The one thing we noticed more than anything when we came to Croatia almost 9 years ago was the overwhelming demonic influence we felt. Never before had I actually felt such a strong feeling of pressure.
We know that Croatia is at the moment in the grasp of the Devil. He wants more than anything to keep these precious people under his thumb and keep them in bondage to false religion. That's why he has fought so hard to keep missionaries out of Croatia and with great success.
For the last 9 years we have been in Croatia alone, except for the few times that people came to Croatia as missionaries only to quickly leave again. We have done our very best to "hold-on", to remember that we are in a spiritual battle but sometimes it gets hard. Sometimes we get tired of fighting the devil.
Lately the devil has seemingly been working overtime to derail us. Not only as missionaries here in Croatia but also as a family. He gets his ugly head in where ever he can and uses all the tricks he knows. How hard it is to hear our children tell us how lonely they are, or to know that they will never experience the things others will. Sometimes we get so tired and feel like quitting but then we remember that there are 4.5 million souls in Croatia, 4.5 million that deserve to at least hear the Gospel just once. 4.5 million people who are worth the fight.
I haven't had much time lately for the computer or life for that matter. The devil has kept me busy feeling sorry for myself and my kids. He has caused us to all fall into despair until today. God did something to wake us all up and we are so thankful that He did. We give Him all the glory and are so blessed to be used by Him to do even the smallest job.
He's so good!!!
We know that Croatia is at the moment in the grasp of the Devil. He wants more than anything to keep these precious people under his thumb and keep them in bondage to false religion. That's why he has fought so hard to keep missionaries out of Croatia and with great success.
For the last 9 years we have been in Croatia alone, except for the few times that people came to Croatia as missionaries only to quickly leave again. We have done our very best to "hold-on", to remember that we are in a spiritual battle but sometimes it gets hard. Sometimes we get tired of fighting the devil.
Lately the devil has seemingly been working overtime to derail us. Not only as missionaries here in Croatia but also as a family. He gets his ugly head in where ever he can and uses all the tricks he knows. How hard it is to hear our children tell us how lonely they are, or to know that they will never experience the things others will. Sometimes we get so tired and feel like quitting but then we remember that there are 4.5 million souls in Croatia, 4.5 million that deserve to at least hear the Gospel just once. 4.5 million people who are worth the fight.
I haven't had much time lately for the computer or life for that matter. The devil has kept me busy feeling sorry for myself and my kids. He has caused us to all fall into despair until today. God did something to wake us all up and we are so thankful that He did. We give Him all the glory and are so blessed to be used by Him to do even the smallest job.
He's so good!!!
Tori, Been there recently myself. Just keep on keepin' on and God works it out - ALWAYS. You didn't mention what happened to shake you out of it but Praise the Lord it worked. I feel for you and pray for you often. I am in the states and now back where we are from, and I still get lonely. It just seems to come with ministry life. You can only let people get so close. You must be on guard so much that it is hard to have real friends with those in your church.To avoid jealousy or gossip or judgement. There is a fine line. That is why I have enjoyed meeting my new online friends - to relate to each other and what we are going through. My kids have had times in the past where they don't have friends their own age and struggle with only being with my husband and I. My daughter gets homesick in OK City and loves to come home but when she does, she has no one here to hang out with. There is no one her age at church (we are only 20 months old) and so it has made her and my son, John closer. But I feel for her. John does have a couple of friends in the church and the area his own age but misses the closeness he once had with his youth group in AR and having a youth pastor to turn to.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Tori. My kids are lonely for friends also. I feel so guilty about it at times. I know God has a plan for us, and His plan is the best, though I don't understand it!
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you!
Praying for you and your family.
ReplyDelete~Amy
I will keep you in my prayers. May God send His angels to help and guide and protect you. God bless you for what you are doing.
ReplyDelete(((Tori))) while never being a missionary, we have moved 3000 miles away from family and friends. Sometimes I have pity parties too. The Lord will bless your faithfulness.
ReplyDeleteGod is good. You know your doing something right when everything seems to go wrong :)
ReplyDeleteDear Lord, I pray a brick wall of protection around this awesome family. Lord, help them to constantly focus on you and not what is around them, help them to remember that they can do all thing through you who strengthen them. Lord you are their sheild, their fortress. I pray that Satan will just take his jont to hell where he belongs and that you will be the extreme focus the people see in this family. Amen. God bless you and I will keep praying for you. From one sister to another. Love from Tanya
ReplyDeleteBless you, Tori! I'm praying for you!
ReplyDeleteCertainly anytime we try to serve the Lord, the devil will attack.
ReplyDeletePraying more fervently for you,
your husband, your children, and the ministry
you have been given there.
Praise the Lord that He encouraged you all.
He knows just what we need.
~ Christina
"Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour
is not in vain in the Lord."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:58
Hey Tori,
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you all and trying to get there as fast as we can. We are praying about August or September. Lately we have been feeling the same way: feeling like we're missing out, out of the loop at our church, feeling sorry for our kids outgrowing their space, and wondering if we will ever get to Croatia. We came to realize that even if we stayed here, we would have nothing- no house, no job. All we can do is press on and pray that these churches will SEE the need.
Oh Tori, I'm praying for you.
ReplyDelete((Big Texas Hugs)) Theresa
I'll be remembering you and all your family in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHey Tori, I was just thinking about you. I hope you had a good day. I've been praying for you! You guys are a wonderful example of faithfulness. Take care!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Valerie
Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog today! I sure will enter you into the giveaway. I'll be drawing Sunday night. Stop back by anytime!
ReplyDeleteTori,
ReplyDeleteYou and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers...I know that before too long my husband and I will be facing similar difficulties and I definitely want the prayers of family and friends. Take care!
Grace
I believe the devil is working overtime on all of us because he knows his time is so very short.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for the troubles your family has experienced recently. It's hard enough to deal with our troubles when we are surrounded by family and friends here. I can't imagine how lonely and hard it must be for ya'll over there. Your strength is incredible, and I am inspired by it each time I visit you here.
I pray that God lifts you up and carries all of you. I know He is there with you, as you know, too. God bless you for your efforts for His kingdom. The people of Croatia are so very fortunate to have you there.
I definitely believe the Devil is hard at work in the world today! I'm glad you were able to shake it off and continue to fight the good fight! We are praying for you!
ReplyDeleteWe go through dark, lonely times, too. Sometimes it seems like the only cure is a trip home - maybe permanently!
ReplyDeleteHang in there! Let us not be weary in well doing. For in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Love you,
Tammy
It is hard to be Independent Baptist here in Croatia, because we live in hardcore Catholic country. There are many non-Catholic Christians here, but they are mostly followers of false protestant religions. There are also many Baptists but they are mostly members of liberal and ecumenical Croatian Baptist Federation. The main problem isn't in adherents of various Churches in Croatia, so many people are true Christians, but not so many are capable to recognise false doctrines of their Church leadership. The main problem is lack of real Church leadership, they are simply making so much compromises with the non-biblical teachings. But I must say that Croatia has great potentials, large majority of people are pro-Christian in essence, but they are infected with false doctrines, they are convinced that they follow true Christianity, and when You try to preach them true biblical Christianity they are sceptical, because they think that You are preaching new-age false doctrines. Also I must say that many mainline Baptists, Adventists, adherents of Pentecostal and Charismatic movement here are true Christians, but not so many of them are capable to understand false doctrines or they aren't brave enough to speak out loud about them. I accept only our Lord Jesus Christ as the head of Church and I think that Fundamental Baptists are true Christians. I don't belong to any visible Church here, because all of them are infected with false doctrines. Also I'm young, my level of education is low and my past isn't so bright, so I would feel uncomfortable in some local Church where people are full of prejudices, so all of this combined with false doctrines of local Churches make it impossible for me to join some local Church. Sometimes it's so hard for me to live here in Croatia, altough I was born here, I can't even imagine how hard it is for You and Your family.
ReplyDeleteI am praying to Lord for You and Your family.
God bless You!