We started the day off bright and early with leadership training with Marijan and Slavica, and David, Niki, and Pera. We asked what is our job, what are we to take, where are we to take it, who will go with us, and how did the early church “do church.” (Answers: make disciples, gospel, everywhere, Holy Spirit, small house groups with lay leaders and everyone participating.) You couldn’t find finer young men!
Next stop, Jasenica, where we saw the first greenhouse built with funding from Teach A Man to Fish. They have over 600 pepper plants in the ground, and will harvest first in May. When the peppers play out, they will follow with other plants, keeping the greenhouse producing well into the fall and early winter. While there, the children associated with the home church at their house recited for us, and we shared light refreshments before rejoining David, Niki, and Pera, along with our friend, translator and English teacher, Snezana for lunch.
After lunch, we headed to Zitni Potok. I have a long history with the adults and children of this village. We visited there my very first trip to Serbia, where Jim prayed a prayer of dedication for a newborn baby. We saw that baby today — she’s four years old! The children (43 of them!) gathered as the sun was setting and sang several songs for us. Then we headed inside and had home church with old and new friends. Once again we got to sing “Devla, Bical to Duho Akana” — the most gorgeous Roma song!
By this time, it was dark, and we headed out with hugs and promises to return soon. We went straight to the church, where Jim taught a lesson in Acts. At one point, he quoted, ” … they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles … . ” and asked if anyone knew where that was. Nine year old birthday boy, Filip’s hand shot up, and he quickly answered “Isaiah!” We are constantly amazed and blessed by the depth of Biblical knowledge and wisdom the young people of the Roma church in Prokuplje display.
After church, we sang the Serbian version of Happy Birthday — different tune — and celebrated Filip’s birthday with cake and soda. It was fellowship at its best. If you haven’t experienced Roma church in Serbia yet, please let us bring you along next time!