Wednesday was the first day we finally arrived in Romania and man was it a journey. It took four days to get here by plane, train, and bus and I have never been so happy to arrive at a destination. I definitely lost a lot of sleep but was blessed we had a day to catch up on it before starting everything. Friday the 15th was our first day of ministry and our host threw us right into it. We did eyeglass ministry where we were able to give out reading glasses to people around a small village and also share the gospel with them. It was something I had never done before but to see so many eyes finally see words right in front of them was absolutely incredible. I gave out about 40 pairs of glasses before I was switched to counseling. In counseling you got the chance to talk to the villagers and see where they stood in their faith and also learn about their lives and who they were. My first council was to a married couple who have lived in Romania their whole lives. They spoke no English which really threw me through a hoop but thanks to my amazing translator I got to know this couple in a deep way. They both considered themselves Christians and believed in God but neither had been saved or ever asked for forgiveness of their sins. I asked them if they would follow me in prayer and allow God to forgive them and give them peace knowing where they will go after this earthly life is over. They both agreed and as I prayed with this couple I felt a feeling words can hardly explain. I felt joy and peace. I felt like God had picked me specifically for this couple to be part of their journey to know Him. It was a moment I will never forget but also a moment I want to experience in abundance these next nine months. One day of ministry and I can already see why God chose this path for me. This is who I am. This is where I belong.
Shortly after we arrived back to the house I wrote down all about my day and was reliving all this joy God allowed in my heart. It took about 15 minutes for God to then show me more about myself and what he was going to do to me in these next months. One of my leaders told me I needed to call my mom because she had contacted the emergency line and within ten seconds I already knew what she was going to say. I called home only to have my mom tell me my great grandma had passed away. In that moment I couldn’t understand how God could allow me such joy and happiness only to take it away so fast. I was comforted by many people on my squad but I kept saying the same thing “I’m fine” “I’m okay”, I know most of them didn’t believe me but it was so much easier than admitting I wasn’t okay. I spent the rest of the night awake thinking about it and why God would do this. It wasn’t until it was almost morning with a killer headache and fifteen minutes of sleep I heard God say “we grow through the joy and pain.” At first I didn’t understand what this meant but then I realized that I left home, my family, my friends, my comfort, all to grow. Grow in my faith, grow in love, grow mentally, and I cant do that without everything that comes with it. You have to be knocked down to pick yourself up and keep going. I had the best and simultaneously the worst day of my life but at the end of the day I’m one step closer to becoming the woman God has planned for me. I’m one step closer to bringing more lives to God and through the hardships and joy telling my story to people who need to hear it.
Yesterday I changed two lives and hopefully many others.
Yesterday my life was changed.
Yesterday God showed me my purpose all over.
I cant wait to see where this takes me next. Thank you God!!!
