I write this on a beautiful fall afternoon in Draganesti-Olt, Romania, from the basement of Hope Church, our ministry contact for the month. My squad of 34 has split into 5 teams to work with various ministers who work and live long-term here in Romania. Team Vessel (check out my earlier blog here for more info on my team) is working in a nearby village named Coteana, teaching English to children, helping with yard work, and doing street evangelism.
Spiritual darkness is quite strong here, and most people don’t believe they need a life-giving relationship with Jesus to live a good or full life. Only 0.2% of people living in this region have a true relationship with Christ, and in Romania, this region is known as “the graveyard for missionaries and pastors.” However, through the faithful work of a growing number of men and women at Hope, the work is moving and the Church continues to grow!
All that being said, I actually have a quick request from you! One of the ministries Hope Church runs is called 9,000 souls, and several of our teams are working on a Bible distribution project. The goal is that every house in Olt County might have a New Testament in their home. However, in addition to Scripture, we also want Romanians to receive personal testimonies from believers all around the world of what Jesus means to them.
Here’s where you come in…Please consider taking 10-15 minutes to type up a personal testimony of how you came to know the Lord, and who Jesus is to you, and either comment it on this blog or email it to me at [email protected]. If you do this, you will quite literally share the Gospel all the way in Romania from the comfort of your own home. Your individual story will be translated and inserted into a New Testament, which will then be passed out to families living in Olt County.
I can’t underemphasize what a big opportunity this is. Personal stories are more impactful than just about anything else to this culture, and you have a story to tell. You have no idea the impact you could make by showing that the Gospel is not relegated to one geographical region, and that God’s love extends over oceans—literally. Please, please consider partnering with Hope in this ministry, and know if you do, God promises that his word will not return void. You have the chance to change lives right where you are, and I’d be so honored if you’ll join us in this ministry. I’m personally writing up my testimony as well and will be putting it in a New Testament. Try to send these testimonies before Tuesday if at all possible, as we’ll be passing Bibles out this week. It doesn’t have to be fancy or elaborate—just tell your story. The blind man in the Gospels told so many about Christ with the words, “I was blind, and now I see,” and I’m sure most of us have even more than that we could say.
Thank you for supporting me. Some photos of travel and ministry are available here. I haven’t had much time to write, and have had less time on the internet in which to post, but keep your eyes open for more updates on how I’m doing soon. God is on the move in Romania!!
