We’ve arrived in Romania and I had my first day of ministry the other day. For it, a group of us went out into the Roma communities to evangelize and do some children’s ministry. I was super excited to do this since it was in my comfort zone and I truly enjoy working with children the most out of anything. We went to two communities in one day. The first one, they had held children’s ministry there before so the kid’s knew what was coming and they were all very energized and excited to spend time with us. I think these children were a beautiful image of what it’s like to walk in the light of the Lord. They didn’t need any materialistic things or artificial objects to be joyful. All they wanted and looked forward to is the opportunity to hang out with us and learn more about Jesus and receive the love of Christ that we were able to share with them. When we live a life with Jesus, it doesn’t matter what we have/don’t have, or what negative circumstances we may be in, because the fulfillment and Joy that Christ provides is so much better than anything we could ever receive on earth. In the second community, it was the children’s first time experiencing children’s ministry. When we got there and gathered the kids together, naturally they were a bit confused and timid at first. We sang songs first and despite the fact that they had never heard these songs before, they still attempted sing along and do the motions that we were doing. Then we told a bible story through a skit which they listened to very intently and did their best to answer our questions at the end. We asked if they’re ever scared and confused like the lost sheep in the story, and the majority of them responded aloud saying “Da” which means “yes” in Romanian. Just simply seeing the vulnerability that they were able to have with us despite that fact that we only met that day was really inspiring for me, and cool to see. Then we taught them how to play duck duck goose. They didn’t know the game at first, but were 110% ready to learn so that they could be able to play. These kids really were a wonderful image of how willing we should be in God’s kingdom. Willing to do things that may be uncomfortable or unfamiliar in order to grow. Willing to intently listen so that we can learn. Willing to be vulnerable with the people around you in order to be kept accountable. And willing to learn more about different things so that you are able to live them out. Christ wants us to be more than just hearers of his word, but he wants us to also be doers.
In James 1:22-15, it says “but be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
Now- to close, I wanted to say that my team is now beginning a new ministry surrounded around building the church through evangelism and building relationships with people surrounding us in this community. It’s going to be epic and I cannot wait to share all about it.
