October 2006

I started today doing what far more Americans do, than Romanians. I got up around noon (late night) and went for a run in Otelu - the town that Phil and Adinela live in. As I ran on the streets of Otelu, I made many observations about my surroundings. I know that Phil has spoken many times about the quality of the roads being less than desirable, but today was the first time that I realized that for myself. It is very hard to run on roads that are broken, with potholes, and that are uneven. Many people around here tend not to smile. As I ran, I had more people actually stare at me with blank looks on their faces - I guess the sight of an Asian American is far from the usual.When I returned from my run, David and I walked to a friends house (Joseph and his family, the pastor at Rusca) and then onto the Piata to buy some food. It was less busy than I remember it, but that could be from the near freezing temperatures outside. We enjoyed a talk with a friend from the Marga church and a friend of his. They asked questions about my testimony that I shared last night and the losses we both have had at young ages. I realize that ministry here is so relational. It’s about spending time together when you run into people in the market, and not just getting what you need and running off. It’s about making that time to journey to where the people are and just be with them. Be where they are.

Side note: Many people ask about my interest in Romania and how much I understand. I tend to think I don’t understand much, but I am learning that with each conversation, with each sermon, with each experience I am learning more and more and at a rate that I could never learn in the states. It also makes me aware of the diligence I need to make Romanian study a part of my everyday life when I return to the states. I pray a lot when people are speaking, that God would allow my heart to understand things that my mind cannot. Many times I find myself understanding the context of what people are talking about because I understand one word or thought and then I can follow much more easily. I know I understand far more than I think I do.

This evening we went to another village to see Pastor Gaina who is helping David secure a visa longer than 3 months (please pray for David as he works on visa stuff tomorrow). I enjoyed watching them prepare for winter, but cutting and chopping wood that will be used in wood stoves which will heat the homes. We spent time with Pastor Gaina last summer while we were here as well and he is an amazing man who overseas the churches in the valley, of which Marga is one of them.

We prepared a bit for the cold temperatures that we are expecting tomorrow. Sibiu, a little NE of where we are already has 6cm of snow, and we may even see some ourselves. Temperatures are expected to be at -4°C tomorrow.

David and I went back Joseph’s house again this evening to have help with the visa. It was fun to bundle up and set out on foot to their place in the dropping temperatures. We were very thankful for the ride home that we were offered. Tomorrow we have ministry in Marga with the children and youth. I am excited to stay the night in Marga. I’m very hopeful about seeing some of the children and youth that we spent last summer with. Wednesday I will go with Phil and Adinela to see Phil’s niece, Heather and her family who live SE of here. I met Heather last summer as well and have kept up with her and her family’s transition back to Romania. It will be refreshing to see her.

So, one last thing. Inspired by Thoughts in the Mind of Dave, here is Thoughts in the Mind of Emily:

-There are many American treats that are simply unavailable here in Romania. Two of those are Peanut Butter and Oreo cookies (try them together, now that’s a treat). I brought both. Throughout the Marga service last night, my thoughts kept returning to an Oreo cookie dipped in Peanut Butter.

-On my run this morning, as people starred at me, I felt much like a one man show having arrived in Romania. Additionally, I kept telling myself, “Don’t step in poop” of which there is considerably more on the streets here than there is in the states.

It is amazing, how being half way around the world, in a foreign culture, with a foreign language and many people I have never had deep relationships with, evokes a feeling of being Alive! When I left last summer, I said many times, “I may never breathe deeply again until I return to Romania.” And as I have been here, I feel like my lungs have expanded far more than I believed was possible. There is something here that feels natural, that feels like home, that resounds with the Spirit within me. On the flipside, I am becoming more aware of the realities of transitioning permanently to this culture. I am thankful to watch my dear friend make his own transition here, and to learn so much from his own experience. And it is affirmed over and over, that we are relational beings, that we are created in the midst of relationship, for relationship. And that is how I live…Alive in relationship and for relationship.

October 30th, 2006 © allthis

I long to know and to be known, to understand and to be understood.  (I am reminded of this deep need as I struggle with getting past the language barrier here.)

I went to Rusca (a village down the road from Marga) with David for church this morning and I realize the road that is ahead and have only a glimpse of what it will take to integrate into this culture.  It will NOT be easy, but well worth it, as I am reminded.  It’s like the rolling hills outside that I remember in green when last I was here, that are now shades of red and orange and brown.  It’s all about change and the beauty of change.

I was asked to share this morning, five to ten minutes of my testimony.  I wondered what I would share but I overwhelmingly trust that the Spirit within me will lead me to share exactly what will encourage these people in the Lord.  I am reminded that there is beauty for ashes and oil of gladness for despair, as I reflect over the things in life that has brought brokenness and pain and the healing and wholeness God has brought as a result.
Today we traveled into Marga (we are staying in Otelu Rosu a bigger town 10 miles away where Phil and Adinela live) for lunch with Adinela’s family.  It was great to see familiar faces.  Mama Sanda and Bunicu were there, along with Johnny and Larisa and their son Fineas, and Sandu.  We ate so much, but I was glad to see the usual and my favorites - bread, mashed potatoes (I didn’t get the nickname “Spud” last time we were here for nothing) and soup.

I walked by myself around the village and it truly did feel like home.  There’s something about being here that evokes an overwhelming peace and certianty within my soul.  As the fog sat upon the hills around and a light mist fell, it felt like this has always been home.  The sure signs of fall are here as there are many more haystacks in the back yard, the remains of corn crops stand in the once empty field out front, and the entry way at the house are filled with bags of cabbage and mounds of apples.

At the church in Marga tonight I was able to share the story of what God has done in my life  once again (and sing the only song I know entirely in Romanian with David in the front of the church - that’s right, I sang, you didn’t misread…).  It’s amazing how God gives me the words I need and that people can see His hand in my life.  Earlier today as I was preparing to share in Rusca, I read 1 Peter 2:9 which might be one of my favorite verses ever.

But you are a chosen people, 

a royal priesthood, 

a holy nation, 

a people belonging to God,

that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.   

My return to Romania brings me much joy and peace, but I am reminded that it is not just for me.  My return is to declare the praises of Him, ALL THIS FOR A KING.

October 29th, 2006 © allthis

I’ve arrived, I’m home.

The nervousness I felt before and during my travel faded the minute I set foot on Romanian soil and saw my friends waithing for me beyond the glass doors. There is something within me that is at ease, an overhwlming peace.

Our first two stops - the mall in Timisoara and Reale Hypermarket, are signs that Western culture isn’t a foreign concept anymore. As I sit, I realize I could easily be in a Wal-Mart or Fred Meyer with the vastness and selection available. Part of my heart breaks as I’m sure, the uniqueness of Romania is being quickly replaced by all the world has to offer.

As I’ve considered the trasition of cultures, I now realize the merging of the two may make it slightly easier than I’ve ever anticipated. Yet my heart longs for the simple, the slow of pace, the uniqueness that Romania has to offer.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to get anywhere before. I say this for many reasons, the first of which may be obvious that I love Romania and long to spend my life here. But for far more emotionally charged reasons, I was glad to finally be united with great friends when I got off the plane and through customs in Romania. I started the morning checking in at the airport with two checked bags which both weighed about 90lbs each. I believed this to be impossible as I was able to lift both bags (although I couldn’t move them far). But the scale repeatedly read over the maximum 70lbs allowed for one piece of luggage. After purchasing a third piece of luggage and moving things around, I believed I was well on my way. (I still knew I was pushing it with my carry on luggage as well.) While I was boarding my transatlantic flight in Chigago, I was told that I was only allowed one piece of carry on items, but this time they would let it slide. When I arrived in Munich, I was exhausted and I fell asleep at the gate of my next flight. With five minutes to departure, I woke up to an empty gate, with no one around. As I realized what time it was, I heard “Passenger Kerry to gate H23 for immediate departure” which was 4 gates down. I picked up all my stuff and ran so fast to the gate. The lady taking my ticket told me, “We were about to leave, you’re the last passenger we’ve been waiting for, and one of your bags must be gate checked when you get to the plane.” I flew down 3 flights of stairs to the bus that would take me to the plane. I finally arrived to my plane, where my backpack - also overpacked, was gate checked.

Arriving in Timisoara was like filling my lungs so deeply with air. And as I stepped onto the plane, the first sounds of the Romanian language was like music to my ears. I am home.

October 28th, 2006 © allthis

And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,

BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,

TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”

And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

- Luke 4:17-21

I heard it once said that our greatest passions are born from our deepest wounds.

I believe it’s true. We must move from the pain in lives - allowed by God, caused by others, or inflicted upon self to be passion that fuels us to share redemption, restoration and ultimately the glory and greatness of God.

Abandonment. Brokenness. Dissapointment. Suicide. Abuse. Rejection. Oppression.

Significance. Wholeness. Hope. Life. Comfort. Acceptance. Freedom.

It is from our deepest wounds that our greatest passions are born. Brokenness has been a reality of my life, but I have seen the beauty that comes from brokenness. God takes the broken and fragmented pieces of my life and brings them together to make me whole - a beautiful picture for His glory, and then He shines His light through, that all the world may see.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives

to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

- Isaiah 61:1-3

There is beauty for ashes.

October 2006 © allthis

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.   - Matthew 13:44-46

I know that I have been given a great love for the Romanian people and so, I plan to spend my life serving and sharing life with them indefinitely in country.  Many may say that I have found my pearl, Romania - that I am willing to give up all I have and sell all my possessions and move around the world for that which is dearest to me.  And that is all true, but there is something that is truer.

I have come to realize that my Pearl is greater than the call or desire to be in Romania, but is the one who calls and desires me.  Jesus alone is my Pearl of Great Price.  Following and falling more in love with Him everyday is my greatest pleasure.  It is for Him and because of Him that I would be and am willing to give up all that I have and go anywhere or do anything.  It is that which He loves that now I love.

“Break my heart for the things that break yours.“