In a Master's year, there is a moment when a first year student receives his or her ring. Now, getting a ring means something different for everyone. For me, my ring represents discipleship, anointing, and masculinity. This is mostly because one person who had a huge impact in my life traded my original ring which was too small, for the one that was too big for him. My ring has stood as a constant reminder to me of my calling.
In general, the ring represents the authority of the Father, that is transferred to the repented son, in the prodigal son parable. It represents that we didn't do something to merit the insignia of the Father, but that He gave us his seal of approval when we came to him with absolutely nothing. It represents forgiveness, unity, and identity. Every student in a Master's program looks forward to the day when he/she will get their ring...because it symbolizes everything they are experiencing.
One of our first year girls, Esthera, asked me in Italy, when they were going to get their rings. My reply to her was, "You know how the Bible talks about the virgins waiting for their groom to come. They never know when he'll come but when he does it just makes sense. It's the same thing with getting your ring. And when you receive it, it will mean something special to you. On Friday, our students got their rings!
The students were told that MCR was going to have a nice dinner at a restaurant, the last night before tour, and to dress nice. At the restaurant, Tuscany, we had a private room reserved for Master's Commission. The students entered in, still with no idea of what was going to happen. As soon as they all arrived Pastor Florin introduced the story of the prodigal son and explained the rings. Next to every first year was a second year, staff member, or director. It was then that the first years extended their left hands and had their rings placed on their fingers. No first year ever forgets who put their ring on their finger. The first year, whom I had the honor of giving their ring to, was Marius Polozache.
It was a powerful moment for all of us! Moments like these are what build the family atmosphere of MCR. Moments like these are what boosts our students visions, and inspire them to dream for more. It's that hurrah that challenges the students to keep going and to seek after God like never before. It's that moment of humility, knowing that we didn't do anything to merit the Father's approval, but received it nonetheless.
The next day we left for tour...
Prep for tour was interesting. We had had a whole new drama written for tour, but just days before we left, felt like it wasn't what we wanted. So in three days we had all the student learn the Communist drama we had done last year. Many of you might remember me talking about this drama last year.
The drama is about the rise and fall of communism and the martyrs of that time. Then the point is made that even though Communism may be dead, the spirit of Communism is still at work, trying to keep people from stepping out free, and proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. Where there was once physical persecution, now there is a social persecution. However, God is now calling the young people to once again shout freedom in the streets and change their world!
The Revolution in Romania had started in Timisoara...and our first stop on tour was Timisoara. Let me say this, God has moved powerfully at the two churches we have had the privilege of ministering in. We had the opportunity to encourage, connect, and pray for many people in the churches. We have also been well received and endorsed by both churches. We have had many young people also openly express interest in our program. Growth of our program means growth of our ministry...it also means that more young people have the opportunity give nine months for one soul purpose: to know God and make Him known.
Keep praying for our team. We still have a quite a few more churches to visit and would like to continue to have the favor we've had so far. We want to be used by God to bring about change to this wonderful country.
God Bless, and Ciao from Timisoara!
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