Life as a Servant

First and most importantly, we are thrilled to introduce Silas Clay Brown to you all! Silas was born on January 19 after a quick and easy delivery…praise God for that! Silas (and mama) impressed the doctors as he was a whopping 9lbs 9 oz. His sisters got to meet him a few hours after he was born and have grown more in love with him every day since then. Silas’ birth here in Croatia was a redemptive and humbling experience, but above all else, we are filled with gratitude to have him in our family and for good health for mom and baby. 

As we have navigated having a baby in a foreign country, we have been reminded of our position in Croatia and in this world. Ultimately, we are called to humble ourselves and serve those around us- just as Christ did. In this vulnerable season for our family, we have been loved and served well by our church family, but the culture around us has served as a reminder that we don’t deserve to be treated with compassion, kindness, and ultimately Christ-like love. We have been reminded that in this country, we don’t have the same rights and privileges that we have in the US, and we have a deeper compassion and conviction for our neighbors as they exist in a culture that is void of the love of Christ. 

I was sharing with a colleague that the hardest part of my birth experience was the cold and demanding demeanor of the medical staff. I was even privileged enough to deliver Silas in a private hospital that many consider to be the most ‘elite’ maternity hospital in the country. While this hospital boasts of its status and individualized care, I found that it just met the most basic standards of care that I experienced in the US. Even though I went into delivery with confidence from my previous birth experiences, I was still expected to do as I was told by the doctors and nurses. Even when my husband wasn’t allowed to join me for the early procedures and my frustration brought tears, I was met with cold facial expressions and conversation in a language I’m still learning. 

My colleague helped me put this experience into perspective. She said “ It sure makes us appreciate how the gospel has transformed our culture (American) in how they care for people with honor and respect. That’s a Jesus type of care that has impacted all aspects of culture in the US- even though we are in danger of losing it over time, just as Europe has”. Even after she shared this with me, we had another discouraging experience as we tried to register Silas’ birth with the Croatian government. I walked away defeated and deflated after an unsuccessful attempt to file the paperwork, and the Croatian brother that was with us reminded me that even in that situation I was fortunate. We were fortunate enough to not have to miss work that day, we were fortunate to have a friend willing to help us, and we were even fortunate that he had the connections we needed to return the following week and complete the paperwork.

I was feeling like a servant- I had been treated like one after all. The people around me had power over me and they were certainly using it. I didn’t understand everything being said to me, so I was sent away or my attempts to speak were ignored. But by God’s grace, the Holy Spirit used my brother and sister in Christ to show me that this was my calling and I shouldn’t react bitterly. Even in these circumstances, I had so much to be thankful for! These experiences have helped me relate to the people we are called to serve here and have a deeper understanding of what life is like for them. Before we came to Croatia we were warned, “You’re called to be a servant, so don’t be surprised when you’re treated like one”. I’m thankful for this reminder and I’m thankful for all the ways the Lord has provided for us through this experience. 

-Anna

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