On coming to Serbia, plans had changed—something you must be prepared for when you come.
Tuesday evening, July 1, 2008
Instead of going to the original city where they could not find a room “in the INN,” we found a very small church in the industrial city of Bor not far away, who opened their arms. People told us it was not a very pretty city: It had a big copper mine and a big smelting facility with belching smoke stacks. On an artistic side it looked grim, but oh, our fabulous Lord had other plans and could see such possibilities that we were blind to. So in faith Chip said, “sure, we’ll come.”
We had no preparation that had been done before we came. No government permissions granted to paint on the streets to do advertizing for the classes. We all wondered if there would even be a class. But on that first day, we had a trump card. Our farmer where we were staying, who was a former geologist with this copper mine, happens to know the Mayor and lots—no, tons—of other people and went with us everywhere, opening so many doors it was hard to imagine. Chip did a 20 minute radio interview that night, we met the cultural minister who told us where we should paint on the street and when and got us the permission to do so, the TV news team came and filmed us painting and drawing, and our team of Serbian believers (former students from the Bible school) plus Chip, Julie and Lalla handed out over a 100 brochures.
Handing out brochures
Maybe because it was an ugly town, not very special in Serbian eyes, they were thrilled that we came. Everywhere we went (and it seemed we went everywhere on Monday), they welcomed us, served us coffee and the doors opened. We are doing this in faith, so keep praying. Pray the right people come to the classes and that we are flexible. Pray for Lalla as she works with the kids that show up (there were tons last night). Pray most of all that we are a fragrance of Christ and that all is done to His Glory.
Love from Serbia,
The FBCA Serbia Team
