As I near the end of my first month here in Romania I am reflecting back on all I have learned and looking to the future of what I have in store.
My team was paired with a man named George to be apart of his ministry, which includes children’s ministry, street evangelism, and house visits. When I heard what we would be doing I was so excited because not only do I love children, I think you can reach so many people by just walking and talking around a city and sharing a simple hello or in Romanian “Buna Ziua.” We started our ministry on Friday, half of us passed out tracks and the rest cleaned windows in the church. I know that seems like such a small thing to do but we serve the Lord in so many ways and something so simple as cleaning windows could start a conversation about God we had no idea would happen. I was extremely excited for Saturday to come because it was finally time for children’s ministry, the one place I thrive. So here we are, all 8 of my team preparing game, songs, and crafts for the kids to do over the hour. We had finger puppets and an entire skit to David and Goliath to share. As it got closer to time to start, we all go outside the church to find that the children’s ministry was actually 5 teenagers around our age….. this is where the whole “going with the flow” phrase really hits home. In a 5 second panic and a quick team discussion we realized the finger puppets might not work anymore. So we changed our plans and instead read the Bible story of David and Goliath and allowed the teens to apply it their lives. We asked what scared them, and how God has shown up even in the tough battles. It was one mans answer that really proved how Gods love stretches across lands and He is everywhere. He said he was scared of the future and what it holds for him but that even in that fear he knows God has a plan for him and trusts the Lord will lead him exactly where he needs to be. This put a smile on my face because even in a small village in southern Romania where witch craft and corrupt churches are easy to find these teens love the Lord and aren’t afraid to show it.
After our “children’s” ministry we got the chance to hit the streets and pass out tracks to houses around the village. I always enjoy walking around because its such an easy way to talk to the locals and get to know them in such a different environment. During this time I learned how to “go with the flow” even more. It felt like we were walking in circles and barley made it to any house. We’d go down a street, hit maybe two houses, and then for some reason have to turn around and go somewhere else. As I began to get frustrated I had to remind myself that this isn’t about me. This is about the Lord and reaching the people He needs us to reach. God leads us to the people who need to hear His word the most and even if that’s only two houses in a village of 100, that is two more people exposed to the Lord and his love. We don’t always get to choose who finds God and embraces His love but we have the chance to be a small part of that journey that could lead then to the father and to me that’s enough.
I’m sad my time here in Draganesti-Olt, Romania is ending but the thought of all the people God will place in my path in the Ukraine has filled my heart with so much joy and anticipation. Month one down, Month two here I come!!!!!!!
