Thursday, September 24, 2015

In Romania

I have been in Romania almost two weeks now and if I had to use one word to describe my time so far, it would be overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed at the Need
Here in this region of Romania there is so much need, both physical and spiritual. As I shared from my first trip here, because this is a post-communist country, many people are not religious and most do not know Jesus. However, this trip, I am working alongside a young missionary, Mariana who works on social projects for the area. Many people are unemployed and cannot adequately provide for their families. Poor children are not encouraged to become educated by their families. In my short time here I have seen a young teenage girl who does not know how to read. I have seen a young orphaned woman trying to raise her own child with no one to encourage her or guide her. The need is great and the workers are few.

Overwhelmed at the Reality of this Life
This life is hard. Because the need is great, the work never ends. It is exhausting. I no longer have the comfort and company of my World Race family. Sometimes it seems lonely and there are not many options for the times when I want to relax. It is hard not knowing the language and being unable to have conversations with those I am wanting to serve.  But I am glad I am seeing this reality now.

Overwhelmed with Peace
While yes, this life is hard and exhausting and overwhelming, I still have a peace knowing I am right where God wants me.  This life requires dependency and rest in God. Peace comes in the little moments too. A morning prayer with Mariana. The joy of a young boy who just got a math problem correct. The laughter of a little girl. The smile of a Romanian woman as I share a newly learned Romanian phrase.  Ann after-hours kitchen dance party with the missionaries. Listening to the chatter of the elder sisters of the church as they make sandwiches. It is these moments and more where I know I am where I want to be.

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I have been welcomed into the Hope Church Romania family with open arms and I am excited to see what else God has for me during my time here.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

The Unexpected

I am someone who dreamed and planned from the time I was a little girl. I had expectations for my future. Some of my dreams and plans have yet to come true. Others were achieved but something was still missing. 

And this is where my unexpected life began. After finishing my chemical engineering degree and working in industry for a few years, I was led to follow my passion for overseas missions. It started with the World Race - working alongside local missionaries in 11 countries for 11 months. Now I am pursuing long term missions in Romania because my heart is with the people there. 

I could not have expected this. I could not have imagined this. But this is the life God has given me and so I will continue to move forward, one step at a time, even when I am not sure what is ahead.

Whether life takes us on grand adventures or we find ourselves working everyday jobs, we all experience the unexpected sooner or later. Sometimes the unexpected is better than anything we could have planned. Other times the unexpected hurts. 

If I have learned anything, it is to let go of expectations and trust God.