“But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Kosova. The country where your ‘no seatbelt’ light goes out faster than your blinker. It’s because they don’t use either here.
Going across seas was a huge adjustment and a huge ‘wow’ in my mind. I never have been further than Montana and now I’m 6,000 miles away from home. I’ve always been in love with the fact that I’ve been surrounded by a cultural community. And I love that I get to finally see different cultures in their own home, their own setting, their own way of living.
Working with the International Church of Kosova has been an easy transition into the World Race. Our team is practically a team of interns here for them. It’s just like I’m back home but on a larger scale. We have several teen meetings with villages and towns around Kosova, we visit the Roma (Gypsy) Center children, paint fences, deliver food to those in need, help out in several Christian secondhand clothing shops, and literally any other way that we are able to bless this church.
This month Muslims celebrated Ramadan. Fasting from sun up to sun down for a month. Kosova is 97% Muslim. There are less than 1,000 Christian’s in this country. Pristina has 200,000 people here. Yet, the congregation has less people than the smallest church body in my 8,000 community sized town. The Kosova War ended 15 years ago and they are still recovering from it. They are still trying to establish a government for their country. It shows that there is no government when there is a two mile road project in front of our house that has been going on for 3 years now.
These statistics don’t matter though. Yes, it would be difficult to get converts of a country who has been Muslim since the dawn of time. Yes, traditions are upheld more because of the recent bloody war. But this is literally the most loving place I have ever seen.
When a bunch of super awesome/futbol players way too cool for me teen boys who don’t know English want to just talk to me, that is love. When a church leader spends the entire month dealing with a team of young missionaries and still invites you over to have tea with his family, that is love. When you head to the sketchiest part of the city and hear a bunch of screams in all directions as kids swarm you from every direction to hug you, that is love.
Don’t even get me started on the church! These people have courage and perseverance. They have abandoned everything they once knew to give it all to God. To have courage to become a Christian and show your all Muslim family that there is more. Then to persevere in a country full of Muslims. That has been the most inspiring that I have witnessed.
Now let me be real right now. There were times where I honestly felt like I wasn’t doing enough work or where I could have been doing some more effective type of ministry instead of sitting around drinking coffee. But can having fellowship with other Christian’s for a month be just as vital to God’s Kingdom? Absolutely. Sitting, having coffee, talking, and just relaxing with others. I believe that having a team of early to mid 20 year olds who are completely in love with Our Lord come to Kosova to just breathe life is just as important as preaching God’s Word everywhere.
We’re here to build God’s Kingdom up, not just put in a foundation and leave it.
Kosova. The country where religion doesn’t matter and everyone helps 3 of their 2 neighbors.
There is longing. There is a thirst for more. There is something potent here that is ready.
Kosovo(a) from Hunter Young on Vimeo.
https://vimeo.com/101863806
Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your patience in hearing about Kosova.
Please continue to pray for us as we leave to Albania on Thursday!
I’m still in need of about $2,700 by November 1 in order for me to continue on this mission. Please share my blog, pray for this mission, and prayerfully consider financially supporting me. I’ve said this a bajillion times, every penny counts. If you only have $1. That is insanely helpful.
I love you and I’m praying for you.
Your Brother in Christ,
Hunter Young
