The morning and evening discussions were still based on the Prodigal Son, but the intensity was heightened. These students' EAGERLY yearned for knowledge of the Lord!! Many were believers but had absolutely NO discipling after making a commitment to Christ, and the ones who didn't know Christ yet were open to hearing! So many had just never been told what worth and value they were in His precious sight. They have spent their lives being treated poorly and discriminated. They just wanted love. I think I got more hugs, kisses, and love then I will in a whole year in America in just one week there. They are the most hospitable and genuine people I have ever met in my life! Talk about being served!! They just needed to hear what the Bible says. The Bible is not translated into their native tongue, Roma! I couldn't believe this tragic truth. Some were unsure of what salvation meant, where they would spend eternity and what a walk with Jesus meant. It was so disheartening for me, yet so humbling that Christ used me to be able to share such bold truths about Him without intimidation or fear. As I was praying with one students, some non-English speaking students came running over to join. They didn't even speak Serbian but spoke Roma, the gypsy language in that city, and joined our talk with God. The power of the Spirit rained through this place providing such spiritual conversation with people who couldn't even communicate with each other!!! I truly tangibly saw the work of Christ!
I believe these students are the brink of revival in the land, but need those leaders to step out in faith to disciple them. Please join my prayers in discipleship for this church and country!! Some are chained to the bondage of the orthodox church. As we debriefed in the capital, Belgrade, we went into the biggest orthodox church in Serbia. There were so many aimless souls praying to pictures of saints believing this will send them to Heaven. Most have never opened a Bible, but think they are okay with the Lord. They are being mislead, and this injustice breaks my heart. Please continue to pray for this country even as my journey here will end in just unbelievably five days.
The American team had a team of support praying diligently for them back in the states! It was SO evident the power of prayer! The American team challenged me, discipled me, and showed me that godly women exist! I know as I return to the states, I must find a mentor and evaluate my sin and repent more often. Even the simplest thoughts sneak past sometimes leading to sin. We need the constant renewal of the Lord! Being an overnight camp and curfew at 10:00pm, we had great opportunity to bond with the American team. As I prayed mutually with team members throughout the week, the power of Christ was united and the impact was so much greater at this camp because of the unity. Many prayed to receive Christ, and many became aware of what true walking of faith is, and that it isn't a walk in the park! Even some became open to the fact the orthodox church may not be completely Biblical. Hearing that what you grew up knowing to be truth, isn't truth, is a quite thought-proking thing. There were definitely steps of the growth no matter what that looked like in different individuals. God was sovereign and quite raging this week!
I can't wait to share so many specific stories that just endlessly glorify the Lord's work this week and summer! I look forward to seeing you all soon, even though part of my heart in now in this place! Thank you all for your continued support! I can't even begin to let you know how God is using you to soften the hearts and build this nation even hundreds of miles apart!!!!! Glory to God for what He has done and will do!!!
