Ministry in Romania for the last two weeks has given us a break from the tight schedule we’ve experienced many months. We have been able to establish our own routine or ideas for ministry. Personally, I had a rough start this month, feeling emotionally tired. It was a constant effort to push through and persevere. Although I, surprisingly, enjoyed being in the city, being back out in a village is so refreshing. Seeing God’s beauty all around me, and the weather has been perfect. It’s hard not to fall in love with village life.
This month I have considered cooking for my team as my main ministry. I have taken care of grocery shopping with our contact, and making sure we have needed supplies. In between preparing meals, I have tried to jump into other ministries as well. There have been several house visits and prayer walks through town. Tomina and Lindsey have headed up a children’s program in the evenings. Encouraging Gabby and her family has also been an integral part of ministry. Gabby has a huge heart for her village and she has an unconditional love, not only her children, but for the crowd of kids that seem to always be around her house.
One of my favorite moments was spent sitting on a bench along the road, hoping to read my Bible. Before long, I had been joined by a handful of children, a puppy, and a couple of hens. Then an older man came out to sit by me and we tried to communicate. Communication is always a mixture of entertainment and frustration, because I desperately want to carry a conversation, yet with language barriers that “conversation” becomes a guessing game. I was able to show him pictures of my family and friends out of my Bible, so then he went to get his Bible. His wife came out with him this time, and I’m pretty sure he wanted me to read his Romanian Bible out loud! Which I of course couldn’t!
This month has been an example of how ministry may look for us once we get home. We have gotten to live life while reaching out to our neighbors. Since we are living in the village, our lifestyle relates to the people we are ministering to. We all have to pull water out of a well; we consistently pass the same people on the street, etc. This allows us to minister through our actions and through daily life.
