So on Z squad there have been two huge book obsessions. Hunger Games (cheer, applaud, I know) and The Heavenly Man (Awesome! Not as popular, but I am sure you would be freaking out if you read it). Both are completely unrelated to one another, but never the less… loved.
Anyway, I finally got my hands on The Heavenly Man!!! Yay! Its about a man who is fearlessly sharing the love of Jesus in China.
I am challenged and humbled by the way he stands up to the authorities for his faith. Taking on beating after beating to the point of almost death without anger in his heart. Crying out to the Lord, pleading that the people hurting him will come to know that Jesus Christ loves them and has died for them and their sins.
Just the other day some of my teammates and I were in Kraljevo, Serbia teaming up with some awesome people who call Serbia home to clean up the river bank. Its a humble task that needs to be done.
During our time, the girls and I found ways to make it a fun and joyful process.
We spent time with Josh's kids who came out to encourage and help us.
Megan (working for her heavenly Father) got into the freezing water.
We even made it into a game- Trash Basketball
To our surprise, Tiff and I found that we were really good at this game.
(Thank you Wendy for capturing the moment!)
And then Josh treated us to yummy chocolate pudding drinks on the water at a cafe, to toast to our hard work. That day we pulled enough bottles out of the river to fill 35+ trash bags. YELLO!
And thats that… J/K
I didn't mention the part where I got to learn a lesson.
While we were doing this- some came to help (which was totally encouraging), most were kind and said hi or dober dan, but there were a few that made fun of us.
"Oooo, I love Serbia- thats why I come to pick up the trash." one mocked.
Truth is, I do love Serbia, but in that moment, I was thinking… 'O no you didn't!' With that one simple comment I could feel my blood boil. Short fuse, huh?!? 🙂 Yes, the Lord revealed that I need to work on that.
The next morning- after reading part of The Heavenly Man, I jumped into the Bible and the Lord brought me to this verse-
1 Corinthians 4:12-13 "…When we are cursed, we bless, when we are persecuted, we endure it. When we are slandered, we answer kindly…"
Oops! I think He was refering to my heart the day before.
And just to think how minor this slander was. I couldn't even call it persecution.
Learning to be slow to anger and quick to love.
