Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10
He asked for blessings upon them, to enlarge their border and that God be with them and he granted them their request..
First of all thank you all so much for your continual prayer and support. It has been evident that God is working and I attribute much if this to prayer both from within Serbia and from elsewhere.
Today was our last full day here in Prokuplje, so we are a little sad to go, but also excited to see more of what God is doing in northern Serbia. We will go north tomorrow after some Christians from the church are baptized. We started the day a little bit later today after a very long day yesterday. Today is David’s birthday. He is a very influential and strong leader in the church here as well as leading his own home church. We had lunch with he and his family. It was a great time of fellowship and encouragement to him and also to us. He is a light to his family who aren’t believers, but it is evident that they see a difference in David’s life and I encourage you to keep them in your prayers as well. Of course the food was incredible but the fellowship was even better. I feel so close to the believers here, it’s a bond closer than a friendship and I know that it is our commonality of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the spirit who dwells within. Praise God for that!
After lunch, William, Ed, Rodja, Niki, Bethany O, and I (Daniel) went to visit Pirot. This is a city near the Bulgarian border. The others of the group stayed and fellowshipped because we only have room for 7 people in Marijan’s car. It was about a 2 hour drive. I drove us because Marijan is supposed to be resting because he has some minor health problems like asthma, hiatal hernia, and some reflux and he is in the middle of seeking treatment.
Pirot is a city larger than Prokuplje and there are three mahalas (Roma neighborhoods) totaling about 13000 Roma. What a huge mission field! We went first to Niki’s grandmothers home. We were joined by seven other men and women who are open to the gospel, and I think some are believers.
Rade is one man who has been a believer for about 20 years and hasn’t had anywhere to go to church, since the closest evangelical church is about an hour away by bus. He went on occasions to that church but it is not an easy trip because he is also blind. He told us the story of how he became blind as a teenager. He lost the sight in each eye on two separate occasions. The first was during a fight and the other during a soccer game.
He has no vision except for spiritually he can see. Until he spoke with Marijan, he had never heard of having a home church. Having one either in his home or next door where Niki’s grandmother lives is very exciting for him.
Ivan, who the group met last year, was in the home with us as well. He is ready to start. He has a real vigor for the gospel and starting churches. This was so neat to see in the early stages. I can’t wait to see what God will do through these people and how they can share the gospel and make disciples.
William shared the prayer of Jabez and how that is so fitting for them. We prayed that prayer for them and we then went next door to Rade’s home where we sang a few songs and prayed with him and his family.
It was a great encouragement to the team to see how excited they are to begin planting churches in this region of Pirot. Please continue praying. Pray for these starting churches and that God will be raised up and will call men to himself.
Tomorrow is going to be an incredible day. We will travel to the village of Zitni Potok, where we will have a Children’s Club in the morning. Then we will travel to a lake where we have the privilege of seeing six precious believers be baptized. We are all so excited! Praise God for the baptisms, as well as communion that we will share, and please pray for our five hour bus ride tomorrow evening. When we blog next, it will be from the northern city of Kucura, Serbia.
