Something you have to know about the WR is that around month 5 you realize that you and your squad mates are speaking a completely different dialect of English than what you did when you began the race.
You are saying things like- “Sista-friend!” to your close gal pals, “Inapropes!” when you loose your kaplana (African skirt) that was once tied around your waist in a public setting, “I am not trying to…” (complete the sentence- ex: get hit by a train, or get mauled in a protest) when something dangerous could possibly go down, “It is some kind of hot in here” when its stuffy as all heck, “praise!” when something good happens and “Truth bomb” when you are about to get real.
Lets just call this a Truth bomb!
I am in my 4th month of being a team leader. Wish I could say that I am completely confident in this role. My squad leaders always tell me to just be me. QUE?!?!?
This past weekend our contacts in Serbia graciously gave my team and I the weekend to travel up to Belgrade (the 2nd largest city in Eastern Europe next to Athens). It was so rich in history, amazing architecture, adorable cafes, tasty baklava, very much alive, lots of people everywhere etc. Everything that usually makes me go crazy for a city (if you know me, you know I love cities) but the vibe was off. I felt awkward. “Fish out of water? NO?… Okie.” Awkward! Why does it look Serbian but feel like Los Angeles?
For 3 days I pondered this and then I realized- the disconnect for me is how uniquely Eastern European the surroundings looked, but how western the people acted. Don’t get me wrong (I loved them) they were incredibly nice and helpful (especially with me knowing ZERO Serbian besides Khala (thank you) and dober dan (hello, good afternoon)), but they seemed to be hiding who they were through all this Westernism (I may have made this word up J).
Turns out, that Serbia has been trying to become a part of the European Union (EU). With any government initiative there are positives and negatives to this. Belgrade is a huge supporter of this merge as a lot of the young people see it as a huge opportunity… stronger currency and better job possibilities. Because of their interest, a lot of the people have started to take on Western European characteristics and have let go of who they really are. With out realizing it – this makes for an awkward vibe.
Its being who they really are that gives them that charm and inviting spirit (like the people in Southern Serbia). You can’t help but love them!
How can I apply this to my own life? 🙂 Its about to get personal! I have had issues being myself because I don’t have my eyes on Christ and who He says that I am. A lot of times I worry about what people think of me, so therefore what my teammates think of me. This has given me a lot of issues leading.
My first month as a leader I led for my team, the second month I led for the ministry. By the 3rd month I was burnt out. [Galatians 6:8 “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”] I spent most of my time in Romania trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, which led to lots of tears. It wasn’t until this month when God used one of my teammates to direct me back to the Lord. “You should be leading for Him [not for us].” What is He asking of you? Be you (a child of promise) and follow ME (GOD).
So for the first time in the last 4 months I have re-centered my focus on the Lord. I just finished reading Galatians! It talks a lot about the differences of being a child of promise (Issac born from Sarah) vs a child born of slavery (slavery to the law/performance (Ishmael born from Hagar)). One walks in acceptance for who he/she is and the grace he/she has been given by Yeshua, and the other works for love and is uncertain of their place, identity and destiny.
Galatians 2:7 “Understand then that those who believe are children of Abraham.”
I have learned that when you walk in acceptance, you walk in confidence and go with it. You know how God views you and that is all that matters. When you walk in uncertainty you are not walking under the covering that Christ has freely given you. In your uncertainty you may become self conscious, worried about what others think of you and not completely yourself, thus becoming awkward (sorry- I said it!). But, I know this from experience. I have walked in uncertainty for way to long, but now I choose to walk out of slavery and into faith and acceptance.
Please pray that I continue to keep my eyes on Him.
Galatians 1:10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Now for the pictures
Guys with cool hair at the fortress
Me in the old part of Belgrade standing in front of my favorite statue- Prince Mihailova
Building on the walking street on the way to the fortress
View from the fortress
The art museum we planned on going to had been closed since 1999. Oops- someone needs to update their website!
