Come Lay Them Down

                I never came to Romania to find any acclaim.  My single purpose was to know him and make him known.  I came to be the hands and feet of Christ and a barer of justice…which is why I was so humbled by a service we went to in the country.

                As far as country churches go, this one was big, boasting of about 150 members.  It had been announced that Master’s Commission Romania was bringing a bunch of Americans, and that we were all going to be speaking (good thing we all decided to prepare to say something just “incase” we were asked).  Shortly after arriving we started worship…and then they did something special…

                The kids all got up on stage and began to sing, “Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus in my heart!  Bless you Jesus, Bless you Jesus…” in English!  I couldn’t stop smiling.  I am a foreigner in their country, and yet they sang a song in English for us Americans.  This was the first time I had ever seen this here and instantly felt so humbled…I just wanted them to have the best from me.  Later they sang “Our God is an Awesome God” in my language, and once again I was almost overwhelmed.

                You know, the Bible says that if you give a cup of water in Christ name to a little one, you’ve given a cup of water to Christ.  Well, I’m not Christ but I am one of his little ones…and in that moment I felt all of us joined as one big family.  Brothers and sisters from across the world, joined as one body before his throne.  What an awesome day it will be when we all stand in the fullness of Christ’s Glory together as unique creatures yet one people!

                However, the main reason I wrote this blog was to brag about the amazing things God does.  So I want to say this: How humbling it is to be a glove to Our Father’s hand!  On Friday afternoon we all set out to give our lunch to one hungry person in need, and share the gospel of Christ with them.  We were all so excited and ready to set out!  Two hours later of walking, though, and unable to find a single person in need of a lunch, I began to feel discouraged.

                The first year with me, Sorin, like me was ready to be love, light, life; but, our feet were beginning to get tired.  However, it was in that moment, that we decided we’d keep walking until we came by one person who needed a meal!  30 min later, we met a traveler, getting ready to head to another city.

                After we had determined to keep walking, Sorin had looked at me and said, “Let’s go to the train station.  There are always people who are asking for money and food there!”  As soon as we got there I saw a man in dirty tattered clothes, slumped over with his beanie pulled over his eyes.  I felt the nudge to go and made my way to him, asking, “Hey man? You hungry?”

                In Romanian culture it’s polite to reject a gift to see if that person really wants to give it to you, so he told me no.  Me being American, though, almost just left…but then I felt the nudge to talk to him.  So I obeyed and asked if I could sit down and talk with him; asking him about where he was headed, his life, and family…and that’s when he said yes, and began to share with me his heart of grief.

                In that moment, Sorin and I got to be more than just a sandwich on legs, but instead the arms of comfort.  We prayed for his travels, his family, and when he found out that we had a personal relationship with God, he said, with much eagerness in his eyes, “Yes, Yes, I want one!”  You know Romanians know they’re sinners and in need salvation (if I had a quarter for every time I heard a Romanian say “Repent” I’d be a rich man), and that religion just isn’t enough.  The harvest here is ripe, and ready…and it really is a beautiful thing!

               Please continue to keep the souls of the hurting and lost in your prayers and that God would continue to give us all the tools we need.  Also, soon we’ll begin to tour!  This is one of the biggest evangelical outreaches we’ll be doing across Romania.  Right now we’re in the creative process of it, and we need God’s creative hand in it.  Please keep tour in your prayers, not just for creativity but also for those we’ll be reaching out to.

Now for the punchline:

               So, when we went to the country church, none of the girls could wear makeup and had to be in proper attire.  Risking death I took this photo of them:

               Lol, I’m just kidding.  Defying death was never apart of the equation (but convincing all the girls to let me put this up on my blog...)

              
Anyway, God bless ya’ll and thanks again for all of your prayers!  It truly is an honor to partner with all of ya’ll in spreading the gospel across this nation!

What Stories Would She Tell?

I love a busy week...and this past one was all of the above.  So, this blog is going to be a little bit of a tour.  This past week really touched my heart in a new way.  From preparing classes, to ministering to the homeless, I really felt God’s presence move me. 

First, I learned this about myself...I have a gift for teaching.  I was given the job to teach our first year students how to study the Bible!  Please don't mistake this for pride, however, this is one talent that God has given me and has strengthened over time.  When I started preparation for the class I planed on giving them just a few notes of certain principles...but, my few notes turned into a text book of 24 pages complete with diagrams.  I wish you guys could have seen each of their eyes as I dropped four packets on the table and said, "Here are all of my notes."

I went through everything on hermeneutics; to how to find valid resources.  I went through how to find the lexicon (original word used in the Bible), and how to effectively memorize the Bible.  However, the most important thing I left them with was how God showed me to pray his word and why.  

                      1-You see, Peter had walked with Christ for many years but didn't truly realize who he was till the Father revealed it to him (Matthew 19:16-18).  So, we are dependent on the father to reveal himself to us. 

                      2- In Matthew 6:8-13 Jesus shows us how to pray and says, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..."  The blue print of God's kingdom is in his word.

                      3- Proverbs 18:21 tells us that there is great power in what we say.  We were made in God's image, and likewise, he has given each of us power in our tongues.  That is extremely humbling, considering that we are totally dependent on God...since it is His words that are life.

                      4- Isaiah 55:11 says that God's word does not return void.  Even though it is not said in this scripture, if we look at everything that happened when Christ or the prophets spoke, things happened...is it possible that it is our job to return his word back to him?

I then showed the students how to pray the Bible.  Some things are caught...not taught.  I learned how to pray from my parents and Godly leadership in my life.  Now, I'm not saying that you can say the wrong words in prayer, but their examples did show me how to pursue the presence of God.  First I prayed the Bible to discover God to an even deeper extent.  Then I prayed to apply his words to my heart.  Lastly I prayed for his words to be applied to those we have been reaching out to.

Please don't take this as pride...it just feels good to know that what God has done in me is now changing others.  My prayer is that God's word comes alive like it has never before, for these first year students.

Another day, we had the ability to talk with our Master's Commission family back home, XMC.  After our meeting, we were so pumped up that I took one of my first years, David, to evangelize on the street with me.  I just want to brag on him for just a second.  This guy took the initiative and poured his heart out to a guy who was very hungry for the gospel.  The man did not except Christ but they did exchange numbers!

After this, we passed by a homeless woman on the streets.  It was freezing cold that night.  My hands had gone completely numb in a matter of five min.  There was a thick fog and the wind worked all the moister into your clothing.  I saw her there, shivering, trying to stay warm...and then I remembered that we had an extra blanket, which we hadn't handed out when we did the “Covered With Love” project.

David and I quickly rushed back home, grabbed the blanket, and made our way to meet her.  We found her leaving her post, do doubt to find a warmer place.  She was bowed over with a heavy pack on her back, and shook with each step.  Her face lit up when we handed her the blanket.  She asked for our hands to kiss them, as people do when they honor the orthodox priests.  After her repeated request for our hands I asked David to translate something for me.  Who was I to receive honor?  Who was I that the elderly should kiss my hand?  I didn't come to be served, but to wash other's feet.  So I said, "If there is anyone to be honored, it should be you..."

I've really had a place in my heart, here recently, for the elderly.  I've been reading this book called "Tortured for Christ".  It's about the persecuted church of Romania, during the years of communism.  The things that these people went through were awful.  They were stuck with hot irons, had their teeth knocked out, tied to a crosses naked as excrement was smeared over them.  These people are now much older...and every time I see them with no teeth, painful eyes, or scars...I wonder, "Were you on trial for your faith?  Does it pain you to see so many young people claiming God, but living under the sway of the world?"

I remember an old woman who began to cry when she saw us young missionaries spreading the gospel.  As she cried she said, "Life is so hard..."  It all makes sense to me now, and I wonder what stories she would tell.

Man, I just want the power of Christ to spread here in Romania, now more than ever.  Beyond being commissioned by God to do so, I feel like it is also the only way to honor those who knew Him before me...and faced hell on earth for it.  Christianity will not die here under the beauty of freedom, it will grow...and I also will go to hell and back for it!

My Ajunul Anului Nou Surprise

  So, I want to start this blog off by saying that we had an awesome week ministering (this comment will make sense later).  We gave blankets to the homeless and had an awesome opportunity to bless a gypsy family with food.  We've been pouring into the lost and have seen more accept Christ as their savior!  However, in this blog I want to digress from the typical, yet powerful, testimonials to bring you a very embarrassing yet funny story.  I have titled it:

My Ajunul Anului Nou Surprise!

    We, MCR, decided to spend this New Year's Eve (Ajunul Anului Nou) with Ephraim Church.  There were all sorts of games and fun.  As the clock drew 30 min till 12, we made our way to the town square where everyone was setting off fireworks in celebration of the New Year to come. (Note to self:  when you see a guy holding both wine and a lit firework...run, forest run!)I swear that some of the fireworks were there, only to make the loudest noise possible.

  We returned back to the church and were split up into teams and were presented with the first challenge!  In the center of the room sat a yellow coco puffs cereal box...emanating its dark ominous aura.  The MC, Daniel, stood in the center of the room as every voice quieted for the challenge's mysterious explanation...

  One by one, someone from each team would have to pick up the box with their teeth, without touching the ground with their hands or knees.  Many tried and were successful...but others had to bare the shame of not meeting the challenge with success.  As each round past, the box was cut shorter and shorter, daring others to take its invitation!

   It came to my turn and I took on the challenge of picking up the box, which was two inches tall.  Picking the legs of my pants up I made my way into the deepest split I possibly could.  Bending over, with my bum facing my opponents, i discovered I was just barely out of reach...and so I bent over, stretching my flexibility to the limits...the skin of my teeth nicked the box when...RRRRIIIIIIIIPPP happened...

   I felt the cold Romanian air bite my hide...and to my horror...discovered the back of my pants had split wide open.  Everyone burst into laughter as all the girls behind me closed their eyes...and Megan whipped out her camera...

   I was so embarrassed.  What else was I supposed to do but laugh?  Needless to say, that church and those people will always remember me.

______________________________________________

  Well, I hope that this little story gave you a laugh at my expense.  However, I want to end this humorous note with this one cool thing that happened just a few days ago.  At the end of prayer our Director Florin got our team together and began to share something God had shared with him.  To our surprise, God was speaking the same thing to all of us.  You know that you’re all unified as a team when what God speaks to one, He speaks to all!

   Master's Commission is known for its unity, moving together and advancing his kingdom.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers, that we might advance his kingdom as one.  We know that one can put ten thousand to flight and two ten thousand.  We know that God will use the unity of our team as a tool to advance his kingdom...and the more unified we are, the more ground we can cover.