Location: Sighisoara, Romania
Hey Gang, it is late, so I hope to write and post tomorrow. But I just wanted to request prayers from you who have been blessing me with your prayers. I am good, and life is good here, but it has been a little rough the last couple of days. Everything is fine; I will explain more later, but thanks in advance for the prayers. I am doing my best to represent you humbly, Body of Christ, that our Lord might be known through you and me!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Arrival in Sighisoara (Safe and Sound!)
Location: 31.5 hours into a 38 hour bus ride from Grenoble, France to Sighisoara, Romania, somewhere near Sibiu, where I will soon have to change buses. It is 3pm local time on the 9th of September.
Though I know not when I will next have Internet access, I will go ahead and type as usual, with plans to later upload this post. Oddly enough, I had planned to write a lot during this trip, both for the blog and for fun, but this is the first time I have done it. You might think such a long voyage tiresome, and certainly one has to use self-control and bladder control to survive the cramped ride and the infrequent restroom stops. Nonetheless, I have to admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed these two days; it is a great way to see Europe. For example, I began in Grenoble, and I was the only person on the bus (except for the three drivers who rotate) for the first hour-and-a-half of my trip--that was heavenly! Then we passed through Lyon and on into Switzerland, stopping in Geneva, Bern, Lucerne, and Zurich. We headed into Austria as night fell, passing through Salzburg and not far from Innsbruck, if I am correct. When dipped our toes in Germany for a few minutes before re-entering Austria, and we were in Hungary for the sunrise this morning. Passing below Budapest, we entered Romania and stopped in Arad, then Timisoara, then Deva, and now on to Sibiu. Late this evening I should reach Sighisoara.
Neither will it surprise you that I have both made friends on the bus, and enjoyed a lot of alone time. The bus is not as packed as I had been told it might be, and so I have two seats to enjoy. The people on the bus are nice, and there have been fewer adventures than I expected. I was bracing myself for an adventure when we entered Romania and only my passport was taken off the bus, but they just stamped it and brought it back. I think I am the only non-European Union passenger. The only major distraction on the ride has been the shoot-em-up movies that are played--I did not even realize so many existed! Fortunately, they have not been playing ceaselessly.
So here I am in Romania, and as we have traveled through parts of the country I have never visited, I can hardly keep from smiling. I am not sure what it is about this country or its people, but I am filled with much joy here. For example, there is a plowed field to my right with hazy mountains a couple of miles behind, hedging the horizon. The fields to my left populated by rows of dry corn, with closer mountains keeping watch behind the fields. A small white church is nestled comfortably at their feet.
I just shared some food with my neighbors across the aisle, and the young couple toward the back of the bus gave me some contact info to see about a visa. Especially one of the bus drivers is quite good-natured, asking me why I am headed to Dracula's house (Sighisoara). There was another lady who helped me quite a bit with translation, but she got off a couple of stops ago.
Now the train that was blocking our way is past, and it is "forward, ho!" They are farming with a horse-and-plow on my right, and there is a fruit orchard on my left. This cross-continent trek has given me a lot of time to ponder and pray, too.
I was thinking about the countries I have been spending my time in this summer--primarily France and Romania. These are two countries I never had a strong desire to visit. And as I drive by their seemingly infinite church buildings, I wonder why God brought me here. Yet He whispered to me some truths that are relative to America, too:
France has a Catholic church on every corner. In Romania, they are Orthodox churches. In the USA, Protestant churches flood the nation. (Of course, each of these nations has other types of churches represented, too, in varying proportions.) Nevertheless, a church building never saved anyone. A church is not a building, it is a group of people who let Jesus Christ live through them--they are His Body, He is the Head. I may offend some of you and sadden others, but each of these three countries need missionaries. The vast majority of these "churches" are hollow, like the people inside of them. The vast majority of these so-called Christians do not know the Jesus they claim to serve, making their acts and traditions merely rote religion that appeases their consciences and soothes their fears. What we as Americans, as Romanians, or as French need to ask ourselves is, "Do I truly know the Lord as a person who loves me and calls me to live a life that soars beyond the empty expections of those merely wading through this worlds problems?" That is not to say that a Christian life is easier, but it is to say that is has true value. Our value comes from our Creator, and if we hijack our lives to live it the best way we see fit, we do more harm than good, to ourselves and the world around us.
I rarely label myself as a missionary. I am not a missionary--at least not as defined by most. Most picture pious men or women trekking into the heart of a jungle or desert to live in a handmade hut and learn an impossible language. I would agree with those who would define a missionary as someone called to live among a group of people in order to share with them the good news of Jesus Christ. I maintain, however, that any and every person who truly knows Jesus as Lord is called to live among a group of people in order to share with them the good news of Jesus Christ. That means that every Christian should be a missionary, most often among the group of people in their neighborhood, their places of work, and even their churches. I am not a missionary, I am simply one loved and called by Christ to let Him be the Lord of my life.
I did not come to Europe because there was more need here than there is in the United States. Nor did I come to do anything different than I did there. No matter where I am, it is my privilege to humble myself and let Jesus live in and through me completely, that the watching world might see His glory and grace. That is why I am in Romania right now. That is why I was in France. That is why I was in the United States.
May God be glorified, and may you be blessed. If you do not know what this good news is about Jesus, do not hesitate to ask. It is so good that it is worth traveling to the ends of the earth in response, or surviving bleak years in a pit of misery if necessary. No treasure is richer, and it can be yours!
Though I know not when I will next have Internet access, I will go ahead and type as usual, with plans to later upload this post. Oddly enough, I had planned to write a lot during this trip, both for the blog and for fun, but this is the first time I have done it. You might think such a long voyage tiresome, and certainly one has to use self-control and bladder control to survive the cramped ride and the infrequent restroom stops. Nonetheless, I have to admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed these two days; it is a great way to see Europe. For example, I began in Grenoble, and I was the only person on the bus (except for the three drivers who rotate) for the first hour-and-a-half of my trip--that was heavenly! Then we passed through Lyon and on into Switzerland, stopping in Geneva, Bern, Lucerne, and Zurich. We headed into Austria as night fell, passing through Salzburg and not far from Innsbruck, if I am correct. When dipped our toes in Germany for a few minutes before re-entering Austria, and we were in Hungary for the sunrise this morning. Passing below Budapest, we entered Romania and stopped in Arad, then Timisoara, then Deva, and now on to Sibiu. Late this evening I should reach Sighisoara.
Neither will it surprise you that I have both made friends on the bus, and enjoyed a lot of alone time. The bus is not as packed as I had been told it might be, and so I have two seats to enjoy. The people on the bus are nice, and there have been fewer adventures than I expected. I was bracing myself for an adventure when we entered Romania and only my passport was taken off the bus, but they just stamped it and brought it back. I think I am the only non-European Union passenger. The only major distraction on the ride has been the shoot-em-up movies that are played--I did not even realize so many existed! Fortunately, they have not been playing ceaselessly.
So here I am in Romania, and as we have traveled through parts of the country I have never visited, I can hardly keep from smiling. I am not sure what it is about this country or its people, but I am filled with much joy here. For example, there is a plowed field to my right with hazy mountains a couple of miles behind, hedging the horizon. The fields to my left populated by rows of dry corn, with closer mountains keeping watch behind the fields. A small white church is nestled comfortably at their feet.
I just shared some food with my neighbors across the aisle, and the young couple toward the back of the bus gave me some contact info to see about a visa. Especially one of the bus drivers is quite good-natured, asking me why I am headed to Dracula's house (Sighisoara). There was another lady who helped me quite a bit with translation, but she got off a couple of stops ago.
Now the train that was blocking our way is past, and it is "forward, ho!" They are farming with a horse-and-plow on my right, and there is a fruit orchard on my left. This cross-continent trek has given me a lot of time to ponder and pray, too.
I was thinking about the countries I have been spending my time in this summer--primarily France and Romania. These are two countries I never had a strong desire to visit. And as I drive by their seemingly infinite church buildings, I wonder why God brought me here. Yet He whispered to me some truths that are relative to America, too:
France has a Catholic church on every corner. In Romania, they are Orthodox churches. In the USA, Protestant churches flood the nation. (Of course, each of these nations has other types of churches represented, too, in varying proportions.) Nevertheless, a church building never saved anyone. A church is not a building, it is a group of people who let Jesus Christ live through them--they are His Body, He is the Head. I may offend some of you and sadden others, but each of these three countries need missionaries. The vast majority of these "churches" are hollow, like the people inside of them. The vast majority of these so-called Christians do not know the Jesus they claim to serve, making their acts and traditions merely rote religion that appeases their consciences and soothes their fears. What we as Americans, as Romanians, or as French need to ask ourselves is, "Do I truly know the Lord as a person who loves me and calls me to live a life that soars beyond the empty expections of those merely wading through this worlds problems?" That is not to say that a Christian life is easier, but it is to say that is has true value. Our value comes from our Creator, and if we hijack our lives to live it the best way we see fit, we do more harm than good, to ourselves and the world around us.
I rarely label myself as a missionary. I am not a missionary--at least not as defined by most. Most picture pious men or women trekking into the heart of a jungle or desert to live in a handmade hut and learn an impossible language. I would agree with those who would define a missionary as someone called to live among a group of people in order to share with them the good news of Jesus Christ. I maintain, however, that any and every person who truly knows Jesus as Lord is called to live among a group of people in order to share with them the good news of Jesus Christ. That means that every Christian should be a missionary, most often among the group of people in their neighborhood, their places of work, and even their churches. I am not a missionary, I am simply one loved and called by Christ to let Him be the Lord of my life.
I did not come to Europe because there was more need here than there is in the United States. Nor did I come to do anything different than I did there. No matter where I am, it is my privilege to humble myself and let Jesus live in and through me completely, that the watching world might see His glory and grace. That is why I am in Romania right now. That is why I was in France. That is why I was in the United States.
May God be glorified, and may you be blessed. If you do not know what this good news is about Jesus, do not hesitate to ask. It is so good that it is worth traveling to the ends of the earth in response, or surviving bleak years in a pit of misery if necessary. No treasure is richer, and it can be yours!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Location: The library room at the camp (nearly 6:00am on September 7).
Today is it.
After praying, packing, cleaning my room, and other odds and ends, I will have to say some goodbyes again. Sure, it is a part of life, but not an easy one.
You can see from the pictures that work at camp is never done; for example, a mountain of laundry awaits my coworkers. But life goes on. The other picture, above, is from the last group we had. We were enjoying the beauty of the moon descending in the horizon as they prepared to leave for the bus station very early in the morning.
Now it is my turn to ride off into the "moonset." The LORD has gone before me, and with a God like ours, whom shall I fear? I will use my goodbyes to carefully wrap of the fond memories of camp; I look forward to the next hellos.
In church yesterday morning, the new, young pastor preached on Philippians 1:27. He stressed the importance of the word "only" at the beginning of the verse. The verse begins, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ..." The word "only" here means "first and foremost," or "before all else," or "if nothing else..." Thus, in every circumstance, our focus and priority must be to conduct ourselves in a many worthy of the good news of Christ. So I will not allow myself to be paralyzed by the regret of goodbyes, nor by apprehensions of the future. Instead, I will at every moment allow Christ to use me to remind you and anyone else I meet that God our Heavenly Father loves you with a love that goes so far as to say goodbye to His only Son, to send Him on a fatal mission, simply that we might know the God who loves us that much and live as His adopted sons and daughters for the rest of eternity.
The post below has more details about the past week or two at camp, and more importantly, information about the near future. Meanwhile, until I next greet you, I bless you in the Name of this Jesus, son of our loving Father, with whom we commune in Spirit and in Truth!
Can't Get No Satisfaction!
Location: The very clean, otherwise empty dining hall of the camp, outside Grenoble, France (it is 8:00am on Sunday morning, September 6)
For the several of you waiting for email replies from me, I apologize, and I assure you I will do my best to respond soon. I decided to post on the blog first, so that everyone would be "au courant" with my plans. Very soon, I will leave this valley tucked into the French Alps and will spend the night close to the bus station; the following morning I will greet the sunrise somewhere along the road to Romania from my cocoon in a bus seat where I will rest for two days. My contact in Romania will be waiting for me, God-willing, but I do not know what my Internet availability will be like, nor how soon I will have my Romanian cell phone up and running. Thanks for your prayers and patience. I will stay in contact as best as possible. Most of you know that when I am unable to connect to the Internet, I write my posts offline and save them until I can post them. Watch for them!
The reason I fell behind on everything has to do with an international prayer conference in which I had the unexpected privilege of participating. I met wonderful people from all over the world, and when I was not working, I often was interceding with them for individuals and countries around the globe, often into the wee hours of the morning. We probably prayed for you!
Now I am trying to catch up on sleep, emails, and the little details that need to be completed before I head to Romania. Yesterday was a cleaning day after our rental group left, which explains why the dining hall is so immaculate! The dining hall, along with the dishroom and some of the restrooms, was my responsibility. That took much of the day, and then I was invited to dinner by a missionary family. Today we plan to go to church (this will be the first time I have attended service in a church building in quite some time) and to catch up on rest.
As I was praying about Romania yesterday, I realized that though there is often a lot of unknown in my life, this time there seems to be a little more. In fact, I was smiling as I thought about the fact that there is too much unknown for me to even be scared--maybe as I learn more I will taste a little apprehension. But I feel good about the coming months.
Leaving the camp seems strange. I have had a wonderful stay here, and I feel very much a part of things. This last group seemed to think that my title of "toilet-cleaner" or "dish-washer" is translated "he-who-knows-everything," and I had to try to answer all sorts of questions that were beyond my knowledge of the camp or the area. But not only do the visitors think I belong here, but the staff have adopted me as part of the family. I enjoy the area, and God moves powerfully among the people here. So in many ways I am not eager to leave; nonetheless, it feels like time. I knew all along this was a brief stop, and though I would not be disappointed to pass through here again, I am ready for what lies ahead.
You see, I mentioned that June in Romania was one of the best months of my life. In fact, in retrospect, this year seems to be one of the best I have ever had! Perhaps you see me as transient and lost or seeking. I see myself of confident of God's call on my life and led by His Spirit. He is faithful and true, and I feel more secure and certain of my current lifestyle than I have for a long time. Certainly, traveling gets old, but I am rooted in the mighty love of an unchanging God! It is true that I often do not know on any given day how God might work in or through me, but I see the big picture of His plans, and I am happy to walk with Him as He brings them to pass.
In fact, I feel very satisfied with the many blessings of this summer and the path I am on. Oddly, though, I was confronted by a couple of people this week who suggested that I seem to be seeking something, perhaps searching satisfaction. This bothered me more than usual, because it seems to mean one of two things. Either I am dissatisfied and am simply deceiving myself, or I am satisfied and through my lifestyle inadvertantly communicating that I am dissatisfied. Neither option is positive from my point-of-view, so I have given it a lot of thought, and I will continue to pray about it.
I think, though, that I am very happy. I have met dozens of amazing people this summer, and I have seen God powerfully at work in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Romania, and France, in addition to hearing the stories from Jesus-followers in many other countries! What a privilege this summer has been! And though often there are fears and challenges and uncomfortable situations, like the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4, I am content in every situation, because I know my God is with me. I am not running across Europe waiting for God to catch up. I am going in the path that Jesus leads me on, and I am in awe as He shows me His glory. Thus, I am very content to be on such a journey!
At the same time, the God we serve is an unfathomable God. He is so great that none could ever begin to know Him if He had not chosen to reveal Himself to us--Jesus is the most clear revelation we have, and I thank God for sending His Son that we might know Him better! Having come through numerous adventures in several parts of the world, I can state that getting to know God facet by facet is the greatest adventure. And in this way, I hope to be never satisfied. I pray that daily, moment by moment for the rest of eternity, God will reveal more of Himself to me, His beauty, His love, His justice, His grace, His mercy, His genius, His wisdom, His power, His compassion, His patience, His joy, ... The more of Him I know, the more of Him I want to know! Biologically speaking, I am not a parent, but I think it would be similar (in a grossly inadequate analogy) to watching you child grow and develop. You would never tire of watching him or her mature and succeed and meet life's challenges with ingenuity and energy; you would never tire of seeing new character traits reveal or refine themselves. In this way I thirst after God. I know Him, but the little I know makes me desire to go deeper, to know every bit of His heart, His mind, His glory!
So maybe I am not satisfied, but if that is the case, may I never be! May I never be satisfied with anything less than all of our infinite God! As tired as I get of traveling, I would criss-cross the earth for the rest of my life following Him. As much as I like variety and new experiences, I would sit locked in a small, prision-like room for the rest of my life sitting with Him.
O, how I love Jesus! O, how I hope that someday you will, too, if you do not already! He already loves you with more passion than you can imagine!
And how do I know? Because I know Him. Because I have traveled the world with Him, and I have heard His sons and daughters around the globe declare awesome stories of His goodness. Brother or sister, let Him love you! Do not let yourself be satisfied with anything less than the deep, deep love of Jesus!
For the several of you waiting for email replies from me, I apologize, and I assure you I will do my best to respond soon. I decided to post on the blog first, so that everyone would be "au courant" with my plans. Very soon, I will leave this valley tucked into the French Alps and will spend the night close to the bus station; the following morning I will greet the sunrise somewhere along the road to Romania from my cocoon in a bus seat where I will rest for two days. My contact in Romania will be waiting for me, God-willing, but I do not know what my Internet availability will be like, nor how soon I will have my Romanian cell phone up and running. Thanks for your prayers and patience. I will stay in contact as best as possible. Most of you know that when I am unable to connect to the Internet, I write my posts offline and save them until I can post them. Watch for them!
The reason I fell behind on everything has to do with an international prayer conference in which I had the unexpected privilege of participating. I met wonderful people from all over the world, and when I was not working, I often was interceding with them for individuals and countries around the globe, often into the wee hours of the morning. We probably prayed for you!
Now I am trying to catch up on sleep, emails, and the little details that need to be completed before I head to Romania. Yesterday was a cleaning day after our rental group left, which explains why the dining hall is so immaculate! The dining hall, along with the dishroom and some of the restrooms, was my responsibility. That took much of the day, and then I was invited to dinner by a missionary family. Today we plan to go to church (this will be the first time I have attended service in a church building in quite some time) and to catch up on rest.
As I was praying about Romania yesterday, I realized that though there is often a lot of unknown in my life, this time there seems to be a little more. In fact, I was smiling as I thought about the fact that there is too much unknown for me to even be scared--maybe as I learn more I will taste a little apprehension. But I feel good about the coming months.
Leaving the camp seems strange. I have had a wonderful stay here, and I feel very much a part of things. This last group seemed to think that my title of "toilet-cleaner" or "dish-washer" is translated "he-who-knows-everything," and I had to try to answer all sorts of questions that were beyond my knowledge of the camp or the area. But not only do the visitors think I belong here, but the staff have adopted me as part of the family. I enjoy the area, and God moves powerfully among the people here. So in many ways I am not eager to leave; nonetheless, it feels like time. I knew all along this was a brief stop, and though I would not be disappointed to pass through here again, I am ready for what lies ahead.
You see, I mentioned that June in Romania was one of the best months of my life. In fact, in retrospect, this year seems to be one of the best I have ever had! Perhaps you see me as transient and lost or seeking. I see myself of confident of God's call on my life and led by His Spirit. He is faithful and true, and I feel more secure and certain of my current lifestyle than I have for a long time. Certainly, traveling gets old, but I am rooted in the mighty love of an unchanging God! It is true that I often do not know on any given day how God might work in or through me, but I see the big picture of His plans, and I am happy to walk with Him as He brings them to pass.
In fact, I feel very satisfied with the many blessings of this summer and the path I am on. Oddly, though, I was confronted by a couple of people this week who suggested that I seem to be seeking something, perhaps searching satisfaction. This bothered me more than usual, because it seems to mean one of two things. Either I am dissatisfied and am simply deceiving myself, or I am satisfied and through my lifestyle inadvertantly communicating that I am dissatisfied. Neither option is positive from my point-of-view, so I have given it a lot of thought, and I will continue to pray about it.
I think, though, that I am very happy. I have met dozens of amazing people this summer, and I have seen God powerfully at work in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Romania, and France, in addition to hearing the stories from Jesus-followers in many other countries! What a privilege this summer has been! And though often there are fears and challenges and uncomfortable situations, like the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4, I am content in every situation, because I know my God is with me. I am not running across Europe waiting for God to catch up. I am going in the path that Jesus leads me on, and I am in awe as He shows me His glory. Thus, I am very content to be on such a journey!
At the same time, the God we serve is an unfathomable God. He is so great that none could ever begin to know Him if He had not chosen to reveal Himself to us--Jesus is the most clear revelation we have, and I thank God for sending His Son that we might know Him better! Having come through numerous adventures in several parts of the world, I can state that getting to know God facet by facet is the greatest adventure. And in this way, I hope to be never satisfied. I pray that daily, moment by moment for the rest of eternity, God will reveal more of Himself to me, His beauty, His love, His justice, His grace, His mercy, His genius, His wisdom, His power, His compassion, His patience, His joy, ... The more of Him I know, the more of Him I want to know! Biologically speaking, I am not a parent, but I think it would be similar (in a grossly inadequate analogy) to watching you child grow and develop. You would never tire of watching him or her mature and succeed and meet life's challenges with ingenuity and energy; you would never tire of seeing new character traits reveal or refine themselves. In this way I thirst after God. I know Him, but the little I know makes me desire to go deeper, to know every bit of His heart, His mind, His glory!
So maybe I am not satisfied, but if that is the case, may I never be! May I never be satisfied with anything less than all of our infinite God! As tired as I get of traveling, I would criss-cross the earth for the rest of my life following Him. As much as I like variety and new experiences, I would sit locked in a small, prision-like room for the rest of my life sitting with Him.
O, how I love Jesus! O, how I hope that someday you will, too, if you do not already! He already loves you with more passion than you can imagine!
And how do I know? Because I know Him. Because I have traveled the world with Him, and I have heard His sons and daughters around the globe declare awesome stories of His goodness. Brother or sister, let Him love you! Do not let yourself be satisfied with anything less than the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Still Safe at Camp
I posted a previous post called "Safe at Camp." This is a quick note to say that I have been too busy to write (for example, I prayed with a special prayer group till 5am this morning), but that I am alive, safe, happy, and healthy during my last week at the camp. Thank you for your prayers! I hope to write more soon!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Work Camp!
Location: Dining room at the camp, nearly 8am on August 29.Though many of you think I am crazy, I enjoy waking up at 4am and spending time without interruptions--usually! Today, however, I was the only one up and around when a lady came searching for lost and found at about 7:15! Thus, I do not have as much time as I hoped to write you.
But I have to tell you a little about Work Camp this week...
You probably know that I enjoy hard work. It is a good think, because this week has been a lot of hard, physical work. As you can see from the slideshow above, it has flown by because we have been so busy and worn out by the end of each day. My jobs have included building four stories of scaffolding, wheelbarrowing LOTS of dirt and concrete, running the cement mixer several days, and helping build a stone staircase. In addition to the staircase, the projects have included building a stone wall, varnishing the front of the main building, fixing shower drains and a water heater in the restrooms, etc. We have worked despite rain and sun, delays from materials and broken pipes, and weary backs and bodies. I am in one piece, fairly well rested, and rather tan for fair-skinned me--only half of it washes off in the shower! My clothes and shoes have taken a beating, and I am being careful of my back, but the LORD has really blessed me with health and strength and everything else I need to serve Him in this way during this time. We did have an elderly lady fall of a ladder and fracture a leg, and another worker wrenched his back pretty good, so your prayers are greatly appreciated. Today is clean-up day, so we hope to dismantle the scaffolding and finish up the stone wall. Everything else is pretty much done, just in time for the next group to arrive tomorrow.
Unfortunately, with all of this excitement, there have been several goodbyes, with more to follow. G.'s family, pictured above, headed to the States on Thursday morning; two other couples left yesterday. A. will leave tomorrow, and my roommate S. will probably leave the next day. The folks that camp for work camp will be departing tomorrow, also. While I enjoy solitude, no one really enjoys seeing people go, especially after having worked and laughed and worshipped with them.
But alas, life is like that, and without goodbyes, people would just disappear. And with goodbyes come hellos. I am happy to have made so many new friends this summer, even if that means saying goodbye sometimes. And more people will be coming tomorrow. Furthermore, S., whose surgery you prayed for (with the kidney stones), had a follow-up operation this week to remove the piece they left inside of her, and she is due back at camp in the coming week. A missionary family from the camp will also be returning this month after a year-long furlough. The cycle continues.
Besides, I will be leaving soon myself. Plans are falling into place--thank you for your prayers and your encouragement. Many of you have written me, and I appreciate it very much, even when it takes me some time to respond sometimes. Romania, here I come!
It is almost time for breakfast, so I had better get going. Actually, second breakfast. They tease me about being a hobbit, but I have to eat several meals to put out the work that I do. Besides, when I get up at 4am, it is really my lunchtime when we begin work at 9! But do not worry, I am friends with the cook here, and several people watch out for me and Miguelito (my appetite), so I am well-fed!
By the way, I have posted some photos below and many on the Picasa site; check them out!
Oh, I almost forgot, I was going to tell you about "Qui suis-je?"
"Qui suis-je" means "Who am I?" That is a question many people are afraid to ask themselves, yet in my opinion the answer is vital for the rest of life. We talked about it in a small-group discussion after work the other night, and many people made some very good points. But what I love is a French particularity: "Je suis" means both "I am" and "I follow." In other words, in answer to the question (posed in French): "Who am I?" (or Who are you?), it would make sense to say, "I follow Jesus."
You see, if you are confused about who God is, life will not make sense. And if you do not understand that your personal identity is directly tied into God's identity (because He made you and designed specific plans for you and loves you deeply), again life will not make sense. Jesus came to reveal God to us, to help us understand who God is. He also came to give meaning to our lives, to give us a purpose and an identity. Therefore, at the very core of who I am, I follow Jesus. You cannot know who I am without knowing that.
You might not like that. Maybe that offends you. But nonetheless, it is true. If you are reading this, you likely know me. You probably do not hate me, and you may have been encouraged by me. Maybe I met you during my travels, maybe I worked with you in the States, maybe I lent you a hand with something. Maybe you even like or admire me. But the reason I am who I am is because I follow Jesus. In fact, it is because Jesus lives in me, giving me His identity, His character traits, His love. Daily I am renewed and reformed; He is building me into the man I was created to be. I would have never made an impact on you save Jesus living in me.
He wants to be the reason for your life, too. He wants to reform and renew you. He wants His identity to be the core of your identity. He wants you to let Him love you, lead you, teach you, help you, forgive you, and build you up.
You do not have to believe me. Take God's Word for it. Read Psalm 37 and Proverbs 3:5-6. Read John chapter 4. Sit silent before God in prayer and let Jesus reveal Him to you.
I bless you in the hard work ahead of you! Thanks for joining me in the work before me!
Different Perspectives
These are two photos taken from the same spot in the same direction. The first was when M. and I attempted to
climb the mountain; the second was when M., I., and I successfully climbed the mountain. Amazing, huh?The rest of the photos are worth seeing (here is the address): http://picasaweb.google.com/TheRabboni/TheMountainWeDIDClimb#
Friday, August 28, 2009
How Are You?
Location: In the dark (because I had to unplug the lamp to plug in my computer) in my bedroom, almost 11pm on August 27.
Yes, you are right; I am ready to go to bed, and I am tired. But I wanted to update you. I now have the pictures ready to go, so hopefully I can upload them tomorrow morning and post this at the same time.
So, how are you? I hope you are doing super well! Bien! Foarte bine!
How am I? I know many of you often wonder, especially you parent-types. Well, let me tell you!
I am blessed, greatly blessed. I am a little tired right now, but I have been disciplined about sleep. I went from five roommates to one to none to now being the only person in the whole building for a couple of days, which is WONDERFUL! I am very well-fed, and healthy--I have not been sick since coming to Europe. I have been having a few headaches lately, but only a couple have required a little medicaiton. My back has continued to improve with one temporary set-back, but it feels pretty good right now. There is a lot of unknown about the future, but my contacts for the internship in Romania have been very good about answering my questions and staying in contact with me. My five or so outfits are beginning to wear a little after more than three months' travel and work, but they are still mostly presentable. I have a little money in my wallet, and some minutes on my cell phone. I rationed the peppermints I brought from the States, and I enjoyed one today. I also can still read part of the label on my Romanian water bottle that has lasted me through several hikes and refills since June. I have been enjoying regular time with the Lord, and He has been challenging me and teaching me many things. I am often singing or in a posture of prayer. I have been blessed by great Christian friends here, and though it was difficult to say goodbye to G.'s family today, God is certainly bringing me joy through the people around me. I miss my family and friends, but I continue to hear about the blessings in their lives, which encourages me. I am extremely happy most of the time; for example, I had the privilege and time to sit and watch a thunderstorm blow in and shake the valley two nights ago--it was terrific! I never tire of the beauty of the mountains surrounding me; there has not been a day of any type of weather in which they are not beautiful! I feel like I have purpose, and I know I am appreciated. I am kept busy with satisfying work, but I am not exhausted or overwhelmed. And finally, in this moment, I am enjoying the drama of hissing at a kind of squirrel that is crawling in my ceiling and squealing at me--this is MY room!
I was going to tell you about work camp, about our discussions about "Qui suis-je?", and other things, but I am going to get some sleep. I hope to post this and maybe more tomorrow. But especially keep an eye out for my photos--I have a bunch of good ones that I have ready to post--hopefully tomorrow. (The photos are on Picasa now--you can use the link to the right!)
But whether you and I are ready or not, tomorrow is coming! See you then! Goodnight!
Yes, you are right; I am ready to go to bed, and I am tired. But I wanted to update you. I now have the pictures ready to go, so hopefully I can upload them tomorrow morning and post this at the same time.
So, how are you? I hope you are doing super well! Bien! Foarte bine!
How am I? I know many of you often wonder, especially you parent-types. Well, let me tell you!
I am blessed, greatly blessed. I am a little tired right now, but I have been disciplined about sleep. I went from five roommates to one to none to now being the only person in the whole building for a couple of days, which is WONDERFUL! I am very well-fed, and healthy--I have not been sick since coming to Europe. I have been having a few headaches lately, but only a couple have required a little medicaiton. My back has continued to improve with one temporary set-back, but it feels pretty good right now. There is a lot of unknown about the future, but my contacts for the internship in Romania have been very good about answering my questions and staying in contact with me. My five or so outfits are beginning to wear a little after more than three months' travel and work, but they are still mostly presentable. I have a little money in my wallet, and some minutes on my cell phone. I rationed the peppermints I brought from the States, and I enjoyed one today. I also can still read part of the label on my Romanian water bottle that has lasted me through several hikes and refills since June. I have been enjoying regular time with the Lord, and He has been challenging me and teaching me many things. I am often singing or in a posture of prayer. I have been blessed by great Christian friends here, and though it was difficult to say goodbye to G.'s family today, God is certainly bringing me joy through the people around me. I miss my family and friends, but I continue to hear about the blessings in their lives, which encourages me. I am extremely happy most of the time; for example, I had the privilege and time to sit and watch a thunderstorm blow in and shake the valley two nights ago--it was terrific! I never tire of the beauty of the mountains surrounding me; there has not been a day of any type of weather in which they are not beautiful! I feel like I have purpose, and I know I am appreciated. I am kept busy with satisfying work, but I am not exhausted or overwhelmed. And finally, in this moment, I am enjoying the drama of hissing at a kind of squirrel that is crawling in my ceiling and squealing at me--this is MY room!
I was going to tell you about work camp, about our discussions about "Qui suis-je?", and other things, but I am going to get some sleep. I hope to post this and maybe more tomorrow. But especially keep an eye out for my photos--I have a bunch of good ones that I have ready to post--hopefully tomorrow. (The photos are on Picasa now--you can use the link to the right!)
But whether you and I are ready or not, tomorrow is coming! See you then! Goodnight!
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A Rose From Home
