Before I left Serbia I had the chance to talk with thirty-some college students from Samuil’s ministry about money and the state of the economy. Their questions naturally went to the state of the economy and when I thought the world would emerge from this global economic crisis.

I had to apologize.

What we allowed people to do in our nation, in the name of preserving prosperity, was wrong. And unfortunately, the United States citizens are not the only ones suffering for our irresponsibility with money.

You can see it in their eyes.

Hurt. Pain. Asking themselves why one of the richest nations in the world put their emerging economy on the line (along with others) just to keep a few investors happy.

I apologize Serbia. I apologize on my nations behalf to the rest of the world. My hope and prayer is that the financial responsibility of our leaders will increase to match that of the spirit of greatness with which the US was founded.
[caption id="attachment_42" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Downtown Novi Sad, Serbia"][/caption]

I first met Samuil Petrovski, the Serbian, in a hotel in Jerusalem. I immediately liked him. He had this contagious, effervescent smile and way of carrying himself that was both encouraging to your heart and a call to action all at the same time.

After introducing me to one of his Palestinian friends (The Balkan states have a lot in common with the Jews and the Palestinians), we went around on a tour of Bethlehem. The group of nine of us carried representatives from 8 countries with the one connection being Samuil. When we parted we both made promises of one day visiting each others countries. I had the chance to fulfill that promise on this trip.

In both Belgrade (the capital) and Novi Sad, Andy, Alex and I hosted meetings with many of the key evangelical leaders of the nation.

Samuil and I were both pretty excited to see what the Lord will do here.
[caption id="attachment_45" align="aligncenter" width="604" caption="Samuil Petrovski and family"][/caption]