We’re back! I’m happy to sleep in my own bed. Now, all of the accommodations and beds and Serbia were fine but there is something about sleeping in your own bed at home.
Here’s what happen the last few days in Serbia. (29-30 July)
After we departed Prokuplje, we had a five hour drive, and we arrived in Belgrade at the Hotel Skala (which is actually in Zemun, Serbia).
To make things simple, we dined right across the street from the hotel. I think the name of the restaurant was The Dinner. Sasa joined us from Kucura and we had a great meal with lots of grilled vegetables.
During dinner, we discussed all that we had done and failed to do. And we talked about things we might like to do. Like maybe Beekeeping as part of our “Teach A Man To Fish” program.
After the dinner we took a leisurely stroll through town past the very old Catholic Church and down to the long winding Danube River.
Danube River at Zemun Serbia
As the sun began to go down we had to have a traditional ice cream cone as we headed back to the hotel for some rest. Ever since Pirot, we’ve had ice cream almost every day. (It has something to do with Slobodan.) It seems like a nice tradition, so we kept doing it.
On the 30th, we went to see some of the beautiful and old city of Belgrade (Beograde). Our tour guide was Rodja and he took us to the Hotel Moscow, which appears to be in the central part of the city. It’s beautiful building and I wouldn’t known it was a hotel unless Rodja had informed us as such.
Hotel Moscow
Next to the hotel were these transformers. (I guess)
Since it was about lunchtime, we decided to eat in this artsy area of Belgrade. It was like a little alley tucked in the middle of the city. It had restaurants down on both sides with paintings and sculptures in one area. We ate at this at one eatery where Rodja and LaJuana had eaten before. It was very good (and reasonably priced)
After lunch we walked over to the Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park. This fortress was built on one of the highest points in Belgrade and it over looks the Danube River.
After tour of the fortress, we were tired. It was hot and the heat had zapped all of our energy, so we headed back to our hotel to pack. There we said good bye to Rodja, Slobodan and Sasa.
Some people will ask, was the trip a success? Success is hard to measure when you are working for the Lord. I feel WE didn’t do anything outstanding, but God accomplished many things and we got to witness them. We did our part and of course, God always does his part.
In summary, here are some of the highlights of the trip to Serbia 2015:
• We witnessed a Double Wedding. It was a government event in downtown Pirot but afterwards, we had a lunch and special service for the married couples where we asked God to bless their marriages.
• We saw nine people baptized in the name of Jesus in the Nišava River. It was such a beautiful site.
• We saw around 40 kids learn English (Oswalt Style) and it was very exciting. And they were excited to get their certificates at the end of the week of instruction. They were such wonderful and amazing kids…
• We instructed the leaders in Pirot about discipleship by using the Multiply book written by Francis Chan.
• We witnessed several people acknowledge wanting to know more about Jesus after the Evangelism service. There was about 100 people in this small building with the temperature around 95 degrees and the humidity about 95% and I know within all the sweat, the Holy Spirit was hovering and moving in the room. The music and prayer in the worship service was so powerful and moving. These people love the Lord with great passion.
• We witnessed four people accept Jesus Christ as their Savior in a small house in a village way out in Serbia. These three or four men arrived at this house in somewhat of an agitated state and after they heard the gospel from Marijan, they accepted the Lord. It was truly one of the highlights of the trip. All of us Americans were moved to tears and great joy.
• Ice cream in Pirot was really good.
• Turkish coffee – we enjoyed lots of Turkish coffee and good fellowship with our brothers an sisters in Christ from Serbia.
