Our first week in Romania consisted of ATL (Ask The Lord) ministry. We would start our days off with worship, then we would pray and go see where God was leading us. The very first day we felt lead to go to the town square and worship there publicly. That's where I first met a homeless man named George. As we worshiped, I immediately noticed him sitting alone on a bench. He seemed a little crazy as he pretend to play the guitar, piano, and any other musical instrament you can think of, but I felt like I was suppose to talk to him. I hesitated to go as my mind filled with doubts. How could I talk to him? Most people here don't understand any English and I didn't know any Romanian. I began to tell myself that it wasn't from God – just my own thoughts – but God quickly reassured me through my teammate Amanda, who said she also felt the Lord tugging her toward George.
So, we went over and sat down with George and began to talk with him. George knew very little English so he would speak in a mix of English, Romanian and a little of his own language. Somehow God gave me the ability to understand him and he also understood me. My teammates called it speaking "George". We immediately became friends and he even gave me his sunglasses as a sign of our friendship. We talked forever and he taught me how to play air instruments like a pro.
Later I felt God telling me to take George out to lunch, so Amanda and I invited him to McDonalds – he was very excited. George had a problem with his leg so it was a long walk to the McDonalds. It seemed even longer as I realized how unaccepted George was. As we walked alongside him, we got stares of disgust for being with George. We were even stopped by the police because they did not want George in that area of the town. After explaining that we were his friends, they let us proceed but looked very confused. When we finally made it to McDonalds, we ate and talked for hours. George told us many stories, some true about how he had lost his job and became very poor, and how both his parents were dead and now he was all alone. Some were a little crazy, like the one about him being the third best karate fighter in the world – right behind Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee – and the one about how his father is George Bush. He also showed us many magic tricks and would sing at the top of his lungs at any random moment.
We both could feel God's love for George and we continued to spend time with him every day that week. We met his friends who were also homeless and walked with him as he dug through the trash for treasures. Most importantly, we got to tell George every day how much God loves him. We would also pray with him before we ate and before we would leave him for the day – often closing the prayer and then having to immediately start again because George would insist on continuing.
Our last day with George was the hardest as we explained to him that we were leaving. At first he thought that I meant we were only leaving for the day but as I explained that we wouldn't be back he began to understand and asked us, "please stay". We again explained that we had no choice – we had to leave. As we hugged goodbye I almost cried. It was very hard to leave but I believe that God used us that week. That he touched George's heart and showed him how loved he is even though the world may not accept him. If the only reason I was in Romania was to tell this one homeless man how much God loves him it was worth it. I will never forget my time spent with George.
