Month 7 Update: Sombor, Serbia

We drove into Belgrade (the capitol of Serbia) on March 29^th.  Once we arrived after a 14 hour travel day on a bus through Albania, Macedonia, and Serbia, we settled into a hostel just outside the downtown area for our month 6 debrief.  Most of us arrived exhausted and well ready for the five days debrief provides us between ministries to rest and to be poured into before we go to pour out again.  Freedom was the focus of this debrief.  Reflecting on it now, I can see just how needed it was and how timely the words and encouragements we received were.  I already knew I was gonna struggle going into it, but, I mean, I don’t think anyone is ever prepared when stuff hits the fan on day one.

Following prayer and resulting confirmation that started with some Holy Spirit impressions I had been thinking on since Cambodia, a big change was about to be made during this debrief.  I honestly believed I was fully on board with the decision as we left Albania.  Then came the first day.  I wasn’t even aware of the shift in my emotion until I was sobbing in my friend’s arms right before I was supposed to head to my team’s debrief with the coaches and squad leaders, and broke again in front of my team at the meeting before I could even start telling them for the first time what was happening.  Yeah.  It was a wild day.

As of the end of last week’s debrief, I have stepped away from the position of Worship Coordinator on our squad.  It wasn’t a decision that I was immediately ready to accept when prompted by the Holy Spirit, but I also had this overwhelming feeling of knowing I would be making a mistake if I held onto it any longer.  It was a decision I didn’t realize I would have to grieve, but, having followed through, I’m encouraged by the direction God is taking our squad.  It was an honor to serve my squad for the last six months alongside my co-leader, Ashley!  I believe the new coordinators will take on this role with grace and God will give them the peace they need to trust that he will lead them in doing it well.  (BIG shout-out to Karlie and Denaé!)  Much of debrief included this grieving process for me, but I’m so excited to see how much more our squad has grown by the end of the Race!

Beyond this, it was just such a good debrief.  Really.  I think we all needed it.  All of our teams left Belgrade on the 3^rd of April; my team, Team Lioness, (along with Team Avengers, who we will partner with) left for Sombor—our home for the month!  Sombor is found in the northeast corner of Serbia, very close to both the Hungarian and Croatian borders.  We are serving with Protestant Christian Fellowship (PCF), a small church that is really looking to love their own people so well and create a place of safety for them to get to know Jesus.  The pastor and his family have been incredibly persistent and have persevered in the area for years without much visible fruit.  I already love the intentionality with which they pursue their community through both the church and their coffee house.  Their heart for this city is inspiring.  Our teams are blessed to be working with them and supporting them, even if it is only for this month.

Please be praying for us and for the church in Sombor to grow.  Pray that the people’s ears, eyes, and hearts would be open and that the truth of Jesus Christ would cut through any lies the enemy has tried to spread about PCF.  Believe with us for peace for the pastor’s family and for the seeds which have been sown to grow into healthy fruit, ripe and ready for harvest.  Also, the pastor has asked that we pray for long-term helpers—strong Christians to join them and stay in Sombor to help them build the church.  We are believing that God will send help to refresh this family that has worked so diligently.