Have you ever been dropped off in a foreign country with no place to stay, no local currency, and no plan? We were laughing on our cab ride through the windy roads as we got further and further from civilization and deeper into the mountains that it felt like we were on the show naked and afraid where they are dropped off in the wilderness with nothing. Thankfully, we aren’t naked and we aren’t afraid because we serve a really loving Father and when He calls He provides. That is EXACTLY what He has done. In these last couple of days more divine appointments and weavings of His perfect provision have happened than we could have ever imagined or that I can put into words.
To give a little background of what is happening, this month (MONTH 7) is an “ATL” or ask the Lord month. As I mentioned in my last blog, we don’t get a set up sheet from our leaders, we are relying solely on the Lord to guide us in every facet of life. There is such a freedom for Him to move as we wait on Him each morning seeking Him together in prayer and worship and asking what He would have us do that day. It is certainly a challenge for many of us like me who love to plan ahead.
After Albania, our whole squad met up in Macedonia for a debrief to begin month 7! In Macedonia we got to explore the city and I also got to kayak through a gorgeous canyon. It was surreal being in a place so rich in biblical history.
While there, our team got together to pray over what this month would look like and we felt strongly that He was telling us to go to KOSOVO! I was really taken by surprise because we had anticipated spending the month in Macedonia. So, when debrief ended we got on a bus and headed for Kosovo. It just became a country in 2008 and most of the population is Albanian.
Driving in, the views were the most breathtaking sights I have ever laid eyes on. I had nothing to even compare it to because it far surpassed any movie scenes or images in my wildest dreams.
Our cab drivers dropped us off in this little village and the first thing we discovered is that our potential lodging plans had fallen through. Right away, a family nearby invited us to put our bags on their porch and take shelter from the coming rain. They brought us turkish coffee and made us feel right at home. In the meantime, they helped us find a place to stay right down the road that is actually under our world race budget! It is a beautiful log cabin with a woodburning stove and such a homey feel. It reminds me of the place I grew up going to in Door County. And…it is COOL weather here which feels amazing.
What a mighty God we serve. We met a man who was willing to drive us into town (an hour away) to go to an ATM and to buy food. We were also invited to celebrate the 4th of July with his family!
The Lord knows exactly what we need and I don’t think it’s by accident that we ended up in a quiet cabin in the woods given that we feel strongly this is going to be a month of relationships, personal/team growth, healing, prayer, and encounters with the Lord. Praise God for the relationships that we have already made with people in this town and the ways the Lord has already allowed us to share His love.
We have no idea how long we will be in our little log cabin. As I look around now at my teammates sitting around the fire, pouring into Gods word, laughing, snuggling on the couch, and embracing this little safe haven I selfishly hope it is for more than a few days. But when He tells us to move, we will go.This month I am working on facing some things from my past/back home that I have been putting off, and letting go of my own personal agenda and control in order to be led by the Holy Spirit. It is a time of being EXPECTANT and letting Him rekindle the fire in our souls. More updates to come as we watch it all unfold…
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” -John 3:8
