If I mention the country Serbia, what picture comes to mind? What do you know or remember about Serbia? To be honest with you, I do not know much about this country that used to be Yugoslavia and was torn apart by a bloody civil war. Yet, it is right there, in the middle of Europe.
Although news media may have painted a negative picture of Serbia, we are not afraid to stand up for them and we have started a project with our organisation Traveling Light, because time moves on and we must look ahead. A new generation is being raised up, a generation that wants a positive future and is desperate for God. Yes, new believers are added to the number of Christians every day. Sometimes they come to Jesus from a life of drugs and alcohol abuse. That is why 12 years ago Sasa and Svetlana Ivanovic started a rehabilitation home for people with life controlling habits, all under the flag of Teen Challenge in Southern California, where we were members of the Advisory Board in Ventura. This is so much more than getting people off of drugs, it is basically a discipleship program that forever changes men and women once they have an encounter with the living God.
Up till now most of their support came from faithful supporters in the USA, but we believe there is a shift taking place. It is time for Europe to step up and take responsibility for their own projects and initiatives. We, as Traveling Light, are taking humble steps by planting seeds of hope in as many countries as we can. We are in URGENT need of help for Serbia, please check our weblog! We believe a person, a family, a street, a town, a country... yes, all nations will be changed by the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Teen Challenge has certainly grown from it's humble beginnings. I've followed its progress from David Wilkerson's first visit to New York to the present.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news about the new Serbian Teen Challenge. I actually know someone, who fled from that country years ago.
New centers are popping up everywhere Susan, which in a way means there is more addiction than ever, but also: there's more people coming to Jesus than ever!
ReplyDeleteI support teen challenge locally. thank you for your example of helping others.
ReplyDeleteSuper! I know they fundraise in front of local stores, well, they do in California!
DeleteThank you for reminding us of this need, Marja. I will be praying!
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