Month #10: We moved on to Europe and spent a month in Romania. I think we were all very excited for this new continent, although I was still sad to be leaving Africa too. However, it was very nice to be back in the more westernized culture, with coffee shops, grocery stores, regular toilets, comfortable beds, malls, fast food restaurants, regular transportation, all the things just right down the road! This month, my team’s ministry was especially focused on prayer walking, evangelizing, meeting people in the community and building relationships with them. But we also got to go to the Romanian church, clean up a field for a pastor’s new church land, hand out Bibles door-to-door, have a women’s ministry night, visit a school for children with special needs (loved it!), work with a Gap Year squad. In addition, we visited the Roma communities, handed out glasses, prayed with the families, and played with the children. It really was a beautiful month and we had some pretty fun team times too! We were also blessed with the opportunity to visit an old Romanian castle and hike in the beautiful mountains! Romania is a stunning country!
One thing that…
- Made me feel alive: Hiking through the beautiful countryside and mountains in Romania. Seeing God’s creation and enjoying it with my team was a beautiful thing!
- Was difficult this month: In a way, being back in a westernized culture. It was nice to have all the comforts of home again, but it was almost harder to go out and evangelize to a people that didn’t really seem as interested or eager to hear what we had to say about Jesus or what we were doing. We didn’t look all that different, which had its pros and cons.
- Broke my heart: Meeting people who had been hurt by a person or the church and therefore walked away from the Lord. Also, seeing so many children in such a poor state of living, primarily in the Roman communities.
- Has been revealed about my calling: God is calling me to speak the truth about Him, to love people where they are, listen to their stories, show them love by being Jesus with skin on.
- I am thankful for: The opportunity to meet people, build relationships, and even be more encouraged by the people we went to pray for and encourage ourselves.
To everyone that I met in Romania, thank you for your hospitality, for going with us to evangelize, build relationships, and minister the love of Jesus with the community. Thank you for showing us your kindness and love, and for taking us to see the beautiful country. Thank you for your friendship! I pray that you are only seeing more of the Lord’s goodness, mercy, and love every single day. I pray financial blessings over all of you, especially those of you who are full time missionaries! I pray a sweetness in your family and relationships, and for you to know the Love of the Father more every day. I pray for the people of Romania, that the spiritual heaviness will be lifted and that Holy Spirit will blow through the country where people will daily encounter the presence of God and experience His love.
“Deaceea, Doamne, Te voi lauda printre neamuri, voi cînta spre slava Numelui Tau.”
~ Psalmi 18:49
“Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.”
~ Psalm 18:49
