After finishing up the first week of being in Montenegro, I’ve realized that there’s a pretty good chance I’m going to constantly be in awe and wonder “is this real life?” for the next 11 months.
Serious hangs in the Atlanta Airport. Y Squad for life.
Looking back at the last 11 days, I’m left almost in a state of shock as to how much my world had changed. Travelling from Atlanta to Chicago to Istanbul to Serbia alongside my sweet squadmates was a beautiful stepping stone onto the World Race. There we were, forty-eight individuals, buzzing with excitement and anticipation, standing on the doorstep of the next year of our lives.
And then I was handed the reigns and empowered to lead my team to our first destination. There was no turning back from the reality of what it means to be a team leader. We made it to the bus from the airport and walked the corridor, dotted with sleeping Syrian refugees, to the ticket counter. With tickets in hand, we boarded an overnight bus bound for Podgorica, Montenegro. Our neck of the bus was a cast of interesting characters, the seven Nani Nuns included, that set the scene for an interesting night. And then morning broke and awe set in.
Montenegro. Crna Gora. Black Mountain.
The beautiful mountain range on the drive into Montenegro.
We arrived safely in Podgorica to the warm welcome of our hosts and a gracious gift of rest. Jet lag is so-so real. Sunday morning was our first introduction to the church family and we were given the opportunity to sing and share. It was like day 3 and I was playing my ukulele in front of an audience. Greeeat. Definitely wasn’t what I had in mind for bringing my ukulele along, but I should have known that God had a different plan.
View of Podgorica from the top of Gorica (little mountain in Serbian).
Our first month of ministry has called us to dive right into stepping out of our comfort zones. So here we are, doing street evangelism, meeting people at the park, city center, mall of Montenegro and Delta City mall, trying make connections and build relationships. And let me tell you, each day has been filled with awe. The culture is not warm to random girls saying hi to you as you walk through the park but then there are those moments of boldness and connection and hope that have promise for tomorrow. At the end of each evening, we are giddy about the new friends that we’ve made that day and can’t wait to see again. God is so good and we’re loving loving people and praying that through those connections, they find a relationship with Jesus.
Saturday is dubbed Adventure Day and boy, what an adventure. Our awesome host Magi drove us to the coast for swims in the sea. Sitting on the pebbly beach, watching the sunset and squinting to possibly catch a distant glimpse of Italy, I realized I was asking myself, “is this real life?” God knows how to speak to our hearts and I was fully engrossed in his love on that beach. Awe. Oh how intimately does he know me and I know this season I will really begin to grasp that truth.
The colors of the sunset on Sunday took on a completely different set of hues from the night before. At dusk we found ourselves being guided through two of the three Roma/Gypsy refugee camps on the outskirts of Podgorica so that we could attend church at one of the camps. Inside the only room with a light on in the entire camp, we entered into the presence of the Lord. Outcasts from society but definitely not outcasts from the Kingdom of God. The new faces and the time spent with them was so sweet, I can hardly wait to worship with them again.
So now I find myself soaking in the cool autumn air, once again in awe. Who knew that a cute pair of pink sunglasses would lead into a shop with three sweet faces and a cup of sweet coffee. My word am I grateful for this state of awe. God is so good.
This is real life.
