If there hadn't been $35 . . . .

From a village in south Serbia:

I want to start this report with one very interesting situation. It is about evangelistic meeting we had in Zitni Potok. Since our expenses in Prokuplje and Recica were great we almost ran out of money and we were not in a situation to organize evangelistic meeting in Zitni Potok. As Christmas was approaching it was harder and harder for us because we knew that children were expecting Christmas presents. Many people even phoned and asked us about shoe boxes. We didn’t know what to say. During prayer time God gave me an idea. I was a bit afraid of it, but I anyway obeyed God’s voice. I phoned brothers from that house group, shared the idea with them and also talked to one man who doesn’t come to our house groups meetings, but supports our work. (His name is Sveta and he is also member of the School board in the village).

We decided to include Sveta in this idea. Sveta and Rade (brother from the house group) went from house to house throughout the village and asked for the freewill gift for our travel expenses. We were not sure  that this would work, but we were very much encouraged. People from the village gave gladly and willingly gave. Some gave 20, 30, 50 dinars (20 cents - 50 cents), and some gave 100 dinars ($1 - $2). Some said that they would have given more if their income had come. Some did not have any money to give. They went to about fifty Roma houses and in two days they collected almost 3.000 dinars ($35). That was what we needed for the transport for two cars. We had to transport 110 shoe boxes. Sveta offered to help us with his car and we saw again God’s hand upon us.

Since God took care for the transport, we told our brothers to tell the people in the village about the evangelistic meeting and very soon after we came, people started to come to the village hall, which Sveta also made available for us. There were about 60-90 children who came.
Even though it was cold and most of the people who came don’t come to our church and are not yet believers, we all felt the love and warmth because we all were involved in making this event happen.
We did not have enough shoe boxes for all children, but we took care that there would be not even one family without at least one or two presents. Parents understood and were thankful that again we were thinking about their children and brought presents for them.


The program consisted few songs, Christmas message and drama.
Stefan, David and Pera had main role in the drama about Roma’s life. Many women were touched by this drama for many have found themselves in it, for it shows the harsh reality of the way Roma people live.
Interesting thing is that people, even though they don’t attend the church, know our work (for example, they know that they should be silent, some close their eyes as songs were sang, etc.). It shows that with hard work, but also with personal example a lot can be accomplished and that the saying, “Preach the gospel always, use words only when you need” has a sense.

Since we established good relationship with many people in the village, after the meeting was over, some have invited us to their home for coffee and to get warm, but we were so cold that we wanted to go back, so we refused their invitation and promised that we would come next time for sure.
When this was over, those 3.000 dinars were enough for the traveling expenses for two cars. This is great testimony for us and for young people who were with us and we were very encouraged by this. At the same time, people in the village developed more positive picture about us and our church. All evangelistic meetings we do with lots of love and faith and we believe, when the fullness of time comes, God will give an answer to all this.
We believe that there are many challenges ahead, but we want to move on. Pray for us. We want to see many more coming to Christ in this village.