As I write this, I'm sitting in Happy Hostel in Bucharest, Romania. Just 2 months ago, our squad was here for Launch, eager to embark on this adventure, not knowing what to expect. The past 2 months have flown by! Now that we're together again, we're swapping stories from our different ministries and gearing up for India, which is an adventure we're eager to embark on, still not knowing what to expect.
For the past 3 1/2 weeks, our team worked with Pastor Zsombor and his church, Assembly of Christ in Turgu Mures, Romania. Honestly, it was a tough month of ministry for our team, but as I reflect on it, I know I learned a lot and I can take a lot away from this month. Pastor Zsombor is a passionate and Spirit-led man. He was a great example of someone who listens for God's voice, then follows His will no matter what it looks like. This was something our team needed to learn, beginning with the small stuff.
Each day we got up, had team devotions and prayer, then waited for Pastor Z's text telling us when and where to meet him. Then we would walk a mile through cornfields and a gypsy village to catch a bus into town. From there, our days mostly consisted of prayer walking throughout Targu Mures. We would stop often in the centre and a particular park on a hill to pray for God's presence to cover this city. As we wandered through the city, we would stop to talk to people on park benches and give them invitations to church, visit with families Pastor Z knew, and sing worship songs.
On Thursdays, we would spend the afternoons at an onocology hospital to worship and visit and pray for patients.
On Wednesdays, we visited a gypsy village to play with kids and encourage and pray with families. We also took part in the baptism of three people in this village! The children in this village were absolutely precious and they got so excited about us being there. This was my favorite ministry time this month. I connected with a little girl named Maria; she would jump up into my arms each time we entered the village and would spend most of the evening holding my hand or wrapping herself around my leg. Traveling on Wednesdays was always interesting. One night we hitch-hiked and ended up riding in the back of a carpet delivery truck and another night we walked approximately 5 miles back home. Wednesday nights, Pastor Zsombor and his wife and son would stay with us. We ate delicious traditional, homemade Hungarian food and got to know this family better. Saturday nights, we took part in the church service. Our team led worship and two people each week would deliver short messages.
Our first day visiting the centre, we met two homeless women: Olga and Irenka. With tears in their eyes, they told us their stories how they ended up being homeless and how they didn't know where their grown children were, or if they were even still alive. We prayed with them and invited them to church. Over the next few weeks, we ran into them over and over. Each time, we would talk with them, pray for them, and encourage them to come to church. Finally on the last Saturday we were in Targu Mures, Olga and Irenka came to church. Pastor Zsombor called this testimony to our attention to show God's faithfulness in answering our prayers. A few days later, we found out that Irenka found an apartment that they could stay in. Praise God!
Looking back, I can see how God moved to draw our team closer together and how He used us to encourage Pastor Zsombor and his family. I could see God in the faces of the gypsy children. I know God worked in the lives of Olga, Irenka, and others we encountered.
Please join me in continuing to pray for Pastor Zsombor and his ministry in Targu Mures. Pastor Z has not seen a lot of fruit, but he perseveres and pursues God's will. Pray that a core group of dedicated believer would rise up to partner with him in this ministry. Pray for guidance and reassurance of God's will. Pray for perseverence. Pray for the people of Targu Mures who do not know their Savior.
Tomorrow we leave for India! Please be praying for our ministry there and for our team as we step into an environment that is so different than what we are used to.
