Mike's Afternoon Agenda

I helped pack food supplies for the families and then helped deliver some of these packages with Mauro and Pastor Bata. The deliver of the packages were very biblical, because:

• We delivered to an elderly women who live alone without support.
• We delivered to a disabled men and women who can't leave their front door.
• We delivered to a 100% blind lady and her 80% blind husband who couldn't leave the house.
• We delivered to a family of five who are new to the church who needed food because the husband is out of work and cannot find work (for a very long time). He asked Mauro and I if we had troubles like this. We were able to share our life story with them. We shared the time when Mauro and I were out of work and could not provide for our families and had to rely on God. He was encouraged because Mauro and I understand what he's going through.
• We also delivered to Pastor Bata's father who is disabled and lives alone. The blessing in the delivery was we were able to see a picture of Bata's mother who prayed Him to come to Christ.

Each and every place opened their homes to us, giving us food, beverage and sitting in a place of honor. They gave out of nothing..

I can't tell you how humbling this is when people have nothing to give and still give. For me it challenges me deeply to do my life for others much better. To take it to a much higher level. Some of these people are nonbelievers, they just need help. This little church in Serbia has an amazing compassion for the weak, to see the needs and meet them as much as they possibly can, is a model for our Western Church.

We have so much to learn, we have so much selfishness to eliminate, we need to learn how to sacrifice and we need to learn what this church does on a daily basis. The trick I am learning, these people care and give for us out of nothing and most Americans can't even serve and share out of their prosperity.

We have so much to learn, we need to act on it at home and abroad.

Mike's Morning Agenda

Faith called a meeting with the Senior Pastors. Faith, Mike and Mauro attended this meeting with the other Pastors.

Faith asked Mauro and I to share two examples of affirmations and one challenge/observation to all the Pastors. I could affirm these men all day and could not finish on what they are doing well. They are doing so many things well, it was hard to narrow it down to two. All of these pastors have showed me so much on what it means to be a true follower of Christ. All these men are incredible.

The first affirmation:
Leading their flocks well. They are leading their flocks by the Bible. They are teaching their flocks God's Word, Ways, and Truth.

The second affirmation:
They are loving unconditionally. They are loving God unconditionally. They are loving themselves unconditionally. They are loving their congregation unconditionally.

The observation:
Was an analogy to my Hardware Store--the church is like my business. I spoke about many co-owners of mine have expanded their businesses too fast by adding other stores in various locations. By adding too many stores too fast, most of those stores are now out of business. They spread themselves too thin.

The challenge:
To take care of your business locally here first, because the harvest is so HUGE here and not plant too many churches until this harvest is 100% taken care.

Faith gave a scripture reading that nailed the Church of Serbia right on, that tells the story, it is: 1 Thes. 1:3-12. Faith and Mauro also shared very powerful affirmations and practical challenges. This was all shared out of love, heart, and tears.

This was the morning meeting for Mike.

Photos from Vranje

Packing & Receiving

During our time in Nis, we were able to bag a variety of foods and supplies for the poorest of the poor.

Every single person who received a food box was grateful and thankful. This summer has been rough with no rain for the last two months. Many crops have been drying up in the fields. We have passed so many areas where there is rows and rows of dried corn that they haven't been able to harvest. It dried up before the corn was ready.

Even in the midst of their poverty, it's evident the believers have their hope, joy, and strength  in Jesus. By their beautiful smiles, warm praise, and prayer during the Worship Service touched us all.

Regina's Thoughts...

I just wanted to stop and love on the children. Playing volleyball with a little girl for a moment was wonderful - all the kids laughed when she hit the ball to me and it her little sister in the head, who was like 2, but all the kids started laughing. Wow, what a sweet sound. To see these kids with so little but to see joy and to hear the joy in their laughs....incredible. I could think of my mom... with her washcloth always wanting to keep us kids clean... and seeing all of these kids -- and wishing I had a washcloth and warm water to clean these kids. Even in the midst of that, they were happy and it didn't matter if their faces or hands were dirty, the kids were smiling and following us. I wish we could of stayed longer. I am still in process with all that I saw and hope there is a way to help this community with more than just food.

Horse Drawn Cart

We visited the city of Nis where Pastor Rama lives, which is the poorest Roma Community in Nis. Not only did they build their homes on part of a Jewish Cemetery, they live on the edge of town.

For this community their main mode of transportation is by foot or horse drawn carts, which they use to collect materials for recycling, which is their source of income.

How much water have you used today?

Vera, Mio's older sister, who brought him to Christ.

 Our day was impacted in a HUGE way this afternoon with Pastor Slava in Lebane. His open arms and warm spirit filled us. His family was beautiful. It was amazing to meet the lady, Vera who came to Christ first and led her whole family to the Lord. Vera is Mio's sister.

We were offered water to wash our hands, even though Pastor Slave had no running water. His family of four have to buy water for every use. Just imagine..... How much water have you used today? Also to note, no rain, no water in the rivers because they're all dried up = no available water. Wow!

We are blessed to have fellowship with the different pastors here in Serbia. The church service tonight was filled with lots of love. It was a night of sharing for the team. Faith, Lael, and Regina spoke to the people in Lebane. What a memorable time to remember the time of the shoes boxes "Family Weiss" distributed five years ago. After the service ended, we were flocked with hugs and kisses from the congregation. It was such a beautiful time of being together.

Later, the food boxes were distributed to the people. Again, very organized and everyone waited patiently for their turn. They are so THANKFUL for these items of food -- especialy for the hard winter that is coming. (Side note, the fields did not do as well for the farmers, so income from the summer months in much lower and jobs are scarce.)

Please be praying for our brothers and sisters in Lebane.