2 Part Update: Our Takeaways

Welcome to our first two-part Newsletter!

Jeremiah and I had very different take always from our last month, so we each want to share what God has been teaching us.

                       -------------------------------Anna-------------------------------------

The phrase “abide or die “ has been on repeat in my mind for the last few weeks. Through different situations that have come up- deaths and family crisis in the US, to conversations with colleagues and leaders in our new church- a common theme has been “abide or die”.

This was a phrase that we heard frequently in our training. It comes from John chapter 15 when Jesus reminds his disciples that they can do nothing outside of Him. The same is absolutely true for Christ followers today, and must be an anthem for Kingdom workers.

On Mother’s Day weekend, I spent about 72 hours in bed. I woke up from a much needed nap with a high fever, which was quickly followed by a sore throat and the inability to swallow without severe pain. Unfortunately, I immediately knew I had my yearly strep throat that seemed to be paired with extreme tonsillitis. The difference this time, was that I could not receive the medical care I needed. Although a neighbor offered to take me to the emergency room that Sunday morning, they told her that there wasn’t much they could do for me as the lab is not open on Sundays and I hadn’t had all of my symptoms for over 48 hours. I knew I needed an antibiotic, but I would have to wait an extra 24 hours before attempting to see a doctor.

Small moments of weakness like this can become big moments of weakness if we are not abiding in Christ. The enemy can use these moments to amplify the feeling of hopelessness, weakness, and uncertainty. As I laid in bed hoping that sleep would help me escape pain, I was tempted to hate my new culture and the calling God has placed on my life.

But…God’s love is steadfast, as I wrote about last month. He was quick to comfort me and remind me of His provision. He placed a sweet neighbor in my life who took me to the doctor and helped me get the care I needed. He placed a praise on my heart that His “grace abounds in deepest waters”. Daily, He is leading me towards people and conversations that remind me of His love for the lost and the urgency of the gospel.

As we face challenges big and small; physical, emotional, and spiritual; as a new language feels impossible to learn, Jesus promises:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”
John 15:4-6 ESV

                            ----------------------------Jeremiah--------------------------------

Hey yall, its Jeremiah. This month has been quite an experience for Anna and I, between learning/using more and more language, exploring our city/coastline, sickness, and meetings galore. In the midst of all that, I had this terrible feeling of uselessness. It seemed that all I did every day was wait on direction and purpose. I may have used the phrase "running in a hamster wheel" almost a million times. However, I was reminded recently that waiting isn't always a bad thing. While reading the ending of the gospel of John, we see Jesus reveal himself multiple times to the disciples. On the third time, the disciples are waiting at the Sea of Tiberias for Jesus to show up, and as they waited, they went fishing. To their surprise, they caught nothing, that is until Jesus calls out and gives them direction. In that moment, the disciples haul in a great catch and realize that only Jesus could have done something so miraculous. Did they want to wait so long to catch these fish? Definitely not, but the Lord used this to show his power and authority.
A devotional I have been studying says it like this. "Waiting for Jesus was not just a problem for the disciples. It is a problem for all of us. We have great plans for how God will use us. We need to wait on Him. Wait for His plan and timing. Wait… When He comes, then there is fruitfulness."
For Anna and I, we were waiting, but the Lord has recently revealed our current purpose and direction here in Croatia. Just in this last week we have seen God move in incredible ways with some locals, and we are beyond excited to see what comes next in these peoples lives!