Croatia 2010, Part 2

The Croatia team returned to Spain a week ago now, and today they shared about their experience in our chapel service. They gave us a glimpse of what they did there by leading some of the worship songs they sang, sharing some more of the testimonies, illustrated messages, and skits they did, and by expressing how the experience impacted them personally. One of the leaders said that although the team had prepared these things as required, some had expressed hesitation in their willingness to stand on a box and share them in the street. Upon arrival, some students shared that their initial feeling was fear, as they were in a rough area in the city where they noticed people drinking whiskey and smoking and did not believe people would be receptive.

But as the team opened up and began to share, everyone experienced God's presence in a powerful new way, and they were all inspired to share and testify as they had prepared. The evangelist said that long after he was tired and ready to go home for the day (at 10 PM, when there were few people left in the street), the students were still asking to stay out and talk to people. One example given, of many similar stories, was of 2 of our students who talked to a girl who did not believe in God. After they talked to her, she prayed to accept Christ. As she finished her prayer, she saw 3 of her friends and asked our students to share with them what they had told her. And one of those girls also accepted Christ!

Another one of the purposes, besides evangelism, that the team had, was to encourage and help build up the Croatian believers that meet at the youth center in this town. These youth were intimidated about sharing their faith and lacked boldness to tell their friends about Christ. Many of them were weak in their faith as well. But they also experienced God's presence in a powerful new way. The missionary who works at the center is very excited about the new enthusiasm he sees in these youth - who he reports are now going out on Tuesdays and Thursdays to continue to evangelize in their community.

So, please pray for all these young people who have been impacted by this experience with God - both the Croatians, and our students. May they continue to walk in faith when trials and temptations come. May they seek to grow in their understanding of the Word, and in their relationship with God. May this experience not become something like a fuzzy dream that dims over time. May the things of this world not choke out the things of God. May God give them a growing love and unity as they work together, that the church of God would extend from this city and beyond to other cities in Croatia. Thank you for your prayers - you are a part of this big thing that God has done in the lives of many young people! And as we continue to pray, we continue to battle for the souls of these young people who now must decide if they will stay the course.