We are almost at the end of our time, and wow, it is the year in which I have definitely learnt the most. We just came from Bosnia I Herzegovina where we were blessed. We had an awesome time with the pastor there, Pastor Mladen, and for once we didn’t call him Ben.
In Bosnia we had the opportunity of praying for the church, where we could proclaim Christ as King, and pray blessings over it. We felt in the first week that we ought to pray against generational curses, and the first teaching the church had that week was all about generational curses. So God confirmed everything. We also went on prayer walks, and we had lots and lots of
coffee. Coffee has a new meaning, a meaning of fellowship and of relaxation. The Bosnians love their coffee time, and they will make time even if there isn’t any time. So we had like 6 cups of coffee daily. But when you have fellowship with them, you can see the hurt inside, and that hurt is reflected in the physical realm as well. If you want to see it, then you have to look only to the buildings, and there you will see a picture which has a meaning of more than a thousand words. Most of the buildings have bullet holes or shows damage from the previous war. The people use as much time as possible for fellowship over coffee.
We also worked with the youth, because we felt that God is using the youth throughout the world more and more. We prayed about what to do, and then God gave the same idea to 4 different people. We decided that it was good and that it would be on the program the last Saturday. Now just besides the church there flows a river, or a big stream. It is full of garbage and waste from people living upstream. By taking a step of faith and cleaning the river physically, we knew there was a prophetic act with it as well. It was one of cleaning the church, getting rid of all the garbage and waste which was still there after the war and previous generations. So we knew what to do, but then God came and showed us that He is in control, and that He already had done the cleaning work for us when Jesus died, we just had to take a hold of it. He did this in the river by flooding it, and in the process cleaning up the river! So we now had some time to fill as we were to lead the youth meeting. God then also did not let us down, but He came and surprised us all, and challenged us as well. We had a preaching on being lukewarm Christians. That was hard, but it was one teaching which always challenged me to live more and more for Him, if that makes sense.
So we left there with a lot of new friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. I have definitely a passion for these people, and this is one country which I definitely want to return to. That is if it is in God’s plan for me, but I believe it is.
I just love how God works in our lives, daily, and I know it is for everyone, not just for us doing the Global Challenge. I used to think that only “real” missionaries in the field can work for God, but I realised this year that everyone is a missionary if they call themselves Christians. So this is for you, who is reading this and wondering if you are a missionary, YOU ARE! Now go and live what you believe. If you believe the Bible, then live it. It is definitely easier said than done, but if you trust God, then He will lead and show you what, where and when to do it!
Keep well and may the Lord of the universe bless you today!
Paul