10 years ago to the day my old man and I teamed up with a group of guys from Ridge Point Church, hopped on my first international flight, and journeyed to Valeni, Romania. It was my first missions trip and first trip overseas, all at the wide eyed age of 15. Poverty and the ever present reality pf former communist oppression weighed heavy on my heart. Furthermore, as we visited with church members in their homes, visited with the gypsy community in their 10×10 clay houses, and played soccer with kids in the streets, God changed me. All the warm cherish-able souls of the Romanian people collapsed my soul. God broke my heart as His heart broke for these people. He gave me a glimpse from His infinitely loving perspective on how he sees them, and I have never been the same since.
I still remember the meat, cheese, bread, and rasberry tea breakfasts. The enticing aroma of the bakery across the street rhat we frequented. The techno beat that drummed into the night a floor below us. One night, my Dad and I went rogue out to an old couples home for dinner. It ended up being a 5 hour plus ordeal in which I fell asleep at the table while he just dove into sharing the gospel (Dad = Hardcore)! Throughout that week we spoke at different house churches and my opportunity came to learn what a testimony was and begin to for my own at the same time. The importance and imminent need for harvesters and salvation of Christ grew in realization within me.
The beauty and enchantment of the Romanian people was imprinted on my heart that year. You see, God used this to catapult me into my calling, to spark my engine for missions, and to be apart of Kingdom work. It was my first steps out of the shire, if you catch my drift. My start to the race God has been leading me on my whole life. My chance to actually see faith and Biblical truth being lived out right before me. Un-freaking-real! It is so impeccably hard to put into perceivable words that grasp the magnitude at which God began to transform my soul that year!
Today, February 2015, I am Iin Draganesti Olt, Romania. Just 24 kilometers away from the town that stole my heart, the place that started it all! God is good, yes!? It honestly feels like a home away from home. The dull oppressed weather ridden apartment buildings reminiscent of a former soviet influence. Yet each were painted with once bright colors. Individual chimneys plume smoke across the rural landscape bringing heat to needing families. With the trees desolate of leaves and clouds relentlessly covering the sky, it seems to be a bland, dreary, and dark place. But once invited in the Romanian people shine through it all! Orthodox churches are randomly strewn about; each white and cross shaped in architecture. White Jesus, cherubim, and Mary are equally plastered beautifully on the inside of their walls. Yet, a relationship with Christ in those churches are as foreign as I am.
This month I am privileged to be apart of the 9000 souls crew. A group of young adults with a desire for impacting youth in the surrounding areas. They too have a big heart for evangelizing, teaching, and discipling new believers! We are here to challenge the over-arching ritualistic orthodox religious view and invite people to come into relationship with the one true God who has redeemed us all!
Our whole squad is together at Hope Church this month. Every morning is spent in a few hours of intercessory prayer, accompanied by worship. My mornings are mostly filled with teaching English to some of the church staff. Our afternoons are spent reaching out into the community, evangelizing, playing soccer, and leading Bible studies. I’m pumped to be back again sharing the gospel here, there is no greater joy to me than this! The awesome crew of Romanians that I serve with have dubbed me the “Romanian guy” now because of me returning back here to Olt county, haha. And they are really pushing to have me here as a long term missionary. I have asked God specifically to wreck my heart entirely if this, in fact, is where He wants me. Please be in prayer for this as I dive into discerning this possibility, that God will make it evident and clear before I leave by the end of the month. I would greatly appreciate the continued prayer in this specific way. Love ya’ll!
WR Fun Facts:
– It snowed 5 inches last night. I failed at evading winter, lol!
– Poopa means “kiss” in Romanian, haha. The gypsy men continually ask to poopa our girls!
– I’m rockin a cardigan and old man sweaters to stay warm.
– Gogosh & Chocolate filled Corvrigis are the treats to get here.
– And now the awesome Argonautz Men!
