Sunday morning the interns and I rode our bikes to Church of God. This is the church that the family we are staying with goes to, and the father is the pastor of. Having absolutely no expectations, assuming I'd understand nothing, yet eager to go to a service as I hadn't been in a few weeks due to travel, I walked in open minded. As Serbian culture goes, at 10:00 when service was to start, only ten people were there. Quickly, within the next fifteen minutes, the chairs filled up. The church seats 50 people. It is in a little building that is just perfect for the gathering. The chairs line up in about five rows of ten and just enough spare room for the band (two singers and a guitarist) to worship.
The Holy Spirit was present. My soul felt at such peace worshipping with them. In many new churches I enter, I don't instantly feel at such peace. Serbian is fairly easy to read especially in slower worship style format. So I sang along in Serbian to the Lord! One of the coolest experiences yet! The kids at home have taught me to read most words. They played many songs I was familiar with and a few new ones. I didn't even want to sing in English when I did know the song. There was just something so incredible to be singing along as one body. I know Heaven will be the same! Such an awe struck moment to sing and worship to our Savior!
The Serbians really taught me that I am not here to simply share Christ. I am hear to be humbled. I didn't expect there to be believers when I heard the statistics before going over. Now that I am here, I am amazed! That church was filled with passion for our God. Of course that was only fifty people in a city of 5,000 to 6,000, but still that is absolutely incredible! I believe there is one other protestant church, as they would call it, in this city. The numbers are low, but it only takes one faithful heart. Wow, I have so much to learn from them. They pray with such boldness and expectance. As American believers, we are no where close to this. Our churches aren't praying like this. We take our salvation for granted or as it is something we've done or expect. Most churches are orthodox, so to have heard the truth and worship in a free place is such a gift. There are no laws protecting religion like America. American law protect us in so many ways. Serbs give God the reverence and respect He deserves. Knowing Him is a blessing, not an expectance. Really humbled me and let me examine my faith.
Serbians love internationals. The three of us were invited up to introduce ourselves to the congregation. I went first. Me, being the foreigner that I am, forgot to stop every sentence or so to be translated. So the people laughed and loved my foolishness. Bojan, being such an gifted translator, still caught all my words. It was neat getting to meet basically the whole church.
Bojan also translated the whole message to us. We simply sat in the back of the church, and they are much more accustom to this. It didn't bother them. They were so happy we could get to hear the message. He spoke on Luke 18 and the women's faith and reliance on the judge. Again, this exposed Serbian faith. I was sitting there thinking wow at my church this same passage would be presented so differently. I soaked up the words and realized I need to kick into gear praying much bolder. God is always waiting wanting to hear from me, from us. Again, it is something we hear and know but getting to watch it lived out is so awesome. So that was my first service in Serbia, and I can't wait for next week!
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