WE MADE IT TO SERBIA. Although I have about a million stories I could tell already, this is my favorite one thus far.
On our off day, our hosts, Karl and Julie, wanted to show us one of their favorite spots in Serbia- the top of Mount Koblar. They described it as being a ‘great view’. The plan was to drive most of the way up the paved road, and walk the last little bit to the top. To our surprise, the road we planned to take was blocked off. Karl, being the adventurous spirit he is, informed us that there was a second road we could take. Okay Karl.
I don’t think Karl really know’s what constitutes as a road, or maybe he’s been out of Houston for too long. What he took us on, can only be defined as a road in the loosest of terms. Yes, it was an open clearing that we could drive on. But that’s about it. In reality, it was an extremely rocky dirt path, with pot holes and crevices about 2 feet deep, all at a 45 degree angle. This sounds exaggerated, but remember, this is in the rural mountains of Serbia.
The beginning of the uphill battle was a bit discouraging, but we trusted Karl. Not sure if that was the wisest of moves. With every bump and winding turn, we were sure the tires would pop any moment. Combine those winding turns with the fact that we had just eaten lunch? Not a good combination. To add to the fun, I was sitting in the 3rd row of the minivan that didn’t have air conditioning in the back. My tummy loved me.
At one point, we must have taken a wrong turn, because all of a sudden we came to a clearing, and a paved road. I thought we were abandoning the mountain plan and going home- HALLELUJAH. My stomach was so happy. But Karl (and God), and a different plan for us. He found a farmer on his tractor and got directions. Can you guess which way? Up that horrible road, still at 45 degrees.
Holding back nausea, we grabbed each others hands and the car seats, hoping we would make it to the top. I even smelled the clutch at one point. By the grace of God, and God alone, all 8 of us in the minivan made it. When I say it was only Jesus that we made it to the top without popping a tire and throwing up in the back seat, I mean it. It was a miracle.
Mount Kablar is one of Karl and Julie’s favorite places for a reason. Nothing could have prepared me for the beauty I saw, nor can I explain it here. I took pictures, but how can a picture capture the moment I was moved to tears because I was so engulfed in the presence of God? How can it capture the feeling of Jesus embracing me in a hug? How can it show the moment that I prayed aloud next to Nicole, and she physically felt it? No amount of beautiful mountain pictures can explain the grace and love I felt.
As much as I hated the car ride up, I completely understand why God took us through that. Life isn’t all cupcakes and comfy beds. Life is confusing, nauseating and an uphill battle. Life is hard. But it is so worth it! If we just go through the hard parts, push through, God is waiting on the other side with something so beautiful and moving. If you wait out the hard times, He will provide. He always provides.
God isn’t only doing cool things in my team though. While He’s working emotionally through me, He’s working physically through others. The other Allie (yes there’s two of us, watch out Satan), was physically healed by Him. Yes- I said physically healed. She had intense stomach pains, to the point of tears. Imagine a 5’10” woman in the fetal position crying because she was in so much pain. For 5 hours. It wasn’t until her entire team woke up and prayed around her, interceding on her behalf that her stomach pain immediately vanished. I can’t possibly include all the details here, but please please please go read it and be a witness to His incredible power: http://alliestoehr.theworldrace.org/post/how-to-pray-for-healing
I’m so excited to see what God has in store for us, both physically and spiritually, for these next 11 months. One thing is for sure: if we can just push through, just keep going when it’s hard, that He will provide. He always does.
