"There is truth in little corners of our lives…There are hints of it in songs and children's eyes" -Brooke Fraser "Hosea's Wife"
It was 4 am and my eyes were wide open, my body full of adrenaline, my mind racing with thoughts of what was soon to come. I was leaving for Romania in 3 hours, and I had no idea what to expect, who I was going to meet along the way, what God was going to do or how my life was going to change.
To sum up the purpose of our trip to Romania: we were coming along side a missionary couple the Halvarsons, that Faith Chapel supports, to serve at a spirit filled Christian church in Ghidici that was about to have it's grand opening in a few weeks. We had 3 teams comprised of a dentist and a dental assistant who pulled teeth, 4 manly older men working construction (including building a beautiful rock monument in the front with the church's name on it) and the 3 younger gals, myself, Kayla & Pastor Corrina who did mostly children's ministry.
After almost a full day of travel, the journey had begun and we arrived in Timisoara, Romania. Immediately after landing and stepping outside, I felt like I was on another planet. It was interesting to see on our 6 hour drive (when I wasn't passed out trying to catch up on sleep from lack there of on the airplane) from the airport into Balest (where we stayed) how different everything was. Most of the houses looked old, broken down, the majority of them with no in door plumbing. Every house had it's own garden and most had their own wells. People were selling potatoes and bread on the side of the road. I was on the other side of the world and it was very obvious.
After settling into our hotel late Thursday night, we woke up the next morning full of energy and ready to serve the LORD however He had planned for us on this adventure. We arrived at the church in the poor, Gypsy filled village of Ghidici around 10am and instantly got to work. For our first task, Kayla & I were in charge of washing the rocks that were going to be used for the monument out in the front. Right away we attracted some attention as a young neighborhood boy (who later I found out was named Floren) came over and started handing us rocks to help us. His brother and sisters soon followed him and made there way toward us to watch and work beside us when they had the chance as well. His younger brother, Luchi who was about 6 years old jumped in right away. His cute little baby face and warm smile made it easy for Kayla & I to fall in love with him instantly. That's when we met the first of many children along the way that touched our hearts forever, with just a smile and a hug.
That's what the focus of this blog will be about, because if I didn't narrow it down, I could ramble on forever. But the heart of this trip for me was the precious Gypsy children. And the clear understanding that love is the universal language and that all these kids really wanted was just that. To be loved, hugged, to be heard, to feel special, to be noticed. Isn't that what we all really want at the end of the day?
The kids that we met on the first day were the ones we spent the most quality time with and got very attached to, but every child was adorable and dear to our hearts. The following day was our first official day of children's ministry. Kayla had prepared a lesson explaining to the children that no matter what we have gone through in our lives, pain, dissapointment, feeling neglected with our family or with friends, that we have God as our Father and that the other believers around us are our family as well. We are all family in Christ and we need each other to help carry our burdens. We asked the 25 children that showed up the first day if they would like to receive Christ into their hearts, and every single kid raised their hand. It was the sweetest sight to see them bow their heads and pray together. These children, with such innocence, before life has taken it's toll on them had made the most important decision of their lives. We couldn't help but be excited to lead them into the best relationship they will ever have: with Jesus! 
The neighborhood kids would continue to come around the church everyday when we would arrive at around 10am. Floren, Luchi, their sisters and the other nearby children became our companions. We didn't speak the same language, yet we played together, laughed together, hugged, held hands, ran around the field, kicked the soccer ball, blew bubbles and enjoyed spending the time that we had together. All of the kids that we invested relationships in came to our children's lessons at the church everyday. Many of the kids would often wait an hour or so outside the church before our ministry would even begin. We'd go to lunch at one of the church families houses and when we would come back they would all be waiting outside with big, beaming smiles on their faces to see us return. It brightens up my day so much just thinking about those times.
We had a total of 4 lessons over 4 days and each time the number of kids would multiply. On the last day I taught the children about heaven, how the streets are paved with gold (Rev. 21:21), that all things will be made new, that there will be no more crying or sorrow and what it will be like for us all someday to be present with the LORD. We started with 25 kids and ended up having 65 by that last day. We had a heaven/going away party out on the grass afterwards that consisted of silly string, bubbles, flying edible confetti, soccer and tons of laughs and pictures. I knew that I would love working with children. But I never thought I could get so attached to these kids in such a short time and without speaking the same language. My heart broke as I had to tell the children goodbye. With tears in my eyes I told the translator to tell all the children that we would never forget them, that we loved them and that they would always be in our hearts.
A certain story in the Bible comes to mind when I think of our purpose in being in Ghidici and loving these children. It is found in Luke 9:46-48 when Jesus' disciples are arguing over who is the greatest among them (isn't that human nature for ya). 47: Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48: Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all–he is the greatest… Yes, these kids smelled and wore the same clothes everyday. They were gypsy children that the world would see as unimportant and the least of the community. But we wanted to love them like Jesus would if He were in the flesh and so that is exactly what we did.
To be honest with you, dear friend, I went on this journey to be a blessing to whoever I could and to share God's love with the people of Ghidici. The truth is, the Romanian people, the Gypsy children, they showed me what true, pure love is. They showed ME God's love through their smiles, through their hugs, through their joy in just being around us and playing with us. Their love was instant, unconditional and they did not hold one ounce of it back. I want to love like they do. Without fear, with reckless abandonment. These children changed me, moved me, humbled me and took my breath away. The truth was written in their eyes and all I saw was love.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Flat Stanley Visits Uncle Jack!How Trouble With Vision Translates To Trouble In SchoolWhen Should Your Child Have Their First Eye Exam?
没有评论:
发表评论