Divine Orchestration
3.3.11
Tomorrow is the big day! Our 6 person team heads out to Romania. I can smell the sarmales and mamaliga already (Romanian cabbage rolls and cornmeal mix). Our team consists of 6 members. Two co-leaders, 3 female students, and myself. It has been incredible to see how God's handiwork was moving through each step of the trip process. He has orchestrated each and every piece of the trip--each group member, our travel dates, our itinerary, whom we will be working with, etc. To HIM, we give all glory! In all of this, God has been showing me that HIS plans and order are so perfect and my efforts are pointless without HIS divine orchestration.
In addition to my personal blog, we have a group blog that will be updated as often as possible! Please feel free to follow us at: http://springbreakromania.wordpress.com/
Tomorrow is the big day! Our 6 person team heads out to Romania. I can smell the sarmales and mamaliga already (Romanian cabbage rolls and cornmeal mix). Our team consists of 6 members. Two co-leaders, 3 female students, and myself. It has been incredible to see how God's handiwork was moving through each step of the trip process. He has orchestrated each and every piece of the trip--each group member, our travel dates, our itinerary, whom we will be working with, etc. To HIM, we give all glory! In all of this, God has been showing me that HIS plans and order are so perfect and my efforts are pointless without HIS divine orchestration.
In addition to my personal blog, we have a group blog that will be updated as often as possible! Please feel free to follow us at: http://springbreakromania.wordpress.com/
Returning to Romania
2.7.11
Look out Romania, I'm coming back! I am co-leading a missions trip to Romania in March. While serving overseas this summer, God gave me the desire to bring people to Romania to do missions work. I had no idea it would be so soon. Wow! I'm amazed at his diving plan and purpose. We will be working with the same missionaries as I did this past summer and doing similar ministry.
Look out Romania, I'm coming back! I am co-leading a missions trip to Romania in March. While serving overseas this summer, God gave me the desire to bring people to Romania to do missions work. I had no idea it would be so soon. Wow! I'm amazed at his diving plan and purpose. We will be working with the same missionaries as I did this past summer and doing similar ministry.
Reflections
9.1.10
We traveled via a new Speed the Light van over 7,200 km (4,474 miles) and did 37 programs for children. In all of the miles, programs and various ministries, God revealed Himself in so many ways. When we were lost in the middle of the night on the back roads of Romania using an outdated map as our guide all we could do was pray. We soon found a familiar route and made it home. At one of our camps there was a thievery problem among the campers, which was solved in ways that only God could orchestrate. When we didn’t have the resources to plan and develop activities for kids at our camps and outreaches, God supplied every need. In every moment and every relationship with the children and with one another, we rediscovered God’s love for His people and the divine plan He has for all of our lives.
To be honest, it’s difficult to adequately convey all the things that happened this summer. Miracles happened right before our eyes in Romanians as well as in my team. An unbelieving orphanage director who accompanied some orphans to one of the camps was frustrated when she found out she’d come to a Christian camp. By the end of the camp she apologized for her behavior, asked for a Bible, and requested materials to start a JBQ team at her orphanage. Though I lived and often worked in environments with cats (to which I have allergic reactions), I had no allergies. Even in the little things, I give God praise.
Aside from the all the ministry that we did, the biggest impact this experience has had on my life can be summed up in one word—sacrifice. Driving down dirt roads to do ministry in remote villages, to helping a missionary move out of their small apartment, to praying with a child whose only prayer is to have his family remain faithful to the Lord—so many examples of the true meaning of sacrifice. Meet some examples of Romanian believers, young and old.
Meet the pastor's wife of the village of Fondur Parlui. She is a brick maker for their community as well as the mother of 8 children. She and her husband gave up the main portion of their home to become the church building and moved their entire family into one room. Her husband lost his main job but continues to pastor their church. They live every day trusting God’s provision. He is their source and salvation. In June they received news that a church in Israel is providing the money to build a better room for their church so that their family could move back into their home. Her example of sacrifice astounds me because she gave up everything in order for her church to have a place to worship together. What have I sacrificed that even compares to this? Would I be able to sacrifice my living space if it meant that people could worship together? Meeting her and hearing her story challenged me to dig deeper and ask myself the hard questions.
Meet a faithful servant whom shall remain nameless. He works with my host missionaries and their ministry to kids. He lived in Bucharest for 30 years until God called him to minister to a gypsy village. His family moved to a village 2 hours outside of Bucharest. Because he doesn’t have a car, he walks through a ½ mile field to the highway where he hitchhikes for 2 hours to Bucharest so he can be a part of the missionaries' ministry. He uses the time in the car with strangers to share the Gospel. He would ask me everyday if I was faithful in my devotional life and what God was teaching me. He is such an incredible example of someone that has given all he has to glorify God and the work of His people. He serves as an encourager to all those around him. His Christ-like attitude and willingness to serve others was so humble and contagious. He is the kind of person that draws others to the Lord in everything he says and does. He challenged me to be stronger in my faith and prayer life and rediscover who God is every moment of every day. I want to be like this to those around me. God is everything and gives us everything. His plans don’t make sense sometimes but are amazing and beyond our expectations.
Meet an 8-year-old Turkish gypsy girl who lives in a Muslim village. Her church just started allowing children to attend last year. They must sit in the back on the women’s side of the church. Her friends make fun of her because she goes to a Christian church and her family isn’t practicing their Muslim roots. She told me that she’s lost a lot of friends and many people don’t like her family. However she also told me that even though it is very hard to be different, she knows that Jesus loves her and will take care of her family as they serve Him. Her perspective impacted my heart for the lost and what it truly means to live in a world that doesn’t accept your faith. I pray that she will continue to grow her walk with God and be a light to her community. Children are my passion and I always knew I was called to draw the next generation to Christ. I never imagined that children would draw me closer to Christ than I’ve ever been but I was wrong. Romania's children pulled me to a higher calling. Their lives are shaped in ways that I do not understand but their sensitivity and sincerity shook my faith. In everything that I have and the opportunities that I’ve been given, do I really understand the core of my faith? Their passion for life and one another reminded me of the greatness of our God and His love for each of us. If a small girl can be a light in her community that so brutally disagrees with her faith, then I can be the servant of God that I’m called to be in my everyday life.
These true stories are merely samples of the people I met in Romania. It wasn’t the programs, skits, and outreaches that changed me this summer but rather the people. Living with people who literally give everything for the sake of the Gospel shook me up and challenged me more than ever to fervently seek God in everything and to follow Him wherever I’m called and do whatever I can to draw others to Him.
I feel like I came into this experience knowing who I was in Christ and the plan I had for my life. Once again, I was wrong. My plans mean nothing because they are mine not God’s. This is such a foundational aspect of life—plans. We all plan our lives according to our ideas often without giving God a door to work in us. I do not want my plans at all any more. They are of no worth to me. Even though I gave of myself wholeheartedly this summer, I feel like I learned more about myself and gained from others more than I imagined. The relationships that I made transformed my view of people and God.
The Romanian churches are experiencing growth and prosperity as they fervently seek God. We were a part of this harvest as people turn to God and devote their lives to His work. One of the biggest testaments of God’s provision is when my missionary, in faith, invited hundreds of kids to camp though she was not financially able to pay for them. At the end of our last camp, we received news that a church in the states that had never worked with my host missionaries felt compelled to give their ministry a considerable sum of money that would cover all of the camps for the summer and much more! God is so faithful! As we serve Him and follow His call, He reveals Himself in new and incredible ways that we do not understand. No matter where I am or how impossible situations can seem, praising my Savior is the only thing that I can do. I’m excited for the path that is ahead of me, as unknown as it might be. I am learning the true meaning of sacrifice and learning to apply it to my life. My prayer is that I give of myself wholeheartedly in every situation so that I may further the Kingdom.
Feel free to watch my team's final video update: http://agtv.ag.org/romania-8-3-10
We traveled via a new Speed the Light van over 7,200 km (4,474 miles) and did 37 programs for children. In all of the miles, programs and various ministries, God revealed Himself in so many ways. When we were lost in the middle of the night on the back roads of Romania using an outdated map as our guide all we could do was pray. We soon found a familiar route and made it home. At one of our camps there was a thievery problem among the campers, which was solved in ways that only God could orchestrate. When we didn’t have the resources to plan and develop activities for kids at our camps and outreaches, God supplied every need. In every moment and every relationship with the children and with one another, we rediscovered God’s love for His people and the divine plan He has for all of our lives.
To be honest, it’s difficult to adequately convey all the things that happened this summer. Miracles happened right before our eyes in Romanians as well as in my team. An unbelieving orphanage director who accompanied some orphans to one of the camps was frustrated when she found out she’d come to a Christian camp. By the end of the camp she apologized for her behavior, asked for a Bible, and requested materials to start a JBQ team at her orphanage. Though I lived and often worked in environments with cats (to which I have allergic reactions), I had no allergies. Even in the little things, I give God praise.
Aside from the all the ministry that we did, the biggest impact this experience has had on my life can be summed up in one word—sacrifice. Driving down dirt roads to do ministry in remote villages, to helping a missionary move out of their small apartment, to praying with a child whose only prayer is to have his family remain faithful to the Lord—so many examples of the true meaning of sacrifice. Meet some examples of Romanian believers, young and old.
Meet the pastor's wife of the village of Fondur Parlui. She is a brick maker for their community as well as the mother of 8 children. She and her husband gave up the main portion of their home to become the church building and moved their entire family into one room. Her husband lost his main job but continues to pastor their church. They live every day trusting God’s provision. He is their source and salvation. In June they received news that a church in Israel is providing the money to build a better room for their church so that their family could move back into their home. Her example of sacrifice astounds me because she gave up everything in order for her church to have a place to worship together. What have I sacrificed that even compares to this? Would I be able to sacrifice my living space if it meant that people could worship together? Meeting her and hearing her story challenged me to dig deeper and ask myself the hard questions.
Meet a faithful servant whom shall remain nameless. He works with my host missionaries and their ministry to kids. He lived in Bucharest for 30 years until God called him to minister to a gypsy village. His family moved to a village 2 hours outside of Bucharest. Because he doesn’t have a car, he walks through a ½ mile field to the highway where he hitchhikes for 2 hours to Bucharest so he can be a part of the missionaries' ministry. He uses the time in the car with strangers to share the Gospel. He would ask me everyday if I was faithful in my devotional life and what God was teaching me. He is such an incredible example of someone that has given all he has to glorify God and the work of His people. He serves as an encourager to all those around him. His Christ-like attitude and willingness to serve others was so humble and contagious. He is the kind of person that draws others to the Lord in everything he says and does. He challenged me to be stronger in my faith and prayer life and rediscover who God is every moment of every day. I want to be like this to those around me. God is everything and gives us everything. His plans don’t make sense sometimes but are amazing and beyond our expectations.
Meet an 8-year-old Turkish gypsy girl who lives in a Muslim village. Her church just started allowing children to attend last year. They must sit in the back on the women’s side of the church. Her friends make fun of her because she goes to a Christian church and her family isn’t practicing their Muslim roots. She told me that she’s lost a lot of friends and many people don’t like her family. However she also told me that even though it is very hard to be different, she knows that Jesus loves her and will take care of her family as they serve Him. Her perspective impacted my heart for the lost and what it truly means to live in a world that doesn’t accept your faith. I pray that she will continue to grow her walk with God and be a light to her community. Children are my passion and I always knew I was called to draw the next generation to Christ. I never imagined that children would draw me closer to Christ than I’ve ever been but I was wrong. Romania's children pulled me to a higher calling. Their lives are shaped in ways that I do not understand but their sensitivity and sincerity shook my faith. In everything that I have and the opportunities that I’ve been given, do I really understand the core of my faith? Their passion for life and one another reminded me of the greatness of our God and His love for each of us. If a small girl can be a light in her community that so brutally disagrees with her faith, then I can be the servant of God that I’m called to be in my everyday life.
These true stories are merely samples of the people I met in Romania. It wasn’t the programs, skits, and outreaches that changed me this summer but rather the people. Living with people who literally give everything for the sake of the Gospel shook me up and challenged me more than ever to fervently seek God in everything and to follow Him wherever I’m called and do whatever I can to draw others to Him.
I feel like I came into this experience knowing who I was in Christ and the plan I had for my life. Once again, I was wrong. My plans mean nothing because they are mine not God’s. This is such a foundational aspect of life—plans. We all plan our lives according to our ideas often without giving God a door to work in us. I do not want my plans at all any more. They are of no worth to me. Even though I gave of myself wholeheartedly this summer, I feel like I learned more about myself and gained from others more than I imagined. The relationships that I made transformed my view of people and God.
The Romanian churches are experiencing growth and prosperity as they fervently seek God. We were a part of this harvest as people turn to God and devote their lives to His work. One of the biggest testaments of God’s provision is when my missionary, in faith, invited hundreds of kids to camp though she was not financially able to pay for them. At the end of our last camp, we received news that a church in the states that had never worked with my host missionaries felt compelled to give their ministry a considerable sum of money that would cover all of the camps for the summer and much more! God is so faithful! As we serve Him and follow His call, He reveals Himself in new and incredible ways that we do not understand. No matter where I am or how impossible situations can seem, praising my Savior is the only thing that I can do. I’m excited for the path that is ahead of me, as unknown as it might be. I am learning the true meaning of sacrifice and learning to apply it to my life. My prayer is that I give of myself wholeheartedly in every situation so that I may further the Kingdom.
Feel free to watch my team's final video update: http://agtv.ag.org/romania-8-3-10
Broken
6.4.10
I had done all I needed to in order to prepare myself for our program tonight at a small village in the outskirts of Bucharest. I packed the props, collected last minute items, put on my clown outfit and makeup, and boarded the new Speed the Light vehicle. But I had not prepared myself for what I would see when I got to our ministry site. As we drove down a paved road all of a sudden we pulled off into a field and began to drive towards a cluster of village homes made of tin, rusty metal, and cement blocks. Clotheslines and broken chairs lined the outside areas. My heart stood still. How do you react to this when behind the village is a skyline of huge homes and stores? I was broken.
As we entered the village children, parents, and grandparents rushed to the van to greet us and help us unload. Their genuineness was so organic—so pure. They pulled all the chairs out of their homes and made benches for the children to sit on for the program out of wooden beams and broken chairs. A small patch of low grass in a weedy field became our ministry area. The program went off without a hitch. We did our puppet songs, clown acts, illusions, and games. As I acted as a clown just as I had done in the past, I was struck with a thought in the context of the environment. Isn’t this what we were meant to do? Why do we glamorize the gospel when it is pure and simple? Christ told us to love the poor, broken, and needy. We are to be His hands and feet in everything we say and do. When I sat with the children on the makeshift benches surrounded by their love and eagerness I pondered my own perspective on life. I take for granted everything I have—my life is comfortable. When we handed the children a simple balloon, their world became new. Everything in the world revolved around the balloon shape that was in their hand and the people who gave it to them. I want to be like them. They soak up every ounce of life, every minute of God’s beautiful earth.
Doesn’t it all come back to the greatest commandments? Matthew 22:37-38 says, “'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Its all about Jesus. Draw others to Him through love.
I had done all I needed to in order to prepare myself for our program tonight at a small village in the outskirts of Bucharest. I packed the props, collected last minute items, put on my clown outfit and makeup, and boarded the new Speed the Light vehicle. But I had not prepared myself for what I would see when I got to our ministry site. As we drove down a paved road all of a sudden we pulled off into a field and began to drive towards a cluster of village homes made of tin, rusty metal, and cement blocks. Clotheslines and broken chairs lined the outside areas. My heart stood still. How do you react to this when behind the village is a skyline of huge homes and stores? I was broken.
As we entered the village children, parents, and grandparents rushed to the van to greet us and help us unload. Their genuineness was so organic—so pure. They pulled all the chairs out of their homes and made benches for the children to sit on for the program out of wooden beams and broken chairs. A small patch of low grass in a weedy field became our ministry area. The program went off without a hitch. We did our puppet songs, clown acts, illusions, and games. As I acted as a clown just as I had done in the past, I was struck with a thought in the context of the environment. Isn’t this what we were meant to do? Why do we glamorize the gospel when it is pure and simple? Christ told us to love the poor, broken, and needy. We are to be His hands and feet in everything we say and do. When I sat with the children on the makeshift benches surrounded by their love and eagerness I pondered my own perspective on life. I take for granted everything I have—my life is comfortable. When we handed the children a simple balloon, their world became new. Everything in the world revolved around the balloon shape that was in their hand and the people who gave it to them. I want to be like them. They soak up every ounce of life, every minute of God’s beautiful earth.
Doesn’t it all come back to the greatest commandments? Matthew 22:37-38 says, “'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Its all about Jesus. Draw others to Him through love.
Coming Events
6.3.10
Tomorrow begins a weekend of kids ministry in villages and at an orphanage. I can't believe its already our second weekend of ministry in Romania! We've had an amazing week working non-stop with our host family getting ready for a summer of life changing ministry. Please pray for the next two weeks as we have daily ministry opportunities. We are going to 2 different villages this weekend as well as to an orphanage to share the love of Christ. On Monday a missions team from the states is joining us for a week of kids programs in villages and in Bucharest. Following the team's visit we jump right into a week of camp for village and gypsy children. Please pray that kids' lives will be transformed with the message of God's love as we join together to be Christ's hands and feet. For such a time as this I have been planted in this place give of myself. This is an exciting season in which I am learning so much about myself and efforts that are being made to further the Gospel. I am so excited to see what God has done in both the lives of Romanian children and my own life over the next weeks.
Tomorrow begins a weekend of kids ministry in villages and at an orphanage. I can't believe its already our second weekend of ministry in Romania! We've had an amazing week working non-stop with our host family getting ready for a summer of life changing ministry. Please pray for the next two weeks as we have daily ministry opportunities. We are going to 2 different villages this weekend as well as to an orphanage to share the love of Christ. On Monday a missions team from the states is joining us for a week of kids programs in villages and in Bucharest. Following the team's visit we jump right into a week of camp for village and gypsy children. Please pray that kids' lives will be transformed with the message of God's love as we join together to be Christ's hands and feet. For such a time as this I have been planted in this place give of myself. This is an exciting season in which I am learning so much about myself and efforts that are being made to further the Gospel. I am so excited to see what God has done in both the lives of Romanian children and my own life over the next weeks.
Learning the Culture
5.31.10
We’ve been very busy since we arrived in Romania. During our first day we helped the ministry team prepare for a JBQ match that we were a part of the next day on the coast of Romania near the Black Sea. Our service was also used as we helped an AG missionary move out of their apartment in preparation for itineration. Their apartment was located in one of the gray high-rise apartment buildings that were built during Communist reign. Standing in a building where people were forced into move from their villages is a strange feeling. History and oppression surrounds the people of Romania.
Yesterday we helped facilitate a JBQ meet with churches in the Costanta area of Romania. Because I’ve seen JBQ done in the states I knew I’d be familiar with everything. Aside from little differences, the biggest thing that I struggled with was the language barrier. I had to force myself to remain in background and absorb everything instead of leading the kids (which is my natural instinct). The language barrier in general is a hurdle that we as a team are dealing with in our interactions with the locals. We’ve met some incredible missionaries and local volunteers that we'll work with for the next 2 months. I am so excited to continue this journey in Romania. The opportunities that are available to reach out to the people of Romania are incredible. The people are so hungry for God’s love and compassion as they deal with an oppressive national history and as they move towards efforts of economic growth.
On another note, living in Bucharest has been a tremendous learning experience. The culture is so amazing and different than anything I've seen before. The streets are mostly dirt roads (even in main neighborhoods) with countless potholes and insane drivers. I highly doubt I will be using my international drivers license while here. There are street dogs everywhere that have gang-like territories. Romanians love Americans; it is a treat for them to meet anyone from the states. The home where I am living has a skyline view of the gray high-rise apartment buildings of Bucharest.
I will post other news as soon as possible. We're super busy working with the missionaries and getting to know more about the people and culture of Romania. Thank you for your prayers as I continue this journey!
Pictures to the left: Romanian countryside and villages
Madrid
5.22.10
My team has arrived in Madrid for several days of orientation with local missionaries. In addition to mentoring sessions with the missionaries, we will be doing street ministry with a ministry called OnTheRedBox (www.ontheredbox.com). Please continue to keep my team in prayer as we travel the streets of Spain, sharing the message of God's love.
Picture to the right: OnTheRedBox outreach on May 26
My team has arrived in Madrid for several days of orientation with local missionaries. In addition to mentoring sessions with the missionaries, we will be doing street ministry with a ministry called OnTheRedBox (www.ontheredbox.com). Please continue to keep my team in prayer as we travel the streets of Spain, sharing the message of God's love.
Picture to the right: OnTheRedBox outreach on May 26
Preparations
4.27.10
In preparation for this trip, I am continually reminded to trust God in everything. Over the last several months all that God's teaching me can be summed up into one phrase--moving forward in faith, trusting His plan. Its amazing to see how God has been molding me and preparing me for this trip over the past several years. I am reminded that any feelings of inadequacy about this trip are unnecessary because God has been preparing me for this long in advance. However, everything that we are or hope to be is inadequate without Christ. Without Him we are nothing, in Him we have all we need.
In preparation for this trip, I am continually reminded to trust God in everything. Over the last several months all that God's teaching me can be summed up into one phrase--moving forward in faith, trusting His plan. Its amazing to see how God has been molding me and preparing me for this trip over the past several years. I am reminded that any feelings of inadequacy about this trip are unnecessary because God has been preparing me for this long in advance. However, everything that we are or hope to be is inadequate without Christ. Without Him we are nothing, in Him we have all we need.
