Ok I’ll get right to the point. I didn’t want to leave
Romania. So coming to Moldova I was already with a bad attitude towards it. So
when we got here we had a quick debrief about Moldova. This month the whole
squad is working with the same ministry but at all different locations. During
our debrief we learned a little bit more about Moldova and how Christianity is
basically less than 1% in this country. So just in the first couple days its
cold and rainy which doesn’t make me happy because just in case you didn’t know
I’m from Florida so naturally I’m used to the sun 24/7. Here in Moldova there
is basically no sun! Great I was already in a bad mood and the weather is not
helping. So off we go to our ministry
site. This month we worked with a small church basically trying to form relationships
with the people of the village and the children. Our contact Slova doesn’t
speak any English so we have a translator for the month her name is Vicky and
we love her. So for the month we are staying at the church. It basically is the
middle of the village. So remember I’m still not a happy person and come to
find out that our bathroom is squatty potty outside. So by now I’m used to a squatty
potty I’m cool no worries. Usually squatty potty’s you can flush the stuff with
a bucket of water here you are just going in a big hole and everything just
sits there. So the smell is horrendous and basically the minute you step
outside the smell just hits you. So as you can imagine that doesn’t help my
attitude. We discuss our ministry for the month with our contact and during the
morning we are doing some manual labor meaning gardening. One seed at a time we get on our hands and
knees and plant. Not to bad at all. We make the most of it and have fun. During
the afternoon we have Bible studies with the children of the village and play
with them. Then we have two English classes one for the kids and then for the
older youth. So being here for the first
couple days we learned that this church is a very conservative Baptist church.
So they have a lot of rules, which of course we as a team didn’t agree with but
out of respect we follow. Of course I was like you can’t force me to do
anything and I don’t care if you don’t agree with me. So I was like great I
really don’t want to be here. It seemed like everything we did we did something
wrong in the eyes of our contact. Needless to say I was struggling with being
here and with myself.
So just as usual my Daddy had to sit me down and teach me lesson,
which I thought I knew, but to actually live in this situation I clearly wasn’t
getting it. During my devotions one morning God brought me to I Corinthians
9:19-21 (NLT)
It says, “Even though
I am free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many
to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to
Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under the
law. Even though I am not subject to the law I did this so I could bring to
Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not
follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to
Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God: I obey the law of Christ.”
So that kinda shut me up. I knew my attitude needed to
change. It’s something that I have to remind my self-everyday. I can’t do it on
my own because my own flesh will fail me but I know with God’s help I can
manage. I know it won’t be easy but I understand the most important thing is to
show the love of Christ. I just want to be an open vessel for Him to use me and
that’s all that matters. There will be people that I meet through out lifetime
that I’m not going to agree with but as long as I’m representing Christ the
very best I can that’s all that matters. He loves us all no matter what our
theology is, so why shouldn’t we? Yes, I still struggle and it doesn’t mean
that the outhouse smells like roses quite the opposite I want to throw up every
time I use but I know God brought me to Moldova for a plan and purpose and it
was to show His love. Thank you for all your prayers and support!! Next stop
for us is Swaziland!!! Love you all!!!
So little update since leaving Moldova and coming to
Bucharest, I have a new team. In the World Race there is a time when they raise
up new squad leaders and make changes to teams. So Team SOR 11 is no more but
God moved in us and I know we learned so much from each other. It was a
wonderful season and I want to thank Scott, Kelly, Erin and Kristen for growing
with me. They are and forever will be a part of my family.
I want now to welcome my new family Team tRansfOrMers 12:2
(Romans 12:2)!!!! I’m so excited to see everything God is going to do and how
he uses us. Steve, John, Robin, April and my lovely Melanee lets transform the
nations for God!!! I love you all!!! So thank you all for your support and
prayers next up Swaziland!!!!!!!
Where we planted during the mornings.
Some of the kids during English class.
