Oh! The Places You'll Go!!!

A week ago I got up early, met two of my teammates, caught a taxi to the train station and boarded a train for the first time since I was like 5! We were headed to Mostar, BiH (like a 3 hour train ride). As I was walking to board the train I had a moment where I thought, "I'm about to get on a train...traveling through BiH...with a guy from Chile, and a guy from Costa Rica." And then Dr. Seuss' poem "Oh! The Places You'll Go" started reciting through my head.

Since this journey began I've seen some incredible sights and met some incredible people. This week didn't fail to dissappoint in either of those categories.

FYI: If you EVER get the chance to come to Bosnia, Mostar is a city you need to see! IT is B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L!!!

One of the first nights we went for coffee (big surprise!) and I commented as we were walking back, "It looks like a fairy-tale". The sun was almost gone, there was a little purple coloring in the sky, the lights were on in the stone buildings in old town, and we were looking over the bridge. One of the other American girls with me said, "I know it's like you'd expect a guy on a white horse to come riding up." (Sorry to say, no prince charming on a white horse...BUT I did see some pretty sights and lots of goats if that counts for anything!)

I went to Mostar to go to "school". We started on Monday and went until Friday. The class was on Isaiah, which is a book I LOVE! So, I was more than happy to take a week, see some new sights, learn some new things, and meet some new people.

I was able to meet some believers from all over the world (this has become a regular occurrence since coming overseas), and I enjoyed some good "down-time" with them. I have been through almost 8 years of education studying the scriptures, learning methodologies, theories, doctrines, etc. All of that has been good, but the thing that impressed me about being here was the different insights from the different cultures.

I will be the first to say I'm very thankful for the education I've received. I've studied under some AMAZING people who love the Lord and walk with Him daily. The thing I've lacked though is that it's all been from an "American" perspecitive. It's not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's just a "piece" of the puzzle. To be able to study with and hear the observations from people from other cultures and countries was SO encouraging, and in some ways challenging for my thought process.

On top of getting to study with these amazing people, I also got to know some of them and their stories. It was such a time of encouragement to hear where people have come from and how they got to BiH. I was able to meet a local believer and talk with him about what they Lord is doing in his life and how He is growing him up in the Word. This encouraged my heart to see how our sweet Savior is raising up locals here for leadership and to share the Good News with others.

I was also able to rest some. I love the city I'm in, but I will be the first to admit that language learning can be draining! It takes a lot of brain cells and constant thinking to say things and to translate them in my head (I've always admired people who are bi-lingual, but now even moreso!) So, to have the week to still use language but have a break from classes was nice. Mostar is such a peaceful place, and I was able to relax a little and just enjoy the amazing views.

If you would have asked me even 6 months ago where Mostar was, I wouldn't have been able to tell you. But I'm so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to see this beautiful city, meet the people there, and have some rest in such a peaceful place. Oh! The places He's allowed me to go...It's been such an incredible adventure so far...I can't wait to see what (and where) else He has planned!