It’s 7:30 a.m. and the sun is out. That is encouraging after feeling like I’m in Seattle, Washington (where it rains 300 days out of the year. Ironically, Seattle has had a high rate of suicide….maybe the Carpenters were right…rainy days and Mondays always get me down?) We went to church in Moscenica (Mo-shan-eat-su). I saw this verse on their screen projector (yes, they have projectors and power point!)
“Preusti Jahvi putave svaje u njega se uzdaj I on ce sui voditi” Psalam 37:5
I know….that verse struck me too. I suspect you have the same reaction I’m having while reading it: That verse is undeniably hard to understand and that we need an easier-to-read translation.
How’s this: “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will act.” Psalm 37:5
This verse, on this screen at this time can only be explained as a God-ordained happening. Calling this a coincidence is a slap in the face of God’s sovereignty.
The church is probably small by American standards, but larger in Croatian standards. Today, I’ve counted nearly 60 people here. I’m struck by the age discrepancy. There are either very old people, or very young people. There are not a lot of Baby Boomers here.
They sing in Croatian, and some of the songs I know from hearing them in the states. They do sing loud. I wish we in the states would sing that loud. Taylor lead our American team as they sang two worship songs in English, which maybe five people understood. But even though they didn’t understand the language, I see them nodding with respect. We have two preachers today, Vlad and Pero (pronounced like the Spanish word Perro).
Vlad is working in Bosnian outreach, and has a massive plan for August. Please pray for their efforts. He speaks on Peter in 2 Peter and how Peter reminded people of the basic elements of the faith to prepare them for his departure. He stated that if we don’t love Jesus we won’t love others.
Pero is 75, and speaks both Croatian and English. He is speaking from John 15:1-10. He states that we as Christians will bear fruit to God’s glory, but in order to bear that fruit, we must undergo discipline at times as well. I speak with Pero after service. He is a charismatic (personality not doctrine) man who is quite winsome. I want to be more like him….because he is like Christ.
It’s noon. We firm up some plans and could have a modified leadership camp with Timi, Sergei, and a few others. While this is not what I had hoped….it’s the first time all trip that I can see a ray of sunlight. I’m encouraged.
We then head to their version of Super Wal-Mart called InterSPAR. This is a huge store, actually bigger than a Super WM, with nearly anything you can think of including cars and motor scooters for sale. We shop for a while, and I buy a Croatian soccer shirt. Their logo is primarily a red and white checkerboard, which is quite useful, as you can use the shirt for either a tablecloth at a picnic, or a checkers board when you need one in a pinch.
It’s 3 p.m. We are at Ratt-man’s, which is a popular ice cream spot in Sisak. I’ve been pre-told that once a person has Ratt-man’s ice cream, they are ruined for anything else in the states. On Friday we had someone else’s ice cream, and as I stated, I was going to have to get some more ….for research purposes of course. So, I greedily had two scoops of Ratt-man. I have to tell you…..his ice cream definitely makes my top five. But to give him the title of best in the world? I’m not so sure I’m ready to concede that to him, especially when we live 100 miles from Blue BellJ!! As we eat ice cream, the clouds begin to cover us….and within minutes, it’s raining again.
It’s 4 p.m. We are going to the hospital to see Stefan again. People are wondering who the big celebrity is that is warranting this much attention. He seems happy to see us, yet tired. Well, I guess I would be too if I was undergoing tests, and was missing my family and opportunities that I had waited six months to see happen.
We leave Stefan to go to his parents’ house. You know about Svetjlana. Now meet Bronko. Bronko doesn’t know Christ. In fact, until last year, Bronko was an agnostic. But after people prayed fervently for him during a cancer operation and his subsequent healing, he “had to acknowledge that there is a God.” While he hasn’t crossed the line of faith, Bronko is closer now that before. We are at their apartment/flat that Stefan shares with Bronko, Svetjlana, and Manuela, Stefan’s 15 year old sister.
We watch a DVD of the history of Croatia before the soccer/football match featuring Croatia against Austria. The EuroCup is a big deal, much bigger than anything we have in the states save the Super Bowl. Again the hospitality of Croatians is so much better than what I find in the states mostly. Svetjlana fixes pancake/crepes for everyone and insists that we all have some.
I go into Stefan’s room and check my email. It’s my first chance since arriving and it’s good to connect with the outside world. As I’m checking mail, I receive word that we are going to for sure have a modified leadership camp at Mosceniza. So, it’s back on…..just not at all like I thought.
It’s 6:30 p.m. We leave the friendly confines to go to church in Petrinja (pa-treen-ah). Guess who’s preaching?
Nope, not me. That’s next week.
It’s Pero again!! He sees us and “regretfully” informs us that the message he’ll be preaching is the same one from this morning. We are not too worried. I’m glad to see him again. Their church is small, maybe 20 people, but like the service this morning, they sing their lungs out…………and they too have a video projector!!!
Pero asks Taylor to sing, and he does on the spot with no translator. Much like this morning, the people, even though not understanding a lot, seem to understand that Taylor is singing to God and are very respectful of his efforts.
It’s 10 p.m. I’m worn out. I’m heading to bed soon. What a roller coaster of a weekend and week so far. Well….game on tomorrow.
