Meet the neighbors: Snezana
Meet Snezana,
She is a 40-something year old single lady from Serbia here in SC to work as a molecular biologist at USC across the street from us. She thoroughly enjoys eating foods that are locally/organically grown. She is very social and enjoys being around other people. We met her while walking around our community and now she and Adelaide enjoy going walking together and chit chatting together. Her parents visited for about a month over the winter holiday season and she also has a sister that we met when she first moved here. From what have experienced of her while spending time together, she grew up in the middle of the Cold War shortages that plagued Eastern Europe. The vast majority of people in Serbia are some form of Orthodox Christians (aka Eastern Orthodox).
When her parents visited we invited them to Beulah’s Christmas Eve Candle Light service (the one that Enoch would not screaming in—what a great first impression! But such is life).
Our hearts were saddened when they did not take communion. In all of our conversations about faith and religion, Snezana has expressed a curiosity about our beliefs and practices but no desire for a personal relationship with her creator. Later, they were very excited to invite us to a meal and cooked an authentic Serbian meal. Her mother does not speak English but was thrilled to be able to feed Ellette and play with both our kids. Her dad and I (Daniel) spent most of the evening talking about religion and some politics.
Their beliefs can be best described by explaining their reaction to our worship during the Christmas Eve service. They were surprised at the authenticity and earnestness of Pastors Cameron and Ken. They are used to a religion that is formal, cold, and impersonal. They are not used to seeing a religious community worshiping a personal God and fellowshipping with God’s love for one another in our hearts. Snezana was amazed that Cameron came up to her and held a “get to know you” conversation.
We are hoping to capitalize on this! It has been our prayer and strongest attempts to show her the personal side of God and our faith in Him. We have invited her back to regular church but she has found ways of avoiding saying yes or no. We are currently working on getting her to get to Beulah’s Easter service and then coming to my parents house (thanks mom and dad!) after the service for a traditional Easter spread.
In the moment you are receiving this, would you please join us in prayer for our sweet friend Snezana? Here are some specifics you can pray about right now:
- Thank God that the authenticity of Beulah’s worship stood out to this family.
- That she would feel a tug at her heart to follow the living God.
- For God to use the Maggard’s community of friends, family, and church family to reach Snezana
Thank you for praying over these things today!
Easter is one of those holidays that people who do not normally come to church will come if they are invited! Who are you going to invite to hear the good news? Let us know and we will be praying for God to use you to reach them today!
In Christ,
Daniel Maggard
