Monday, October 4, 2010

On a Megabus!



(Location: On a bus between Chicago and Indianapolis in the USA, a quarter to seven on Sunday evening, the 3rd of October.)

Thanks for your prayers--I arrived in the United States without mishap. And if God's faithfulness continues (it will!), I will soon arrive at my parents' home.

I have two important things to tell you (at least, that I can recall).

First of all, the village of V. Last week I wrote to you about V., but I visited this village again twice this week, and I have some new stories. (This is not the village where I feel called to live, but the other V.)

When I arrived on Thursday afternoon, it was raining. Maybe you do not know, but most life in rural Romania stops in the rain. I, however, am American enough to continue with my plans, so I marched through the mud to see my dear village people. As I entered town, one boy saw me from his window and braved the weather to come out. He called his friend, and soon eight or ten boys had gathered with me. The rain was holding off temporarily, so we climbed the hill to the apple tree. The donkey tethered to a stake sounded the alarm, but I hee-hawed back at it so convincingly that it left us alone! Then we collected a few apples and munched on them until the rain started again. Then we had an apple-ball fight! Have you ever had a snow ball fight? This was exactly the same, but with apples! It was SO much fun! Maybe you can join us next time!

After that, as the rain picked up, I sprinted with those two boys to the house of one of them. We sat on the "porch" snacking on fresh pecans. Then the sister of the boy came out, interrogating me until she found out that she was my age and that I was not married. I saw where the inquiries were leading, so I scrammed before any bigger questions were "popped"! But I think it was my best visit yet!

I will try to post a picture I took of boys from this town lined up against our ministry truck, eager to help me let down the stage.


Even more glorifying to God, though, has been the trip to America. Many Romanians dream of going to America, though many of them only have a Hollywood picture of such a destination. But let me describe the journey.

Saturday morning I woke up, packed, and gave a French test. Then I hitchhiked to town, arriving in time to do two children's programs, in V. and in B. I left the latter one a tiny bit early and caught a minibus to Bucharest--a five hour trip. Concerned about some of the aspects of my trip, I prayed a lot in advance, and God sent me an angel.

You see, I needed the driver to let me off at the airport, about 40 kilometers before Bucharest. Not expecting that to be a problem, I was surprised when he told me "no"! Yet an elderly gentleman (who spoke English, no less!), took me aside later and told me I needed to ask a couple more times; the driver was just waiting for me to ask more. So I followed his culturally acurate advice, and with his help, I was left standing on the side of the road right where I needed to be! In addition, I had prayed about the pouring rain that had drummed the bus during the trip, and it stopped a little bit before I had to get out! God is good!

I walked to the airport in time to wait for another eight hours--"sleeping" in the airport would not be a very accurate word to describe my wait in the chairs there. But after being questioned by at the Passport Control about my expired residency permit, I boarded the plane which left on time. Thus, I arrived in Paris on time, and an hour-and-a-half later, also left there on time. My arrival in Chicago was also easy, and I had no trouble passing Customs as I thought I might. Amazingly, my old cell phone somehow worked--I thought it had no credit!--and a Christian brother of mine picked me up and spent two hours with me before the bus came. Those two hours were such an encouragement to me! Now, even though I am sort of sleep deprived, I am eager to dive into the blessings the Lord has prepared for me in Indiana.

Thanks for your prayers, and keep praying! I already miss Romania and keep speaking Romanian words, even in my English. I am praying for you, and I bless you in the Name of our Jesus!
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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?