If you have traveled to Romania on a mission team or as an intern, I’m sure that you were blessed by the beautiful voices of our children. They often sing as a choir for a variety of audiences, from mission teams to small village churches. Romanians love music and I have learned many Romanian songs. I have been surprised by how many worship songs I have learned to sing in Romanian long before I learned to sing them in English. “Lord, Reign in Me” and “Everyday” are just a couple of the songs I sang in Romanian with the Global Hope kids before I even knew they were originally written in English. Please give me a break here, there are so many beautiful worship songs and hymns out there, it’s hard to know them all.
The children of Global Hope singing at the village church in Marga, Romania (Summer 2007)
One of my favorite Romanian worship songs is also a favorite among the teen-agers at the Global Hope homes. Recently, I was thrilled to find the song in English on iTunes. As I listened to the song, I was happy to discover that the Romanian translation is very close to the English lyrics. Some of you may recognize this song: “When the oceans rise and thunder roars, I will soar with you above the storm. Father, you are king of all of life. I will be still and know you are God.” This song now has new meaning to me.
I recently finished reading a book by Karen Kingsbury. One of the characters in the book writes a research paper on eagles. Eagles are magnificent birds, often called the “king of the skies”. They are known to fly during thunderstorms when other birds seek shelter. They wait for a thermal current and use it to soar above the dangers of the storm. As I read this, I was instantly reminded of the lyrics of the song. If we wait on the Lord, He will lift us up above the storms of life.
San Isabel National Forest, on the way to visit the Community United Methodist Church in Westcliffe, CO (March 2008)
Coming back to the United States was much harder than I expected. I was so blessed by time with family and friends, but I was surprised to find my heart had changed. My passion for serving in Romania seemed to have vanished. I couldn’t help but wonder, “What happened?” As I sought the Lord, I began to see a completely different path for my life, a path that would keep me in the United States for a time. I was so discouraged and confused. I couldn’t discern what God wanted from me and for me. I couldn’t determine His will. I was facing questions and decisions that I hadn’t anticipated. There were moments of great anxiety and panic. Those moments never lasted, though. I actually felt a great deal of peace. Like, God wanted me to walk through this time. He wanted to teach me something. Even now, I haven’t fully grasped everything that the Lord had for me to learn during this time. However, I was forced to wait on the Lord. I was reminded of His divinity and His goodness. As I waited on Him, He lifted me above the storm and carried me over it. I didn’t even realize it at the time.
Now, I feel a renewed passion for missions work in Romania. It’s a different passion, quieter than the urgent excitement and anxiety that moved me to Romania last May. I think my calling is more deeply rooted in reality. After seven months in Romania, my eyes have been opened to some of the hardships and challenges of over-seas ministry. Nonetheless, I have never been more convinced of His faithful presence, lifting me above the storms and astounding me with moments of miracles and beauty. I am excited to return to Romania soon.
Enjoying the ocean at West Palm Beach while visiting the Wellington United Methodist Church in Florida (January 2008)
I recently bought my airline ticket for April 24th and I am making plans to fly from Denver International Airport to Munich, Germany and then on to Timisoara, Romania. I would greatly appreciate your prayers. I need to raise more support. After living there, I have learned that I can live there for around $18,000 a year. I also ask for your prayers about my student loans. I would like to pay them off before considering a career in missions. At this point, I’m not sure what this will look like. Please pray that God will send answers, perhaps in the form of someone to help me pay them off. Or, perhaps, He may ask me to return to the States and work to pay them. If this is the case, please pray for peace. Finally, I thank and praise the Lord for all of you. Your love, encouragement, support, and guidance is so important to me!
Mulțumesc şi Dumnezeu sa fie cu voi! Thank you and God be with you all!
