The past three weeks have flown by in a blur of busy days, and I just realized I am long overdue for a ministry update from Romania. So, with apologies for the belated post, here is the latest scoop:
It is Month 10 on the World Race, and we are in our third week of ministry in the small village of Sistarovat, about 45 minutes way from the city of Arad and not far from the Hungarian-Romanian border. Tucked up among grassy hills, our home at Seven Springs Christian Camp is more like a castle than what I would normally think of as “camp.” Four stories high, our cozy lodge has picturesque views of the surrounding countryside, including the plethora of sheep, cows, ducks, geese, and horses that dot the neighboring hills. The “Summer House” lies only a hundred yards away, boasting 60 bunks and 24 beds, while the soccer field and beach volleyball court lies just beyond that.
Our ministry focus this month has been to prepare the Seven Springs property for this summer’s season of campers. This includes washing bed sheets, blankets, and towels for more than a hundred beds, scrubbing paint chips off of the floor and walls, weeding, mowing and raking the extensive lawn, and cleaning thousands and thousands of carpet squares.
I have to be honest and say the manual labor has been a bit tougher on my body than I expected. I have spent most of my days scrubbing carpet squares, working alongside my hearty team of six until our hands are pruney and sticky from the sudsy water. While the work can seem endless, I enjoy the occasional water fights that erupt, which certainly bring much needed refreshment in the heat of the sun.
There are moments when it would be easy to complain about the seeming ceaseless monotony that characterizes our days. It would be easy to grumble about not being able to interact with more local Romanians. It would be especially easy to complain about the fact that my pants are too tight from all of the bread I have been eating. But I think I would be missing the point.
At the beginning of this month, our team leader Tom put things into perspective. He said that our goal this month was not to be the most efficient workers, making sure that every single task was complete by the end of each day. He made us realize that there would always be more to do; such is the reality of life when you have to upkeep a large property like that of Seven Springs. Rather, Tom challenged us to make each moment of service count for God’s glory. Quoting I Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Whenever I find my attitude slipping into something not-so-pleasant, I have to remind myself to take a step back and realize that God receives the glory when I serve with joy. Sometimes I find that the best way for me to turn my frown upside down is by playing the “Thankful Game.” I find that as I thank the Lord for the small things (like cold water from the hose in the heat of the day, flushing toilets, or sipping hot chocolate on rainy days), and the not-so-small things (growing closer with my teammates, celebrating my 30th birthday with half of the squad, and enjoying the incredible sunsets and rainbows that we frequently see from our hilltop perch), my entire attitude changes. I become thankful for having the opportunity to serve Him here in Romania. I begin to think of ways that I can pray over the camp and the people who will be here this summer. And, the negative attitude in my heart is suddenly replaced with nothing other than the joy of the Lord.
We have one more week left to serve here in Romania, and though I am sure there are still more carpet squares left to conquer, I plan to serve with a smile on my face and thankfulness in my heart.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17.
