In order to check in with Brian and Stacy and the four teams that are serving in Romania I left Moldova this past Monday. That’s the story I want to share.
I woke up. Packed. I have this system and in less than 30 minutes my bag was ready.
French toast was prepared. Dessert for breakfast. Blessings from heaven.
The phone rang. The hope I had in travel plans were shattered. I hate getting lost. And I’m horrible with directions. I was hearing too many people give too many directions to maybe getting me to where I needed to be. Curled up on the couch the stress began to eat its way into my day.
I needed a short walk away from our house. Why was I upset? Why was I stressed?
Pause.
I was going to miss these teams. I was going to miss the prayers they would pray, the conversations, the growth, and love. I’d see them again in a week, but it made me sad. More than just missing these two teams was the realization that throughout the rest of my life I’m going to deal with this unless I look to God first. I’m going to have pains of leaving. I’m going to miss seeing every step and smile and heartache and healing. I’m not going to see it all in them but I can see the One who loves them the same.
My tearful prayers turned into a cry to the Father. Show me Your heart. Show me Your heart. My gaze went from the sky to the field I was walking in only to spot a man squatting in the all to near distance to take a crap. I made an immediate 180 and headed back to the house with an unbelievable grin.
God, You know me so well. I like to smile and I love to laugh. And in the midst of my stress and fears and tears He showed up to simply remind me everything is still in His control.
Back at the house with less than an hour till departure. I shared my morning’s emotional roller-coaster with the Racers. They prayed over me and I was off.
Plans changed even on the walk to the train station. But a final decisions was made. Two trains to Bucharest and then a bus to Targu Mures. Done.
I hopped on the train with the 40 cent loaf of bread I had bought the day before. It’s all I thought I needed – that could last me. Simple. I can endure.
God’s faithfulness showed up again. I met Adriana. She speaks good English and was taking the same train to Bucharest as I was. Even during the 4 hour wait between trains during our travel she invited me over to the home of her friend’s parents.
That night I had imagined waiting alone eating my loaf. Instead I was treated with warm Moldovian hospitality and a feast. Caviar, pork, vegetables, bread and cheese, gin and tonic, tea, chocolate, and apple strudel. The most filling meal in days.
Afterwards, Adriana and I got back on our train to Bucharest. I have a new friend there now.
Arrive in Romania. Led by a taxi driver directly to the bus I need to take me to Brian and Stacy six hours north. Arrived tired but grateful.
I was taken care of 100% of the way. Still I am amazed at how good our God really is. With as much as I don’t tangibly possess He continues to provide grace and love in my life. Here is a verse I read the day we arrived in Romania:
