*My mom has been here with me in Draganest, Romania for the past five days for PVT (parent vision trip) with AIM (the missions organization that I am with)*
Praying with my Mom right before we took communion on Monday night was a tear filled and beautiful experience. I just love my mom. I love her hugs and her full laugh. I love that she carries compassion and humor. I love her strength. Woah, does she carry strength. I have seen her press through three day car drives be herself with four little girls piled in the back (two of whom were probably sick the whole time). I remember her gathering us around and hugging us close as she led us in prayer while we waited for a page from our Dad to tell us that he was okay on September 11. I watched her day in and day out homeschool us, patiently meeting each one of us where we were at and walking through the world of learning with us.
My mom chooses joy. Life has its ups and downs and there are the daily challenges of choosing to have joy as she gets in the car again to take someone to school or swimming or work (she’s been choosing joy in this way for 23 years). Marmie (that is what I call my mom) chooses to take the time to see people where they are at. When we were visiting a mom and daughter in their home, marmie was so attentive to how they were feeling about having a lot of foreigners in their space and her questions were intentional as she sought to make these women more comfortable with our presence.
Mom is honest and speaks the truth. I used to get so embarrassed by this; because, I was afraid of what people might think of what she believed. I am learning to value this quality of a willingness to speak truth in the face of adversity, to give honest feedback.
As we set in people’s homes and prayed over parents and children or walked up and down dusty street handing out Bibles, I was reminded of the full and beautiful life that my mom has lived and was humbled that she would step out of her comfort zone, flying halfway around the world by herself to come see me and do ministry with me. I have learned so much from her and look forward to the new things that I will learn in the future from her.
This morning I saw mom off to the airport and in a couple hours I myself will be heading to the airport to head to Africa. Please be praying for Europe. Pray that people filled with the light of Christ will be given a passion to come to the darkest places here and share Jesus. Pray for softened hearts and eyes opened to the truth. Pray for revival. Pray continued strength and faith for the men and women who are stepping out to share Jesus daily in the face of a lot of resistance. My heart breaks for this part of the world. I love these people and I know that Jesus loves them even more.
Life updates:
I saw prayers fulfilled when…I met a missionary group from Belfast (Northen Ireland), worshipping and sharing the Gospel on a street corner here in Romania. There will be a series of blogs about why this is so huge to come. Stay tuned!
It felt like Christmas…when my mom opened her suitacase and pulled out a bag filled with cliff bars, an ipod and new nike shorts for me. I felt so provided for and loved!
I cried…when my mom left.
I was blessed by…the free latte and chocolate chip cookies that the barista at this coffee shop just brought to me?
