Just to let y'all know – I have a ton of blogs running through my mind and will hopefully get to type them up this weekend!! Here's a bit of what we've done so far and what the rest of the month might look like.
Most days we walk from our village/house to the bus stop (about a 15 min. walk through a cornfield!). From there we catch a bus into Targu Mures for ministry. The schedule is very, very flexible on most days. Our contact, Pastor Szombor is so intentional about prayer and following God's leading.
Walking home through the field one day…
Monday: Go into town and pray/sing songs in the park where a cult usually gathers. There are many people with different ideas and one leader that is spreading lies throughout the place as they gather sometimes to discuss or play chess. Pastor Szombor is adamant about praying for the territory – that it belongs to Jesus and that the Truth would burst forth there. We really just try to bring the presence of God there whether it's by singing or praying. I'm learning lots about prayer this month.
Last Monday we also walked up a huge hill to a Gypsy village to play with the kids. Anything organized was out of the question. We couldn't do any songs or games because the children were so wild. Some of the boys passed around two beers and guzzled them down while others were "smoking" fake cigarettes. Two girls were playing with Jill and I then they started pushing, spitting and hitting each other. The kids were so violent and the parents were nowhere in sight. It was a very dark place and I tried hard to pray for peace there and a new cycle of freedom through those kids.
Tuesday and Sunday: Sundays are our "sabbath" for the week to rest and spend time with the Lord. Also, we stay at home because of the cost of travel into town. Tuesdays are kind of team bonding days where we're free but we may make some fun videos or just get to know each other better.
A few rounds of Bananagrams during our free time!
Wednesday: Go to Gypsy villages nearby. This week we hitch hiked to a nearby village. Really, we hitch hiked in a delivery van that was pitch black in the back. (I had the $ so I got ride up front with Pastor Szombor, haha). In that village we met a man who has been wanting to be baptized so we'll go back to the river next week to have a baptism service there. Sarah and I also got to play with the children while the rest of our group talked with and prayed for a lady in a house nearby.
Some of the kids from the village. They were more well behaved and sweet…they just wouldn't let us leave!
Thursday: Go to the oncology hospital and pray for patients there. Pastor Szombor and two others go to the rooms to visit (not more than 3 are allowed in the hallways) while the rest of us sing or pray in an "intercession" room. There are sometimes up to 6 or 7 patients in one small room. This ministry is ongoing and often partnered with YWAM as they go each week to try and bring hope.
Friday: Youth day. We go to a trendy outdoor restaurant and order drinks or snacks so we can stay. The object is to meet with people that the pastor has invited or to meet new young people and invite them to church. We got to talk a lot with our translator last week and this week we talked with two teenage guys. We were able to invite them to church or to come back and talk next week at the restaurant.
The team with a lady that we visited this afternoon. She is a believer but she's been struggling with health issues lately. We got to pray for her and share some scripture. She was so precious!
Saturday: This is church day. The church meets at 6pm on Saturdays. Last week Jill and I spoke and we all sang for worship. The church is very small (6 or 7) plus the pastor's family. There are visitors that come when they can get into the city. I am amazed at Pastor Szombor's passion to invite people constantly and pray that the gospel will be shared among his city. He will see people on the street and talk to them, later explaining: "He came to our church several months ago." He really remembers people and their struggles. Pastor Szombor is a man after God's heart and he truly loves His people.
About the city: Targu Mures. This week there is a music festival here with lots of drugs, alcohol and other not so great things. Pastor Szombor asked us to specifically intercede for the people that come, that the blood of Jesus would cover them and they'd turn from sin. In the city there are also a lot of Hungarians as well as Romanians (this makes the language barrier even tougher). There is still a division and hatred from wars long ago and healing needs to come. Pray that a revival would begin here!
