This season of squad leading has been different in many ways from my own Race. “How?” you might ask.
Well, I’m moving around infinitely more than I did round 1. So far I’ve traveled from Belgrade to Negotin, Negotin to Lebane, Lebane to Nis, Nis to Belgrade, Belgrade to Cacak/Mrcajevci. So, I’m seeing a lot of Serbia. I’m also learning about transitioning well and engaging fully.
My main ministry has been to the squad, not necessarily doing construction or outreach. So it’s been interesting to find healthy balance with relationships and rest.
I’ve also really tried to make the most of every opportunity and say “yes” to all sorts of things. Last week, during my time in Lebane that meant making a mini bucket list filled with silly things to accomplish.
We learned about roasting red peppers or “paprika” to ultimately make a jelly. According to the Serbs I’ve talked with, Lebane is known for it’s paprika. After they were roasted and cooled, we peeled off the skin and rinsed out the insides so that they could be ground up and made into something delicious. Plus, we got to taste-test. Win/win.
One night, 2 of the girls were at a church service in a nearby village. Rosie (in the middle) said “What do you guys want to do while they’re gone??” Impulsively, I replied “We could toilet paper their room.” So we did. And it was hilarious. (Note: We were good stewards and didn’t waste the paper once it was taken down. #worldracebudget)
One day, we went to Slave’s friend’s house and learned about making plum brandy. (Serbian moonshine, for lack of a better explanation)
We learned about how to shake walnuts from a walnut tree. Also, I learned that they grow in a green outer shell that kind of looks like a tiny Granny Smith apple. And that processed American food has apparently made me ignorant of natural things.
This sweet lady gifted me with some homemade strawberry liquor in a Couversier bottle. #keepinitclassy
Joy performed acupuncture on my ears. Don’t worry, she’s trained.
I got to milk a goat on my 29th birthday! (Weirdest wish ever, I know. But get off my back.)
I was just as thrilled as I look in the photo.
We ate delicious breakfast in town— pancake burritos, for lack of a better term. Half of a Snickers one & half of a ham, cheese and mushroom. I heart street food.
After they sing the birthday song to you, Serbians usually put a dollop of icing on each cheek. The team took it to the next level and covered my face in cream puff icing. It was like a spa and a party all rolled into one.
There was a cafe with DELICIOUS hot chocolate that can’t even fully be described. It was like pudding but better and topped with a luscious amount of whipped cream. What we’re drinking here isn’t that, but is a great photographic representation for the story.
So I’m learning about living with intention and making the most of my time, no matter the location or circumstances. I’m realizing that a full life is less about what gets accomplished and more about heart posture in the midst of it. At the beginning of Romans chapter 12 in the Message, Paul says this “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” Perhaps our every day lives are an incredible gift, if only we’ll learn to take hold of simple things like hot chocolate and goats and friendship as blessings from the Lord. Maybe the exercise of gratitude can create space for celebration that will give way to wholehearted worship and utterly transform our lives.
