Since stepping off of the train Sunday, my team and I hit
the ground running. We have come into contact with so many people who have
taught us so much about the culture and people here in Serbia. There is one
common thread: this country is overlooked.
In a meeting with one lady, she stated, “Serbia is the
gateway to the Middle East, no one stops here.”
A woman who runs a refugee camp in eastern Serbia told us, “We
have aid, but there is no one to give it out.”
Another contact repeated over and over, “Girls, do not
forget Serbia. Please do not forget Serbia.”
bring hope and life to their city, to their country, because not many people
stop here. Just a week ago, I was one of those people. I had no clue where
Serbia was, or anything about their history. Now, I can’t stop thinking about
what can be done for these people.
However, the people are hesitant to open themselves up to
another group of missionaries. They have been hurt over and over by people who
cannot commit to their people: groups that come for a short while, do a few
good things, then leave after creating work for the people left behind that is not sustainable. Too many people have come through with hidden agendas and create more harm than good. I cannot be one of these people.
In Belgrade alone there are 12.5 million people, and only 10
churches. Across the river in New Belgrade, there are 3-4 hundred thousand
people and no churches. Serbia and Montenegro are the two least evangelized
countries in Europe. The Orthodox Church has become stagnant, and gives no hope
to a people who are destroyed by war. The
people here are searching for hope, and there are only a handful of people who
have the heart to see change.
A few nights ago, I was fortunate enough to be in the
presence of a group of people who hope to see change. They meet once a week to
pray for this country, and are working to unify the church and bring life back
into the churches that died in the midst of years of conflict and war. I was so humbled by the hearts of these
people who were not even missionaries; they had other jobs. One man is the
director of USAID in Serbia, yet he wants to see God move through this country
and has committed to being the change he hopes to see.
Each generation in Serbia has witnessed at least one war,
probably closer to two. Simply walking through Belgrade you can see scars from
years of conflict. The buildings bombed by NATO ten years ago still stand as
empty shells, a constant reminder of conflict and death. The people who walk up and down
the streets are the same: empty, with a few visible scars, searching for
something more. Something has to change,
and it is too big for any one person. It must be God. This country needs people
to bring hope. They need people committed to staying here and serving their
people. I cannot believe that God has allowed me to be a part of this movement. Once again a people, a country, has captured my heart.
doors would constantly be opened, and we can find ways to bring life to people
who are burdened by so much death.
