Safely home....

Greetings everyone!

After 24 hours of travel yesterday we made it home safe and sound - and are very thankful to be home with our families.

The last couple of days in Serbia were spent with our dear friends Bata and Sladjana who are the Pastor's of the main church in Leskovec. Our days were filled with times of engaging in ministry,  long conversations and walks around their beautiful city.

Bata and Sladjana have been in ministry for their entire adult lives and have been overseeing the work in the church in Leskovec for over four years. They are an amazing couple who compliment each other well and have a passion for seeing their church demonstrate the love of Jesus to one another and to their community. Doug and I were both honored to be with them and are humbled by their love and service to the Lord!

As we now enter back into our lives here in the states, we want to once again thank everyone who so generously supported us and prayer for us.

Doug and I both felt used of the Lord during our time and that the purpose of trip; to love, build into and encourage the amazing Pastor's serving in Southern Serbia was carried out in many different ways.

Each of us would be more than happy to share stories and more photos to anyone who is interested. For now we simply wanted to let you all know that we felt honored to be sent as ambassadors from Rolling Hills to our brothers and sisters in Serbia, and so heartened by the love, support, and prayers of our friends and family. Please know it meant so much!

To close my final post on our blog, please enjoy some more photos of God's continuing work in extending His Kingdom in Southern Serbia.

Hvala (thanks!)

Monte



 Doug and I joined Pastor Slave as he ministers faithfully to the youth in his church.

The Roma church in Leskovec is brimming with love for God - and overflowing with people!

 Pastor Boyan leads the Roma Church in Leskovec in worship.

Doug sharing his story of God's transforming work and the message in the village of Boynic.

Pastor Daniel and his wife Alexandra faithfully lead the church in Boynic.

 Doug and I hanging out with some new friends in Vranje.

Doug and I after a wonderful lunch and discussion with Pastor Vladica and the Elders in Vranje.

Very faithful and key leaders in the church in Vranje that we met with.

Again, standing room only for a mid-week church service outside of Vranje.

This man has volunteered at a famous Serbian historical landmark for over 27 years. We enjoyed a cup of Turkish coffee together and heard many amazing stories.

 Pastor Bata leading us in worship in the Serbian church in Leskovec.

Dushon, one of the worship team members in Leskovec, showing off his lighter side!

Doug sharing the message at the Roma church in Nis.

In downtown Belgrade, there remains the effects of the NATO bombings that took place almost 15 years ago. If you look closely, this is not new construction but a bombed out building!

 Bata & Sladjana took us out for a nice walk - and even nicer conversations.

 Another wonderful time of conversation with the Elders in the church at Vranje.

Pastor Slave and his wife Snezana - so lovingly and faithfully serving the village of Lebane.

Good conversation in Nis

Hello all,

We are sorry to not be posting more often.  Our time at the homes where internet is available has been somewhat limited.  On the other hand, we have been blessed to spend a lot of time with pastors, elders, and others from the Serbian and Roma churches here in south Serbia.

What a wonderful people!  I am so encouraged at the tremendous faith we see here and the way God is working in and through the people here.  For those of you who are unaware, the communist regime held Christianity somewhat at bay for many years.  Christians could be arrested and certainly endure other types of persecution until the fall of communism.  Therefore, Christianity is now in a time of growth and the churches we have met with here are doing a tiresome and tremendous work.  They have welcomed us and treated us like kings and assure us we have been a blessing to them and an encouragement to them.  They have told us that we have helped to refresh and energize them.  Frankly, I struggle with how!  In my view, I have been the one who has been blessed!  To hear at how the faith of a few has weathered much difficulty and been the foundation to what is now a blossoming church has fed me many times more than I could possibly have fed them.

To those at Rolling Hills who know of our partnership with these churches and to others who may be involved in partnerships elsewhere in the world.  Please, please, please know that your support and prayers and help is making a difference!!!  Honestly, until this trip, resources and efforts spent by the church for missions and work abroad I knew was good but I don't "own" it in my heart.  It was something that I barely gave passing thought to, to which I now am humbled.  Our work as God's Church regardless of our congregation knows no geographic or political bounds.  In the messages I have shared I have said that we speak a different language, we look different, we have different mannerisms and other differences but we serve the same God and it so very true!  For me, as I have really reflected on that it has amazed me in earnest.  He is at work in and loves all of us!  I am so very thankful to have been blessed by so many of you with the opportunity to spend time here with these people to offer testimony, knowledge, prayer, and encouragement to these tireless servants of God.  Thank you!

The reality of things here is very difficult for my Western mind to wrap around.  Last night, Monte preached to a congregation in a Roma community that assembles in a church that has no roof.  They have placed some half-sawn poles over walls of plywood and sheetrock and then covered the poles with blue tarps.  They have worship music where the drum set has a hole the size of a basketball in the front of it and is filled with bath towels for I assume sound deadening.  There is no pulpit or stand and barely any lights.  The people wear ragged clothes and most of the children were only wearing worn-out slippers for their feet.  Yet, the place was packed to the gills.  I saw young children singing at the tops of their lungs in genuine worship and not just some...ALL.  There were people who would spontaneously break into prayer aloud and lift their hands to the Lord.  They all sang with such passion and love.  People were even standing outside the "church" unable to get in and singing on the makeshift staircase.  Probably less than 20 years ago few if any of these people knew Christ.  And now, to see what God is and has done through these dedicated pastors and elders and leaders was both heart-warming and truthfully, convicting.  Please, everyone of you, know that you are having an impact!  The resources you give, the prayers you offer, and the work you have and continue to do is an amazing blessing to these wonderful people.  From them and from me...THANK YOU!!!!

I have attached a c few pictures.

Monte preaching

The worship team breaks into song after the service

The church "courtyard" heading into the sanctuary

The Roma pastor and elders in Vranje

Pastor, elders, and youth leaders in Vranje

Preacher Doug

Hi everyone!

We are doing well and continuing to be so blessed by the wonderful people of Serbia.

Last night Doug preached his first message ever at the church at Boynic. He did great and it was a great blessing to the church. The Pastor was so encouraged that someone would come over 7000 miles to minister to his congregation in this way. Way to go Doug!

We have been having wonderful conversations with the Pastor's here. They are so very faithful, but also very overrun with responsibilities and the needs of the people in their impoverished communities. They desire to grow in how they stay true to their relationship with Jesus and how they love their wives and children as they pour their lives into their churches and the needs of their communities.

Life for Roma people is very difficult. They are an amazing and strong people, but the cultural and economic pressures are certainly taking their tole on their spirits. The churches are having a big impact on the communities in bringing hope that lasts during very discouraging times .

Today Doug and I will travel with two Roma Pastors to the village of Vranje. We will spend time with the Pastor's and the Elders of the church, speak to their youth group (which is strong and growing!) and then Doug will preach again tonight.

Please continue to pray for wisdom for us. We are having deep and significant conversations with the Pastor's and desire to bring encouragement and to help them with the many struggles of their ministry.

We are sorry we've not been able to post more frequently, but our schedule has been very full and our time with internet access has been somewhat limited.

Here are a few pictures of the last few days ministry - enjoy!

Monte and Pastor Slave who serves the Serbian and Roma church in Lebane.

Doug preaching his message from Psalm 143 to the church at Boynic.

Pastor Daniel and his wife Alexandra and their two sons. They serve the church in Lebane and Boynic.

On Saturday I was taken to a "surprise" birthday party where the church came together for a BBQ, worship and celebration. Boy do they know how to throw a party!

The weather here has been beautiful. Pastor Slave and I went for walk in the country where he grew up and this picture is looking down on the homes where some of his relatives still live and farm.

So here I am...

So Here I am!

Last night after many hours of travel I woke up and was reflecting on just what was or is going on.  I asked God why am I here...in Serbia...half way around the world preparing to share and talk with local pastors.  I wondered what happened to the guy that always chased the almighty dollar and lived that other life.  As I reflected and prayed I knew that it was not anything I did or have done but that it is only by and through God that I am here.  I sit here in wonder and maybe even a bit of fear and I know in complete humbleness and humility that it is only God who can be at work here.  I pray that I might serve our Lord in faith and obedience in the coming days, that I will learn from the wonderful people who are here, and that I might be of some value for and to them and their lives.

I ask for your prayers as well.

In love,
Doug

Greetings from Munich!

Doug and I are now in route to Serbia. We appreciate all the prayers in regard to our preparation and as we are now officially underway, we would appreciate continued prayers, specifically for:

* Spiritual, emotional & physical health and stamina
* Sensitivity to know when to follow our plans and when to flex depending on what God is doing
* The hearts of the Pastors as we stay with them, minister to them, and with them
* Successful travels to all the villages we will be visiting
* Those that we will come into contact with who do not yet know the love of Jesus
* Our words to be Spirit led, and our actions to reflect the heart of Christ

We are not sure how often we will have access to an internet connection while in Serbia, but we will do our best to update you as we are able.

Thanks again for all the love and support you've given us.

For the glory of God,

Monte & Doug