Sisters family adapts to Croatia

Steve and Suzanne Mickel and family in Croatia. Photo provided

Steve Mickel started Three Sisters Fellowship in 1997 and pastored the growing congregation for the next three years. But he couldn't escape the persistent draw toward missionary work.

"Steve and Suzanne were actually headed for Africa before they came to Sisters," said Vicky Layne, Three Sisters Fellowship secretary. "But then Suzanne found out she was pregnant and they couldn't go. But Steve always had a heart for missions."

The Mickels settled in Sisters and planted a church. But the desire to serve on the mission field never left Steve. Mickel eventually sought out his denomination's missions board and began the process of being prepared for work overseas. Over the next year, Mickel and his family visited several different countries--including Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland, and Germany.

"The Mickels really felt like they fit with Croatia," said Layne.

With their three young boys in tow, Steve and Suzanne packed up their worldly goods, rented out their house in Sisters and headed for the Four Square Missions Headquarters in Los Angeles. Their training for cross-cultural missions began in January 2001. The following summer, the family of five flew to Pula, a resort town along the southern coast of Croatia.

"It has been almost two years since we left Sisters," Steve wrote, e-mailing from the office in their three-story house in Pula.

"There have been good days and hard days. The hard times have come as a result of being isolated from our friends and family in the States -- coupled with trying to learn a new language and make new friends.

"There were times we did not even want to leave the house because we were so tired of trying to communicate and failing to do so on so many levels. Thankfully, these times come and go."

Part of the frustration the Mickels have faced stems from the simple fact that Croatia is not America. They do things quite differently there. Shortly after their arrival, the Mickels needed to send a fax to the States. To his amazement, it took two hours and three postal employees to get the deed done.

"It's funny now," wrote Steve, "but it wasn't funny at the time. Then our mission organization gave us a car from Germany. We drove it into Croatia, but then it sat in our driveway for the next six months. We found out that red tape exists everywhere."

In spite of the minor -- and major -- inconveniences, the Mickels have been encouraged by the progress they've seen during their stay in Croatia.

"The church we work with in Pula has two drug rehab centers. They are incredible -- every time I visit them I am amazed at the progress I see. Within a month or two, the young people who come to the center are off drugs completely and attending church. The centers have had a 90 percent success rate, and all the graduates find jobs."

Mickel has also enjoyed the traveling involved in his ministry.

"I have been to Belgrade and Serbia a number of times to work with another church there," he wrote. "I also travel to Germany and Norway and help plan for an international youth camp that takes place in Europe each year. It is exciting!"

The Mickel's three sons, Chase (seven), Hudson (six), and Kincade (three), have adapted to their new country with ease. Except for an occasional bout of homesickness, the boys have embraced the Croatian culture. All of the boys attend Croatian schools and play on local football (soccer) teams.

"They are adjusting very well," wrote Steve. "All of them speak Croatian with their friends and English with the adults. We are very proud of their integration."

The Mickels plan to stay in Croatia for a minimum of six years, with a short furlough after three years.

Vicky and Ron Layne (who oversees the Missions Department at Three Sisters Fellowship) have been to Croatia twice to visit the Mickels.

"It was hard for us to see them leave Sisters," said Vicky. "Their kids call us Grandma and Grandpa! But after spending time with them in Croatia -- it's obvious that they are in their element. Steve was meant to go."

While the Mickels are adjusting well to their new surroundings, they still consider Sisters home and miss their friends, family, and church.

For more information about the Mickel's ministry in Croatia visit their website at www.stevemickel.com.