Happy Holidays!

Well, I spent Christmas this year in Romania!  I'm not gonna lie, to me, that sounds pretty cool.  Funny thing though, i totally expected a white Christmas, but I think I might have brought a bit of the south with me.  With all that said, however, this week was busy.  Even the supermarkets overseas are a mad house around the holidays.  I was shocked when a small elderly woman ran her kart into me to tell me to boot it...

I laughed so hard...what else was I supposed to do...

What was really amazing this week however, were all the works of service we had the opportunity to do.  The team and I visited an old folk’s home, passed out gifts to underprivileged kids, and distributed food to those who needed some help.  There was something special about each of these that really touched my heart.

The old folk’s home was like nothing I'd ever seen before, not in the good way...and it was one of the nice ones.  A Romanian told us that sometimes they call these places old people orphanages.  There were about four to six beds crammed in a little room and upon entering the sleeping quarters with Christmas goodies, the elderly faces lit up!  One lady began to cry and said, "I've been here 30 years and my kids have never visited me..." That's why they call it an old people orphanage.  All of this was interrupted by the director of the home coming in and yelling at us.  Telling us we'd been there too long.  She then turned to the elderly and began yelling at them to get them out of the room to hear a choir of kids...who, you could tell by the look on their face, really didn't want to be there.  With honor towards the director we kindly left, with shock setting in on how the director had treated those in her home...

One of our girls looked at us and said, "Let's send her a card, honoring her for letting us come.  If we honor her, we can share the love of Christ with her."

You know, I love watching kids get gifts.  They don't care much about anything else except for tearing into the box to discover what's inside. We put on a little show for them...which I sure was more torture as their awaiting presents stared them in the face...hey, I was a kid once too...and I still wake up at four a.m. Christmas morning, wondering what is waiting for me under the Christmas tree.  I wish ya'll could have seen the way there faces lit up as each one discover what lay behind the wrapping.

You know, when we went around distributing food for those who needed a little bit of help, I never thought I'd be in the homes of those who had so graciously opened their doors to us.  Home after home I saw familiar faces of those who had invited us to dinner...and I realized how much those around us were sacrificing for us...to welcome us to our new home.  Romanians understand works of service, and they know how to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  I was humbled by this, and filled with an even greater desire to serve...to be spent for Christ.

These people are the widow who dropped her two cents in the offering.  These people are the boy who gave the five loaves of bread and two fishes to feed five thousand.  They're the servant that doubled what was given to him.  I have a heart for these people and pray that God blesses all of them for all the kindness they have shown us.

Well, La Multi Ani (Happy Holidays).  And may God, our great multiplier, be with you all!

Relational Ministry

So, I love making new friendships.  Each new encounter presents another opportunity for new laughs, stories, and the transforming power of Christ's sacrifice to take place!  Whether it ‘s between two brothers in Christ, or between a teacher and disciple.

First, I want to help my American readers understand this part of Romanian culture; I call it, "The Law of Fad".  Basically, there is a magnetism to "new".  If it's new, you have to see it!  Otherwise, when everyone else is talking about it, you'll be far behind and left in the dark.  Now, I know that Americans follow this also; however, we are not enthralled by a new supermarket.  

On Tuesday we went out again to do some evangelizing, but everybody was in a great frenzy to see the newest super market from Germany that just opened, “Mega Image”.  Lines were stretching outside because there was barely shoulder room inside.  My students began to ask if they could go in and check it out.  I said sure, and watched with interest as they oooed and awwwed at how high-tech the place looked.

The Law of Fad

If I want to be effective as a missionary, I can't let a relationship with Christ be a fad...but really be a relationship.  So, we invited some guys we had met on the street, while we were evangelizing, to come hang out, "With an American who had just come to the country." -The Law of Fad

With all the ooooos and awwwes we played ping pong in our common room, getting to know these guys better.  Their names were Marinos (17 years old) and Jonny (19 years old).  We laughed with these guys and let Christ bubble out of our hearts.

Now, in our modern culture, it’s become common to live a double life, and these Romanian guys assumed we did too.  Upon trying to invite me to a "new" club that just opened, I pulled one of my students, Sorin, and told him to translate what I said with laughter and humor, "Guys, I love having fun.  Making relationships, dancing, hanging out with friends." At this, they almost started grabbing there coats to go hit the town.  However, I continued, "But I am a Christian."

At this, you could see confusion set in their face.  You could tell that they couldn't follow.  You see, every Romanian will say they're Christian.  After all, their grandparents go to church and so do they on special occasions like Easter and Christmas...and so far I've not heard a Romanian say they don't believe in God...

"I love to dance" I laughed, "But not at a club.  I love hanging out with friends, but not at a club.  I serve Christ, so I won't go to a club."

These guys gave up a night of hanging out at the new club everyone else would be talking about.  They spent the night with us as we laughed together.  You could see that the love of Christ, bubbling out of us, caught on to them contagiously.  That love had broken "The Law of Fad" that night, as we built a deep relationship with them.

I told my students this, "Armani once said, 'Fashion is not what you wear, but the attitude you carry yourself with.'  Remember this, we have something better that the clothes they wear.  Something that they want.  Something that they need.  Carry yourself like this, and you'll never feel the inadequacy that materialism brings.  You've got what they want."

In a global culture under the power of "The Law of Fad", I've already seen this persona at work.  This attitude has kept me from pursuing materialism and following God.  And so far, this attitude is causing others to ask, "How can I have what you possess."

One final note, attitude is no good without God's power at work in our life.  Without His name worn on our character, and his character resonating through us, we are just another cocky/prideful person with a new fad.  It's whenever we partner with Him that we watch His seed take over a garden.

Slava Domnului (Glory to God)

Prayer requests: For the continue of spiritual growth of those we minister to, for our upcoming ministry opportunities with an emphasis on "Covered With Love" (a ministry outreach this Christmas. We will be supplying blankets to the homeless for the upcoming cold nights), and our gift giving efforts to underprivileged children this holiday season.  Also, we’ve been battling mold in our building that one of the other missionaries is allergic to. One of our students has just gotten over a fever, so please pray for the team’s health. Thank you and God bless.                

 

One Second More?

This past Saturday we took our students out on the cold streets of Targoviste, to model street evangelism and teach them the importance of sharing the gospel.  The second our students heard this they were both excited and nervous.  Asking many questions like, “What are we supposed to tell them? We’re nothing special like you Americans, so why would they listen to us?  What if they don’t listen?”

You, see, the culture of Romania has many emotional walls.  It takes a great amount of time to get past the many barriers covering their hearts.  People just don’t say hi to random strangers on the street or even nod their head in acknowledgement.  Nope, they stare at you, checking you out, as they pass by…and the one thing you never do is try to approach someone “to talk” to them, because they will instantly assume the worst.  Of course, you really can’t blame them for this attitude when twenty years ago they were under the oppression of communism and the only time someone “talks” to a stranger is when they’re poor and need money.

Leading my team, Passion, to the park, two girls caught my eyes. They’re names were Madeline and Alina and both were in high school.  I knew that a guy walking up to two girls, asking to talk to them would inspire suspicion.  So after our introductions, I looked at one of our more nervous, yet passionate students and told her, “talk to them about a passionate relationship with Christ.  Let the passion bubble out of your heart.”

With clarity and boldness she poured out her heart, displaying a passionate love for Christ! After I introduced the opportunity to them to accept Christ in their hearts, this student led those two girls in the sinner’s prayer!  We hope to continue contact with them as they start their new relationship with Christ.

However, the one encounter that struck me the most was with three teenagers, who decided not to accept Christ, because they wanted to think about it…This struck me as odd, considering out of all the people we talked to, they seemed the hungriest.  They asked the most questions and took everything as truth.  They talked about how much they would “like” a relationship with Christ; but when it came to true faith, their reply was, “We’ll think about it.”

My reply to them was, “Ok, you can think about it…but keep in mind that every second could be our last…and it would real stink to make that one choice, one second too late…” I opened the opportunity again to begin a walk with Christ…and one guy looked like he was about ready to say yes.  He was the most intrigued about Christ’s transforming power at work in us…however, the leader of the group replied “We’ll think about it.  We’d like to come to church to hear more about this personal relationship, but we need to think about it first.” This leader was equally hungry, but you could tell that she honestly thought the decision she made was wise…like visiting other stores before making a final purchase…

My hope is that the seeds we sowed take hold…and that we’re able to keep in contact with them.  However, as we walked away something occurred to me: How often do we honestly do this to God…

God tells us to give a certain amount and we say, “Let me think about this.”  How many times do we feel God nudge our heart to share Christ with a random stranger and we think, “Oh I’m so busy and they’re probably too.  It’s probably not God and just my imagination and-Oh!  Look at the time!”  How often do we hear God call us, and we make plan B incase His plan A falls through…

Please be praying for the one that seemed especially hungry, Yulian.  I would love to see these guys move from “thinking” to an inescapable passion.

Also, keep in mind of what your support has brought us.  Because of our partnership and God’s moving, two people have confessed Christ as their savior, and many more have heard the gospel.  Let’s continue to shake up this world together!

Thank You and God Bless

Romania Week One

With excitement about my move to Romania, I said goodbye to my family...knowing that I'd be missing Christmas and the next eight months. I can't express how anxious I was with wonder.  I was doing it...I was moving to a foreign country...

So, after one very long flight, I finally landed in Romania...and then it hit me.  I was in a foreign country...and would be so for the next eight months. I was greeted by Florin Cucu (the director of the Master's Commission program we would be pioneering) and by Pastor Shawn (the head of Crosstraining International). It was a surreal moment for me. From here on out, I'd be flung into an adventure; a fight for justice!

From the second I got in Florin's car, we started preparation for everything we were going to be doing in the proceeding months.  We went to a department store, looking for the few commodities needed for the apartment that I, and the incoming students, would be living in. Not even having time to fully adjust to the time difference, our team began preparing our apartments. I took the dangerous job of climbing on a slippery tin roof to paint a section of the house. With a smile on my face, I stepped back to admire my work...and then rain came from nowhere...

Our team began meeting on all the logistics of Master's Commission Romania (MCR). Using MCR as the vehicle for our ministry, we'll begin to call the youth of Romania to step out of their apathy and comfort, find a life transforming personal relationship with Jesus, and come against all the dark injustices that scar this beautiful country. So these meetings took our deepest care and focus.

The, students arrived last Thursday and checked into their rooms.  This year, our students are David Petre, Sorin Arsene, Onutza Neascu, and Carmen Marin.  It's in these students that we will be pouring into the next eight months, as we bring God's kingdom on earth!  After this, we left for the mountains to facilitate a time for seeking God through prayer and worship.

As the students started pushing into God, He fell thick in the room. They began to lay down everything, praying for God's move in them and their country. From meal to meal we began to become more and more like family. And with passion we began to cast vision on what we were going to be doing in the upcoming months.

These students are fired up, ready to take the challenges head on.  We know that the journey won't be easy, but just "like popcorn" ~Nichole Marcell , with heat and pressure applied, we'll begin to change this country for Jesus Christ!!!

So without further ado, let me introduce you to MCR: 

From left to right: Jonathan Price, David Petre, Sorin Arsene, Carmen Marin, Megan Dean, Bianca Doll, Onutza Neascu, Liz Cucu, and Florin Cucu.

Please continue to keep us in your prayer, and together we'll shake up Romania! God Bless and His will be done!

A Departing Toast

I am writing this blog as a goodbye...but it's really not. The truth is we are all going to be in constant connection, but, when I think about my next home...I know that for a moment...I'm leaving the current one. So before I can acknowledge  the vision ahead, I feel the need to acknowledge the woven master piece behind. Without further ado, can I have all of your attention, for a toast:

First, to my XMC Family. You guys deserve my very first round of acknowledgement. We were brothers and sisters in arms, and we have the battle scares to prove it. We came against the world's greatest injustices, and fought for each other on the other's behalf. Only we share the memories of the victories, fears, tears, and miracles that our adventure took us through. This past year we gave up our all for God first, and then each other; and, now we fight with our prayers across the seas.  It's true what they say, about us being warriors, because we're fighting together underneath His banner. I wouldn't be going if it wasn't for you all.

For my immediate family, you guys we're the first to encourage me, to challenge me, and to pray for me, that I might receive all that God had for me.  I wouldn't be going if it wasn't for you all.

For Christ Church, whose passion for missions caught on to me, and gave me multiple chances to be involved in ministry. I wouldn't be going if it wasn't for you all.

For Marc Pollard and the youth of Emanuel Baptist Church, you gave me encouragement to push on when funds didn't seem to be coming in.  I wouldn't be going if it wasn't for you all.

For my neighbors, friends, and extended family, I am so grateful for all of your prayers and financial support.  I wouldn't be going if it wasn't for you all.

Honestly, the list of all the thanks I would like to give could go on and on, but I want to end my gratitude like this:

For God, who called me first, before I knew Him.  Who loved me when I didn't love him. Who rescued me when I fought Him. You called me and told me to go to Romania...and you provided for it all.  Everything I do is for You. You are the banner I fight for justice under; for, You are Justice! I wouldn't be going if it wasn't for you......

I'll be honest, I don't entirely know what's ahead. I know that I'll be helping establish a home for girls rescued from sex-trafficking. I know that I'll be apart of pioneering Romania's first ever Master's Commission and that many will come to know Jesus...but all of this comes with its own uncertainties...And I LOVE IT!!!

So here is to the tapestry woven behind, and the vision lying ahead. It's going to be an adventure, but the reward will be worth it. Together we're going to change this world, and leave our mark on it...forever!

Cheers.