As I was spending time alone with God, He really just spoke to me through the this week, "Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say." Exodus 4:12 It has reassured me that God is never going to leave me and on top of it all He will be the one giving me the words to say. I should never worry about what others think, because when God provides the time, he will also give me wisdom in what to say. This week I have been able to share what God means to me with some people here. I try to explain that He is the one who comforts, strengthens, and loves me so much and I want other people to feel that same love that God has filled my life with. It's been such an encouragement to see God touching my life and the friends I have made here! He is so good!!

I have really enjoyed my weekend. It was so much fun and I got to see many different things here in Serbia. Saturday morning Mirela, Dragana, and Jovana took us on a road trip and we had an absolutely wonderful time! The first thing we did after our two hour bus ride was climb up this hill that was very steep to the Wooden Village at the top. Coming down was more difficult than the hike up and next time I will not wear flip flops. However, Dragana did teach us a trick on coming down - walk down sideways - and it worked.

My class last Friday. We have a break this week and they all talked about how much they will miss it. I know I'm going to miss spending time with them too. They are so nice and teach me as much Serbian as I teach them English. It's been fun.

One of the many pictures from our train ride. I think it was a little over two hours. We went through many tunnels and all throughout the mountains. I just loved seeing the beautiful countryside of Serbia. It was gorgeous!

Sunday morning at the "Funny Boat Race" in Kraljevo. It was nothing that I expected it to be, but I'm glad I went for the experience and really enjoyed my time there. To sum up the event in a few words, it would be a party on the river with thousands of people just having a good time.

Yes, it was cold at the start of our day Sunday.

Snezana, me, Katarina, and Mirela waiting for the rafts to come down the river. We would ride the bus ahead of the rafts, then wait to watch come by.

There were all sorts of rafts. On this one, they were roasting a pig.

Today, Nemanja wanted a picture us together. He wanted all to know back home that I'll be better when I get back. My hand is so much better, but I still have to work it a lot and some days are more painful than others. I have seven more days of therapy; then I'll be on my own.

just a few new pics

Dragana teaching us how to cook a Serbian dish. It was very good!

My favorite place at the river to spend time alone with God.

These are my teammates: Jacob, Me, Shelly, and Damian

Morning English Club :)

Ratko, Gordana, Jennifer, Me, Shelly

My physical therapist, Nemanja, has even started coming to English Club.

These are just a few more pics. I know everyone enjoys seeing them. The past few days have gone well!

Tori

Overwhelmed & Refreshed

Yesterday was a real struggle for me. I felt overwhemled everywhere, but last night God renewed my spirit and I'm ready today with God by my side!! I went to "physical therapy" for my first time yesterday, and I'll have to continue for ten days. This time I wasn't as nervous about going to the hospital. I think partially because I'd been Friday and seen what it was like. Dragana went with me again, along with Becky and Shelly. We all went in the room together. Dragana sat by me, Becky and Shelly stood to the side. The physical therapist was so kind and I truly couldn't have asked God to provide a better one for me. He worked my hand gently, even though it did hurt- well physical therapy's not suppose to feel good. Like I said, he was so sweet and told me that it would have to hurt to get better and that he would have it better by the time I go back to America. The really amazing part was the doors it opened for the English Club. Nemanja, the physical therapist, was asking why I was here, did I like it in Serbia, and so forth (the usual questions that everyone asks). As Dragana was explaining it all to him, the next thing I know there were doctors and nurses just coming in wondering about everything. Probably having all of three of us Americans in there brought some curiosity too. When everyone started coming in asking questions and talking in Serbian is when I became a little uncomfortable. I felt to be the center of attention and didn't have a clue on what anyone was saying. I was just overwhelmed. Nemanja worked with my hand for about thirty minutes. Then he took me into this room with like this heating machine. I can't really explain it, but I'll have to tell y'all about it later. It was an awkward experience in itself. While we were in there, some more people asked Dragana about the English Club too. It was funny, because Dragana said the whole hospital will be there tonight...
And guess what my physical therapist and two other nurses came and one even brought her son last night to English Club! Wow! at the ways of ministering to others through my hurt hand. God knew what he was doing all along! But it's not all it seems- because once again, inside I was hurting and feeling overwhelmed. Along with the three nurses, I had five other new students to come to my class. People kept coming in and I don't think we could have tried to fit in another chair. I really had no where to move. I had a total of thirteen students. It was very crowded, and like you know there is no AC in most places- we just open the windows, so it was extremely hot. Being the introvert that I am, I really just wanted to leave. It was amazing to see how God had brought so many people to the English Club, but I was just like why are they all in my class? I really struggled teaching last night, but I still think everyone enjoyed it.
After English Club I was just wanting to talk to Mama and cry. And that's what I did. I went over to Julie and Karl's and called her. It's always comforting to talk to my mama and I just prayed that I would just have a peace about everything and for God to wrap me up in his arms. May I say he did just that! On my way home, my spirit was just refreshed and felt God's presence around me.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!
Tori

What A Wonderful Week!

This is probably one of my favorite places in Cacak- the river! It's a beautiful view all around and a great place to walk.

This morning at the hospital with Dragana (for my hand). I don't know how I could've done it without her and Becky! They truly comforted me, because I was quiet nervous this morning going to a foreign hospital. May I say God opened my eyes to a whole new perspective and it was an experience that I'll never forget. We are so blessed to have the healthcare that we have in the U.S. and take so much for granted.

The Intermediate English Class
(Bozdar, Deyan, Shelly-the teacher, Dragana, Marko, Velizar)

The Beginner Class
(Renata, Tanja, Me- the teacher, Snezana, Nebojsha, Maya, Ratko, Deucia, Mira)

I know- kinda of strange, but let me say the food here is amazing!!! This was the leftovers and so far this has been my favorite place to eat. It was even traditional Serbian food. Yummy!

~

It's already Friday night? I can't believe it. This week has been absolutely AMAZING... God has been with me every moment of the day and has blessed me indeed! First of all, I want to say that I have absolutely fell in love with teaching English here in Cacak. I have really enjoyed this week. Tonight at the end of class, they gave me this huge candy bar and told me that they love me as their teacher. It just topped off my wonderful week and was God's way of showing the influence that I have in their lives.

Our God is so good!
Tori

Thank You

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ.." (Phil. 1:3-5) I couldn't explain the way I feel about y'all any better than what Paul states in Philippians. I was struggling last time I posted and as I look back over the last few days, I see the way God has answered all those who are(and I know are continuing to) praying for me. Thank you so much!!
Teaching this week has been awesome! The students have been enjoying class and come back each day. It really makes me happy to see them so eager to learn English and already I'm getting to know some of them closer and build realtionships. In the morning, I only have two people, Ratko and Snezana, to come; however, I absolutely love working with them. As I teach them, they also work with me and teach me some Serbian. So I've made some progress this week and not afraid to use the words I know. It would be great for you lift both of them up in prayer this week. Ratko is at the crossroads of having a personal relationship with Jesus, but struggling with a few things. Snezana just started coming to the English Club for the first time this summer and I hope to build a freindship with her. I know it's already starting :) She's so sweet! The night class that I teach is the same as the morning and more people come to it. This week I've had around seven- oh and Ratko and Snezana come to both. They're so eager to learn. - It's been wonderful working with them too. It's totally different teaching adults, but just the week I've come to enjoy it. Thank-you God!! I finish class each day with so much joy! It's truly been an answer to prayer. ~ Vidimo se kasnije. (see you later)

For His Glory!!!
Tori

The First Few Days...

(It's so good that I know how to add pictures now. Thank-you so much Jennifer!) (1) The view from our apt window. We're up five stories and the mountains are very beautiful. (2) Cacak's football team, Angel Warriors; we got to watch them play Sunday afternoon. (3) Just a horse and buggy that I saw on the way to the English Club yesterday morning. (4) Visit at Dragana's house ~ Dragana, Mirela, Dragana's mother, and me. (5) Becky and the girls in the dance class.
I'm so glad that I'll be able to share pictures with y'all now. Please be sure to check out Tim and Jennifer's blog, too. They've been here since October 2006.

First of all, I would like to ask especially for your prayers right now. Last night and today's been a spiritual struggle along with adjusting/fitting in with their social culture. This week we've had "orientation" each morning at the English Club, just telling us about each part of the team (sports, English Club, servanthood). Monday everybody gave their testimonies about how they came to Serbia. It was really awesome to see how God works in each other lives and led us all to the same place to serve Him. Shelly and I have been working on preparing lessons for English Club every afternoon. Next week will be the start of the summer classes and I'll start off teaching beginners all by myself, so yet again another prayer request. I'm a little nervous, because they'll be adults as well. Tuesday, we had Serbian lesson with Mirela and no I haven't quiet got any of it down yet. Yesterday, was our first "full" day. We were busy. After orientation, Karl, Jacob and Damian cut grass while me and Shelly picked up the grass. It was at our apt building, and we had a good time getting to know our landlord and his son, Marco. Dragana invited Becky, Jennifer, Shelly and me over to her house yesterday afternoon- Samantha even came too. Dragana's family is so sweet and reminded me a lot of home with all her family around. When we left Dragana's, Becky took us to a friend of hers dance studio and we were able to watch the girls practice for the performance on Saturday. Then we went to Mirela's and spent the rest of our night there, before heading back to our apt. Mirela wants us to feel at home when we're at her house and is just so friendly too. Today we past out fliers for the English Club in the Center and that's about all.
It takes awhile for me to type all this and I never have a lot of extra time, so I'll have more stories to share when I get home than I could ever post here. Just look forward to them- God is definately at work here in Cacak!
I love y'all and miss you too!!
Tori

Zdravo

I made it to Serbia! Getting here was a little difficult. I was delayed in Birmingham before I ever left. So my tickets were rearranged. I wasn't able to meet my team in Munich. In the Frankfurt airport I had trouble getting my boarding pass, but God sent "an angel" my way. A nice German man helped me after his shift was over to go through security and get my ticket quicker. I was able to get my boarding pass and made the flight on time. However, after we boarded the plane we sat there for an hour and a half because too many planes needed to depart. I made it to Belgrade about 6:00 and met up with my team.

Sunday we ate lunch at the Sharpe's, went grocery shopping, and watched a football game. The people here are very friendly and willing to help. I've enjoyed my time here so far and can't wait to see the way God will work in the lives of the Serbs.

Volim Te (Love you),
Tori

P.S. I am typing this for Tori because of her finger. Sorry for the mistakes. Just imagine her sweet voice as you read this. Becky