For Octavian and anyone else who wants to read :) Octavian asked me today how God has shown me his grace and glory lately, so I thought I'd let y'all know.
One of the things I regret about the English camp in Sucevița was the separation between the English teachers and the Christian students at the beginning of the camp. I am so glad I got to be part of the worship and Cosmin's lessons on Daniel. I am sorry we missed opportunities to support the students when they were sharing the Gospel in Radauți through street evangelism and showing the movie, Magdalena (the story of Mary Magdalene). God, however, has continued to bless me through the students and staff who keep in touch!
I tell everyone who will listen that I was so blessed everywhere I went in Romania...Bucharesți, Brașov, and Sucevița. And as I prepare to go back to Brașov in March, I am also asking God what His plans are for me. What do I with this burden and love for the students and people I met there? Am I called to this mission field? And if so, in what capacity? Do I make short term missions trips or do I support local missionaries? Or both? Or, do I pack everything up and move there, somehow living and sharing the Gospel with those I meet?
Along with praying about Romania and my future and how they might be connected, I have been reading/studying Henry Blackaby's book, Experiencing God. I have been convicted of my immature faith in some areas (ie, the need for a road map for the rest of my life). God tells Abram, "Leave your country and go where I send you." Jesus says, "Come, follow me." Not a whole lot of directions there.
Late last week I was asked to join the Alege Viața staff and students from Brașov in prayer on Saturday for this university term. They sent me a list of prayer requests, most of which involved keeping the staff united in Christ's love and His purpose for them, as well as for the students they will come in contact with this year through the different clubs they offer: English, sports, and guitar.
As I prayed and fasted, God was amazingly gracious to me. He showed me areas in which I need to be transformed, namely in my insecurity of who I am in Christ. One of the biggest blessings in Romania was how God showed me that He has gifted me in the area of teaching (I know, I am a teacher, you would think I already knew that). Sadly, for many years I believed that I taught because I couldn't do anything else. But, in Romania, where I had nothing to depend on but God, He showed me that He created me to teach. One of the things I was confronted with this past weekend was that old fear: not being good enough. I struggled with some things I had been asked to do...and the underlying struggle was WHY was I being asked...was it manipulation? Did they see only my insecurity and they were preying upon that, making me feel guilty so I would help? It was a very dark time.
I realized, that the enemy can only mess with me if I let him. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (Iacob 4:7 De aceea, supuneți-vă lui Dumnezeu! Împotriviți-vă Diavolului și el va fugi de la voi!") I was not doing a good job of either one - submitting to God nor resisting the devil. I realized my sinful nature still needs to be crucified...daily...and I am in continual need of God's transforming work in my life. There really is nothing good in me but what God is doing. And if I stray from his presence, my fears magnify and I am paralyzed. I am so thankful that I prayed and fasted, as God was gracious and showed me what I needed to do in this situation. And, because I submitted, He was faithful in transforming me and giving me peace.
So, Octavian, while I am submitting and resisting, God is gracious to send others (like you) to encourage me so I will not grow weary in fighting the good fight. I will pray that you (all) are strengthened so you can submit in areas that you have not and that you will resist the schemes of the devil. And, I pray that Numbers 6:24-26 will come to pass in your life!
Numeri 6:24-26
Domnul să te binecuvinteze, şi să te păzească!
Domnul să facă să lumineze Faţa Lui peste tine, şi să Se îndure de tine!
Domnul să-Şi înalţe Faţa peste tine, şi-să-ţi dea pacea!
Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
One of the things I regret about the English camp in Sucevița was the separation between the English teachers and the Christian students at the beginning of the camp. I am so glad I got to be part of the worship and Cosmin's lessons on Daniel. I am sorry we missed opportunities to support the students when they were sharing the Gospel in Radauți through street evangelism and showing the movie, Magdalena (the story of Mary Magdalene). God, however, has continued to bless me through the students and staff who keep in touch!
I tell everyone who will listen that I was so blessed everywhere I went in Romania...Bucharesți, Brașov, and Sucevița. And as I prepare to go back to Brașov in March, I am also asking God what His plans are for me. What do I with this burden and love for the students and people I met there? Am I called to this mission field? And if so, in what capacity? Do I make short term missions trips or do I support local missionaries? Or both? Or, do I pack everything up and move there, somehow living and sharing the Gospel with those I meet?
Along with praying about Romania and my future and how they might be connected, I have been reading/studying Henry Blackaby's book, Experiencing God. I have been convicted of my immature faith in some areas (ie, the need for a road map for the rest of my life). God tells Abram, "Leave your country and go where I send you." Jesus says, "Come, follow me." Not a whole lot of directions there.
Late last week I was asked to join the Alege Viața staff and students from Brașov in prayer on Saturday for this university term. They sent me a list of prayer requests, most of which involved keeping the staff united in Christ's love and His purpose for them, as well as for the students they will come in contact with this year through the different clubs they offer: English, sports, and guitar.
As I prayed and fasted, God was amazingly gracious to me. He showed me areas in which I need to be transformed, namely in my insecurity of who I am in Christ. One of the biggest blessings in Romania was how God showed me that He has gifted me in the area of teaching (I know, I am a teacher, you would think I already knew that). Sadly, for many years I believed that I taught because I couldn't do anything else. But, in Romania, where I had nothing to depend on but God, He showed me that He created me to teach. One of the things I was confronted with this past weekend was that old fear: not being good enough. I struggled with some things I had been asked to do...and the underlying struggle was WHY was I being asked...was it manipulation? Did they see only my insecurity and they were preying upon that, making me feel guilty so I would help? It was a very dark time.
I realized, that the enemy can only mess with me if I let him. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (Iacob 4:7 De aceea, supuneți-vă lui Dumnezeu! Împotriviți-vă Diavolului și el va fugi de la voi!") I was not doing a good job of either one - submitting to God nor resisting the devil. I realized my sinful nature still needs to be crucified...daily...and I am in continual need of God's transforming work in my life. There really is nothing good in me but what God is doing. And if I stray from his presence, my fears magnify and I am paralyzed. I am so thankful that I prayed and fasted, as God was gracious and showed me what I needed to do in this situation. And, because I submitted, He was faithful in transforming me and giving me peace.
So, Octavian, while I am submitting and resisting, God is gracious to send others (like you) to encourage me so I will not grow weary in fighting the good fight. I will pray that you (all) are strengthened so you can submit in areas that you have not and that you will resist the schemes of the devil. And, I pray that Numbers 6:24-26 will come to pass in your life!
Numeri 6:24-26
Domnul să te binecuvinteze, şi să te păzească!
Domnul să facă să lumineze Faţa Lui peste tine, şi să Se îndure de tine!
Domnul să-Şi înalţe Faţa peste tine, şi-să-ţi dea pacea!
Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.