Small Forget

We have a student at the English Club, whose name is Ratco, who is always there and always entertaining us with funny stories in his beginning stage of English speaking. Monday, he was sharing a story with a few of the Americans here, and as always, he was very amusing. But into the story, he forgot one of the punch-lines (I guess…) and said, “Oh, sorry teacher. Sorry. Small forget”. We all laughed at his ability to make the most of the English words he knows, but I think something deeper must have penetrated my heart at that moment. God keeps reminding me of “small forgets” of my own…

Small forget that I haven’t thanked God for the miracles He’s been doing in my life, and letting me see the miracles He is working in my teammates, and most importantly the Serbs here in Cacak. Small forget that I’m not loving sacrificially, that I need to see everyone as God sees him or her because Jesus died for everyone… Small forget that God is seeking an intimate relationship with me (ironically, I’m reminded of this as I am encouraging people thousands of miles away from my home to seek a personal relationship with God). Truthfully, it isn’t a small forget at all; it is a huge forget. I need to remember that God is pursuing me and wants me to pursue Him right back. I need remember my first love. God is continually speaking to me and convicting me of issues in my own spiritual life through the honesty of the people here in Cacak. They say that the Bible is challenging. They admit that it is hard to pray. They confess it’s hard to place God in the center of one’s life. I am learning so much from them!

Karl and Julie, Chris and Becky, and Tim and Jennifer and their children are going to Greece for an annual meeting for IMB. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel, and that their time together with fellow Christians would rejuvenate them and revive their spirits. Please pray for my teammates and me while they are gone!

Thank you so much for your encouraging words, support, and prayers. It means so much! Here are some specific people and requests that are on my heart. Your prayers will make such a difference—

Mirela - to trust God, and to have peace restored to her
Drangana - to come to a Bible study
Marko - to not get discouraged in his newfound faith
Tamara - to be victorious in the spiritual battle between hanging on to the world and hanging on to Christ
Tori - my roommate and teammate, that God will heal her broken hand, and help her to speak out for Him
Me – to love those around me as God does, that God will continue to teach me to see these people as He does, and continuously remind me that He died for them.
Jacob - my teammate, that he will follow God's timing in the relationships he is building, to know he’s an encourager, and continue to be bold where it is needed
Damian - my teammate, that God will use his outgoing personality and sense of humor to create close ties to the guys here so they can see God's unconditional love through him.