God is working mightily in Romania!

How shall I begin...My God is mighty to save, my friends, mighty to save!

My journey began on March 3rd, I had no idea what His plan was for me this time. Of course I was certain that whatever the plan, it is sure to be nothing less than phenomenal. He NEVER ceases to amaze me in ALL that He does. Words can't begin to describe the joy that fills my heart and soul when I return to my Roma families. I feel like I am right at home with family I didn't even know existed. My saviour lavishes me with unending love and joy when I am with my gypsies!

On the very first day of our project we headed straight into our mission, which was to encourage our Roma pastor in Sarata and fuel the fire that God went before us to light. While it was really cool to rekindle past relationships with "my people" it was exciting to make new ones too. I remember, during our home visits, sitting with a beautiful lady in her home,who resembled my grandmother "Meems". I had to sit and stare awkwardly at her and blink a few times before it registered that Meems is already in Heaven. Anyway, Berta (my grandmother look-alike), a believer but unsaved was on her stoop moving rocks and rubble around for what seemed like no apparent reason, stopped to wave and say Hi. I anxiously awaited this particular day to see Berta as God had burdened my heart for her. Pastor Paul (Sprout Springs Baptist) presented the gospel to her and she teared up as she gratefully accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour. As I listened intently to her say the sinner's prayer I found it VERY difficult to contain my excitement so I did my best to control myself until after we prayed, her in her native tongue, I in mine...I remember being so overcome with a plethera of emotions that all I could do was jump up and down and shout in the street where we were standing. Yes, the others in the village looked at me as if I had lost my mind (they do that when I am around anyway! LOL) Someone (a gypsy) said "Oh, it's just those crazy American's!" Crazy for Jesus I thought to myself!

That same evening one of my translators (Mihai aka Cheetah) handed his cellphone to me to talk to his girlfriend Manu, a girlfriend I became close with during the August True Love Waits camp. She was so excited to hear I was there and very upset that she wouldn't be able to see me. I didn't realize the impression I left on her back in August until she all but begged for me to come see her. I couldn't promise her anything which just tore me all up inside. Again, a burden was placed on my heart. I spoke with Daniel (our missionary) about getting to her...the chances didn't look good. You see, our team was in Bistrita, Manu lives in Turda, the two villages are three hours from each other. I cried out to Jesus to make something happen, make a way for me to meet with Manu. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28 As you all know...God answers prayer! Amen? Amen! I prayed the same prayer for 3 consecutive days. My prayer was answered when Reuben, a Romanian pastor and brother of Alex (my first friend made in Romania) offered to drive me and my roommate Pat to see her. I was overwhelmed with excitement again, I remember asking God what verse from Your Word shall I share with her? What if I say the wrong thing? What if she says this? How will I respond to her? By this time I had worked myself up into a frenzy and couldn't even think straight (Not new, I know!) I could hardly sleep that night. On our journey to meet with Manu Pat and I went over what we needed to share and prayed for the right words to come from our lips. As we sat and conversed as best we could with our limited knowledge of the gypsy language and Manu with her limited knowledge of english, I asked her what would she do if she were drowning and I threw her a rope. Would you grab that rope or would you wave me away and say, "No, no, I'll wait for a different way out". She responded with, "The rope". I asked her how she would respond if I gave her a gift, would you offer to pay me for this gift or would you gratefully accept it? She responded with "I would accept the gift". I explained to her that Jesus is that "rope" and that "gift" , a gift from God. I asked if she wanted to accept God's gift to her, she responded with " Well, yes!" Now I am REALLY blown away because the gospel had been presented to her numerous times and that day at that time she decided to say yes to God! I was so thrilled at how easy this was at the same time thinking why had I made it so difficult. God had obviously gone before me and had prepared her heart. All praise to Him!! He is good! And Bruce, the yellow ribbon was given as a bookmark for Manu's Bible with the date of her decision. (I'm glad I had it with me because this was a special day!)

By the fourth day of our project all 7 team members had been so spoiled (blessed) by God's amazing work that there couldn't possibly be anything that He could do to top what He had already done in the beginning of the week. Well, He did top these things. He grew His Kingdom by 16. Arcalia, a small village we served with in March of 2010 is on fire for the Lord. His presence was all up on that frigid little 10x10 room house. That place was PACKED. Triple the people from the year prior and still growing. He continues to draw more to Himself! "Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:47

I am no more special than any other believer and often think "How could God possibly use a person like me, I am not a theologan, I don't say eloquent prayers, and I'm a little on the quirky side!" I have never been used to reap the harvest and was settled to just be the sower, the tiller or the waterer. I praise Him for how He uses me to further His Kingdom!!

I can't wait to see what He has planned for our August discipleship camp!!