Eager

I wanted to express how I'm feeling and what I prayed about it the best word to descibe it is "Eager."

1) Conversations with Feđa
2) The boys
3) The girls
4) More on poverty

1) I have had some great conversations with Feđa, Goran, Donata and Merlina. One day Chad, Melody and I were having coffee with Feđa when he said, "what are you doing Sunday, we could have a BBQ?" I told him that we were going to church at 6pm and he wanted to know why church was so late. I let him know there are 2 churches that we are going to while we're here, the Baptist one and the Evanglical one (the only Protestant Christian churches in town) He was confused and had many good questions. Through his questions and our explainations he found out we were protestant, went off on why in soap operas, Catholics pray to Mary and Jesus (everyone here watches a LOT of soap operas because there really isn't anything to do during the day if you aren't blessed enough to have a job, that's how they learn spanish and english so quickly), what is the difference between Catholic and Christian, and Muslim (he has a lot to say about that and gave his opinions througout our conversation), How could Jesus be God's son and God, and lastly, if Jesus were real like the Bible said why doesn't God send another person or something to tell us he's really there and what we should do. I know that was a long sentence but it was a great conversation. I offered my opinion and biblical answers to most of the questions and prayed and listened while he talked. When he said, "If all you said is true, and God is all powerful, why wont he just send another?" I paused and thought of an answer but for some reason (the Holy Spirit) I didn't say anything and looked at Chad, he was just waiting to share. He told Feđa Jesus answered that question with a story written in the Bible, and shared of the master leaving people in charge of his land and he sent messangers and servants to check on it but the people killed them so he sent his only son and they killed him so why should the master think the people would listen to anything else. WOW! Praise Jesus for team work and how the Holy Spirit works! And that Feđa has good questions, I feel like the Spirit is at work in him.

Then yesterday Chad and I had coffee with Feđa and his friend and Elvis (a Christian and Mario's brother) came with us. Somehow (by God's power) Jesus came up again and Feđa was surprised to hear Elvis was a Christian so Elvis shared his testimony! Elvis also told him about all the other Christians in town. I'm praying that God lets his word go deeper than intellectually with Feđa, that he will come to camp with us next week and ultimately give his life to Jesus!

2) The boys, Senad and Goran, have been hanging out a lot with Chad and Jimmy. I would say almost every day! It's been great to see those relationships form. Pray they would take things deeper and especially with Goran as I've had a conversation with him about God and he seems open.

3) The girls, Donata and Merlina, have been spending a lot of time with me and i love them! Merlina is so into Jesus but can't connect with the community here, pray that she would and that our friendship would be an encouragement to her. For Donata keep praying that she will really allow Jesus to transform her life and give her the love and acceptance she's looking for. Melody and Mandy have been spending time with some girls, pray they will go deeper and come to camp with us next week. The girls are, Maja, Ermina, Amna, Alexandra, Dina, Leijla, Maja and her boyfriend Alan.

4) I went to an old refugee camp that is run down from 10 years of use, it is horrible! There are many families living there and it made us all very sad. I just don't know what to do. Jesus really is the only possible answer. Please pray for the families that live there and have no opportunity. The would work if they could find a job.

Thank you for your prayers. Next week we'll be at the evangelistic camp so no internet but please be praying, it is a time we want clothed with God' presence!

Thank you for all your support.

Melissa