My life: Still in shock that I’m actually living in Novi Sad, Serbia. Many days consist of looking out the window while being chauffeured by our ministry host with random burst of “oh, Im in Serbia.”, getting devoured by masquitos (I think I’ve counted 42 bites thus far) , playing charades with the cashier while casually trying to by tooth paste (the struggle is real y’all) and laughing with my teamates through the struggle of trying to adapt to Serbian culture. Life is good and Jesus has been teaching me that the little things count.
It sounds elementary until you actually get dropped off in the middle of Serbia and realize this will be your life for the next 11 months and you’re trying to casually live life without bringing attention to yourself. Then, the challenge escalates quickly. In Isaiah 43:1 He reminds us “do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” This past week I’ve been so thankful for laughter. Laughter looked like spending all week with 41 teens at Kamp Betel and getting poured into and pouring into them.
We learned forgiveness through laughter at us burning the bottom of the camp coffee maker (turns out Americans are illiterate when it comes to making coffee Serbian style) Emily and I were just having casual conversation as we didn’t know the bottom of the pot was plastic and we had sat it on a metal hot plate only to find out as Mirco came walking by and casually picked up the pot as stringy plastic stretched from the hot plate to the pot making a gooey mess. We gasped with sincerity in being so sorry. Thankfully it was able to be fixed as we sat in a circle outside scraping the goop off of the hot plate as Mirco shared his story of redemption with us. What a beautiful day this was and such a reminder that the Lord really does turn even the bad into good. It really is the little things you have to find joy in…even the bad. Philemon 1:7 “your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lords people.” Thank you Mirco for refreshing mine and Emily’s heart.
Then there are those days that Satan tries to feed you full of lies while doing ministry because He senses the Lords presence so much he can’t resist in trying to kill, steal, and destroy. One day in particular He tried telling me that I was inadaquate and useless. I wasn’t worthy to be here and I wasn’t doing anything for the kingdom. So I quickly went off by myself and began to pray telling the Lord my struggles. It wasn’t but just a few mins later He sent a sweet 5 year old boy named Matayo (or Matthew). The day before Matayo was very shy and would hardly talk to any of us but suddenly, on this day, he came up to me with a half grin and fist bumped me (this was his way of telling me we were friends being as he couldn’t speak english) Matayo and I played lots and lots of soccer, hockey, and basketball filled with lots and lots of laughter. If you know anything about me you know that I absolutely LOVE kids! What a blessing it was to have my heart connected with Matayos. Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you.”
Life is good. We all have gifts. There is always always joy to be found. Pay attention because most of the time its the little things we look over that become the stepping stone for the greater things.
