To be Moldovan is to
be Orthodox
I am in awe that month four is almost over and soon month
five will begin in Swaziland, Africa. I am so excited!!!! So far on my Jesus
Journey I have traveled to: India where I witnessed many miracles of God. A
blind woman suddenly received her vision back, a crippled man walked for the
first time in two years after paralysis took over his body, and more than two
sets of deaf ears heard their first words. — Then up to Nepal where we
climbed the foothills of the Himalayan Mountain to witness to those who lived way
up in the mountains. I saw some of the most breath-taking views I have ever
witnessed in my life; and found inspiration to have bold faith like the
believers who are in Nepal. — In Romania I was able to hand out clothes,
gifts, and food to many families in need. I made some wonderful connections
with some great people, and was able to worship at an international church in
the heart of Bucharest. — And now you are wondering about Moldova…
Moldova has been a very interesting month. I have both been
challenged and rejuvenated at the same time. Moldova is a beautiful place and
most of its people are very kind-hearted. Outreach was challenging this month
because the spirit of religion is very strong here.
To be Moldovan is to
be Orthodox. – This is a very common quote among the people of Moldova.
Almost everyone we came across while doing door-to-door ministry this month was
orthodox. When we would ask them about a relationship with Jesus they would
often say “every man has his own religion” and then tell us they know about God
and they are saved. Most of them were very kind to us and let us speak about our faith. I still ask myself how do you witness to people who know
Christ, they know the bible, but they do not know the heart of God? I have been
in constant prayer this month about this. Ministry this month has consisted of door-to-door, visited an orphanage, held an assembly at a school, sang, preached, and encouraged fellow believers and shared our faith with those who don’t believe.
It is clearer to me now than it ever has been – Religion and
Tradition can blind us to the things of God.
Our contact told us that among the believers there is not a common interest in discipleship. A common mind-set is: I go to church, I pray to God,
and I pay my tithe I am a good Christian and that is all I need to do.
My prayer for Moldova
is that God opens the eyes of our fellow believers and takes them past the
limits of being comfortable. I pray that they step into discipleship so that
they know that there is more to being a follower of Christ than just being a
good Christian. At the same time I am not saying that they are doing anything
wrong, in fact everything they are doing is correct. What I am saying is that
there is freedom waiting for my brothers and sisters here that they have never
experienced before. God has so much more for them.
This month has been awe-inspiring for me. My quiet times
with the Lord have been very intimate and personable. God has shown me my
Identity! It is not this huge complex thing like I thought it was. Simply put –
My identity is in Christ. I know it sound like a small discovery but on the
contrary it’s HUGE! After I realized this, my eyes were opened and God took me
from a pauper mindset to a Royal mindset. It is amazing how my mind perceives
myself now and God as well. The Lord has been speaking to me through this book –
The Supernatural Ways of Royalty written by Kris Vallotton & Bill Johnson.
But that is another blog in itself.
My team leaves for Bucharest, Romania on the 28th
by train from Chisinau, Moldova. We will spend five days there for debrief with
Seth, Karen, and AIM staff. There is the possibility of team changes which
freaks me out but excites me at the same time. Then after five days we fly to
South Africa, and then by some means of transportation ( I am sure it will be
bus) we head out to Swaziland. A lot of changes and travel awaits us so please
keep us in your prayers.
God is moving in BIG ways,
-Philip
