Now, having said that, I'd like to share my amazing day that reminded me of the discipleship I've been pursuing. Most of you know that I struggle with a lack of fellowship and "church" time here in Romania. I've been to plenty of churches, but I never found one I could call home. So my typical Sunday mornings consist of podcasts from churches in the U.S. speaking on the topics I need to hear the most. As good as those podcasts are, today blew them out of the water and reminded me what a grace-filled, blessed child of God I am. At times, I had flashbacks to my time in Guatemala and how that trip changed my life. I look forward to all the days ahead where I can look back on this day with heartfelt wonder...because I certainly know this experience has changed my life for the better! I was invited to spend the day with a group of American volunteers from Houston, Texas (shout out to my Aunt Karen!!) working with the Buckner Foundation and some of my young friends from Tarnaveni that were serving as translators. They are a great group, and I'm sad that I won't be able to spend more time with them because I have to go to Sibiu to attend my COS conference...but that is not the point of this message.
At 9:30 am we all hopped in some vans and headed out to Combinat, an area in my town largely populated by gypsies and also the site of the Buckner Foundation and the gypsy church we would be attending. I've been to this area many times, but I've never had the chance to participate in a gypsy worship service.
The service was filled with moments that brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of the reasons I'm here in the first place... People were saying their prayers out-loud all at the same time, beautiful testimonies were shared, songs were being sung from the heart, and I was listening intently to understand every word in Romanian...For the first time in a long time, I could feel the Lord tugging and stretching my faith and spiritual self. I haven't been spending time in the Word or in prayer like I should, but today I felt like God was speaking to me and telling me he knew I'd come back in full force sooner or later. And that's just what I did.
After the wonderful morning service, the group of us went back to Buckner and had lunch. We shared stories and devotion time before beginning to organize afternoon activities. It's been so long since I have been surrounded by a group of believers that I just listened and pondered who I have become over the past two years. The afternoon activities were back in the church, and it was there that I found how at home I feel in Tarnaveni and speaking Romanian. We sang songs together, shared lots of laughs, and made some hats as an arts&crafts activity. I had a blast! I had a feeling I want to have everyday...where I can feel God's light shining and his work being done through me. The hugs, smiles, high fives, and giggles I received from the kids sparked my soul in a way I haven't experienced in a while. I love the Peace Corps, but I've gotten in a routine of serving others which has resulted in dwindled excitement during and from each experience. I will look back on my time here in Romania with fondness for the rest of my life, but there are moments, like today, that will be highlighted in the slideshow and stories that float within my memory.
God. Is. Great.
A thought to leave you with--this is a quotation from the book Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson
"When God puts a passion in your heart, whether it is relieving starvation in Africa or educating children in the inner city or making movies with redemptive messages, that God-ordained passion becomes your responsibility. And you have a choice to make."
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