Monday has been a busy, productive day. We read our encouragement notes from our friend, Sandi, “Ay, chihuahua!” at the cafe at 8:00 a.m. then had a quick breakfast of Serbian omelet, bread, and of course cucumber, tomato, and cheese! Svaki dan! (hint: translate.google.com)
Next, a quick walk to the church (about 3/4 mile – I clocked it!), with a side trip to the Chinese store for a few to get prizes for Children’s Club. Then, the team settled in to pray. Today’s focus has been twofold — thanks and speaking God’s truth and light wherever possible.
After prayer, we gathered up supplies and walked to the primary school, where a leader of the local Roma NGO met us to unlock the school. It was the first time we had been allowed to use the school building for a meeting place! (Thanks!) We set up, with the help of some of the faithful young people from Marijan’s church, and soon the children were arriving.
The children’s lesson today was on 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Natasha taught the verse to the whole room in phrases, and soon, they were competing to repeat it back by memory. Slavica quizzed them, while Natasha used a poster of the printed verse to help fix it in their memories. They talked about when they say thank you, why they say thank you, and why you would say thank you to God. After the lesson, there was a friendly competition to see which of the three teams could answer the most questions. Everyone did a great job, and the winners received prizes. We also had soda and a candy bar for everyone!
Lunch followed Children’s Club, then various activities for the group. Some had to pick up items at the store, others settled some trip finances, while others still met with the NGO leaders and planned a time to present the donated CPAP machines and meet the media (Wednesday at noon — be praying for us!) All through the day, as we walked through the town, we would pass by Roma children who happily greeted us!
The team met back together at 6:00 pm and visited the home of one of the young men who is an integral part of the leadership team at Marijan’s church. Perhaps you met Davide here http://juanamom.tumblr.com/post/49442294317/dont-let-anyone-look-down-on-you-because-you-are — he was given a Bible name, and he truly is a young man after God’s own heart! We all had the pleasure of meeting his mother and father, enjoying sodas and a snack in their home, and sharing with them just why it is we are a bunch of crazy Americans in love with Prokuplje, Serbia! At the bottom of it all is that Christ changed our lives, and we want to follow His directive to go and make disciples among all people.
While we were there, we learned a lot about their family’s history. Davide’s father was a professional musician, his mother worked in a clothing factory, and still takes in sewing on an old treadle sewing machine much like the one my grandmother owned. We got to see their garden, and have a new project lined up for the Teach A Man to Fish project. We have two goats ready for a new home, and Davide’s father has the space in his back yard and enough bricks to build an enclosure. As soon as the cherry season is over, he will be able to ready the space, and then the goats will be his! We are all excited about this new possibility for Davide and his family. Please pray for Davide’s parents, that our visit will encourage them to hear with an open heart.
We left with hearts full, and as we walked through the Roma “mahala” (village) we were greeted over and over by those we have met at the church, or whose children are attending Children’s Club. Pray that the “spectacle” of Americans visiting the Roma again will draw people to the real reason for our visit!
After another delicious late dinner and sweet fellowship, it’s about bedtime. We have to be up early to be at breakfast at 8:00! Thank you all for following along, and keeping us in your prayers.
