I am inside an elementary school in Pitesti, Romania. It is a decent building, very little graffiti, no broken windows, it is not cold, and it keeps the wind and cold off of me. We are setting up for Sunday in Razboieni. Children from the neighborhood come off the street to see Pastor Christi. He sets everything up every Sunday evening. We will worship with the kids, answer questions, tell a story or two and then break up and go to the classrooms. The children are broken up into three groups, little children, boys, and girls. We are going through the fruits of the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Every week we go through a new fruit.
This week was pacea (peace). We talked with the kids about peace. Peace is something very hard to discuss considering what we see. As I watched the children come into the room they were excited and happy. There were smiles on almost all the 30 something children’s faces. Some had dirty ripped clothes, some not appropriate for the cold. Some had bruises or black eyes from being hit or getting into fights. Almost all smelled like smoke. Christi had warned us of this. That these children live in a dog eat dog world where the strongest fist wins, where you could be hurt because you had a new piece of clothes. Where the children smoked cigarettes and were already engaged in sex by the age of 10. “Where are their parents? Why is there no one taking care of them? Why is there no one loving them and showing them what love is?” How could we talk about peace to these children when there are so many hardships and burdens that should not be theirs at such an age? How could we expect any answer other than what the world has taught them- there is no peace, only bitterness, only pain, only suffering, only mean people. I was shocked at the answers we received. The children’s answers were that God gives you peace, Jesus on the cross gave us peace. I was stunned. God is at work here. God is using Christi, his team, and us to be the ones to love these children. To be the ones to hold the children and let them know that they are loved so much by God. God is here and working. God is not only transforming the children, but he is transforming our hearts as well. He is changing our lives that we care for the things that he cares about. A verse came to me as I was thinking about this. Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ”
God is so precious. He loves you and me so much. God desires you to know him so badly. He craves relationship, and by obeying him you will grow closer to him. We only get a short month with these kids before we have to leave, but I want God to use my hands, lips, and feet for his glory. I want to leave a lasting impact of goodness and love. I want our team to aid pastor Christi and have his Spirit be lifted high, be encouraged, and be strengthened so that they can continue the true missionary work. For after we are gone to the next country God will still be here with Christi, and Christi’s team will still be preaching and loving the children.
God speak to them, teach them, and help them to continue pursuing a deeper relationship with you all the days of their lives. To your glory forever and ever Amen.
Ty
