Montenegro: Europe's Secret

I am pretty aware that the majority of my blog readers will have no clue where or what Montenegro is, so let me do an introduction! Montenegro is one of Europe's newest countries. It used to belong to the former Yugoslavia (like Kosovo). It joins borders with Kosovo, but has a major difference. Montenegro is inhabited largely by people of Serbian origin; Kosovo is almost entirely Albanian. The country of Montenegro is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen in my life! Mountainous, beautiful beaches, lush green, tropical feel, and it borders the Adriatic Sea- right across from Italy. So, here's some pictures from my week of relaxation there last week. I did a little more resting than picture taking, but here's what I have:

Posing in the older part of a city

An incredible sunset my first night.

Burning trash- I've decided we don't have any ozone over the Balkans...haha!

Don't call an engineer when you need a bridge; just build it yourself out of trash!

The view out of my friend's front door!!

Ping-pong on a stone table, anyone?

A beautiful beach- I actually didn't got to a single beach while I was there. :-o

You can rent these.

I just love how creation screams His Name to the ends of the earth! May the people of Montenegro have ears to hear and eyes to see!

Blogging Absence

So sorry that I've been the worst of all bloggers! August has been a really busy month here in Kosovo. I already wrote about camps and teams, but on top of that has been my own team members leaving and getting ready for new team members to come. I have felt, once again, out of my comfort zone, as this is all new territory for me.

Beginning in July, I became the team leader for my team. It is a new and exciting area and time for me, but it is also mingled with fear and insecurity. God has opened a lot of doors and led me through a lot this last year (and my life), but somehow my faith just still seems so small when I encounter a new situation. However, I would like to report that His grace indeed covers over all things: failures, insecurities, weaknesses, self-pride...and the list could go on.

I have been reading through the Gospels for some time now. Pretty convicting most of the time! But something I keep running into is the disciples- I am just like them! How often does He have to ask them where their faith is or say something about their lack of faith? Over and over! Yet, they were right next to Him for every miracle, every prayer, every sermon... The funny counterpart is the random Joe on the street is the one who always got told: "No greater faith is found in all of ____." Shouldn't it be the other way around?

But as I've thought on this time after time, it just keeps on reminding me: God doesn't normally use the glorious things of this world. He doesn't usually pick those people that have it all together. Instead, He picks the broken, clueless people who most of the time "just don't get it". And that is me! I find myself in that. And it gives me immense hope.

Here I am in Kosovo- honestly, I am the worst person to be sent to do what God's called me to do. I am a flop at most things I put my hands to do...or tell Him no that I won't do. Yet here I am. And the funny thing in it all, that we all know, but fail to really believe: He gets the glory! My life, no matter how big a mess I am or how broken and "floppy" I am, brings Him glory. He uses the clay pots, especially broken ones as myself. What a beautiful picture!

So, wherever you find yourself today: know that He is using you. In spite, or maybe even because, of all your brokenness! He gets the ultimate glory- rest in that today!!

Romanian Team

On July 10th a group of university students from Romania came to do some ministry with my team for 10 days. It was one of the biggest blessings from my entire year spent in Kosovo. Their hearts for God and mission were so contagious! Here are just a few pictures from our time together:

Out in a Gypsy village with a local pastor who has some ministries there.

The group out in the village- love this picture!

Another village- showing the Jesu Film.

Talking about hearts:

Sinful and Clean.

What His blood does:

washes our hearts clean!

A drama depicting the heart.

It is pretty self-explanatory...

HE came running!

Where is your heart being invested?

Thank you, my dear friends, for your hearts for the Lord and for the people of Kosovo. I am blessed to know you and now call you friend! His richest blessings on your lives- wherever He may call you!