As I’m sitting down to write this post, I am realizing that words really will not do justice in expressing how impactful this trip has been; but, I will do my best to shed a little glimpse on what we were so blessed to encounter.
God is moving in Romania. God’s Spirit is so evident in the local church - in their love for Him, for each other, and for the community they serve. There is a great desire to be led by the Spirit. As someone who often enjoys set plans and schedules, I was challenged by the church’s willingness to seek God and follow His leading even when it meant changing their schedules or adding things to the agenda at a moments notice. I had the opportunity to see God move in ways that I might have missed had I clung too closely to my well intentioned plans.
An example of this happened on Sunday morning as we attended Agape church. With little notice we were asked to share a song with the church as special music, which then turned into us leading the church in spontaneous worship. My initial thought was fear because I had not planned anything - I hadn’t brought music, I hadn’t practiced, I hadn’t even sung in awhile so I was feeling very inadequate…but we said yes and stepped out in faith as a team. God honored that and our special piece (What A Beautiful Name It Is - because that’s the first song that came to my mind) turned into large group worship - singing and declaring who God is in both Romanian and English. It was a powerful moment.
Sunday evening we made our way to Village of Hope - this is a little community of 4 homes, built to house approximately 30 orphans and provide them with a loving family environment and excellent care. Village of Hope is run by local church leaders in partnership with Remember The Children. I was struck by the way this beautiful little community welcomed and embraced us. Each one of the children in these homes has experienced trauma, heartbreak, and rejection…and yet their love was BIG. You could sense the joy that filled these kids - not because of wealth or riches or the earthly things they had; but, because of what Jesus had done in their lives. It was beautiful.
Monday we had the opportunity to visit a home that helps to rehabilitate women who have been rescued from abuse and trafficking. We were able to bring them some much needed supplies, as many of these women arrive at the safe house with nothing but the clothes on their backs. We also spent time with them and made bracelets together. We then had the opportunity to pray for them. From there we went to a state orphanage, which is more along the lines of an orphan home. We visited with the girls in the home and made crafts together. We also took time to bless them and pray with them.
The rest of Monday was spent with our friends at House of Hope. We enjoyed every moment we had with them - playing games (they especially loved soccer and basketball), making crafts, talking, and laughing together. Before we said goodbye, the children blessed us with a precious gift of singing for us. You couldn’t help but be moved as they sang:
“When the solid ground is falling out from underneath my feet
Between the black skies and my red eyes, I can barely see
When I realize I've been sold out by my friends and my family
I can feel the rain reminding me
In the eye of the storm,
You remain in control
In the middle of the war,
You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me
In the eye of the storm…”
These kids were such a reminder that Jesus is our treasure. Jesus is our Rock. He is our strength. He is our joy. Apart from Him, we have nothing, and being in His presence is the very best place to be. These kids can love big because they understand the great love that Jesus has shown us when He rescued each one of us.
Tuesday we head to Budapest. It is bitter sweet. While it is good to have the opportunity to rest after having many full days and nights of serving, we hate to say goodbye to the precious people we’ve been serving with.
In closing, I would be remiss if I did not mention something especially precious this trip, which has been to watch our younger team members step up - to see them experience God and follow His leading. Watching Nora leading worship, hearing Mackenzie boldly step up and share her testimony, seeing Riley interacting with - well really everyone she encountered - she became their best friends and instantly built a relationship. She was even inviting people to Great Banquet! Watching the girls serve the Roma children and jumping in to help with VBS. Seeing them step out of their comfort zones and experience first hand how God is made greater in our weakness - it was powerful. I am so challenged and encouraged by the faith of our younger generation.
God is good. God is moving. And, I’m so thankful that He has allowed us to be a part of what He is doing in Romania. He is not done yet!
PLUS: The perspective of our youngest teammate, Nora...
Coming to Romania I felt very nervous but also excited. I didn’t know what to expect. I really enjoyed being at House of Hope and meeting all of the kids there and at VBS, and in the Roma villages. God helped me to see that we have really good lives and are very blessed. Many other people have far less but are so happy. We often say we don’t have enough but truly we have lots more than we think. We should be thankful.
God is moving in Romania. God’s Spirit is so evident in the local church - in their love for Him, for each other, and for the community they serve. There is a great desire to be led by the Spirit. As someone who often enjoys set plans and schedules, I was challenged by the church’s willingness to seek God and follow His leading even when it meant changing their schedules or adding things to the agenda at a moments notice. I had the opportunity to see God move in ways that I might have missed had I clung too closely to my well intentioned plans.
An example of this happened on Sunday morning as we attended Agape church. With little notice we were asked to share a song with the church as special music, which then turned into us leading the church in spontaneous worship. My initial thought was fear because I had not planned anything - I hadn’t brought music, I hadn’t practiced, I hadn’t even sung in awhile so I was feeling very inadequate…but we said yes and stepped out in faith as a team. God honored that and our special piece (What A Beautiful Name It Is - because that’s the first song that came to my mind) turned into large group worship - singing and declaring who God is in both Romanian and English. It was a powerful moment.
Sunday evening we made our way to Village of Hope - this is a little community of 4 homes, built to house approximately 30 orphans and provide them with a loving family environment and excellent care. Village of Hope is run by local church leaders in partnership with Remember The Children. I was struck by the way this beautiful little community welcomed and embraced us. Each one of the children in these homes has experienced trauma, heartbreak, and rejection…and yet their love was BIG. You could sense the joy that filled these kids - not because of wealth or riches or the earthly things they had; but, because of what Jesus had done in their lives. It was beautiful.
Monday we had the opportunity to visit a home that helps to rehabilitate women who have been rescued from abuse and trafficking. We were able to bring them some much needed supplies, as many of these women arrive at the safe house with nothing but the clothes on their backs. We also spent time with them and made bracelets together. We then had the opportunity to pray for them. From there we went to a state orphanage, which is more along the lines of an orphan home. We visited with the girls in the home and made crafts together. We also took time to bless them and pray with them.
The rest of Monday was spent with our friends at House of Hope. We enjoyed every moment we had with them - playing games (they especially loved soccer and basketball), making crafts, talking, and laughing together. Before we said goodbye, the children blessed us with a precious gift of singing for us. You couldn’t help but be moved as they sang:
“When the solid ground is falling out from underneath my feet
Between the black skies and my red eyes, I can barely see
When I realize I've been sold out by my friends and my family
I can feel the rain reminding me
In the eye of the storm,
You remain in control
In the middle of the war,
You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me
In the eye of the storm…”
These kids were such a reminder that Jesus is our treasure. Jesus is our Rock. He is our strength. He is our joy. Apart from Him, we have nothing, and being in His presence is the very best place to be. These kids can love big because they understand the great love that Jesus has shown us when He rescued each one of us.
Tuesday we head to Budapest. It is bitter sweet. While it is good to have the opportunity to rest after having many full days and nights of serving, we hate to say goodbye to the precious people we’ve been serving with.
In closing, I would be remiss if I did not mention something especially precious this trip, which has been to watch our younger team members step up - to see them experience God and follow His leading. Watching Nora leading worship, hearing Mackenzie boldly step up and share her testimony, seeing Riley interacting with - well really everyone she encountered - she became their best friends and instantly built a relationship. She was even inviting people to Great Banquet! Watching the girls serve the Roma children and jumping in to help with VBS. Seeing them step out of their comfort zones and experience first hand how God is made greater in our weakness - it was powerful. I am so challenged and encouraged by the faith of our younger generation.
God is good. God is moving. And, I’m so thankful that He has allowed us to be a part of what He is doing in Romania. He is not done yet!
PLUS: The perspective of our youngest teammate, Nora...
Coming to Romania I felt very nervous but also excited. I didn’t know what to expect. I really enjoyed being at House of Hope and meeting all of the kids there and at VBS, and in the Roma villages. God helped me to see that we have really good lives and are very blessed. Many other people have far less but are so happy. We often say we don’t have enough but truly we have lots more than we think. We should be thankful.