joy inexpressible

Today was the kind of day that you remember for the rest of your life. We had great breakfast with the team, drove and walked around downtown where I had a wonderful conversation with one of the team members named Becca who shared her calling and passions, waded in a cool, sparkling river-deep and rushing and got to delight in the Creator of this spot. Then we drove past the Roma camp, a slum, and my heart just ignited for slum ministry and Gods heart for them. I heard the words of Isaiah "I have appointed you to bring good news to the poor, to set the captives free." The scripture that Jesus read then sat down and simply said, today this scripture is fulfilled. And knowing that I am one with him and God calls me to bring them their Savior just as he called Christ. I began to get clarity and learn and see my own heart, my unique gifting, foretastes of the Lords plan for my life. We got to go to the "Niagara FAlls" of Montenegro (seriously thats what the sign calls it and everything. They have a hawaii here too.) which was basically this stunning gorge that had deep, aqua blue water down at the very bottom and me and one of the team members were able to do a little climbing around the gorge which just brought me such delight (I love rock climbing and NEVER would have dreamed of doing some in Montenegro in one of the most beautiful spots I have ever been), went back to Vladimir and Marianna's house for a fantastic lunch of stuffed peppers and really sweet hour of rest in which I dwelt deeply in Psalm 119 then headed to the church. At the church we had an hour of worship that was indescribable and filled with the spirit in really incredible ways-being able to really pray over the city and the country, worshipping really freely, being able to pray over and with Caroline, just glorifying God. Burning white hot with a passion for Him and his glory in the midst of a city where he is almost entirely unknown and not worshipped. Not wanting that time to end and realizing that ultimately it will not end. that followers of Christ will spend forever worshipping him. After that we were able to meet the small community that makes up a large portion of the Montenegrin church-about 12-15 people. And they are incredible-such a reminder of the first churches in the new testament. A little group that loves the Lord and has surrendered their life to him. Women praying for their sons and daughters to know God. People being missional in their workplaces. A 15 year old girl named Sara who I have already come to adore sharing her fear about persecution in her high school (as she is probably the only christian in the entire school) God really pouring his favor on Caroline and I as we spoke scripture to her, prayed for her, and grew to love her the way God does. Seeing the humility and the boldness and the excitement of this church. Realizing that the chance to meet new christians is extremely rare because there are so few in the country. Humbled by the fact that these women listened so well to us and were so thankful to have us. Then finishing the evening with a wonderful dinner in a lovely downtown restaurant, having gelato, seeing the city nightlight, having another heart to heart with Caroline on the porch and seeing what a small view I had of the depth of friendship and christian community by our closeness and true oneness in this. And now writing to a group of people I love dearly. What a day. Filled with the Word, with passionate prayer, with an evident Spirit dwelling in me. Seeing the bride of Christ, the church, of Montenegro. Letting him delight me with my favorite things-culture, food, nature, climbing, water...Giving Him everything. Inexpressible joy. All my love. Set your hope on the only One worthy of it. You were made for this. You were made for Him.