So this is one of those blogs where I have nothing and so much to say all at the same time. I’m about to share a bunch of jumbled and incomplete thoughts but its ok, just go with it. I guess I could start with sharing that this is month 10 and I’m in Romania. Month 10… wow. I guess it never really seemed like the race would end. But here it is just around the corner.
As for ministry, so far it’s been a concoction of things like teaching and playing with children, sharing at churches in surrounding villages, lots of manual labor (I got to help build a greenhouse), baking pie, and prayer.
Prayer is the big one for me. Since Ukraine I have been learning more about intercession and so that’s where my heart has been at lately. Prayer is really really powerful. I don’t usually realize it in the moment how effective my prayers are but I am learning more and more just how important it is. There have been plenty of moments where I feel God tugging at my heart so hard it hurts and the only thing I want to do is pray. I think it’s a gift and I can definitely hear God’s voice and feel His presence during those times but man, it can be rough.
Also I just need to say this, God is so good! He just knows so much Haha I’ve known this about Him but it seems like the past few weeks He has just had fun reminding me of that. He has a plan for my life that has the potential to be better than any plan I could come up with myself if I just allow it. Right now I’m experiencing new levels of freedom I didn’t have a month ago. He has taken all the things of my past, all the hurts, losses, and things I’ve struggled with and has turned them in to something beautiful. He has used my struggles to bring HIM glory.
Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
When I am free He receives glory. When I am joyful He receives all the praise. When I share my testimony of His love and grace in my life He is the one who gets all the credit. It just amazes me how God works everything together in our lives. At one point or another things line up and we may realize why things happened the way they did. Maybe that’s not always the case. But I know in my own life God continues to show up and delicately weave each thread of my story together adding it to the tapestry of His greater story. I know I’ll never get to see the whole thing or all the reasons behind every little thing, but I know and trust that God has created me (and everyone else) with purpose. And I SO desire to spend my life exploring, pursuing, and fulfilling that purpose. It’s such an incredible adventure simply because it’s so much bigger than I am.
So that’s kind of where I’m at right now. My arms are out stretched towards the Father. I’m longing for more. I’m longing for deeper intimacy with Him, the one who calls me his bride. My hands are open. There’s nothing I’m holding on to and there’s nothing that can stop me. I may not have a clue what I’m doing when I return to the States but I do know that I literally have the world at my finger tips and I can dream as big as I want to. I can move mountains. I am the bride of Christ.
God will speak to and guide those who listen and turn to him for help.
Psalm 119:105“your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
God doesn’t have to light up the entire path, all I need is enough to keep me standing and to take the next step. By his word and promises I know that I am right where I am supposed to be and that he will not abandon me.
Thank you God, you are faithful!
I could also use some prayer for the last 8 weeks. Pray for Romainia, the population of Christians in the southern region is below .2% and their government has collapsed twice within the past 5 months. There is also a lot of witchcraft and hopelessness in the small town I am staying. So yea, they need prayer. Also, if you would please pray for strength and motivation for myself and the rest of my squad to finish out the race hard. Pray God continues to grow me and reveal Himself to me in new ways.
Peace and love!
