One of the first things you learn at training camp before
going on the World Race is to check all expectations and rights at the door.
What you thought you were entitled to or had a right to, you are asked to give up
for the next year. Perso
nal space, deciding when and what to eat, and going anywhere
alone are just not choices you can make anymore. One of my teammates, Amanda,
always reminds us to “expect nothing and appreciate everything.” That to me is
such a true reflection of how life on the race is, and every day I wake up
knowing that I have to make that choice.
God has really shown me here in Serbia that I still have a
lot to learn when it comes to giving up expectations and what I think a country
will be like. I would like to think I am completely open-minded at this point
in the race, but I’m not. When I learned that we were coming to Serbia, I have
to admit I did not know very much about the country, and I did not expect
to find what we did. The city of Belgrade is truly incredible. The people are
so friendly and willing to help, like when you’re completely lost and running
late for a church service. Most people here speak English which has made our
lives so much easier. Despite the wars and oppression this country has
experienced, there is still so much hope here. The people are searching, they
just don’t know for what. There is such a void in this city and openness among
the people; they just need someone to share the Gospel. Most Serbians consider
themselves Orthodox and believe in God, but they don’t know what it means to
have a real relationship with Him. The few Christians we have encountered have
all told us the same thing; the people of Serbia are on the verge, but they
need more help. Missionaries have always passed through Serbia, never staying
long enough to make a real difference. Within Belgrade, the capital city, there
are only ten Christian churches and 1.6 million people.
about the culture and history of the country, and also the spiritual state of
the people. While we are still meeting new cont
acts and learning more everyday, God has already begun to burden my heart for this country. Please pray
that God would send long term missionaries and the funds necessary to build up
a strong Christian community here in Belgrade. The Serbian people feel
forgotten and overlooked. Everyone that I have met has repeatedly asked that I not
forget about them when I leave. It breaks my heart to think there is a whole
country that feels forsaken and lost when I know that God has never once
forgotten about the people of Serbia.
