Hope is here. Everywhere you look. Sometimes you might have to strain your eyes a bit to see it, but its there. In the child’s laughter. The babushka’s smile. The beautiful creation in this country screams of it. Hope is rising in this so easily forgotten country of Moldova. You just have to be willing to see it. To embrace it. To fan into raging flame those little sparks you see in the most unexpected of places.
And not only is hope alive. So is the Kingdom.
And one way the Lord is so graciously revealing it to me is through children. I mean, Jesus did say that the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them (Mark 10:14). These children here have broken my heart. There are these five children in particular that I’ve really fallen in love with. Abandoned by their parents they’re forced to care for themselves. Having to grow up so fast, they are robbed of the many blessings of childhood so many of us have taken for granted. The youngest one, has really captured my heart. Despite the injustice of her current situation, the Kingdom radiates through her. You can see it in her smile. You can hear it in her laugh. You can feel it when she holds you. So full of life and joy, her spirit is contagious. She has the childlike faith I want. The one Jesus calls us to have. This little Moldovan girl brings out the best in me. Joy overflows from her heart into mine, joy straight from the Father Himself. He loves her and loves me through her. She is like the physical manifestation of hope. She is a light in the darkness that plagues this city. Alcoholism. Fatalism. Child abandonment. Drug addiction. Though she has been affected by many, if not all of these, she shines so brilliantly. Her face glows in holy radiance. Her laughter breaks chains of oppression. Within her are the mysteries of the Kingdom the Father whispers to the depths of her soul. And its inspiring to behold.
I just feel so blessed to be here. Yeah, there are hard days. But God is here. God is moving. He is stirring up a holy revival in our midst even through the small acts of love that can so easily be written off as insignificant. For with God, no act of love is wasted or in vain. His love changes people. Thats why I’m here. To change and be changed as I fall more in love with Him. And in two weeks He’s done so much of that already. He just blows my mind all the time.
Until next time party people,
cbrown
Photos taken by the incredibly talented Jessica Gasperin
