It”s killing me to see another month fly by. Man’s days
really are “like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow” (Psalm 144:4). 11
months might seem long, but it currently feels like God is rushing to get me
somewhere FAST.
This past month, I have been in Sistarovat, Romania. On the
map it”s a small village, but let me reassure you that the Lord is busy around there.
I encountered at least 9 different missionaries living within an hour or so of
each other, partnering together for the sake of Christ. It’s amazing the
network that exists here.
We spent the month working with Callum, a guy from Scotland who
helps run a children’s summer camp every year and now lives in Sistarovat as a
missionary. It was a HUGE blessing to work with a contact that spoke English
and could help us really understand the community we were working with. Since
summer was over, we were able to serve in many other ways: cleaning around the
camp, prepping wood for winter, putting on a kids club in our community, helping
neighbors shuck corn, helping widows, visiting patients in rehabilitation
homes, and the list goes on.
It’s so funny what you are able to communicate with another
person without speaking their language. I’m finding that as I go from country
to country, there”s only so much of the local language I can learn. I’m discovering,
however, God has given me the ability to speak His language of love and
compassion in other ways. It’s amazing how much you can say by simply taking time to look someone in the eye and just smile. You see, God not only
speaks, He loves, He looks, He holds, He smiles, He walks with us, He listens,
and He gives. I guess that”s the meaning behind this blog title.
God speaks the language of “friend.” He is a friend to us,
and He calls us to be a friend to others. A lot of times you may not know what
to say or how to say something. Stand assured that all human beings have a
desired to be loved, feel supported, and be recognized. I encourage you to be a
good friend and look for those who need love. Give it to them and ask God to
use you. I’m sure He will.
Pray for me too.
I’ll conclude by sharing some of my favorite “friend” moments
this month:
#1 – Our first
time grocery shopping, I met a woman, Ileana, who kept begging me for money. I
didn’t want to give her cash. But after she came around yet a third time, I had
the idea to take her around and just buy things for her. So I did. I got her
meat, oil, noodles, milk, etc. When she thanked me, I just pointed up and
claimed Jesus.
#2 – Crying and
praying with a friend who lives in a rehabilitation center while we were
singing “Open the Eyes of My Heart.” Pray that the Lord would continue to love
her, encourage her, and keep her safe.
#3 – Holding,
loving, and praying for a little girl, Nicholetta, who lives as an outcast
because she’s a gypsy. Interceding on her behalf that God would set her apart
in her generation.
#4 – Weeding a
garden for an old widow, Baba Rosa, who is suffering from ganged green. She
lives on 120 lei a month (about $34 a month), the lowest amount our contact had
heard of. We prayed with her and listened to her story when we finished her
garden, and I sensed this was a mighty woman of faith. She encouraged us not to
store up treasures for ourselves on this earth. She lives on little, but God literally
is keeping this woman alive and providing for her. I walked away challenged and
encouraged.
#5 – Spending time and loving our
contact’s neighbor, Baba Dora. She’s a widow who loved holding me in her lap. This
woman is something else. She fell down one afternoon and simply got back up.
Talk about one tough cookie. This woman”s like in her 80’s! I loved being able
to pray with her and love her. She really became my adopted Romanian
Grandmother! Her daughter and son-in-law jokingly said they’d leave me the
house if I came back to take care of her! Not such a bad gig J
#6 – Helping
Callum dig the cement foundation for his well. He’s been waiting forever to get
the “okay” and begin building his house. He’s still waiting on some paperwork
to finalize, but I was thankful to help him at least start something!
