has been one of the best things that God has done during this trip. Those roots have been planted in the lives of people. My relationships have had a chance to truly develop more and more since I have been here this time around. Also, my friendships within the Bucharest International Church have been a blessing and quite frankly are priceless.
The majority of my time has been spent encouraging women in the local church, starting a small group, assisting with some behind the scenes needs in the community, continuing to grow in the language and culture, and doing some more indepth reading to help me think through this city and what God wants to do here.
I have been really encouraged in our small group of women and seeing Jesus grasp a hold of the hearts of the young Romanian women and seeing Jesus bring more freedom and more of his love into their lives. As a small group, we have served orphans together, sang some karaoke, and engaged in real life conversation, prayer, and teaching of the Old and New Testaments, laughed together, and cried together. I have been helping one of the ladies be ready to take over the group when I leave on December 14th. I am really excited about these young ladies continuing to grow together and also be open to other women who need a place of belonging to foster their growth in following Jesus.
There was a specific night when I just could not sleep about a month ago that Jesus clearly reminded me once again how clearly he has called me and a team of people to reach the underprivilieged of this city and to start a gathering of people that really goes for it in that population. He often has been speaking me to his heart for both the widows and orphans and his heart for us to empower local Romanians to also care for their "least of these." From the orphanages to the numerous elderly people begging on the streets, I am constantly reminded of God's heart and what will come.
To make this all tangible, I was going to the grocery store with my friend Rami and there was an older woman who began sharing with usr how she doesn't have enough money to cover her expenses and how her family is negligent of her needs. We offered to pray for her and as we ded she bagan to cry and a smile broke through her tears. We invited her over to dinner that night but she was unable to come because she didn't feel safe walking outside in the dark. This was a simple yet powerful picture for me and even deeper conviction of how God wants to pour his love over the underprivileged and also this whole city of Bucharest.
With all of that said, God has also confirmed strongly for two of my friends from the states to be moving here with me when the time is right... which honestly, is much sonner than later.
I am in the process of leaving this country of my heart again on December 14th. Then I head to the Czech Republic for another 4 and half days and then fly to Denver on December 19th.
I will then spend a few weeks in Ohio until January 10th with my family for the holidays.
What I need?
Prayer and resources for the practical things
- I sitll need to raise $1000 to cover the cost of this trip.
- I need a car to borrow, or be able to take over someone's loan payment for a few months and drive their car when I return on January 10 through the end of March.
- I have one job but pray that I get enough hours at that location.
-Continue to raise support for the next trip in the spring of 2013.
Pray for my budding relationships here in Bucharest
- My relationships within the Bucharest International Church
-My small group of women
-My friends with others that are church planters and / or pastors in this city
When will I return?
The scheduled return is for early April 2013 for my next 3 months to serve in Bucharest and to continue stepping in step with what the Father is doing to reach the underprivileged of this city and to serve the local church in the process.
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