So much has happened since I last wrote on here, but I feel like life is calming down and that I would benefit from sharing what is on my heart, even if no one reads it.  I don't know how consistent I'll be with this, but here's a start. 

Last time we sent out our general newsletter, I wrote about a friend that seemed very close to come to know the Lord.  She seems to have turned very cold toward the Lord and us since her sister passed away.  Please pray that we can continue to share the Gospel with her and her heart would be soften.  But this was very discouraging to us because it wasn't just her but her whole family (including brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews) that seem to have rejected our friendship and won't do any Bible studies with us anymore.

I personally was devastated and don't feel like I've fully recovered from it.  We have been together quite a few times since, but there is almost a visible wall between us now. 

I've struggled with wanting to give up and believing that the almost two years of Bible Studies and sharing have been in vain.  But that is our human perspective and we have to remember that God's Word does not return void and that we work first for the Lord.  And nothing is impossible for Him. 

 
Back when we were raising support we had a period of time, about 8 months, where we called people 5 days a week and had meetings and we did not move beyond 70% of our support.  Not one penny.

Then at the end of the "dry spell", God showered His abundance on us.  Meeting after meeting were encouraging and people starting promising their support.  Within another 8 months we were on the field with 95% support.  It was amazing!  

 
During that time, we always sang a little song with the kids that goes like this, "My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is follow.  Strength for today, is mine all the way, and all I need for tomorrow.  My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is follow."  Sometimes I sang this with tears streaming down my face because God just wanted me to follow, trusting Him that He knows the way through our wilderness. 

 That is how we are feeling today, that we don't know the way, how to start a church where all our efforts are met with resistance and disdain.  But the Lord reminded me this morning of the song, and reminded me that He knows the way that He will start His church here in Croata, bringing people to heart transformation through His Good News. 

All we have to do is follow.