Romania is described as the most unhappiest place on earth. It was ranked at the bottom of the Global Barometer of Happiness this past year, and yet Pitesti, Romania does not seem that way at all.
The people we are working a long side with this month are incredible men and women of God. They are a people willing to live out their faith in the midst of persecution. For example, as a child the pastor of the church we are working with watched Russian soldiers pull a gun on his dad and threaten to kill him because of his faith. There are countless testimonies of these types of things occuring here. The people here know the true meaning and definition of faith.
After WWII, this country was ruled by the communist regime for over 40 years. In 1989, the revolution occured and Romania overthrew the communist regime and established a democracy. This country has been under oppression and brutal suffering throughout history and yet in the midst of it all, Christians have continued to spread the good news of Jesus.
In America we have the freedom to worship and believe anything we would like to. It is difficult for me to think about living life any other way, yet Romanians know what it means to have to hide their faith in secret. They know what it means to be a martyr for Christ.
Because of the history of Romania, joy is something that is rarely expressed. Joy is not a concept that is easily understood by adults, but especially children. When we work with the kids here, they are very different than regular, happy, out-going kids. They do not know what true joy means and so I have enjoyed being able to minister to them and show them what joy in Christ Jesus looks like.
I have learned over this past week that the laugh I have is truly a gift from the Lord. For those of you who read this and do not know what my laugh sounds like, it is very loud (to say the least). Throughout my life I have been made fun of a lot for the way a laugh. People have always mocked me and told me that I laugh too loud.
But throughout the World Race, all I have recieved is compliments and praise for my laugh! Time and time again people tell me how much they love my laugh and how contagious it is. I believe that people around the world enjoy my laugh because they understand the reason why I am able to laugh so loud. And that reason is joy; uncontrollable joy in Christ Jesus!
Romania is far from what I thought it would be, but I love seeing how God is working in Eastern Europe. The transition from Central America to here is like night and day and yet God remains the same. Our God is amazing!!!
