We have made it through our first Month in Romania and God is already teaching me some hard lessons. For the most part we have had the comforts of home here in Romania. Three meals a day, hot showers most of the time, wifi, and a roof over our heads. So why was I feeling so terrible? Shortly after arriving in Romania I felt as if the joy was slowly being pulled away from me. Things that would not normally bother me were driving me insane and I was becoming bitter for no reason. I had no clue why I was feeling this way I only knew that I wanted it to stop.
Back home in Springfield I live in an incredible community. I have the best friends that are passionate about Jesus and my church is on fire for God. Everywhere I turn there I am being encouraged and strengthened by those around me. I live in the “Bible belt” of the country and there is a church on every corner. While doing street ministry this past week I realized how good I really had it and the vast difference in the spiritual condition of Romania.
During our street ministry we were walking through a nearby village handing out materials and praying with the locals. We had the opportunity to meet a man who introduced himself as “Christmas.” He was a very joyful man who was laughing and smiling at everything we said. I soon realized though that behind that laughter he was terribly broken. His eyes told a story that his actions were not conveying. When we asked him if we could pray with him he refused, but after a moment he asked if we could pray for his Grandson who was blind and mute. We agreed happily and began to call out to God on behalf of his grandson.
After praying the man looked frantic babbling things in Romanian through his tears. Our translator explained that Christmas was worried because he had no money to pay us for our prayers. I was shocked that this man believed he would have to pay us! I now understood why he had been so hesitant to allow us to pray for him. I had heard of this happening in the early centuries but in today’s world I had no idea. At that moment is when I realized the heaviness that was on my heart. It was the spiritual depravity of these people, feeling so far away from God that they have to pay someone to speak to him on their behalf.
The spiritual sickness upon these people can be felt in the deepest part of my heart. But that’s why we are here. To love on those people and show them that there is a father who loves them that asks nothing from them but their love in return.
(here is my ministry team from the day with Christmas and his friends, Christmas is on the far left)
So what is holding us back from God? Are we like Christmas feeling unworthy or under qualified to talk to him?
“As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:9-11)
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