Balkans | Julie Nash Missions

Summer of 2019

We spent 3 1/2 weeks moving through four countries in the Balkans region. The Balkan region is largely unreached, and yet often forgotten in terms of missions. Missionary efforts are creative, intentional, and relational. European missions can often feel like the "planting phase," where you sow many seeds, in hopes that the local missionaries will get to reap a rich harvest.

ALBANIA

Ministry: Saboath Church: Church plant from Tirana, Italy

I learned so much from the missionaries we worked with here and their total abandon to see Albanians come to Christ. We hosted food collections, worked with the Roma people, did evangelism in parks and on streets, hosted a women's conference for domestic abuse victims, led worship in Albanian, and prayed over the city. I hugged women whose stories made me cry and embraced children with the fullness of God's love for them. There is joy in going, but an even greater joy knowing there are missionaries who are committed to stay.

MACEDONIA

Ministry: YWAM Macedonia

We partnered with a small YWAM base (a man and his family), who also happened to be the only Christians in this city. He had been there for several years, and had yet to see people give their lives to Christ. We would teach children in the parks about the word of God, and they would show up everyday to be with us. In the evenings, we would meet muslim students to build relationships and engage in conversations about God.

BULGARIA

Ministry: LORA Foundation

Here, our team hosted a summer camp for orphans in the mountains. When we first arrived, we had no idea that we would be planning the camp: designing curriculums, planning activities, & choreographing camp dances. The days we spent preparing paid off the moment the children stepped foot onto campus. I have never connected with children the way I did here.

ROMANIA

Ministry: The Mission

This organization, was one of my favorites of all that I have worked with. They launched a school for the Roma children, where there provide spirit-focused education, meals, and showers for them. Everything they do is centered around the movement of the Holy Spirit, and they have seen a rich harvest because of it. We were able to help in their school, pray over their city and with people, yard-work for a new building space, and attend house churches.

HOW CAN I PRAY?

Pray for the Roma people, as they are considered outcasts and are largely unreached
Many young students are still figuring out what they believe, pray for them to hear the gospel and build a relationship with Jesus
Pray for sustained missionary efforts! There are few churches and missionaries in this area and it can be tough to devote a life to ministry with little fruit in return.