Still, I Will

Croatia, a land unfamiliar in both name and language, nestled in Southeastern Europe. There, amidst the sweltering heat of summer and the biting chill of winter, my perspective on the gospel began to change.

Last summer, I embarked on a short-term mission trip to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. I had heard that in Europe, one could truly feel the heart of our Heavenly Father, who had long tilled the gospel field alone, so I chose to go. Speaking Croatian for the first time, I often stumbled over even the simplest greetings. But with a sincere desire that no one would go without hearing the truth, I preached the gospel diligently. Regrettably, I wasn’t able to lead anyone into the truth. Yet, it was a result I had mentally prepared for. I knew how difficult it is to guide one soul in Europe within a short period of time. Still, I wonder if I used that reality as an excuse to justify the fruitless outcome.

That winter, I found myself holding another plane ticket to Croatia. Rather than shrinking back or turning away because of past experiences, I longed to break free from the habit of giving up whenever things felt too hard, whispering to myself, “I knew it wouldn’t work.” So I prepared for the mission, praying earnestly that this time, no matter how hard it might be, I would bear fruit as I relied completely on God.

Though I renewed my resolve, the reality on the ground felt like a challenge asking, “Will you still preach the gospel in Europe?” Unlike the relatively pleasant summer days, we now faced a fierce cold that seeped in despite our heavy layers. Once we began preaching, we would often spend twenty to thirty minutes opening the Bible and conversing, and soon my hands and feet would grow numb while the weight of my bag became almost unbearable. Some showed interest, but many walked away unable to fully grasp the truth or clung to unbiblical ideas. My heart ached with sorrow and frustration for those who did not see the clear truth of the Bible. Tears welled up as I thought of our Heavenly Father, who carried a heavier bag and preached in even much colder conditions with a burning heart. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for being found by Him and for being allowed to walk in His path.

For ten days, we met people who listened to the truth, visited Zion, and then returned home. Each day, it felt as though we were just one step away from finding a lost member of our heavenly family. My fellow mission team members and I continually encouraged one another to persevere and not give up. We lifted each other up, saying, “God blesses us, tomorrow will be different.” It’s because our Father and Mother would have continued Their earnest search for Their lost children, undeterred by the absence of visible results.

One day, we met a lady. After sharing the truth about the Spirit and the Bride and the Passover, we asked if she would like to become a child of God Elohim. She readily said yes, but added that she was busy and asked to meet again the next day. We were a little worried, as many had broken promises before. But we decided to trust in God and wait, praying for her return. By God’s grace, she kept her promise, and at last, one precious soul received the blessing of a new life.

The soul we found through eagerness and perseverance was incredibly precious. How many people I had preached to and how many prayers I had offered before meeting her! Yet through it all, what grew the most was my faith—a faith that relied solely on God. I believe it was our desperate longing for even one soul to hear the gospel, and our sincere prayers for their salvation, that moved Father and Mother to open the gates of blessing.

Although my time in Croatia was short, it was enough to transform how I approach the gospel. Every time I knocked on someone’s heart or opened the Bible to answer a question, it wasn’t just an action, but a mission to save a soul.

Europe is no longer a challenging mission field, but a testimony that shows, “With effort, it is possible.” When I first shared the truth of God the Mother in Croatia, most people said they had never heard such a thing. But when I returned, people would recognize me and say, “I remember you from the summer, you talked about God the Mother, didn’t you?” Many now listened with genuine interest. I could feel how actively the gospel was spreading, and how tirelessly the local members had worked over the past six months. I was deeply moved.

I am truly thankful to Father and Mother for sending me to Europe so I could understand Their hearts more deeply and gain a new perspective on the gospel. If I ever again face a situation where it feels as though I’m being asked, “Will you still preach the gospel in Europe?” I will answer, “Still, I will.” And I will press forward with burning faith and passion because just as Father and Mother never gave up on me, I will never give up either.