When I signed up for the World Race, Eastern Europe was at the bottom of my list. In fact, I would have told you that if they were to completely remove the European portion and give me more Africa, I would be totally happy. Some would ask me why I picked a route that would take me to Europe and my answer was always pretty simple, “I chose this route because the Lord told me to, and while I may not always totally love some of the things He does, I trust Him.”
Enter the end of of our month one debrief in the Philippines. It’s our last night before we head out to Malaysia, and our Squad Leader comes up and says he has some some big news. He then proceeds to tell us that we have ANOTHER route change (this has ended up being a pretty standard theme at our debriefs since then). We had lost India and Nepal, gained Thailand, lost Mozambique and Malawi, gained South Africa, and then…. here’s the biggie: we gained not one, but two more European countries, which gave us a whopping FOUR countries in Europe. The continent that I didn’t want to go to had just become that one I would spend nearly a third of my race in.
It was in those moments after finding out the change, that I had to make a decision. I could either sit in my frustration and stay super irritated at the changes and just be bitter OR I could choose to see God’s purpose in the change. It was like the Lord was saying to me “Look, these people are my kids and they are just as important as anyone else in the world. By you showing your frustration, it is basically brushing aside my people, and I don’t want that for you and I don’t want that for them. Do you remember at the beginning how you told people that you chose this route because I told you to and you trust me? Do you remember that? Well, now is the time to walk in that trust. I have purpose for you in those countries. Let go of your hold and let me guide you and let me use you.” And so, I began to trust the Lord. I began to pray that He would change my heart for the continent that my heart so badly wanted to turn away from.
Now here we are in Moldova. It’s our ninth month of the race, and second country in Europe. I couldn’t be more content with life if I tried. We are living in Ocnita, Moldova which sits at the Northern most tip of the country and is a mere two kilometers from the Ukrainian border. We are living and working with the Luca family and they are so full of life and fire and excitement. We live in a little two bedroom “cabin” and shower outside. Spring is in the air and during the day a cool breeze will kiss my skin as the sun shines down. Some mornings we brave the markets to practice our Russian and get fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, and cheese. The sweet women laugh at us, the men chuckle and look on with curiosity, and most times the “conversation” ends with us throwing around hand motions in an attempt to convey what we want.
We get to spend other mornings working in the gardens with Larisa and the afternoons getting rocks from a river at the border with her husband, Andrei. I feel Jesus here. I feel Him in the wind that blows against my skin and I see Him in the greens and browns of the rolling hills here in Moldova. I see him in the way Larisa and Andrei love one another and I hear Him in the giggles that flow from Erik and Merrick as they play. I even see Him in the people that we pass on the streets – the ones who look so unhappy, like the weight of the world sits directly on their shoulders. I see Him in the decrepit buildings and in the overgrown parks. He is everywhere. It’s just that most of the people here don’t know that. My hope and prayer is that this month that changes. I pray that this month, Ocnita will get just a little bit brighter with the light that flows from Christ.
There may be conflict on our borders, war all around, and hurt in the hearts of these people, but the Lord isn’t done here. He isn’t done with the people of Moldova and He never will be.
Sitting here with so much love in my heart, it’s hard to believe that I could have ever felt anything negative about Europe. I am so thankful to have a changed heart for this placeand I can’t wait to see where the Lord takes me these next three months.
