Praise the Lord who does all things well; He does exceedingly above and beyond even what we can imagine or think. Last year before our trip to Macedonia, God gave us two verses to travel with: James 5:27 and 1 John 5:14-15. In summary, these verses say that orphans hold a special place in the heart of God and that He hears us when we pray in accordance with His will. Last year was phenomenal for the team God sent to Macedonia and for the work that He allowed us to accomplish. It was a tremendous blessing for all who went and had the opportunity to serve. God touched our hearts and the hearts of the orphans and the SoulCraft members. What a wonderful blessing it was to all of us.
I am so enthusiastic about this years trip and the team that God has put together for this service project. However, as we prepare to embark on our trip to Macedonia in May, I am reminded about our preparations for the May 2011 trip to Skopje and the 25th of May orphanage. Most of us on the team last year did not know each other, yet God knit our hearts together and made us one. We laughed and cried our way from our first meetings in January 2011 until we completed the adventure in May. Beyond that, we have continued to maintain our friendships and re-live the accomplishments of our purpose-filled trip from last year. God did a marvelous work.
Our goal again this year will be to minister the love of Christ to those who have been cast aside by life. Last year, the young men and boys, and the staff at the 25th of May responded to the love that was shown to them; they were openly very emotional as we departed. So it was very easy to accept the commission to go again this year in His name.
This year, at this time, we pray to You Father, in Jesus name, that You would grant us wisdom in all that we do in preparation for the May 2012 trip, and that You would fill us with Your love for the young people at the 25th of May orphanage. Father, we don't know all that has transpired in the lives of the young people at the orphanage, but you do; give us insight into their lives and hearts, and let us connect with them in a real and positive way. Give us ears to hear what the Spirit says to us about them and ourselves. We know this year that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6). We pray that You would confound the schemes of the enemy and give us favor with the orphanage administration and all the people of Skopje that we encounter.
I pray also that this will be a period in all of our lives where we encounter and experience the wonderful love of our Savior in a very personal way. He says in Psalm 23 that "He is our Shepherd and that we shall not want; He makes us to lie down in green pastures and He leads us beside quiet waters; He restores our souls." Let us all look to the Shepherd of our souls for comfort and peace and wisdom in all that we do in His name. God bless you all as we go in His name.
Stevo
