MOM, 22, TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL IN CROATIA

Donna Farrow of Cape Girardeau talks a lot about the will of God. And when Farrow, 22, learns what God's will is for her, she obeys it; no questions asked.

Two years ago she felt God had told her to go to Dallas to attend the Christ for the Nations Bible Institute. Never mind that she was an unwed mother with a year-old son, Elijah.

God would provide, she said.

She obeyed God and graduated from the institute with a better understanding of the Bible and with a deeper, more personal relationship with God, she said.

And she says she knows he will keep providing when she takes Elijah, now 3, to Croatia to spread the gospel.

"It's God's will that I go to Croatia," Farrow said matter-of-factly. "I know that he can heal that land despite all the turmoil there."

Donna and Elijah Farrow will leave for Osijek, Croatia, in just a little over three weeks. For a year, she will volunteer as an administrative assistant in the vice principal's office at Evangelical Theological Seminary in exchange for room and board.

When Farrow is not working at the seminary, she plans to focus her ministry on Muslims, starting home churches and playing Christian music on her guitar for people.

There will be difficulties: There's the language barrier, money might be tight and she's taken into account that Croatia is a country with many angry people.

"I often do not feel ready or equipped to do such a work for the Lord, but he has reminded me often, that it isn't me doing any kind of work anyway," she said. "It's about giving myself to him as an empty vessel full of Chris, and letting him use me to do the work he wants to do in this nation."

She first became interested in war-torn Croatia when she was going to school in Texas. She said she had always been interested in that part of the country, and as time progressed she became more and more sure that God wanted to use her there.

"I had been praying that he would open the door for me to go there, but he was saying 'Wait, not now,'" she said.

She had watched videos and read about Croatia. Then she met a Croatian in Dallas who suggested she contact the seminary and ask about going there to work.

"I'm a single mom but I want to serve in any way I can," she said. "I didn't care if it's computer work or cleaning up someone's house. I just knew I was hearing the Lord say, "I am sending you.'"

The seminary officials agreed to provide room and board for her and her son. But the job is without actual pay, she said.

That's where God's people came in, she said. Leaders and members of her church, the First Assembly of God in Cape Girardeau, are helping fund her trip.

"She's a sharp young girl," said Gary Brothers, senior pastor of the church. "I think she has a definite call on her life to be involved in what's she doing.

"She's worked very hard and is committed and hasn't taken the easy road. We're just trying, as a church family, to help her in any way we can."

Farrow admitted she has been asked whether or not taking her son to Croatia is a good idea.

"But I know it's God will," she said. "And it will be a great opportunity for Elijah to see God's work first hand."

She also prays that she will make a difference in Croatia.

"I just hope that the people will look at me and see that Jesus is in me," she said.

Farrow says this will not be the last time she is in Croatia. God willing, she plans to devote her life to spreading God's word and love in that part of the world.