Friday, July 29, 2011

I'm heading to Romania earlier than planned.  Instead of going by train Sunday night, I'll leave today with Christian (a BL brother) into northern Bulgaria in about an hour for some BL work, probably visiting a gathering or two and maybe speaking.  We'll meet up with one of the Romanian brothers tomorrow evening, and I'll head with that brother to Bucharest.  I'll be there until the 13th of August, at which point Nicky from the BL BG will pick me up and bring me back to Sofia.  I'll have the 14th in Sofia, and I'll start my return journey on the morning of the 15th, arriving in FW in the late evening.

Thanks for the continued prayer support and please don't let up.  The Romanian situation is that it may be the most ripe among the countries for work, as the evangelical presence is stronger there than even in BG (according to the brothers  in the other parts of the Balkans).  This may mean my potential for helping will increase as the "light is already shining" and a dominant attitude of hopefulness is present. 

Update on Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Greetings all,

I'm currently on a train from Bourgas, Bulgaria back to Sofia, Bulgaria, and it's about 10:10pm. 

I've been keeping on track with my daily Bible reading, and prayer has been more difficult, though God has given me more grace by giving me times to pray when I attended the youth conference and was unable to join in singing because of not knowing the songs or when praying and not knowing the language (and being without an interpreter).  I continue to be exceptionally blessed in traveling.  I have some small summaries of my daily activities during the past 2 weeks, but they are not very helpful without extended summaries.  Listening and learning has been the primary emphasis of these weeks.  I'm reevaluating the Bulgarian situation with churches, church-planting efforts, and business opportunities.  The brothers continue to show me great kindnesses in spending time with me and answering my questions and telling me their testimonies.  Because you have been praying for such I know I can tell you that God has granted me the wisdom asked for, both in sustaining my behavior and giving me the understanding and insight useful for my service.  I have been able to encourage many brothers and sisters during my recent stays.  And, I too have been encouraged with many words of affirmation from the brothers and sisters.

I am thinking about the opportunities all around me.

Unity and partnership are tricky things - because humility is foreign and a difficult subject for all of us.  It takes real vulnerability to willingly allow someone the chance to slam the door in your face, crush your heart, and diminish your status in front of others.  But, that's necessary for true partnership.  Partners aren't equals in the sense that each has the same responsibilities and authority.  Partners are equal in the sense that they are concerned for the good of the other and the accomplishment of the mission for which they've partnered.  When one partner is more concerned about something other than that mission and to the detriment of the other partner, you realize that you don't have a partnership.  You have something more akin to a parasitic relationship.  When I'm talking with church planters and pastors and I heard them speak about many problems, particularly problems that are the result of other pastors and church planters, my first thought is:  how are you humbling yourself to be a part of the reconciliation needed.  I spoke with one brother at length about this today.  He could be incredibly useful for a specific NEEDED change that would positively affect his entire country for generations into the future, but I noticed some bitterness in him because he had been hurt by another leader in the country - to the point that partnership is not even an option in his heart.  Here's the deal:  no one wants to admit the power of someone else to hurt his or her feelings.  But, the most ironic thing is that being hurt by those you love is at (at, not is) the heart of Christianity.  Jesus was bruised for our sake.  It sets the tone for our relationship.  When dealing with leaders, if you humble yourself, others will either humble themselves or not be ready for partnership anyway.  Thus, if you are humble toward other leaders, you will always be able to partner if partnership can be helpful.  That means that partnership is not helpful if the other party is not yet mature enough to enter the relationship humbly.  They will likely do more harm than good.  Be aware that you could be that party.  I could be that party.  So after speaking with that brother about this issue, I encouraged him to open the lines of communication and perhaps be the voice that needs to be heard on this issue.  We say, "all of these works and ministries are about Jesus and not us," but sometimes we don't act that way when the trials/tests are revealed.  But, we should be joyful to put our faith into action - that's what the Bible says - because every test is movement along the path to becoming more like Jesus.  When we have to put our reputations on the line for the good of others, we shouldn't balk.  The time is too short and the mission too important to get caught up in a vanity fair.

Please pray for my brothers and sisters in Bulgaria - especially the leadership.  There is so much opportunity for the growth within the church (maturity and service) and the advancement of the Gospel (growth of the church in size and scope of mission).  They have ripe harvest fields and need more laborers.  The leadership is constantly under attack with the rest of the country.  It's a land of mixed darkness with great sensuality and depression led by a masquerading demon.  Pray that unity in the church would prevail by the power of the Spirit and that hope would abound in the believers.  Pray for humility among the leadership in accepting counsel from one another and outsiders.  Pray that pride deriving itself from past experiences and circumstances would be eliminated in hearts.  Pray that a desire to serve in reproducing godly leadership for the next generations would fuel changes in the churches' practices.  Pray that those who see the problems and know the Biblical solutions would be bold to stand up and speak forth.  Pray that we would all have circumcised hearts and ears to hear what the Spirit says to us.  Pray that dependency on foreign aid in any form (missionaries, funds, creative ideas, theological materials, hope/joy, foresight) would be transformed into partnership with foreign brothers - with each serving the other in a vital way in good measure.

I have been re-reading two great books recently when I've had some down time before bed or on buses and trains:  John Owen's Sin and Temptation (abridged version) and J. Oswald Sanders's Spiritual Leadership.  I encourage anyone who has not read these to pick them up and feast a day at a time.

I am thinking about Romania.  I need energy and wisdom for my brothers and sister there.  I should be of the greatest aid to them.  I must serve them at least as well as I have my other brothers and sisters, and should give more now that I have so many more experiences to glean from. Pray that these last few weeks are exponentially effective by God's grace for His name.  Pray for my relationships with the brothers and sisters there, that we would quickly align our hearts in mutual faith.  Pray that I would quickly find comfort in the surroundings and that my purpose in being there would be understood by the brothers.  Pray that they might be prepared for my arrival with ideas and service for me to partake in.  I have certainly been blessed with abundant opportunities to share the Gospel throughout my journey, and I know this has been vital for my reception in many ways.  By checking my spiritual competence in preaching and advising they have some gauge on my ability to give practical advice and business counsel - knowing the faith from which it sprouts and to which I give credit.  This might take place in Romania as well, and so if I am asked to share and preach or teach, pray again that I might speak the truth in love with power according to the grace given me in Jesus, and that the word takes fruitful root and is not stolen away.  I cannot repeat it enough:  God has heard your prayers for me and I have advanced much more quickly with must greater blessing in this mission because of your faithful obedience to pray.  If you have read these and haven't prayed, just know that others have, and God heard them.  If you pray for me too, know that my mission will speed forth more quickly and successfully and you will gain in my joy also.


I have a new dream in my heart for the future.  I will share about it in the weeks after I return.

Update

The intensity of my travel and experiences is resulting in a lack of time to continue with elongated updates.  I haven't always had a computer with me or the internet recently.  Thus, I'm relaying that to you so you understand why I might skips some days here:  7/17-7/22.

I've had two prophecies given about me, and one more at the BCPN conference.  Please keep praying for me as I continue in the ministry and consider these words in my heart and pray about many things myself.

I am in Burgas, Bulgaria at the moment, and will attend this national youth conference (ages 12-48) to meet with some of the leaders as well as meet with a local church planter who is exceptionally entrepreneurial-minded.  I'm here to help counsel him in his business and humanitarian ventures as well as encourage his spiritual leadership of these works.  Pray for me to have and offer clear vision and abundant hope.

If I'm able to return to Macedonia, it will be on the 27th and 28th.  Please pray.

I leave for Romania next Sunday (30th) night by train.

Saturday, July 16

I woke and helped everyone leave the camp and cleaned up the grounds to prepare for the next group coming through (kids 6-11).  The kitchen staff bought me a camp t-shirt as they appreciated my care for them during the week.  I gave a few people my family picture (including Goran, my roommate).  I packed my own gear and Kiki and I drove a few girls to Mitrovica where Goran and they all live.  I was going to stay in Mitrovica until Danko came later that evening with his family, and then we would all stay at Pr. Mika's home (Goran's uncle) and Danko would preach the next morning at the church.  We had a great afternoon.  Goran and I went out at one point and I grabbed a few things from the store, including some Serbian chocolate (Yo-Yo).  It's a chocolate mixed with Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal.  Fantastic.  We then went back to the house where a group of Americans were also staying for the week as they are attending and serving at the English camp.  They come from Good Shepherd church in Portland, OR.  The group consisted of 6 teenagers turning seniors in high school (16-17) and three young adults (one married couple).  Goran and I left the house again to go to the church to see a friend of his who was having a birthday.  That friend was one of the fathers of one of the girls at the teen camp we had been at, and so those girls we brought home came to the church too.  After some time, we returned home where we saw Danko, and where the rest of the group was thinking about going for a walk.  Danko's family and I stayed behind.  His wife and kids went to bed, and he and I talked for a bit.  Then I headed to bed and slept until the rest of the group returned, and then it took a little while to get back to sleep.  It was a great day.

Thursday, June 7 - Friday, June, 15

7.7
Woke, had worship, coffee with vladica and Pr. Stanka, then had bfast at vladica's and met his family, went to bus station, bus was 40 min late, read on bus (bible and owen's sin and temptation), danko and dusan picked me up, we went to BL office, hungout with Dusan, played bball for 2 hours, picked up pleshcawitz and ate, to danko's for hangout and first "taste" of potato gun, back home, uploaded updates and videos
7-8
Woke, read, sang, with dusan to mail/bfast/Chinese shop, to BL office to leave and see Dragoljub and talk before leaving for Orosac for the day and Saturday, picked up Danko and left, went to a large grocery to pick up food an drinks for our retreat, settled in at Dragoljub's place and ate some plums from his trees while trying to fill his pool, shot the potato gun a lot, had some relaxing time and conversation until the evening where we grilled and had a great dinner, then we went into the city for walking and drinks, we returned for talking and some cold tea dragoljub had prepared and put in the refrigerator to keep cold, using herbs from his garden (he's super-healthy as a lifestyle and 2nd job/business), I headed to bed earlier than the rest,
7-9
Woke, read a little, talked with dusan and dragoljub, went with dusan to a local gas station for some snacks, came back and hungout and packed until we left, one thing we did was film a short video for Dragoljub's facebook account as a kind of spoof with me as a world traveler for discovery channel finding some ancient beanstalk seeds in Serbia, friend Dragoljub and join his group (over 4,000 members) to see it soon, we left and visited a local mountain lookout (one of the best in the country), and then we went into town for some bfast, we dropped Dragoljub off and headed back to Belgrade, when we returned dusan and I did some laundry in the sink and relaxed a bit, we went to the store and grabbed some food and ate in the process, in the evening he took me into the city to see it on a weekend night and some of he sites including the citadel/castle used to defend against the Turks, It was a crazy nightlife, apparently it's the #2 party city in Europe and I realize why, we had some pizza before coming back, and we walked so much that we crashed when we returned having to rise early in the morning for church
7-10
I packed and shaved for the first time in over a month and it felt great, then dusan and I hustled to meet danko to ride with him to church, but we arrived a little early and so we grabbed some drinks while we waited, and then we left, because we were so early for church because danko was leading the youth in a youth service, dusan and I went to a local bakery and I grabbed some small pastries, and we ended up going back about 10 min later to grab danko's daughter a snack, the service involved a few greetings as one work team was leaving and another had just arrived, it was incredibly hot, and after service danko took all of us to a great mall for lunch and we also grabbed a few things at the grocery store inside - just to give the facts I have now found out there is no law against public displays of nudity as it pertains to magazines and pictures as long as no sexual act is displayed...this means you might be in line at the supermarket and you turn around and one such magazine is on display, and not hidden by any other magazines...it's just there in front of you, when I hear about the frustration of Serbians with Clinton's administration bombing them I think, you cannot destroy the evil in men with bombs, I look all around and though the land is exceedingly beautiful it's poisoned by perverted and sexually provocative marketing, the world is drowning in this filth, I don't wonder why the churches aren't filled with more men, it's because jezebel's church has them.
After the store we headed to a local pool, one of the best in Belgrade, it was ridiculously full, and if I thought the ads were bad, the pool and surrounding hills were sin, after that we went back to the office for me to finish packing/cleanup/and eat something before heading to camp, then danko picked us up and we headed to camp after dropping by the BL warehouse for some materials for the camp, danko and I continued on after dropping Dusan off somewhere else, we had some celebratory meal for a brother who became a grandfather that day, then danko left and the camp leaders had a meeting and afterward we got some sleep
7-11
Woke early to construct some large tents with a dew other guys before the heat became too oppressive, afterward Kiki (a co-leader with me studying at Novi Sad Theological Seminary) and I grabbed water from a local spring, filling 15 five-liter bottles.  We brought them back and had some breakfast before doing some other work, then I sent out that email and got to know one student and played some music for some of the other leaders, I decided to go for a walk as no one was doing anything and found a local park and sang and prayed, later I played some bball with some younger guys, and then I cleaned up and read before helping one of the brothers hang some camp signs, from there we were called for dinner, and then we had our evening session, I'm going to teach a workshop on breakdancing this week as they needed a workshop leader for dance and we'll have a part in the week's final message, we also have a talent show and sports activities, the setting and organization of the camp is unlike camps I've experienced in the US...somewhat because the culture and size of the camp (about 50 students) and experince of leadership, I'll head to bed soon, god bless, please pray for the youth to have ears to hear the messages from God and to deny the whispers of the enemy who desires them to hear nothing of te truth and to be bored and uninterested in God's word - pray that God would wake many from their slumber to a vibant life of faith
7-12
Woke
Read the Bible
Morning exercise
Bfast/devotion/planning
Small groups
Teaching 1
Pause
Teaching 2
Worship
Break
Dance workshop
Lunch
Cleaning hill
Swimming pool
Break
Volleyball
Dinner
Creative worship/message/skit/announcem

ents
Campfire
Bed

7-13
Woke
Read the Bible
Morning exercise
Bfast/devotion/planning
Small groups
Teaching 1
Pause
Case study - Samson
Teaching 2
Worship
Break
Dance workshop
Lunch
Cleaning (girls' dorms)
Skit taping and forest Bible games
Break
Volleyball
Dinner
Creative worship/message/skit/announcements
Cafe/summer garden
Bed

7-14
Woke
Got new water with Kiki
Shaved
Read the Bible
Morning exercise
Bfast/devotion/planning
Small groups
Prayed
Teaching 1
Break
Case study on Ezekiel 47
Teaching 2
Dancing
Lunch
Break
Dishes cleaning
Rest
Swimming pool
Snack
Sports
Dinner
Break
Skit/game/talent/worship/testimony/fire/throat hurting to bed

7-15
Woke around 5:40, throat hurting
Went with Kiki to get water around 6:20 and then took trash to the dump
Came back and read te bile and prayed a little
Had breakfast with leaders
Small groups / Samaritan woman at well
Teaching 1
Small groups / peter's sermon in Acts 2
Teaching 2

Dancing
Lunch
Break
Dishes cleaning
Rest
Water Olympic Games
Snack
Final Sports Game (took a nap in office)
Dinner
Break
Skit/game/talent/worship/Goran spoke (prayed in room)

Outdoor hangout (all night long) 

 

 

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

This morning I woke later than I had hoped to, but I was able to quickly ready myself and had some time for good coffee with Vladica and Iveca (for maybe an hour) before heading to Irena’s house. I had some reading I wanted to do in the Scriptures, and so the brothers brought the coffee to me and then we joined to drink it in another room. We headed over to Irena’s house around 10:00am and met another sister along the way who proceeded to kiss and hug us. At Irena’s house she and her mother-in-law and her children greeted us. Theirs is a home of peace and love. We spent time talking and hearing about their life and I shared a little about who I was. They had so many good things to say about Pr. Bob, Pr. Bill, Ray, Roger, and the brothers who came with them last time they visited, and they gave abundant thanks to God for our church and the elders and leaders who have blessed them so much. I shared that as our sister we are glad to be obedient to provide for our own household, and that we love her and that her husband encouraged our faith. She had planned for us to have breakfast/lunch with her and had cooked a feast of a meal for us. It was great, though I find my stomach shrinking every day. It’s somewhat of a conundrum for me. Either way, I love eating the food, especially in homes filled with love. They wanted me to pass along the greetings and thanks and kept making sure I would remember, and so I took video to reassure them that word would get back. They want to encourage you all, as I shared with them the difficulties faced in the past few years, and they are very glad to pray for you. We had some coffee and desserts, and then we watched a video of the service that Janosh led the week before he got sick and quickly died. The week prior to his death, his mother had a dream. He had been sick, and his mother had a dream in which there was a lamb lying on the ground. I didn’t understand from the translation whether the lamb was sick or not, but it wasn’t until she saw Jesus pick up the lamb and hold the lamb gently and tenderly care for the lamb that she understood that the lamb was Janosh and that the Lord was in control and going to forever care for her son. After a couple hours of talking and relaxing and enjoying fellowship together, Vladica, Iveca, and I left to go to the church where some of the youth would be coming to hang out with me and take me around. We arrived about 30 min. early, and I took the time to finish reading some of the Scriptures and then a good while to pray – as the boys arrived late and then needed to do some work and talk with Vladica about an upcoming camp for the younger youth. When I had finished praying, Chaslav and Stef took me on a walk around the city. We went to the park where I had eaten with Vladica and Iveca the other day and we sat and talked and ate some fruit that Irena sent with us. The boys wanted to show me a river area, and so we headed there. When we got to the place where they wanted to rest and eat some fruit, there was a large horse in the pathway. Chaslav is a little afraid of animals, and so this was a bit frightening to him, and he thought we should probably just head back. He was a little disappointed, because he wanted us to go down to this rock in the middle of the creek for relaxing. We tried to go forward a bit, but the horse just snorted and would snap at us. Stef tried moving forward but got an even more foreboding jerk from the horse. Chaslav really thought we should head back at that point, but I decided to pray out loud about the horse moving – to enlarge their faith that God answers prayers, and to have the joy of the day that they had planned. The horse didn’t move. Chaslav started to lead us back, but in our way from the other direction came a shepherd. He was leading his goats. Chaslav started to say, “Oh man…” because he didn’t want goats snapping at him. But this shepherd was a good shepherd and very kind. He led his goats along the path and their bleating and numbers scared the horse and moved it down across the creek to the other side by a tree. Thus, we were able to go relax on the rock as planned. This also provided a good illustration for my message that night – though I forgot to use it when the time came…haha. When we had relaxed and talked enough, we headed back to the home of Iveca and chatted for a little and I showed the guys some of my music. Then Vladica, Iveca, and I had some late-lunch/dinner that Iveca’s wife had prepared. After lunch, I took a rest, briefly looking over my notes and praying, and then I listened to some music while lying down. When the time came to go to the church for the service, I was ready. Vladica and I headed down the street – Iveca was already there leading the worship group (the youth) in pre-service worship. We sang for a good long while, and I took some video of a few of the songs. Eventually, Vladica and I went up and shared from the Scriptures about praying and God’s character being good and the assurance we can have in God’s answering our prayers so that His justice and greatness are made known and that we are filled with joy in the process. I prayed for the church afterward and sang a song with Chaslav before them all. Then Iveca shared with the church about some announcement issues. I took pictures with some of the brothers after that and prayed for a young boy who had been through a fire years ago and was still in need of healing for his arms. Then, Vladica took a picture of some of the group of us in front of a statue in the Roma district outside of the church. After that we all went to Iveca’s house for coffee and to grab my bags before heading to Leskovac (I’ve heard it pronounced both Lesk-o-wits and vits). After coffee we took the bags to Vladica’s van (received from a brother after 9 or 11 years of prayer while faithfully traveling by any other means he could to visit the brothers and preach and teach). He and I left and traveled to the bus station in Leskovac to see about ticket prices to Belgrade, and we then headed to the Evangelical church in Leskovac (which he says is the spiritual center of southern Serbia) where I would stay the night. I cleaned up, organized my things, and went to bed.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

This morning I woke, got ready, and finished packing. When I was confident I was finished, I woke Tim for some breakfast. Because I had had a filling late lunch with Stole the day before, I hadn’t eaten my food I had purchased for dinner. Tim and I ate that and the breakfast fruit and food I had as well. We spoke about some of our theological leanings while we ate and drank some Schweppes “Bitter Lemon” soda. Stole arrived soon afterward, and we grabbed my things and headed to the bus station. He made sure I was loaded before leaving. My bus ride lasted from 9:25 to about 12:20 (when I got off the bus in Vranje (pronounced Vron-yay), Serbia. I spent the time reading and praying. Vladica met me at the station and together we headed to the Roma (gypsy, but the people are called Roma (Rome-ah) by the language they still speak). At the church I met Iveca (EE-vet-sa). He’s an elder and leads worship. This is the church where our brother Janosh was an elder. About half or more of the church is currently gone for season work – two of the elders included. But, about 50 people are still showing up a few times a week for worship, services, and prayer. Normally, they hold youth meetings on Saturday nights and then have a time for hanging out and coffee, sometimes at Iveca’s house. He and Vladica are both married. Iveca is 36 and Vladica is 34. They both have three children; Vladica has the only boy between them. At the church, Vladica, Iveca, and I had some drinks and some of the snacks I had for traveling but hadn’t eaten. It was then that Vladica told me that we had been called to have breakfast with Irena (EE-rain-ah) (Janosh’s widow) the next day. Some of the church’s youth who are still in Vranje arrived for worship practice (4 young men: Christian, Stefan, Chaslav, and Mario). Vladica had told them that I was coming, and they wanted to spend as much time as possible with me. After practicing for a little while (these brothers can jam), we took my bags to Iveca’s home up the street, and then the boys took me up a nearby mountain to see the Hotel Prarz (Pra-zhars). We took some drinks and snacks with us. While there, Chaslav translated for me as best he could and we talked about all sorts of things and took pictures and video. We eventually came back down the mountain and they dropped me off at the home and I went with Vladica and Iveca for some hamburgers at a local park. We then came back and took a rest before the youth meeting. I wrote a few notes, prayed, and napped for about an hour. Vladica and I then headed to the church and prayed with the youth and some other adults leaders for awhile before the service began. After singing several songs (though I mostly prayed a lot), God moved my heart and I prayed a very strong prayer. Just after praying that prayer, Irena, came and gave a word from Psalm 37 which was God’s direct answer to my prayer. You see, Irena has taken up the ministry that fueled her husband. She is very much involved in mentoring and leading the young people. After that word, Vladica and I went up before them and shared. Up on the mountain the brothers had taught me how to say “God bless you/you all, My name is David, and it’s nice to meet you,” and so I began with those. I then shared with Vladica translating. I also shared the testimony about the beginning of service (from my prayer and God’s answer through Irena’s word) and the war that is waged for our hearts’ affections. After the service I went walking through Vranje with the young guys and girls (who hadn’t been able to come with us earlier – all between 16 and 17). Walking through Vranje we were able to see both the Serbian corzo (that walking street of Turkish origin) and the Roma corzo (which is right next to the church). Coming back from our walk, we stopped at the church and had some drinks (we’re not buying drinks all the time, we have 1.5 liter bottles and keep drinking from them) and watched a few worship videos and a video of their summer evangelistic meeting from the year before. Chaslav then prayed for all of us before we left. They took me back to the home (it’s through alleys and such) and we met Vladica and Iveca on the way, walking the street with some other church members. I returned to the room they blessed me with (their own bedroom) tired and ready to sleep. I wrote this update in bed and updated it today (Thursday). I found out that I preach in the evening tomorrow. Because Iveca had spoken to the youth of how important prayer is, I decided that I wouldn’t give the same message to the rest of the church, but that I would speak on prayer. God bless.

Monday, July 4, 2011

I woke this morning and went with Tim to breakfast at the local bakery around the corner from the BL office and we spoke about some of our ministry and more background information about our lives. He and DeeJay were going to spend time with the missionary family he (Tim) had interned with for a year a few years ago. They were going to have a 4th of July celebration. Hah. I went back to the room and read and met Stole in his office a little later. We talked a little and then Jonatan from Teen Challenge arrived and took orders for buric (that flaky meat/pizza/cheese filled pastry) and returned a little later with another late breakfast. We all went to the kitchen and ate there, talking about the educational/employment situation in MK. We spoke a bit about the desire to have government ministry positions by the youth in the country. After that and much telling of jokes I went back to reading. Stole’s brother came by the office while we were eating, and so he joined Stole and I in the office when Jonatan left. He made Stole and I some coffee. In the meantime, I worked on my message for Vranje with brother Vladica – so that translation would go more smoothly. After a little while, Stole wanted to go get my bus ticket, and so we headed to the Skopje bus station and purchased a ticket for the Tuesday morning. Maya, who also works at the BL office took my form that showed I was legally allowed to be in MK to the police station and had it approved that I could leave the country (the bus traveled across the border between MK and Serbia). After grabbing the ticket, Stole and I headed over to a local mall and took some time to explore, as I had not yet seen any of the shopping centers. While there, he helped me get some snacks for the trip and dinner for the evening and breakfast for the morning. Because of our purchases at the grocery we were given a coupon for a restaurant in the mall, and so we decided to use it and for lunch. After having some lunch, Stole took me to his home and we had some coffee while he showed me pictures of his family and his son’s recent graduation from high school. His wife and son Marco were there. As I mentioned a week ago, his son Philip was near Strumica (pronounced Strew-meat-sa – and Skopje is pronounced Scope-ía – and Kavadarci is pronounced Kav-AH-darts-ee). He and his wife were called on by another brother and sister, and so they needed to go for a visit and dropped me off at the BL office on the way. I asked if there was a local basketball court, and Stole said yes, and he checked with a brother (Goran, but called Mafa) to see if he could take me to it. Mafa and Maya were working on some things and said they would come by my room when finished. I said it wasn’t a big deal, and to not worry. Back in my room I transferred my message from notepad to computer and sent it to brother Vladica (Vlahd-eat-sa). Then I spent a good time in prayer. It was one of the most prayer-filled prayer times of the week, and so it was very encouraging and powerful for my heart and soul. I thought it was getting late and so hadn’t planned on Mafa coming to get me and go to see the b-ball courts, but he showed up at my door and so we left. We picked up another friend of his (Trayche – Try-chey) and went to the City Park and walked around and found a place to sit at the café on the man-made beach on the bank of the Varda River, directly across from the U.S. Embassy (the largest U.S. embassy in the world). We spoke a lot about business, and he called for his sister to come and speak with me also. Her name is Svetlana, and she has translated for Pr. Bob in the past. She is my contact with the government minister and might be able to get me a meeting. It was getting late, and I had my bus to catch in the morning, and so we headed back from coffee. The other brothers had just recently returned also. I cleaned up, packed, and headed to bed.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Update:

I traveled to Kavadarci around 6:00pm and met a young man by the name of Marian there who has recently graduated from the university in MK with a degree in theater and dance. He became a Christian during his college years, and his mother attends Pr. Goran’s church in Negotino. He translated for me at the Roma church in Kavadarci. We arrived at the church, waited for a little while, and then the pastor prayed. During that prayer Marian had a vision for two of the youth to become missionaries. He didn’t share that vision until later. After that prayer, we sang one song and then I was given the opportunity to share. I preached on the Greatest Curse and testified about sin and Jesus on the cross. Afterward I sang a song and had us all join hands and prayed, and I asked the pastor to pray too. Then Marian shared his vision. One of the boys’ grandmothers said that these two specific boys had been given the same prophecy/word before by another speaker who had visited them, and so they took this as a confirmation of that word. Pastor Goran called soon afterward, because Pastor Mirco and his wife were at the church in Negotino, and were to take me home, and were waiting for me. I had to leave, therefore, and grabbed a taxi and left Kavadarci for Negotino. When I arrived in Negotino, they were waiting, but the decision was to stay for dinner rather than leave. Thus, we stayed for a couple hours and then left for Skopje. On the way home they asked me to share about my experiences in MK and then we spoke a little about pastor Mirco’s vision for a theological school in MK based in Kumanovo. Please be in prayer for this dream/hope/desire as it would be strategically purposeful for teaching and guiding new Kingdom leaders. As it is, the brothers need to leave the country to gain theological educations. I arrived at the BL office a little late and met Tim and DeeJay in the room already. I chatted with them about the evening, and then I organized my things a little before heading to bed.


This morning I woke to read, pray, and ate some leftover pizza for breakfast. Then I went downstairs for the service. I spoke first this morning after we sang a little and Pr. Goran introduced me again. I spoke about a faith that isn’t stagnant, but is added to continually (2 Peter 1). I also spoke about the requirement of a disciple to forsake all in following Jesus – to realize that you give up nothing of worth in following Jesus and gain all that is worthy. Tim and then D.J. spoke after me. Then we had communion. I have a video clip of the worship going on during communion. After service, we had coffee time with the brothers and sisters and I learned some new Macedonian phrases. After that I had a lot of free time, as I’m even now (5:40pm) waiting before heading to Kavadarci for the service. I went with the American brothers to get some lunch and we had some good long talks about testimonies and all sorts of other things. Coming back I worked on my message for this evening – I plan to talk about the worst of all curses. Then I spent time singing and talking with some of the guys individually about their lives – time on the mission field, experience in the States, eschatology (a lot of people here are asking me about the end times…), and some other theological topics. Thanks for your faithful praying. When I return to Negotino tonight, I’ll leave with Pr. Mirco for Skopje, and I’ll be there tonight, Monday, and I’ll leave for Vranje, Serbia on Tuesday.

Saturday, July 02, 2011

This morning I woke about 15 minutes prior to when we needed to be ready to leave. I quickly readied myself, drank some of my juice and ate a croissant, and then Goran and I did some work in the meeting hall of the church. It took less than 10 minutes. Then he and I went and visited some people with the aid before returning to the church. When we returned, he said that the weather was nice and that we would visit the pool in Negotino (somewhat famous, been in commercials and music videos – and it’s nice) with the boys. I grabbed my things and we headed to the pool for some “drinks” - meaning coffee, water, juice, pop, not alcohol in this culture and a couple hours of swimming. We had a blast, and then we returned to the church. The guys laughed because I put on sun screen. But, it was good that I did, because I was still burned a little. After returning, I quickly showered and got ready to take the family for pizza, as I heard it was the boys’ favorite food (what boy’s favorite food isn’t?). It was a great time, and on returning. Goran and I had the boys’ help loading humanitarian goods (food and clothes) into the car and a taxi to take to Kavadarci (where I preach tomorrow night). Because of the filled cars, only Timothy could come with us (but Ivan had come the day before). We first met some brothers from Kavadarci (one being the primary pastor of the group I’ll be preaching to – that have a small room in the village they can meet in), and then with them we went to a Gypsy village and unloaded our car’s load. I was asked to share my testimony and did so, but I shared the essentials of the Gospel also, having your and my prayers asking God for the wisdom and receiving it. Many people have told me in all the villages throughout this trip that what I share has touched them and that they see the honesty of what I tell when I tell it. They know I speak from my heart – I’ve heard that numerous times. I tell you, God has heard your prayers. Please keep praying for me and that His Word would go forth powerfully to transform these peoples to become His peoples, our brothers and sisters, for their good and our good. Keep praying for the brothers and business situations, that I would gain understanding about the environments and how to shrewdly steward resources for the Kingdom here and elsewhere in the Balkans, and that I would gain good contacts with men and women who have the same mindset, more connections, and the resources to do the work. After we finished, we went and visited a sister’s house and met her kids (11 and 14). The older girl was coming to our youth even this evening, and so we made contact, had a drink, and then left so Pr. Goran and Timothy could show me the sights in Kavadarci, and where I would need to meet people when I came back alone the next day. Please pray for the logistics – that I don’t get lost and that the people show up on time in the same location as me. When we finished, we returned to the house and picked up the daughter – after having some fresh watermelon slices. Then we came with the daughter and her friend back to the church. Only a handful of kids came, but three Americans showed up too. One is a pastor, one is his student (18) who is going to start school to become a pastor, and the third is a missionary kid from Skopje (15). I went upstairs before the meeting to put some things away, and then I came down and met them all. The meeting began, and we sang, and then the pastor said a short word to introduce us, and then asked me to come speak first, and I shared with the kids about my coming to know Jesus, and then about the vanity of life lived apart from Jesus and the love of the world. Then the Pastor (Tim Bentley – AoG) spoke, and after him his student spoke. Then we prayed and the kids had fun. I stayed for a little and then went upstairs to do a couple of things and the brother who is translating for them sat and talked with me for a little while. His name is Igor. Please pray for his stomach as he has H. Pylori. Pray that God would heal him. He has gone to Bible school in Serbia, and he also studied in Pennsylvania at Mount Zion (David Wilkerson co-founded). We went back downstairs and then I went with Alexander and Iliev and a few of the girls to walk in the city center. I went mainly because I was concerned for their well-being. After settling their safety as well as I could, I returned to the church, talking with the two brothers the whole way (they returned with me). Iliev doesn’t speak English, but Alexander does some (and understands well). I pressed them pretty hard to be watching out for their Christian sisters, and Alexander especially, because his sister was there. I saw the pairing off going on, and it’s so messed up. Pray these brothers catch that word and understand this charge from God. I then spent a little time talking with the other Americans, and showered, and went to speak to Igor, who was sleeping already. I prayed for him and then went and spoke with the Americans again and prayed with them. Then I came to finish this update. God will answer when we call. Please keep calling out for us. I love you.

Friday, July 01, 2011

Update:

Goran and I packed some humanitarian goods into the car and delivered them, stopping to see if we could pick up one of the boys from the day before, but he wasn’t home. After returning to the church, we found him and the other boy there waiting for us to go to a distant village for a church-plant’s service. The boys (16 and 18) help lead worship and the children’s time. Once in the village, we visited a brother who is currently injured and unable to move because of falling from a roof while doing work. From his house we went to the meeting place for the brothers. Usually only men show up at the meeting along with kids (no relation). Tonight, only four kids showed up (usually 15, they think it might have to do with summer vacation), and 4 or 5 adult men. Pr. Goran asked if I would share, and so I had a verse I planned to speak about. When I started to share and asked Goran if these men had heard the Gospel before and he said yes, but they don’t understand it, I proceeded to share the essential Gospel and used that message as a launching point for my passage (Prov. 25:13-14). We came back and ate some food and watched a movie about the coast guard.

This morning I rose early to go with the boys to see Dimi (an associate pastor) take his dogs for a walk. He has two huskies, one large one that’s black and white, and a small one that gold and white. The large one has two differently colored eyes, one green and the other silver-white. We walked along the Varda River and played with the dogs and then returned home after I picked up some croissants. Back at the church I did some reading and prayer before Pr. Goran got me to go visit Igor. From meeting Igor we went to visit another young business man whose name I forgot, but he operates his own printing press in Negotino (age 26). Pr. Goran wanted to go visit him as he’s interested in Christianity, and so my visit provided the reason. I was able to share with him about the book of Proverbs and Pr. Goran invited him and his mother to a meeting Pr. Mircho is going to lead on Sunday night. I also learned of that man who invested the 120,000 euros, that he is near Negotino, and we will try and meet tonight. He has a winery in Macedonia and one in Cincinnati also. He is investing some good time and energy in Macedonia, as he was born here, to help the church leaders become tentmakers. After we met that second young businessman, we headed to Dimi’s house for lunch. Then we came back to the church, where I am now resting and writing this update. We plan to go visit some believers later and deliver some humanitarian packages.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

I woke and ate a small breakfast from some items I had purchased the day before. Then, Ivan, Goran’s youngest son, came and got me so that we could do some work in the basement. After some work, a couple of the youths came and got me and the boys, as they wanted to show me around the city. Negotino is a small city of about 12,000 people. Their greatest export is wine/grapes. We walked through the city center and then to a hospital for one of the brothers to grab some asthma medicine prescriptions, and then we went back to the center for some snacks. We chatted for awhile, and then they took me to meet Toni, a friend of theirs from the church who was at the prayer meeting the previous night who is the president of a local blind persons association. We talked for a while and then left for one of the boy’s homes. We went in and sat and listened to music, his sisters were there and they sat around with us too. The ages were 10, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and me (24). After that, we all headed home. The boys and I had lunch back at the home, and then I helped Pr. Goran with some issues he was having with organizing events and such on Facebook. The boys then showed me a few magic tricks, and then I showed them a few of my own. By then it was time for us to go visit Zivko (the man who I had cut wood with and prayed for). After some good conversation, Pr. Goran had to leave, and the boys and I stayed. Then, after a little while, the boys left to go home to dinner, but Zivko’s son, Igor, asked me to stay. I ended up speaking to their whole family for four more hours about Jesus Christ, the Gospel, the life of faith, godliness, the end times, and more. Igor also had a lot of questions about business as he’s a traffic management director for a shipping company but wants to start his own shipping company. When I left around 12:45am, he asked me to come visit him at work the next day.