Romania welcomed us to Eastern Europe with a lot of love! Although it was a hard month of traveling, long drives, and long ministry days it was a diverse month of Kingdom work.
We got the opportunity to partner with Hope Church whose vision is to recruit, empower, and support long term missionaries and their ministries. As short term missionaries, our jobs were to bolster their efforts and help carry out their Spirit-led vision.
Here’s a glimpse of what we did for ministry! I pray that you see the Lord’s goodness and His heart for this nation.
Evangelism
We were shown kindness while spreading the good news of Jesus through Romania. On one ministry day I was given the opportunity to plant a seed of truth while learning how to skateboard with a young man in Craiova. And, while in Maldaeni we met a man who welcomed us into his home and offered us Romanian doughnuts while we spoke about Jesus and salvation. Good seeds were planted for the Kingdom in Romania and I believe God is watering those seeds.
Cleaning with Love
Cleaning relaxes me and gives me rest, so doing this for ministry was what I needed. We cleaned church buildings, missionary homes, and a soccer field. It reminded me of how tasks such as cleaning makes a difference in the Kingdom. Clean churches are warm and inviting! Tired missionaries that are greeted with a clean home is restoring. And soccer fields that are safe for children to play in bring peace to their families and the community.
Home Visits
We did a home visit where we were able to share Jesus with this woman who is a widow. We reminded her of His presence and His promises. We prayed over her and was able to comfort her lonely, grieving heart. I pray that more missionaries will come to continue visiting her and others in the community. It’s so important as believers to lift one another up in Christ.
Youth Group
We had one day of youth ministry which was the most memorable day I had in Romania! My teammate Mantha and I met a couple named Emma and Mikhail. Their heart for children and commitment to their youth program is uplifting! They adopted three young siblings to be their own. And, in the midst of their new family they still make time to drive around the neighborhood picking up youth for their after school VBS program. We worshipped together and I taught them of the importance of being kind with their words and actions. We shared a memory verse and played games that built unity. Afterwards, we took part in an evening youth program, mentoring and disciplining teens. Many of the teenagers shared about how this program saves them from trouble and provided them with a safe haven to grow in their intimacy with Jesus.
Women’s Group
With two missionaries named Florina and Dorothy we took part in a woman’s group in Maldanei. In this group we worshipped and studied Psalm 139. We encouraged one another in our identity in Christ. We shared our testimonies and praised the Lord. On this day, we learned that although we live in different places, we are so united in Christ. The Lord has been our refuge and our strength during all the trials we’ve faced. It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit encourages us to persevere and stay strong in our Faith.
Testimony
On our last Sunday service I was given the opportunity to share a part of my testimony as well as a message of grace and righteousness in Christ. I encouraged believers to persevere through trials by building up their faith. And I was able to say a final farewell to the wonderful missionaries that we got to serve with during the past few months. Each month I witness more and more how important it is to build each other up as believers. This path we choose is not an easy road. There’s many challenges to living a life for Christ. But the reward of His favor and blessing is worth it. His love is worth receiving. He is precious. As I looked out into the faces of the church I was moved by the hope in their eyes. I saw strength, perseverance, and an example of Christ’s living Church on Earth.
Flyers, flyers, and more flyers
Romania was PVT (Parent Vision Trip) for our squad. This means that parents of World Racers got a chance to join their kids in Romania for 5 days of ministry. Our ministry host planned a multi-cultural event where parents and racers would get a chance to socialize with local Romanians while sharing the Gospel and their testimonies. To prepare for this event we handed out hundreds if not thousands of flyers! More so, handing out these flyers gave us a chance to talk to people about our missionary trip and the work we’re doing in Jesus Name. We met some welcoming people along the way and got a chance to pray over some of them. Our host was expecting at least 40 people to attend the event. But God heard our prayers! More than 200 people attended the event and it ended up being one of the most memorable days during PVT for some of the racers and their parents.
Landscaping for Jesus
So, racers whose parents were not able to attend PVT were sent to Pitesti where we worked alongside Living Hope Church. We cleaned the backyard of the church, preparing the space for their youth to play and gather! This was a lot of fun! Especially since many of us missed doing manual labor. We raked, took out vines and shrubs, and fixed the fences. It felt great being a part of something bigger. I know that in time the children will be enjoying this great space!
Overall, Romania was another memorable month! The Lord revealed to me things in my heart that I needed to surrender to Him. Most of all He showed me that I was made for a life of missions. Even through the challenges, I can’t imagine myself anywhere else but right where He places me, working to move His Kingdom throughout the nations.
Thank you all for your support and prayers! This was made possible with the Lord’s blessing and your heart to encourage and donate towards my mission.
