For the past couple of weeks, I have been working at Kamp Mrcajevci. Working alongside my teammates, our wonderful hosts Karl and Julie, and occasional bee. We have hit off plaster and concrete on our bunkhouse, for 3 days. Trust me when I say it was hard work, but we laughed through the odd pain we found in our bodies! It might be gross, but I rocked the same outfit during the 3 day span! It was dusty work, resulting in rocks and dust in the hair, ears, mouth, along with a thick layer on clothes, floor, and.. let’s be honest, it got everywhere. It didn’t stop me from making a lovely heart outside the girl’s room! (Which is still there!!) We even taught Karl how to skwad (our spelling), which is basically a fancy way of saying a group of people squat, and point at the camera looking intense.
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In between our construction days we have gone on some prayer walks/rides around Mrcajevci and Cacak. It was amazing to ride bikes around the small town of Mrcajevci, praying for the people, knowing God is at work. God chose Karl and Julie to serve at Kamp M, God chose this small country town specifically. While we are a sight to see, 6 young Americans (yes we stick out), we are a start of conversations. Conversations equals a doorway. Conversations are a lead-in to sharing the gospel.
We were cleaning up around our host’s new apartment in Cacak, and were able to have an amazing conversation with their neighbor. No, I have absolutely no clue what Julie and her neighbor were talking about most of the time, but it doesn’t matter.
You see, I leave at the end of the month, Julie and Karl don’t. That conversation started because there was a group of Americans hanging outside, but the conversations will continue with Julie, not me.
As much as we would have liked to be around kids at the Kamp, I have enjoyed something. I am serving all month for people unseen.
I haven’t met one boy or girl who have attended the Kamp, or will attend. I haven’t met one cook who I am sewing pockets in aprons for. I haven’t met the workers who will stay above the kitchen where my team mixed and poured concrete (with Karl and Julie’s help!).
And yet I’m ok with this fact. I am serving the unseen, so they may be able to enjoy Kamp M, where I know they will hear the gospel. You see, it’s not about what I want or need. It’s about serving a God who has plans past me. My God has plans for this Kamp, He has plans for the people who step foot on the campgrounds. So while I might get a little tired of seeing only my teammates for days on days, I can close my eyes and pretend I can see the people who I am serving. While I prepare meals in the kitchen, I can close my eyes and hear the hustle and bustle of the kitchen cooks getting ready to feed everyone. I might not see the people, but I know God does. And that’s all that matters. So yes, I’m serving the unseen.
