(a note from Phil)

Day 10 – Sunday

This morning we were excited to learn that Novica, Slovica, and Igor from the farm would be joining us for church today.  Branko said this is the first time that they have gone along to church.  Novica and Tamara came by the farm and picked them up and we followed them to Bor to go to church.  The church building is a former apartment that has been remodeled to hold church services.  It is a small church that was started by Branko.  They have a lay pastor and about 10 to 15 attending each Sunday, so our group doubled the congregation this Sunday.  The service here was much like we are used to.  They had a worship team with a keyboard player.  We sang some familiar hymns, although when the words in front of you are in Serbian, it’s hard to remember what the English words are and put the message of the song together.  It was fun to see the enthusiasm of the congregation during singing.  It just reinforces that we all worship the same Savior no matter what part of the world we are in. 

Wade gave a greeting from our group and Kim gave the sermon.  Kim spoke on Mark 5:1-20, the story of Jesus freeing the man with many demons.  He presented the story as a question and answer talk and the congregation was not bashful about giving out answers.  Obviously they are being taught the Word

Elijah's Serbian "brother"

After church we toured the area around Bor.  Bor is a mining town, so we saw some of the mining equipment that was on display.  We also went to a museum that once was a house for a Turkish duke.  Then we went to Branko’s for lunch and for church again at 5:00.

Branko asked Mike if he would speak during the church service.  Mike wasn’t comfortable with the idea, but he relented.  He spent the rest of the afternoon preparing.  He gave his testimony relating it to the story of the narrow and wide gate from Matthew 7:13-14.  He did a good job telling his story and giving the lesson from these verses.

After church, Rada got a text message from Slovica saying that they enjoyed going to the church service today and something to the effect that ‘the Lord is good’.  Please pray that they will continue on this path and someday accept Christ into their hearts.

Day 11 – Sixth work day

Today was a pretty typical work day.  We laid more block, poured some concrete and dug in the ditch.  The block is nearly complete.  We poured two more of the columns, so that is half done.  They will have to get some more materials for us to be able to finish everything but that doesn’t sound like that will be a problem.

A problem has developed with Kim’s van.  On Saturday, it developed a fuel leak that has gotten progressively worse.  Novica looked at it today, but it was not something he could fix.  Kim and Branko took it to a couple of mechanics to look at and one said he could fix it but would need to have it all day Wednesday.  Pray that it gets fixed and we don’t have any problems getting back to Belgrade on Friday.  Also Kim and Crystal need it to make the drive back to Germany.

During devotions today, we talked a little bit about the team and the various ages and how well we have been working together.  It doesn’t seem to matter who works together; everyone gets along and has a good time.  We are definitely bonding and getting to know each other better.  They also gave us and update on the status of Sashko, the man who killed the intruder who broke into his home.  He is still in the hospital recovering, but a petition is being circulated and as of this mornings’ paper, more than 12,000 people have signed asking for his release.  It is encouraging that people are rallying behind this Christian man.

For the team,

Phil