Romans 8:28 – we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Right now I am on a bus back to Novi Sad from Apatin, Serbia! To those of you who don’t know, my maternal grandmother is from there. Being really close to her, this was a really meaningful day for me.
First God moment – my grandmother is from Yugoslavia, and she didn’t know which country her city fell into when Yugoslavia got separated into multiple different countries. So, when I found out I was going to Serbia, we researched to see if her home town was close, turns out it is just an hour and a half away (on Google maps, but almost a three hour bus ride) from where I would be placed, which by itself was miraculous to me. I could’ve easily been anywhere else In Serbia, or Europe!
Second God moment – my teammate Nicole Blattler also has a grandmother with a similar story as my grandmothers. Which of you haven’t heard it, you should. She is such a strong women and her story is incredible. Turns out Nicole’s grandmother is also from the part of Yugaslavia that is now Serbia. I have never even met anyone who had even heard a story similar to my grandmothers – so having this teammate I can rejoice with and experience these moments with is priceless. We will be going to her grandmothers home town this month too!
Third God moment – another team on my squad was placed in Sombor, Serbia. This is roughly 15min from Apatin. Benita, my squad leader chose to spend her first week with my team, and her second week with them. SO she needed two people to travel with her to Sombor to drop her off today… Nicole and I got to do that! Which placed me in a situation where I could “easily” go visit my grandmothers home town (nothing seems easy when you don’t speak the language and are in a new place).
Fourth God moment – the ministry host from the other team picked Benita up from the bus station today. He found out I wanted to go to Apatin and offered to drive Nicole and I over there! That was enough of a blessing, BUT he continued to shuttle us around and tour guide us around Apatin. He found my grandmothers street she grew up on, her church she went to, and drove us to the Danube. I got to eat lunch while listening to my grandmothers church bells in the background! My heart has never been so happy.
God has continued to give me so many gifts on this journey. This day has been 100% God orchestrated.
Proverbs 3:5-6 trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Fifth God moment in this event happened way before I even left the country with my route changes.
It was when God called me to change my initial route I signed up for in the World Race, and then again called me to change my route back in June. All the reasons why He wanted to change my route never crossed my mind, until now. While on the race I’ve seen so many reasons why.
Firstly, timing. If I would have gone on the race when I wanted to, I would have been scheduled to leave in July. Looking back at this year – I wouldn’t have been able to leave. After all of the stress my family has been through this year with my Grandpa’s health, and all the death we have experienced – I would have been an emotional wreck.
Secondly, my squad. At training camp my heart just started to love all of these unique individuals, and all I want to do is keep on getting to know them!
Thirdly, my team. We are so perfectly woven with our different weakness and strengths – and my heart is growing more for them every second.
Fourthly, this route! If I would have done what I wanted, and not listened to the still unsettling of my spirit, I wouldn’t have experience anything in this blog. And now He has blessed me with a beautiful story of His majesty and love for me.
God is such a good father. He has blessed me so much by this experience today. He has shown up in so many ways through this experience and I am just blown away.
Ephesians 1:11 in Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.
Another God moment – I had an unexpected $750 donation! SO, I am now only $202 away from my next deadline! Which makes me only $3469 away from being fully funded!
P.S – Serbian word of the week: Oprostite = Excuse Me
