teaching in church. As usual, this has enabled me to push myself further in terms of my reading and meditation on various books in the Bible, and I trust has also been of help to others.
• Year overview: Over all, this year has been very busy in terms of language work, which has taken some time away from ministry activities, and I would like to get back to doing more one-on-one Bible studies with students and also with graduates.

Other stuff

• 2019 Calendar: The yearly presentation of my photographs of scenes from the mountains of Montenegro should be ready in time to bring them to the UK before Christmas. If you'd like to have a caledar, please get in touch. They aren't technically for sale, but I'll happily 'give' one in return for a little donation to help with printing costs, like €5 or £5.
• Cycling: Having had some back problems over recent years related to my sedentary working life, I have started cycling again, really for the first time since I moved to Niksic. I am enjoying it! It gives me a great way to investigate many of the country lanes and old roads through the mountains that are mainly used only by the people who live on them. Feel free to look me up on Strava, if you have an account. I also purchased a kneeling chair which I am finding helps me with my posture when I spend so many hours in front of the computer.

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As ever, you can view the current and previous prayer letter here, or view my pictures on Facebook if you are a member, or on Flickr. My website has some of the same photos at http://www.reetpetite.org.uk/pictures/.