Susie in Serbia: To Betel and Jabuka

On Monday Marty went along for the ride as Pastor Janko took a couple of youth out to a camp at Bethel, where Susie was the week before for a UMW retreat. On the return trip they brought Branislav, who had been a worker at the children's camp, and his young son. It became our job to take Branislav and his son on home to their village of Jabuka (about a 30 minute trip from Padina), since Janko had to meet with the contractor. We learned the Serbian words for left and right, and Branislav learned the English equivalents . . . and that was about the extent of our verbal communication . . . pointing works in all languages. When we arrived in Jabuka we stopped at Pastor Lila's house and picked up her teenage daughter Miriam, who served as our translator. The next stop was Branislav's place of work, a stable/farm where he helps take care of 40 Lipizzaner horses. The doctor who owns the stable was there; he said he is very happy to have Branislav as an employee -- he is a very good Christian man. Branislav is a Roma (gypsy) and is poor financially but rich with happiness and talent! He uses his musical abilities in singing and playing the accordion at the Jabuka UMC. A few doors from the stable is his small but love-filled home, for which he was praising God as he told us the story of how he was able to acquire it. He is building a bigger house but progress is slow due to limited funds. We were so blessed by his joyful spirit.