When we first began our journey to launch to the field, AFM encouraged us to pick a Bible verse that we would cling to during hard times. The Bible verse we picked was Philippians 2:3-4, and I love how The Message version rephrases it:

“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
That’s what it all comes down to. While living in Croatia for the past two years, we have constantly reminded ourselves we are here for others, and yet, in the process, the Lord has been all for us. As we serve others and draw them closer to Christ, God draws closer to us. As we have pushed ourselves to the side, God has placed us front and center to continue His work through us.

What we have been doing since day one here, we continue to do two years in, and that is connecting with people. We began having worship service here once a month and felt so blessed that all our close friends showed up. Over these past two years, we have traveled overnight with four local families, and each of those families has not only shown up to both our services but has brought beverages and helped us set up and take everything down each time. These families have given us the strength to continue our mission; they have lifted our spirits and brought us joy in the sadness more times than we can count.

So again, regarding the verse, as we have been putting others before ourselves, we attract friendships that do the same. Our friends are such serving people; they are so kind and are always considering us. Some may not believe in God. Others are still figuring out their walk with Christ. But above all, we show love to them and in return, they love, support and show up for us. We arrived in Croatia thinking we would be living out this verse, and we have. Yet Christ, in return, has proven this verse true through our friends — they have, without knowing it, been amazing examples.

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