Time in Bosnia is flying by! Only 2 more days till we start camp on the coast. We have our schedules in hand typed neatly in 12 pt. font, but have some difficulty reading the activities considering the fact they are in Bosnian. If only that would have been in my 3rd grade text book! We’re just hoping some of those things say breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sleep. This past week has consisted of lots of odd jobs. We have been to several church services, prayer meetings, moved stuff in and out of a “container” (what we in the states would call a storage unit), and spent time hanging out with local missionaries, encouraging them in their work. However, today was one of my favorite days so far.
Our team was asked to attend a clothing distribution at the church this morning. The church we are working with adopts 15 single parent families, most non Christian, in the area and brings them packages of food and necessities monthly. The goal for today was to bring in the families to get clothing and shoes for their kids, but also give them something to think about spiritually as well. We were asked to perform a drama…so naturally we did the only one we know…In the Light. Following that Seka, who runs the church knitting group, shared her incredible testimony. I want to share a bit with you…
Seka and some of her family had travelled out of Mostar and were returning at the start of the conflict. Before this time she didn’t have much of a faith in the Lord. When attempting to come back into Mostar, she was not allowed in. However, Seka’s son was still here and had been killed, along with 4 others, by a grenade walking outside his building. Word couldn’t reach Seka. Her daughter-in-law finally got the news through some missionaries, but she continued to hear mixed reports of him being alive or dead. So Seka took the part of the family that was with her to Belgrade, where her other son was living. They were kept out of Mostar for 4 years. Upon returning, people in the town called her a refugee because she was able to flee. They looked down on Seka and thought she had it easy because she wasn’t in Mostar, although not to her own decision. During these times God got a hold of her and turned her life around. She testified to the peace that God gave her through the hardship of losing a son, and how He has brought her joy today!
I watched the 20-30 women, men, and children as they listened intently to her. I pray that her story or the drama touched at least one heart in the crowd. After the testimony, clothes and shoes were distrubuted. Following that we helped to clean up, and Seka showed us an assortment of purses, crosses, bookmarks, and doilies that are knitted by the group. She uses the knitting group to support the church, support the people, and as an evangelistic ministry, inviting non-christians to the group. What a neat lady and ministry she has!
Tomorrow we are excited to celebrate 2 birthdays. Ashley just found out that Fata, a lady also staying at the Bible college, has a birthday along with her nephew, Sammy. She is here because Sammy has been severely burned and is in the hospital, which apparently does not provide food to patients so someone must assist in taking care of him. We have planned to visit him at the hospital tomorrow and help celebrate both his and Fatas’ birthdays! Ok well gotta run and get my electric stapler, time to decorate Fata’s door with some streamers and signs!
