Yes, you read the title correctly. That’s what Marijan had to tell some of the members of his church, “Please don’t come to church tonight.” Why? There isn’t room for everyone to fit into the church. Look at the pictures above — standing room only — and still not enough room.
The youth choir sang tonight, and presented a wonderful drama. Marijan spoke to the entire church about the faith and commitment of the young people this week. They have gotten up before 4:30 am each morning to work in the cherry harvest for twelve hours, then after a short rest, met with us at the church from 8-10 pm, and then stayed to practice their songs and drama. Their glad sacrifice is an example to all of us!
William preached a whirlwind through the book of Acts, about how God gave us the Holy Spirit, and He is our power, AND we can expect persecution when we are in the midst of God’s work like we have all been this week. The familiar accounts took on new life as we have lived a week of church planting that mirrors that in the book of Acts. We have spoken with believers whose lives have been threatened because of their faith. We have walked, literally and figuratively, over rough roads and into out of the way villages, sharing the gospel alongside our Roma and Serbian brothers and sisters.
If all the above wasn’t blessing enough, we got to share communion with these precious ones in the church in Prokuplje. Being in south Serbia is like having on the best pair of glasses you could imagine. Everything is clearer, sharper, and … well, more … more poignant, more meaningful, more focused on Christ. Sharing communion in this setting, after this week, was beautiful.
After church, we went with the youth for ice cream. Have I mentioned that Serbian ice cream is every bit as good as the Italian gelato everyone raves about? Jagoda y mango (strawberry and mango) … delicious! Saying vidimo se … see you … was so hard! We hugged, shook hands, hugged again, and at least we all were able to say, “See you next time!” Because we know we will be back! God is doing a mighty work among the Roma in Serbia, and it has been our privilege to be here in Prokuplje and be a small part of that work.
Tomorrow, we head to Belgrade. We have a full schedule ahead of us there. Monday: travel and then a quick tour of the city to get “the lay of the land.” Tuesday morning: Vlade Divac Foundation and HRH Crown Princess Katherine Humanitarian Foundation with our good friends Samuil Petrovski and Lisa Coluccio. Tuesday afternoon: Roma settlement with Pastor Erman Salkovic. Wednesday: Roma home churches in the north, around Novi Sad. Thursday: visiting the hospital and our friend Danijel Amzic, who has been there for several months after surgery for the effects of muscular dystrophy. Thursday afternoon we’ll do any last-minute errands, then pack for a 6:00 a.m. flight home on Friday.
Finally, if you will notice in the pictures, the final one might not look like a Roma or Serbian group to you. You’re right, it isn’t! It’s there to highlight a very special person to our group. Shirlie Davis, the lady second from the left, has been a long-time supporter of the work Marijan and Slavica have been doing in south Serbia. This past week, she celebrated her 90th birthday, and we celebrated having a friend and supporter with the wisdom and generosity to see where God is moving and offer her support to that work. Happy birthday, Shirlie, and thank you!
The first four pictures are of the church service – the youth singing, the drama, and the people crowded in to hear God’s word and sing praises.
The next two pictures show the Lord’s Supper which we celebrated together. William was especially excited to get to join in serving communion to these precious ones tonight.
The next two pictures show us all together — Roma, Serbian, and Americans, all laughing and eating and talking and sharing and soaking up the final moments together until next time.
And finally, second from the left, Mrs. Shirlie Davis, one of our faithful supporters and friends. Happy 90th birthday, Shirlie, and thank you!
