Hey everyone!
So it’s been a while since I last posted and I apologize for that, we’ve been doing a technology detox for this first month and I’ve rarely been able to get wifi but I’m glad I’m finally able to update you guys on what’s been happening in my life!
First of all there’s already been a lot of travel. I started off in Minnesota and flew down to Georgia for launch, then we had originally planned on going to Florida and flying to England and then Romania from there, but thanks to hurricane Irma we had to change our plans. We ended up taking a 14 hour bus ride from Georgia to New York and ended up there on 9/11 which was actually super awesome because we got to see the two sky lights shining where the towers used to be. Then we flew to Portugal and stayed there for a short while, and then finally we flew to Romania and took a train to the house my whole squad of about 40 has been staying at. On top of that, our ministry host surprised us with a trip to Greece for a couple days which was amazing and the squad was really able to grow closer together. As our ministry host said: “play hard now and work harder later.” And we have been working hard indeed. I’ve done eyeglass ministry where we had the opportunity to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the locals. We talked to them about Jesus and got each of them that needed it a pair of glasses that will allow them to read the Bible’s we gave out.
Just as a background of the religious beliefs in Romania, most of them claim they are Orthodox, yet only about .2% in the area we are in (Southern Romania- in a city called Dragenesti) are actually born again Christians who believe in Jesus and eternal life with Him through Jesus’ death on the cross; most either have no idea where they’re going after they die, or they believe they can get to heaven through good works. The Orthodox Church here is extremely corrupted and often is involved with witchcraft and other things that have skewed the people’s view of their religion.
Now back to the ministry we’ve been doing; my team and I have had the opportunity to work with the kids here and teach them English as well as do some sports ministry with them. The joy and kindness the kids maintain here when they have almost nothing is truly inspiring. I’ve also been able to do some street evangelism and have gotten to know some of the local people here. Almost everyone is really loving and open to talking about Jesus.
Lastly, I’ve been able to do some house visits which have been very fruitful. The first lady me and some of my teammates visited was actually already a Christian but we were there to encourage her and show her love because she lives alone and it can be very discouraging to maintain a strong faith when nobody around you believes in Jesus. This woman’s strength and faith, and the words she shared with us actually ended up encouraging us which was totally unexpected but very gladly received. The second woman we visited that day wasn’t a born again Christian but was “Orthodox.” This woman had many physical ailments and apparently is usually either crabby or very sad and crying when she is visited but as we were visiting her she seemed to really receive what we were sharing with her and she didn’t want us to leave by the end of it. She even showed up to our ministry partner’s church on Sunday morning. It was so amazing to see God work in our presence and the words we spoke to her.
The second day we did house visits it was quite a different experience but still really fruitful. The first girl we went to visit was only 16 and she was alone at home with her younger siblings because her parents were away for a while. After talking about school and working and the like we asked her if she had any prayer requests and she told us that she actually hadn’t eaten in 3 days because she was planning on killing herself. Her parents have been terrible to her, cursing her and making her take care of the house and kids all the time, and never showing her love but only hate. She had decided she couldn’t take it anymore, but God’s timing is so good and we were put there at just the right time. We showed her God’s love and how He has an incredible future for her; that this was only temporary and there is so much good to come. We told her that with God’s spirit inside her, although her flesh may want to give up, she could overcome anything because He has overcome the world. There were tears and hugs and I could tell she was so much more hopeful by the time we left. I’m so incredibly thankful that God brought us to that house!
So there’s a little snippet of some of the amazing things God has been doing while I’ve been here in Romania! I hope and pray that things back in your hometowns are good and that even though you may not be missionaries in another country, God will give you opportunities to share His love and freedom with those around you when you give Him the chance.
Love you all and thank you so much for all your continued support and prayers!
