Ministry for our team this month has been all over the place. It started out working with kids at a youth camp, then it led to the men going on a 3 day camping trip with guys in the church’s rehab center, to whatever we really want it to be. The only requirement we had with ministry was to simply spend time with kids and lead their “youth group” of sorts on Thursday nights. So Team Abundance took it and ran with it. We planned days such as a beach day, a soccer night, and the grand finale is an Amazing race relay. With these planned events came a lot of unplanned hanging out, a lot of exploring the city of Novi Sad, a lot of eating their favorite foods, and a lot of late nights. Two initial reactions come from spending all this time with these kids.
- When they say the walk is 20 minutes, expect to walk 40. If they say it is close, the general rule is expect to walk less than an hour. These kids don’t mind walking anywhere and everywhere. I have unintentionally stayed in decent shape because of this.
- These kids are world changers. They are Christ-followers and know how to show the love of Jesus to the people of Novi Sad. Not only this, they know how to serve and love people where they are at. If any American has asked for anything these kids have gone above and beyond to make sure that they get it. They love to spend time in community, and will always stay as long as you will let them. These kids have made a lasting impression on my heart that will never leave.
Many lasting memories have come with spending time with these kids, but one of my favorites happened last night. Last night ministry for me looked like getting a giant plate of meat, ice cream, and walking all over Novi Sad with my friend Zlaja (Pronounced Zlya). Zlaja, from the beginning of my time in Serbia, spoke less english than most, but last night the language barrier had nothing on us.
We talked about everything from sports, to food, to friends and family, to church and our spiritual gifts, to what God has specifically told each of us. We walked around the city talking about how good God is and how he saved us. Saved us from our past mistakes and meets us where we are at now. Zlaja, with his broken English, said something that made my heart skip a beat. He said,
“Jesus is about me, Jesus is made me, Jesus is for me.”
Its that simple. As my college pastor back at Antioch always said, “He loves you because He loves you because He loves you.” There is nothing I could say or do to change that. More often than not Christians tend to over complicate this idea, especially doing something as radical as the World Race. Zlaja had this down. Zlaja HAS this down.
As the night went on, we kept walking and talking. We spoke about the fact that both of us share the same spiritual giftings, and we talked about how God speaks to us. We ended with about an hour looking at a computer screen using google translate to ask clarifying questions, and tell the parts the other did not understand.
God is using this man in crazy ways. He is a man after God’s heart that is and will change the hearts of those around him.
This is what the World Race is all about. I got to pour into and encourage Zlaja and at the same time he was doing the same for me.
GOD IS SO GOOD!
Life Update:
- I have two more days in Novi Sad before I head to Belgrade for Debrief
- I only have $1,797 left to raise before I am fully funded
- On the 5th of September my squad and I will be heading to Romania for ALL SQUAD MONTH!
- THANK YOU FOR READING!
