I'm sitting in the Chisinau hostel for the the third weekend this month, enjoying the safety of a familiar place. I have come to learn the route from the train station to the hostel, experiencing different types of taxi drivers and learning how much to actually pay for the quick trip. I recognize buildings and streets, houses and signs. It has become familiar in a foreign way,
My second month has come to an end. Today we will hop a train back to Bucharest, Romania to then catch a flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. Month three is right around the corner.
So what did I actually do in Moldova?
Well. I rode more trains than I ever thought possible, played guitar for a bunch of strangers only to have them laugh (with what I'm convinced is love and adoration) as I spoke in flustered jibberish while exiting the train with two backpacks and a bag of food and guitar (those doors are way too narrow). Learned about Papa's joy and how it's possible to bring it to the nations in one form or another. Climbed a mountain to soak in the beauty of the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Hauled and chopped enough firewood to potentially build a small cabin. Gathered and cracked walnuts to help provide an income for Vlad . Raked leaves for Maria, the most joyful woman who wasn't able to do it herself. Drank hot cherry pie. Saw the most beautiful friend I could ask for and gained a whole different kind of family. Watched as teammates danced their heart out to an ipod when the train cars were nearly empty. Tore down a wall to make a driveway. Came in second (only to a boy!) in a rock throwing contest and first in a seed spitting contest. Walked six miles every Sunday to church and four miles any given day we needed to go to the store. Learned how to be still and wait for the Lord God Almighty. I was humbled and blessed by the most beautiful people. I ate crystalized honey on pickles, apples and watermelon. I drank wine with new friends on a familiar train and laughed at the awkward and awesome ways we have learned to communicate. Learned how many different ways you could say "it's very interesting," discovered how much a smile could mean in a tough situation and how I will never ever reach the depth of God's goodness. I had more conversations that spoke to my soul, shared in more laughs than I can recall and have been blessed with a peace I didn't know was possible.
A lot of people ask what it is we do in these countries. Sometimes, it's really hard to answer that question, sometimes I ask myself the same one. But as I learned while walking up a hill with a beautiful soul speaking beside me, ministry doesn't always look like we think it does. It isn't necessarily saving a hundred people one day and healing 300 the next (some days it is). Sometimes we just plant the seed, sometimes we water it. Sometimes we just sit and encourage it to grow. One day we may even get to harvest it. But the point is, we're here and even if we don't see the harvest, Papa is still working in and through us. Whether that means having us grow in our personal relationship so that we are strong enough to pour into people on a regular basis, or paving the path so others may come behind us and dive deeper into what we started, God is present and He is good.
So. This month I let Him be just that; present and good.
I'm praying for a movie, good food and a nap on the future flight. Feel free to do the same!
Oh. I guess safe travels wouldn't hurt either.
