Just a passing thought...

I’d been finding it considerably harder than I did last year to adjusting and finding my ‘place’ in this country, community and church. Initially I thought it was because last year I had an end in sight – a time when I knew I had to return to Northern Ireland, and I knew exactly why I was returning and what my future held. But I have realised now that it was more than that… I’d been trying to compare Kosova to Northern Ireland, and I was trying to find the Northern Irish equivalent to everything I did and everywhere I went that was Kosovar. It finally dawned on me though, that I didn’t fall in love with Kosova because it was comparable to Northern Ireland... I fell in love with Kosova because it was, and still is, like nowhere else in the world for me. On an almost daily basis I find myself presented with the chance to say, “only in Kosova...” I love being here for the things that make it unique, and realising that has made my transition feel a lot smoother, and has made Kosova feel a lot more like the home I had remembered.

Psalm 29 v 11, “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.”

God is not a man sitting on a cloud..

Strange as the title of this post may be, it's something that I have found myself re-discovering and rejoicing in this past week. For those of you who have heard of Gungor, formerly the Michael Gungor Band, you might recognise those words, taken from one of their songs...the song which has made it's way to my most played list this week.

The words of it have been an encouragement for me. I am so very thankful that God is not a man, but He is good, and just, and strong, and bigger than the problems I have encountered and will encounter in the weeks.. months.. years that lie ahead. Amazing, right?

So, I had planned on blogging weekly, but that doesn't seem to be working out too well so far. But I do have great news... I HAVE MY OWN APARTMENT! Major blessing. The wonderful Selim and Edona sorted most everything out for me, all I had to do was turn up to sign the lease..and better yet, I'll be living in the same building as them (major major blessing).. and even better yet, it's less than a minute away from the church. I haven't timed it but I think it's about 47seconds away. Major major major blessing. God is so good.

I also finally made it to Suhareka to spend time with the people and the church there. We had a great time of prayer and fellowship on Friday night at the Witmer's, and I would ask that (if you are prayerfully inclined) you would remember the church there in prayer, that God would guide them, bless them, and raise up great leaders. Tomorrow Pastor Imir and his wife, Janette, will arrive back in Kosova after 4(ish) months away in America. Pray for travelling mercies for them as they return with their new born baby, Gabriel, as he comes home for the first time. It will be amazing to have them back, as they have been greatly missed here. We also have District Assembly on Friday and Saturday in Albania.. it should be a wonderful time as believers across the district come together... prayer for this would also be appreciated.

Prayer requests:
- Suhareka Church
- Imir, Janette and Gabriel's arrival
- District Assembly
- Unity within both Suhareka and Prishtina Church
- Shtime, an area of Kosova with no known Christian influence/organisation


Philippians 4 v 13 'I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.'

God is good :)

"The road is narrow that leads to true life..."

Where to begin...? I guess letting you all know I've arrived safely in Kosovë would be a good place to start. Although, getting here was somewhat eventful. I first went to the Eurasia Conference in Turkey and then travelled onto Kosovë from there. I had an amazing time in Turkey... the fellowship, the friendships, the real sense of God's presence and chance to hear about the amazing things God has been doing in the lives of people all across the Eurasia region. I couldn't have asked for a better few days before going on to start my time here, serving God.

The journey from Turkey to Kosovë had its moments of stress, one of those being when I had my passport taken from ten minutes before boarding, all the while having not yet checked in myself or my bags... I've realised that if I call these types of situations 'learning experiences' they seem a lot easier to work through. Nevertheless, I made it in one piece with all of my luggage in tact and my passport in hand.

Now is when the real challenge begins. As I search for a home, make friends, find my routine, pray with my team, work with the Kosovars to establish ministries...in all these things there will be challenges, but so long as God is the focus point, the challenges I face will simply become 'learning experiences' upon which I can grow.

Matthew 7 vs 14 says "But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road" (NCV). Please join with me in prayer for Kosovë that we would see as many people as possible find their way along this narrow road, and that they would experience true life.

Prayer requests:
- that I would find a home asap
- that friendships would come easy, so that evangelism can follow
- that the ministries in the church would flourish
- for the church in Suharekë, where my fellow volunteers John&Katie Witmer are serving
- that we would truly seek God in the all night prayer meeting being held in Prishtinë church this Friday (28th October)

Thank you :)