Meet Žiža. She is a gem.
We also love to call her Baka which means grandma in Serbian.
The pecks on cheeks she would greet with, her perfume, her love, and her pink lipstick made her instantly remind you of grandma.
This woman has a heart of gold. She didn’t speak too much English, but her love and gentle spirit alone told us just how much she loves Jesus.
I first met Žiža when she came out to Camp Mrcajevci with our ministry host, Julie. Julie brought a few ladies out so that we could enjoy a bible study and worship session with them. We spent some time in the book of Zephaniah and discussed just how valuable our worth is to our Heavenly Father.
Later that week Julie told us how Žiža has a tough time accepting that she is worth more. Let me share with you that this woman has her place in Heaven. She loves serving others with a grateful heart and has loved us since the moment we met her.
Just like many grandmas, Baka Žiža, loves cooking. She made us some wonderful crêpes with the famous eurocrem, which is much like our Nutella. She also made us the tasty Sarma which is a stuffed cabbage roll. I didn’t know I enjoyed cabbage as much until coming to Serbia. The Cabbage Festivals are coming up next month! 😉 I can’t forget the yummy Ajvar which is a Serbian roasted red pepper sauce. We liked spreading it on our bread at lunch or dinner time. She treated us and loved us as her very own.
I pray that Baka and all who are reading this will truly believe that you are worth more. God loves this world and all who are in it. We are worthy of His love and grace. Scripture tells us that we are more precious than rubies; nothing that we desire can compare. (Proverbs 3:15)
She is a blessing. Something I prayed for as I continue to make my transition from home and onto the mission field. The laughter and love that has been shared with the brothers and sisters of Serbia will forever go with me.
Much love,
Kricket
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
