The day for me had been odd. I woke up feeling fantastic! I actually thought I would be able to go out and do some ministry today! My teammates advised me to stay back, just in case. I had so much energy! It was so refreshing to feel human again. I took a shower, straighten my hair, even put make up on! It been over 2 weeks since I felt like putting mascara on! Today was going to be a great day!
And, it was…for the most part. I had enough energy to go to the local grocery store. I’d admit, I went a little over board. There was so much food…beautiful food! Colorful food! I was so ecstatic to see something besides the loaf of bread I’ve been calling my meal for the past few weeks. I got a handful of things and took the 5 minute walk back to the church!
Not too getting too crazy… I stuck with simple carbs that would be easy on my stomach. I had some mashed potatoes and some soup. After lunch, I hopped on the internet….
And… that is when the day took a turn for me. I started to feel bad, weak, exhausted…and, if I’m honest… pissed. I felt so deceived and betrayed by my body! “WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?”…. how could I have been feeling so great a hour ago and now, feeling so terrible? The news of malaria surfaced…I was getting another fever and intense body chills…I decided not to push my (apparently fragile) body. I laid down to rest.
Well, later upstairs, everyone was enjoying their version of in house Star bucks, The Step Up Café…a social event for Saturday evenings.. Racers and Romanians just enjoying coffee and conversations. I had made my way up the stairs to try to socialize. I had a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
Although I was not feeling so great, that fact was over powered by the joy I had to just be in the presence of friends. These past three weeks have been so lonely and it was so nice just to sit and have conversation other than feedback.
Although I was not feeling so great, that fact was over powered by the joy I had to just be in the presence of friends. These past three weeks have been so lonely and it was so nice just to sit and have conversation other than feedback.
It did not take long for my body to declare that it had enough. I had to go lay back down. Some time later, my team came and got me to have our nightly feedback. I was a cocoon…bundled up in Misty’s sleeping bag! I was freezing! I was so frustrated that I felt so good this morning and so bad this evening. For a second, I thought all this was over… sigh.
After feedback, my team, expect Missy and I, who are the sick ones… went out to town for the Annual Tulip Festival…which is a National festive with more tulips and flowers than you‘ve ever seen. It is a city wide event, people everywhere, cultural activities, little booths and vendors, fireworks, everything… it is a pretty big deal…BODY-.ARE YOU KIDDING ME. ….seriously? You’ve made me miss out on so many things….and now…. I cant even go to the only 2 things I wanted to see! (Dracula’s castle in Transylvania and the Tulip Festival…) Grrrreat.
I skyped Justin and my family for a few minutes… then… by this time, I was exhausted. I went and took a nap while I waited for my teammate so we could go back home.
We eventually made our way down to the bus stop…and waited. And waited. And waited.
And…you guessed it, waited.
And…you guessed it, waited.
Where was our bus?!
There were several people waiting around for a bus so we just kept waiting, assuming they would not just be waiting for nothing.
To walk home would take over an hour and I definitely did not have the energy to make that trip.
Well, the group of people slowly diminished.
All except one guy.
He finally asked us in Romanian what line we were waiting for…
*how I even understood that.. I have no clue. I think one of my giftings is being able to understand and communicate with people despite the language barrier. Thank you charades.*
Well, I don’t know but one word in Romanian except for “buna”….and, I really don’t even know what that means. Good? Hello? ….I don’t know. But.. That is it as far as my vocabulary. (I mean, really… I’ve been cooped up in my bed!) Well… thirteen in English does not mean thirteen in Romanian… imagine that! Ha… So… I found a sharpie and wrote our busline on my hand, 13B.
Well, from there, our conversation turned into a game of charades… neither one of us really comprehending what the other is saying. Somehow, I got that “Romania is safe”…“there are police everywhere”…“Romania is beautiful country”… and…that’s about it.
He was perplexed that I spoke English… I assume he kept asking where I was from..
Then listed all the countries in Europe.
Nope, I am from America? United States?
Blank stares.
Sigh…
So, I wrote it on my hand, USA.
He finally got it!
Then, I think He was asking why I was here in Romania…
And now, this is why I’m even writing this blog… finally, to the point of the story….
I tried to explain to him that I was there for Jesus. [Or, Isus, I think they call Him here]
That I was a missionary here, spreading the gospel…
I am not sure if He fully understood… afterall, Christianity only account for 7% of the entire country here.
SEVEN PERCENT.
SEVEN PERCENT.
But, it hit me. That is why I am here… and for God’s glory.
Seems so easy, so simple… Textbook answer says, “Well, of course! Duh!”
But, try telling that to a person who has been confined to a small space for about three weeks.
There were lots of days that I questioned God why I am here…frustrated, crying even.
Really. What is the point if I can not even go and do something.
But, over the course of these weeks, I’ve slowly been learning that…
That no matter what happens, It is all for God’s glory.
He loves His children and has the best plan for them.
He is a good God and not a God of suffering.
And, in that moment, I brought God honor and glory.
Without hesitation, I told that man my purpose.
Who knows what could have happened to me. This country is only 20 years young out of communism.
Christians were beat and tortured for their faith…just two decades ago…
And, here I am… standing at the bus stop saying that is why I am here.
Unashamed.
Bold.
And Proud.
We finally bid our goodbyes to each other. It was already 11:30 and no bus.
I could not wait any longer.
Chills and migraine had permanently set in for me.
Fortunately for us, a few people had decided to have a sleep over at the church for the night.
So, we went back.
Obviously, not prepared.
No sleeping bags, no sleeping pads…
No contact case and solution.
No make up remover.
Nothing.
But, just to prove that the Lord is good, He provided for me… in an, of course, unusual way.
I found two table cloths.
I found a stuff animal puppy.
I found a child’s fur coat.
And was able to make a pallet on the floor.
Now, I know some of you will be outraged. These are tough conditions for someone trying to recover from a sickness that just wont die down. I know you think its crazy and maybe a little irresponsible. Who in their right mind would sit outside for a long period of time…waiting on a bus…that would never come.
Some of you might call this day foolish.
That’s ok, I already knew that you would. “The teaching about the Cross is foolishness to those who are being lost. But to us…to me… it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18. I highly recommend reading all of that first chapter.
Because for me, I started this day thinking that my sickness was finally over. It ended with the realization that is it not. But, if I had not been sick for these past three weeks, I would not have had this growth and intimacy with my Lord and Savior.
Being sick has made me not take things for granted….down to a piece of food that has color in it besides brown or tan… or an opportunity to be bold for my Jesus.
The events of this day are simple and ordinary but for thirty minutes, this day became ministry.
It became the power of God.
I do not know what went through that man’s mind… I honestly do not know if He could even comprehend my attempt at the Romanian name of Jesus.
But, I do know that my God was honored because of it.
So, regardless of my pain, sickness and discomfort…I am learning how to apply what I’ve been taught my whole life….
Honor the Lord your God.
To God be all the Glory.
Love the Lord with all your heart…
Mind…
Soul…
And….strength.
Thank you God for strength last night…and this month. Thank you God for my time here in Romania. Thank you for what you have been so patiently teaching me over these past three weeks. Thank you for your love and for simply…not giving up on me.
Please be in prayer for me as I travel back to the capital city of Romania, Bucharest first thing Monday morning.
I am going to a specialized clinic to get some blood work and samples checked.
I am going to a specialized clinic to get some blood work and samples checked.
Pray for strength and energy to make the trip.
Pray that I will be able to have all the funds necessary…that it will be affordable.
I do not know if they will require me to stay overnight or not…. But… pray for protection and safety.
Pray faithfully for healing.
Pray for the worry/anxiety for my family back home.
Pray for my friend at the bus stop last night… that God would use what was brought …to change that man’s life.
