No this isn’t the start of some joke… we’ve been in Bar, Montenegro for about three weeks now and the way that the Lord has been moving is unlike I’ve ever seen! On Friday, after teaching English, we were invited to go on a local hike the next morning with a couple from the church that ran a hiking group as a ministry here in Bar. Mike (of Australia) and his wife Natalie (of Germany) organized a Facebook group for people who love adventures including both those from Montenegro and those visiting this beautiful country! We anticipated a smaller group, it is the offseason/winter season where we are anyway. After staying out until midnight the night before sharing the gospel with a Frenchman and a Czech friend, we caught a quick sleep and rolled out of bed a few hours later to met up to drive to our starting point with the hiking group. We showed up and people started flooding in. Person after person, nation after nation, all meeting to go on a hike. Picture this… people from; Turkey, Bosnia, USA, Canada, Russia, Serbia, Australia, Germany, Chile, Montenegro, Finland, Ukraine, Croatia, and Czech Republic all hiking a mountain together. I have never been in such a diverse group of people before and in that moment I saw just a glimpse of the beautiful promise of what Heaven will be. Together we did a quick hike up to a local castle and came back down to enjoy skipping stones in this hidden beachside with the entire group of 60 and sharing a picnic lunch. While there, I was blessed to share my testimony and the Gospel with two guys from Russia, while my friend from Ukraine listened in intently. This is truly beauty. God is revealing himself to those who are seeking after Him. Revelation 7:9 is NOT just a neat idea, it’s a promise.
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10
There is something radically shifting in Montenegro and believers here are in desperate need for more Christ followers to move here long term. Please be praying for the evangelical Church body here right now for continued strength from the Lord and for more laborers to join them in what the Lord is doing. I wish I could lay out to you in a blog the extent of what is happening here, but words do not do it justice… His kingdom in coming. This is the kingdom of heaven.
My team and I fly out of Montenegro to head to Kyrgyzstan in one week and we are so blessed with this time and the way the Lord has provided for us. Christ has been glorified and proclaimed in the sweetest of ways. We have been connected with a local evangelical church body here with such a heart after following Jesus. That means all of our friends have been or will be connected with them for their discipleship after we leave, truly a blessing for us and them all the same! Please keep us in your prayers as we transition from this place and these people.
Feel free to reach out for more ways to pray and if you would like to partner financially, let me know!
-Drew
Drew, the Lord is ministering through you, even through your blog posts. Every tribe and every tongue– what an image! So proud to be your friend, praying for you and your team
i love you drewskadoodle!
i’m proud to be your friend, truly. and proud of the ways you are letting God minister to others through you, even as God continues to refine and minister to you.
Wow. I’m so in awe of how God is moving in the nations and I’m feeling a renewed fire the last couple of days; this story added to that!
Thanks for walking in obedience and testifying about how God is transforming people of every nation with the GOOD NEWS!!
Praying for you guys!
It brings me the UTMOST Kingdom hearted JOY to see you back in your element carrying the commission to make Heaven crowded. Continually lifting you and the team up in prayers! Keep drawing near and letting Him guide your steps. It’s making an eternal difference!
I am always encouraged when I hear how God is leading and guiding your path and those of your team.
Continue to follow the Lord and spreading the Good News.
INCREDIBLE
So cool you got that glimpse of Heaven
So awesome to hear and glad God is working through you all and the host families. Praying for continued growth in Christ for all and the seekers as well. So proud of you and the team.
Thanking God for your faithfulness and your growing! Continuing prayers for you and all of the team as you grow and serve! Love you, Drew!!!