Andy Pedlow and Gary Keenan have recently spent
seven months in Serbia. On their return to Northern
Ireland we asked them what sort of things they had
been doing there.

“We basically went to Serbia to make friends with people. Serbia is not the kind of culture that would be open to assertive evangelism, so we found the most effective way of spreading God's Word was evangelism through relationships. We wanted to show God through our lives, and be a blessing to as many people as possible. 

“We also had opportunities to do many practical things as well. We found ourselves back in the classroom! As teachers this time (or should we say "teachers"?). It was amazing just how simple little things could really help people out, like just being there to provide a native English speaker for classes to talk to.

“We were able to do quite a lot with the Baptist Church of Novi Sad. Gary was able to provide a solo singing voice for songs in English, for various youth events. One amusing episode occurred when he wasn't told that the song was actually going to be in Serbian! We both took part in making a video for a huge youth conference called Septembarska with Andy acting and Gary working as camera  man and editor. We got to give our testimonies and made very good friends with a number of the youth there and encouraged them as well.

” What were the biggest challenges that faced you? 

“Definitely the language barrier, and the difficulties of being so far from home. Also a few of our friends weren't exactly what you would call open to Christianity, which made things tougher.” 

What do you miss from Serbia? 

“Our friends. The general atmosphere and craic was fantastic, and because of the situation we found ourselves in, we all became very close very quickly. We also miss a sense of independence, which obviously disappeared when we moved back home with our parents. The fun of living with each other as well. Oh! And the food was great! “The dynamic worship and strong fellowship within the church itself is also missed. I guess this comes from being in an evangelical church in a country where all bar the accepted "Orthodox" church is seen as some made cult. You really do have to take a stand for your faith, and evangelism is so much harder, but that seems to have brought all the people of the church together in one strong unit, as Christianity is supposed to.” 

What did you find a real encouragement? 

“Rob and Trish MacCurrach were always a huge encouragement to us as well as Christian and Lotta Strajnic (both Crosslinks mission partners). The Baptist church in Novi Sad was full of fantastic Christians and we loved letters and phone calls from home.” 

In what ways has it affected you personally and spiritually? 

“In Serbia we both had to mature quickly. Foreigners are treated with mistrust by some and we made a lot of non- Christian friends, so we tried to be careful in how we acted as we tried to show our faith in our lives. We learned more about our faith and how to defend it and how it should change our lifestyles.

” What can we pray for? 

“The youth in Serbia - Serbia is a land which is still hostile (among youth) to organised religion and it is finding "new age" religions very attractive. Also for the Baptist church of Novi Sad in their evangelism and CHAT camp, which is an English language teaching camp held every summer. As it is run by the Baptist Church, it's a great outlet for evangelism and the first time many of the people at that church heard the Gospel was through that camp. “Also pray for Rob and Trish and for Christian and Lotta - all Crosslinks mission partners. And that Project Timothy (a church training initiative started in Serbia) would continue to grow and flourish.

” You're both very enthusiastic about it so would you encourage others to take a year out? 

“Well a year out isn't for everyone, and it is a big step to take, but if you are seriously thinking of taking a gap year then we would wholeheartedly recommend Serbia. It's a very over-looked country when it comes to evangelism, but the people there need to hear about Christ just as much as everyone else.” 

To join a team going to Serbia in 2008 contact smcgeown[at]crosslinks.org The interview with Gary and Andy was reproduced from Irishlinks -11.  

Rob and Tricia MacCurrach add: 

We loved having Andy and Gary. They were very outgoing and ready to throw themselves into a very different culture. It was pretty daunting for them, but they soon found themselves like white water canoeists paddling too hard to have time to worry! They got to places that we never could - such as at late night parties and with a throng of young people wanting to spend time with them. What a privilege! They were a blessing by just being friends and sharing their faith in quiet ways. It will be a great start to their university lives, and they have made some valuable friendships that will continue. 

There are many grammar schools and others full of very special teenagers who would love to have English language speakers giving their time. Doors are wide open to people who are sensitive, adventurous and prayerful. We would happily receive a small team, and especially graduates who want to spend a gap year after graduation. 

We have had two visits from Sarah Leedham who works for A Rocha, a Christian conservation programme; she lectured biology students as well as trekking into the mountains with them in pursuit of flowers and butterflies. One Orthodox student, Mira Krstivojevic, was challenged about the environmental damage and litter in her own village. She and friends founded and registered a green movement. On their opening day they were surrounded by journalists and TV cameras; good news is quite unusual! And this was good news with Orthodox Christians leading it! For Mira the day was made really special by the gypsy children who joined in and afterwards said it was the most wonderful day of their lives. 

These sorts of encounters are open to anyone with gifts to bring, especially time and friendship. Alex Pennington took a two-week leave from being a marketing director in Dublin and was a great help to us at a time when life was proving testing in a spiritually tough environment. She helped with funding applications for a village project that is now up and running. She gave a lecture on advertising to management students at the university in Novi Sad, and she led a marketing workshop for Christians running their own small businesses. The presence of this prayerful friend was a huge blessing. 

To find out more about other opportunities there, contact jsayer[at]crosslinks.org 

Opinions expressed in In Depth are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent Crosslinks policy.