Mike returned to Bulgaria, Macedonia and Kosova - where his passion for both the churches where he has preached and taught and supplied many PA and music systems, and for the youth of those churches, many of whom have attended youth camps organised by him over the years. Returning from one such camp, Mike reports:
The camp was held in one of the few Serbian enclaves remaining in Kosova, and is protected at either end by Finnish and German soldiers who are part of the huge international force endeavouring to keep the peace. Just over 100 young people came from all over Kosova, more than in 2005, when a number of parents were unhappy to allow their children to stay in the Serbian run hotel in a Serbian area of Kosova.
One of the things that thrilled me this year was seeing the young people expressing their love for God during the very recious times of worship. many of these your people pay a heavy price for following Jesus. They are ridiculed and often beaten, sometimes quite severely by their father or brothers, so to see them singing 'One Way, Jesus, You're the only one that I could live for' was very moving indeed.
On the first night there were 17 responses to the message. Throughout the week on several occasions there were appeals made to deepen their walk with God and offer their lives in service to Him.
I thank God for the local pastors who organised the camp, for the various people who gave money so that the camp could go ahead, and above all I thank God for visiting us with His wonderful presence."
Story supplied by
AOG World Ministries and written by Mike Bettaney
