Some days I feel drained, tired and wonder if what I’m doing is making an impact, especially when the smiles are not being returned and Romanians focus is the opposite of Jesus. I live in a country that thirsts for the hope and love of Jesus Christ. The enemy has such a stronghold on this country and has turned it into a spiritual graveyard. There are many people in Romania that are carrying burdens so heavy that leave them hopeless and wondering if there is anything good left in life. It’s hard not to bring these burdens upon myself and let the weight of the graveyard around me tear me down. In order to have the strength & energy to continue, I have to constantly place the people of Romania into God’s hands and trust in His plan. If I rely on my own strength and understanding, it will only leave me broken, drained & tired. Everyday I’m asking the Lord to provide me with the strength, wisdom and energy I need to partner with Him to plant the seeds. Without God it would be impossible. I have seen the darkness and the huge need for Jesus but thanks to God, I have also seen the light and His goodness shine through.
Month one was exciting, new and full of learning. I jumped right into evangelizing to the people in the city of Craiova. I was timid to share the gospel with a fear of not saying or doing the right things. I followed the lead of the missionary I worked with and forgot to invite the Holy Spirit to guide me. We focused a lot of our ministry on reaching out to people who were homeless. We were able to share about our God who is so much greater than any pain & suffering and that He is so eager to restore hope, freedom & joy in their lives. Through this, I instantly saw what the missionaries meant by “spiritual graveyard” but didn’t know how to help. I was searching for the “right” way to share about Jesus. God revealed to me that there is no “right” way to share the gospel and that I needed to partner with Him to bring this graveyard back to life.
By the end of month one, we had become regulars at some of our favorite shops and stores. We got to know the people who worked there and continued to build relationships with them. They instantly could see a difference in us and they really enjoyed chatting with us whenever we came by. It’s not always about speaking the name of Jesus with those around us but also just walking like Jesus.
Month two was a month I began seeing a lot of personal growth in ministry. Through lots of prayer, my confidence in myself & boldness to share my story & the gospel to those around me grew tremendously. I accepted many challenges the Lord placed in my path knowing that it would lead to more growth and dependence on Him. I trusted in His faithfulness to see me through it and because of this I began seeing God work through me. There were many times I wasn’t prepared or really knew what was happening but I learned I don’t need be prepared or know the details. God always provided me with my next sentence and guided me. I had a couple opportunities to share my testimony and be a part of a couple different ministries. I got to speak at a women’s event and shared truth about finding our identity in Christ as well as share my testimony. God used my story to touch the ladies there and it was amazing to be a part of. I was also able to share my testimony at a women’s prison as well as our church. I help host a youth event on Saturday and a youth Bible study on Sunday as well. Even though I got these amazing opportunities, God hadn’t placed someone in my path to build a personal relationship with & disciple. While I waited for God’s timing to place the specific person He had picked out for me, I began praying for God to begin softening their heart. During this time, I felt like I wasn’t making an impact here. I didn’t know what His purpose for me was or how He’d use me. So, I started praying that God would continue to work in me and reveal this to me.
Now it’s month three & so far it’s been a month of so much growth in hearing the voice of the Lord and being lead by the Spirit. God revealed Himself to me and began showing me my purpose here as well as the impact He is having through me. God showed me His faithfulness when He placed a beautiful family in my path that I have now built an amazing relationship with. I look forward to stopping by their French jewelry tent everyday & absolutely love talking to them! The first day I met the mother, I knew that this was the family God had picked out for me. Her smile & gentle spirit instantly made me feel loved. The father’s kindness & care immediately made me feel welcomed into their family. Their daughter’s amiability and desire to know more about having a relationship with Jesus is something so special. They always welcome me with excitement, hugs & a kiss on each cheek as if I hadn’t seen them in weeks. They bring me so much joy & love and it’s truly a gift from God. God used me weeks ago to plant seeds in the parents and their daughters life’s & I’m finally seeing Him produce fruit with in this family. It’s truly amazing to see God working in His perfect timing!!
Within the last two weeks I learned the importance of walking every moment with intentionality and purpose. There was a Romanian festival, so myself and a couple other ladies from my squad decided to check it out. We were more interested in getting to know the people working their than the products or food they sold. We came to one tent that was making traditional Romanian food and through this experience, I was able to see the goodness of God come alive in a way I hadn’t seen here before. I saw it in the man who didn’t know English & saw my interest in the cooking process when he called me over to help him stir the dish to make me feel special. I saw the selflessness & generosity of Christ when he gifted me with a bowl of different traditional dishes because he wanted to bless me with his culture. Even though we didn’t speak the same language God helped us understand each other perfectly and helped us communicate. I saw the goodness of God when we met a very special man named Rafael at this same festival and as God took over our plans that led us back to him multiple times. Each time we got to talk with him I saw his desire to have a personal relationship with Jesus & his willingness to learn more about the gospel. I saw the humility, kindness and hospitality of Christ in him. Rafael’s heart to bless others is solely out of selflessness and to make others feel loved, seen and cared for. I’m so thankful we met him.
After weeks of prayer & wondering when God would use me to disciple someone, He has finally said now is the time. He has blessed me with beautiful people to share His love with and disciple. Even though I am not entitled to see the fruit, He has given me a chance to see the seeds begin to flourish. He has been transforming the hearts of the people of Romania it has been incredible to be a part of and witness. There is no burden too heavy, no wound too deep or any life too messy for God to restore, heal and make beautiful. The enemy has nothing on Romania. God is so much greater!! Romania is beginning to come back to life. They are rising from what once was a graveyard into the arms of their Father where they were always meant to be. God has His arms wide open ready to welcome His children home.
