We have all heard the phrase “to find the silver lining …”
At training camp a few months ago, a World Race leader spoke of a story regarding strawberries and learning to find the “strawberries” in the midst of abandonment. My time spent in Macedonian these past few weeks has brought about a personal meaning of “Finding the Strawberry.”
Upon our arrival to now, only having 6 days left, in a this beautiful city, I have become more and more aware of the sweet strawberry moments. Whether it’s the people we meet, or the hospitality they show us, it’s the kindness that has left a huge impression on me. Even down to describing the scenery of Bitola in one word, I would say: sweetness. Also one of the ladies of the church that we met, who joined us in street evangelism, was named Ja-Go-Dah. As strange as it might have sounded It was easiest for us to all call her Strawberry. She lived up to her name to say the least. I was lucky enough to spend an evening casually strolling the streets with her. Her kind eyes spoke louder than her broken English. We were still able to share stories of personal hardship to the love of God that is always found in a intimate relationship with Him.
Last Sunday, our team was invited to a picnic in the mountains with the Pastor’s (that’s actually the pastors’ of the church’s last name) with an all inclusive scenic hike up one of the mountains. On our journey Sara, the sweet 12 year-old daughter of Beliana and Josip, taught us how to search for the ripest strawberries along the hiking path. They were difficult to find because they were about a fourth of the size of a normal strawberry. When they were found, by Sara, being the only one who could find them, we all stop and tasted.
The past 2 weeks, our team has been teaching English classes to all age ranges. We had separated into two classes: a beginner class, mostly filled with an older generation eager to learn the basics and the “advanced” group, which I helped teach. Th advanced group was made up of middle and high school aged girls who could read and write English probably better than myself. God again poured out his kindness through these girls into my life by their sweet personalities and friendships. Our relationship with them has grown not only because we’re all “Facebook friends” but because we spent a few days together outside of class playing in the park and having a day of photo shoots and Macedonian cooking lessons. It hit me hard when Dragana, one of my students looked at me yesterday and said, “I am going to cry when you leave.” The kindness God was showing them through me was really reaching them and my heart for them grew more than I thought it could in a few short weeks.
Street evangelizing has been a stretch for some of us and a little bit of a bigger step outside of our comfort zones than others. But yet again, God’s kindness, His strawberries in these moments were brought through a couple we met while distributing Bibles one night. It turned out the couple was from Rochester, NY, of all places from my home. Not only that, they had attended my home church occasionally. When they found out what we were up to, they couldn’t believe it. They quickly shared they were evangelists themselves following the call to Macedonia. Before meeting us the husband explained while they were walking and praying over the city that night, he had a vision of passing out Bibles in the exact spot we were standing in. It was only right that they joined us.
A few nights ago, the girls stayed behind from street ministry to intercede for the boys who would be leading the Bible distribution. It was this night that God clearly brought to my attention the beauty He has been showing me is because of how He wanted me to see His city and how to pray for this city. We prayed that the fruit of the Spirit would shower over leave a sweet aroma of His presence. The image of a strawberry was piercing my mind so as I began to draw it, God reminded me of the story of the vine and the branches in John 15. When we abide in him, when we taste and recognize the inner sweetness of God himself, we bear much fruit, we bear his sweet presence. A sweet presence smelled and tasted by all we encounter. We are continuing to intercede over a city bound in religion and oblivion to be opened up to the shower of God’s goodness and sweet kindness for his people.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14-15
Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.
Isaiah 45:8
I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3:11-12
Pray for Bitola with us.
This city has about 50 evangelical Christians out of 100,000 people. God’s presence is so alive and is waiting to be accepted into the hearts of these people. We saw many who were eager to grab a free Bible and engage in conversation but also a lot of people completely turned off by what we were doing. Pray for radical heart transformations. Pray for strength and endurance for the Christians here standing firm in God’s love. Pray for openness, curiosity to a relational God and salvation from brokenness.
Thank you for reading!
xo
Kirst
