Sunday, September 20, 2009

Super-Duper Wonderful Weekend--Check it out!






Location: Back home(?) on my bed in Sighisoara, Romania, at nearly 11:00pm on Sunday, September 20th.

I know, I promised to write more about Sighisoara and my thoughts and feelings during this first week or so of transition...and I will. But first, I have to tell you about this weekend! I tell it because I want to boast in the LORD! Only He could have orchestrated such a fantastic two days, and I was richly blessed! I had anticipated an exhausting weekend, and instead it was refreshing and encouraging!

(This is a true story!)
As you will recall, I left early Saturday morning to walk to the bus station in Sighisoara. Thanks be to God, I found it with no trouble, and after a bit of a wait, the right minibus arrived and I climbed abord. My driver looked like Elvis and drove like the Dukes of Hazard, but all in all, it was an uneventful trip--I arrived in Cluj safely and on time, if a little car-sick.

I studied Romanian for a little while and then met up with my two friends who arrived, and we caught a tram to the central park in Cluj for the civil ceremony of the wedding. There were literally dozens of weddings taking place, and the brides were lined up as though they had taken a number like in a customer-service queue. Some of you know that I am not a big fan of weddings in general, so you can imagine that it was a nightmare-come-true to be surrounded by so much matrimony! But joking aside, it was wonderful to see my friends from Cluj, those who were getting married and those attending as guests.

Let me tell you about the wedding--it is a testimony to the grace and grandeur of God (may He get the glory!). My friends both are persons with disabilities, wonderful blessings who are nonetheless the kind of people that foolish people might suppose would never get married. One was raised in an orphanage where he had to make do without a wheelchair. Now they are revolutionizing their city by bringing together people who are often overlooked by their neighbors. A very large number of the guests were persons with disabilities, and some of the other young men from the orphanage were there, too. What is awe-insipiring is watching all of these men and women of God care for one another with a love that can only come from Jesus--I love my Cluj friends!

So we left the park to go to an Orthodox church. In case you are unaware, you stand during an Orthodox service. So we stood for an hour-and-a-half or two hours before they announced that the service would contine for another long while, and we were given permission to be seated. I have to admit that though I understand only a little of all the Romanian that is spoken, the Orthodox service makes me sad because so many things constrain what should be a liberating relationship with Jesus. But I enjoyed absorbing the new experience while praying for Holy-Spirit transformation for the Orthodox Church--after all, the Catholic and Protestant Churches are also filled with misguided persons who do not truly know Jesus. Oh, how I long for the day when every person in a church building knows the amazing God who is the Head of the Church body! May the Church of every denomination be purified and radically transformed into a beautiful, spotless Bride for Christ!

We left the Orthodox service early to prepare for the reception. I was asked to help the guest up two flights of stairs, especially guests in wheelchairs. But it was worth the effort, for the many faces in the room were plastered with bright smiles during the whole evening. I enjoyed visiting with friends I had not seen in a while, as well as some new ones. God is certainly working through these folks in Cluj!

The night ended with a visit to the train station to wait with a friend for a late train, and then a late night discussion with another friend before sleeping off the busy day.

I rested well, and I thank you for your prayers, because day one had certainly gone well, despite me fighting a little food-related illness during my travels and the wedding. God was watching out for me, and that was only the beginning! The next morning, I made it to the bus station without mishap, and soon I was enjoying the sunrise en route to Bistrita. I dozed quite a bit, but I was alert when we entered town. Despite that fact, I was surprised when the bus driver got up out of his seat to inform a confused ME that I was supposed to get off on the street corner; I thought we were going to the bus station. So I reentered some serious prayer as I tried to figure out where to go from there. Fortunately, God quickly led me to the bus station, where I arrived just in time to catch a bus that happened to be going through the small village to which I was headed. I had to sit in a jump seat facing the crowd of other passengers, but I was on my way, for six lei (less than two dollars)! Then I had to call out to the driver to stop as we sped through the village; since he was jabbering into a cell phone, I was not convinced he was going to stop!

So I found myself on the side of a highway running through a small gypsy village in the middle of nowhere. Thanks to the Lord, there were other people on the side of the road, and most seemed to be headed in the same direction. So I crossed the street and walked straight up to a young couple who looked American, and I began to follow them (they only seemed slightly concerned). My friend, K., had told me there were 80 Americans ministering in the village, so I thought I had a good chance of finding some! I had arrived just in time for church, and as we arrived on the doorstep of the church, K. suddenly walked out, and after a double-take, welcomed me a big hug! I had no idea how I would get home in the evening, but I had made it!

The church was packed thanks to the 80 Americans and the three baptisms scheduled to take place, so again I found myself standing for worship for several hours. But I was happy, and feeling much healthier than the day prior. After church, I was invited to lunch with K.'s mission team, so I pitched in my train mix and joined them. As the blessings stacked up, I also laughed when I was blessed to meet a gal I had gone to college with eight years ago! (Many of you know I went to a tiny college in a tiny town in Indiana, so it is just hilarious to meet up with an alumnae in a tiny village in Romania on the other side of the world!) How great is our God!

Still praying about how I would get home for work tomorrow morning, I suddenly learned that the group's plans had changed, and they would be leaving town at 3pm! Ordinarily, that would have been bad news for me, because it would force me to cut my visit short. However, it turned out that they would be driving through Sighisoara, and they had room on their coach bus for me! What a miracle! I got to visit with K. for two more hours and then was dropped practically at my doorstep, no back-tracking or bus schedules necessary! And instead of arriving home after midnight, I was back by about 6pm!

To top off a great weekend, I came home to find that God had provided a whole bag-full of winter clothes for me. I also got to talk to my family via the computer, and K.'s parents. Ironically, my parents had sent me photos of my former boss from college whom they had seen over the weekend--another blessing! I cannot tell you how rejuvenated I am after such a weekend!

The only downside is a prayer request... Please pray for N., the infant son of the missionaries with whom I work here in Sighisoara. He is evidentally sick and having trouble keeping food down, and they may have to take him to the hospital.

Thanks so much for your prayers. I had prayed a lot about this weekend, knowing that there was only a slight chance I would find K., and figuring I would be completely worn out after so many adventures. But look how the Lord answers prayer! It was not my prayers that were powerful, but it was our God, and I believe He was pleased to receive our prayers. I certainly never would have made it except for His mighty work! Thank you so much--I needed this weekend, and I appreciate your prayers. Thank you, Lord God--I cannot thank You enough!

I hope to post this tomorrow morning, along with pictures if some of them turned out. For now, it is goodnight: Noapte buna! (I'm sure my 8 roommates wish you the same! They were terribly excited after a terrific day of ministry! Please pray for them as they will lead an outreach with us tomorrow evening--Monday--in the tough community in which I live and work.)
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A Rose From Home

A Rose From Home

My Story (As prepared for my church congregation this spring--2009)


I have a story to tell you. I am the main character, but the story is not about me. I have traveled several parts of the world, but my adventure has been closer to home. I am twenty-six years old. My story begins like many of yours…

I grew up going to church. I had been born into a family who labeled themselves “Christian,” in a country that labels itself “Christian.” Every Sunday found me attending a worship service and Sunday school in a mainline denomination church. I served as an acolyte, attended Vacation Bible School, helped my dad count and record the offering money, sang in the youth choir, was a leader in the youth group, and occasionally served as liturgist. Baptized as an infant, I was confirmed at the age of twelve, thus becoming an “official” member of the church. Then, hurt by the church, my family left to find another.

Have you ever been hurt by the Church?

After months of searching, we settled into a very large independent church. Things were different there, and I was quickly welcomed and at home among new friends that truly had a passion for Jesus. The Word of God was taught boldly from the pulpit, and I was introduced to a missions-aware lifestyle. So it was with regret that I said goodbye only a couple of years later to move with my family to another church. I purposely remained aloof, not wanting to make new friendships before I left for college a year later. Besides, I was loosing my faith—or so I thought—and I didn’t want anyone to know. I was asking scary questions like “Is there really a God?” and, if so, “Is He the Christian God?” and “Would I be Christian if I had been born in another part of the world?”

Have you ever asked yourself unsettling questions about what you believe?

So I headed into college under a cloud of confusion that only worsened for the next two years. Though I didn’t know what I believed anymore, I continued to go to church every Sunday, and to help lead worship in chapel. Most importantly, even during this questioning, I continued my morning habit of daily study of the Bible. I had begun at age twelve, reading at first a chapter per day, then ten minutes each morning, then an half-hour, and so on. So, only by the grace of the very God I doubted, I remained anchored in His Word and in His community, though I felt like a fake most of the time. Since then I have learned that “fake” is the worst insult the world can give us; that is why the label of “hypocrite” is so offensive.

Have you ever felt like a fake?

Six weeks with missionaries in South Africa followed by a year in France began to teach me what life with God is all about. I began rebuilding my faith, this time it belonged to me, in contrast to me borrowing the faith of my parents, church, or anyone else. In my parent’s basement in 2003, on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, I invited Jesus to live in me; perhaps I had done so before, but I didn’t recall—but since 2003, I have never forgotten that moment. Unfortunately, nothing changed. I continued to do my best to act like a Christian, as I had done for so long.

Have you ever found yourself “doing your best” to be a good person, or to act like a Christian?

Though I did not realize it at the time, I was quenching the Spirit, even though I had welcomed Him into my life. During the next few years, the LORD continued to nurture me, and slowly things began to change. Several tough months in Idaho birthed my prayer-life. I spent three years being humbled in a job that was my informal seminary training. In 2007, a short stint in Mexico helped me to see things as they were, and not long afterward, I was baptized by immersion. No baptism of any kind can save a lost soul—only Jesus can do that. However, this baptism was an important covenant between me and God, symbolizing not only my death and resurrection with Jesus and my public profession of faith, but it also my life change, the beginning of my bearing fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit…”according to Luke 6:44. During the past year and a half, the LORD has provided me with an informal pastoral internship in my church, teaching me every aspect of discipleship. Simultaneously, I have been studying unceasing prayer and worship. I am now very different than I was five years ago.

In the Book of Acts (which tells the story of the earliest years of the Church) every time a person decided to follow Christ, two things took place—though not always in the same order. Each person experienced a life change, which I call the “baptism of repentance,” as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which I call the “baptism of the Spirit.” Looking back, I realize that the Holy Spirit was living in me in 2003, but it wasn’t until I surrendered everything to God, as represented by my immersion, that I allowed the Spirit to have His way in me and transform my life. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)”

Have you invited Jesus to live in you? Have you allowed the Spirit to transform your life?

I tell you this story for two reasons. First, I tell this story in order to boast in the LORD! May God our Father get all praise and glory forever! Second, I tell this story because it is relevant to you. Likely you have heard that I am leaving the country: I have let my light shine before you; please let your light shine within the Church, too! This congregation is in revival, and as each of you allows the Spirit to revive you, the entire Church will be revived and utterly transformed, to the glory of the Most High God. And for His glory is the reason He created us; the reason He sent His only Son to reveal Himself to us; the reason He became Sin for us and died for us on the cross—while we were still sinners; and the reason that He conquered death and offered us eternal life with Him.

It will cost you a lot—in fact, it will cost you everything, your very life. But if you have never surrendered your life to Christ Jesus, if you have never invited Him to send His Spirit into you and to transform your life, then do it right now. Just let go of everything to which you are desperately clinging; stop trying to do it yourself! This is the very reason you are still breathing in this physical life—God has been delaying His judgment of this sinful world because He is waiting for you—2 Peter 3:9 says He wants none to perish!

If you have already invited the Spirit into your life, then live like it! Bear fruit! Anyone and everyone who meets you or knows you or sees you or hears you should know immediately and clearly that Jesus the Christ lives in you and loves them! That is how stark the contrast should be between your life and the world around you!

Have you immersed yourself in God’s Word and in prayer in the last twenty-four hours?

If you call yourself a follower of Christ, then there is no excuse for not communing with Him daily! Anchor yourself in the Word! God has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Bible is a complete and accurate record of that revelation. And prayer is humbly letting Him love us. Let Him love you! God doesn’t need us, but He wants us! God doesn’t need us to live for Him—He wants to live in and through us! Let us love and fellowship with one another, even when you disagree! Pray for each other—the names in the church directory are a great place to start! Church, we are not only the Body of Christ, but we are the Bride of Christ. We have allowed ourselves to get bedraggled and stained—now let us stand to the glory of God! Let’s let Him purify us, restore us, and love us!

My dear Brothers and Sisters, if you have ever once been blessed by God our Father at work in me, then I urge you, please, take seriously His desire to love and work in you, beyond anything you can ask or imagine! I have told you the beginning of my story—may it end in glory to the Father, in the Name of Jesus, by way of His Spirit.

Now, what is your story?