Josip and his transformation By Danny and Vera Kuranji, Serbia
There is a great joy and fulfilment in watching a person change. Not just a little, but watch God transform someone. Seeing a person change after giving up on life is most fulfilling. To play a small part in bringing a desperate person to Him is an honour. "Bed bugs were the worst," he said, "and there were nights that I had to stand because I was afraid to lay down. I felt I was not standing alone. God was with me." After he was released, Josip came back to us before returning to his wife. He wanted to finish what he started. We are blessed to have him with us again and listen to stories that he is sharing. His desire is to help those that are in addiction as he was, to encourage them to make that vital step toward Christ.
Drug addicts are the lepers of today. People stay away from them, but we welcome them. Josip came with little hope that he could change. Doubt, fear, shame overtook him, but God helped him make that one step. He knew that any moment he could be arrested by the police and be taken to jail to serve his sentence. We all prayed that it would not happen before he became strong in God. After being with us almost a year, that day came. He was ready, he felt strong, but the test before him was great.
He came out victorious and full of stories how God helped him in so many situations. He truly is a miracle. Jails in Serbia are tough. However, he started putting to practice what he claimed to believe. The thought of spending a whole year behind bars would depress anyone. 21
