So when you introduce yourself to someone today will you think twice about it? On Sunday we had the amazing blessing to meet a Kosovo family that is living in Graz. When we first arrived to their apartment we were greeted by this smiling woman who was so excited to see us... little did she probably realize we were so much more excited and honored to be meeting her! She told us her husband and little one were still at church and that she had stayed home that morning to prepare for us to come.
As we sat and talked with her she told us how sad she was because she wanted so much more, but that Austria would not allow her to work in the field she loves - nursing. She said back in her country her husband and her were very active, but now they didn't have much opportunity to use their skills. Though she was sad, she quickly reminded herself that she also knows that God has a plan for her and she needs to be patient. Ultimately her faith will carry her through this time, but she will also be challenged because she knows God has given her skills she could use but why aren't they being used right now? So please keep her in your prayers!
About the time she finished telling us her story her husband and son came home... for a short time we greeted each other, but then the real conversations came over a meal. In America we are fast to eat and even faster to move on to the next thing on our list... but on this Sunday it was nice to just sit and relax, but also the time was a great lesson for us to sit for hours around the kitchen table just talking, laughing, sharing stories, and learning from each other. What an awesome gift God gave us to stop in the moment of the day and to learn from each other...
In the stories that were shared the husband mentioned that he changed his birth name... of course we wanted to know why and he said it was a sign of his new life. When he started to learn more about God by reading more of the bible he realized he was not only spiritually changing, but physically and emotionally too. In a sense he was being re-born himself and he wanted a new name to represent the new person he is . He is very proud of his family, and he wants to use the gifts and skills God has graced him with to make a difference in Kosovo.
We were told that only 5% of the people are Christians there, so the husband is using his gift of words and writing to spread the good news to the rest of the 95%. Actually his words challenge the Muslim beliefs so you can imagine that his life is potentially in danger too. But that won't stop him from spreading the truth... and that is what he kept reminding us - the truth must be shared, only the truth. So we ask all of you to pray for him and pray that his strength continues, and he can continue to spread the truth. Please also pray for safety for their family.
They also have a very cute little 2 year old and we ask that you pray for him as he grows up. We thank you so much for praying for this family... out of respect (and safety) for the family I didn't post their names and I won't post a picture, but when we get back in to the US you can just ask us about them and we'd love to share more about their story.
Serving Him Joyfully,
Jeni, Dave and Kathy
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