I have been in Romania serving with my squad for one week now! We are currently in Craoiva, where we are partnering with Hope Church Romania in sharing the hope that we have in Christ throughout the city. The area we are in has been called a “graveyard for missionaries” and is considered unreached with about 0.5 percent of the population being born again Christians.
My squadmates and I have been able to participate in several ministry and outreach opportunities throughout the city. The Roma (gypsy) community has a strong presence where we are. They are a highly oppressed and marginalized community. I have had the privilege now of going into three different Roma communities to share the love of Christ. The Roma’s are often described negatively and do not usually get along with the Romanians, so I did not know what to expect going into their community. As we drove up to the first community, our car was greeted by several kids happy to see visitors. As we pulled out coloring sheets, the kids were so grateful for something to do and scattered to get their friends and brought them back to join in on the fun. We did not speak the same language, but the joy of the Lord was evident through laughs and smiles as we played games with our hands and danced together with no music.
The next day, I went into another Roma community which is one of the poorest in the area to bless them with some food. It was a much different experience. We were once again greeted by many children running up to our van. I was bundled up in many layers still freezing, yet many of the children who came for food were out in the freezing cold without shoes and jackets. Once we began passing out food it became very difficult because they were pushing, yelling, and fighting all trying to get the simple food items we had. There was happiness and joy seeing the smiles on the children and their mothers faces as they received food items, but there was also a heaviness seeing the extreme level of poverty and despair.
In the third Roma community, we were able to go into their church and put on a program for the kids. Before leaving, one of our partners told my two teammates and myself that we should plan a lesson to share. On the fly, we decided that we would talk about how we can trust Jesus no matter what using the story of when Jesus walks on water in Matthew 14. We began by singing Jesus Loves Me, and then through a translator I shared with the children the story in simple words. We finished by playing Simon Says and Charades. The room was full of smiles, laughter, and many selfies. It was such a beautiful time sharing the love of Jesus.
Over the years of serving in children ministry, I have grown to love the simplicity of the lessons I get to share with children about Jesus’ love. I have found that Jesus has met me and given me simple reminders and encouragements as I have put His Word into simple truths for children. The Lord met me in the same way as I told the kids that we can trust Jesus no matter what. He reminded me that I too can trust Him no matter what. I have only been on the field one week and there have already been struggles, spiritual warfare, doubts, and questions in my mind if I am being effective for the Kingdom of God. I can be just like Peter, quick to walk out on the water to join Jesus, and even quicker to sink at the first sign of wind and opposition. The Lord is beyond good and has continued to show me that His ways are higher, and I can trust Him no matter what!
Thank you for serving and sharing! Grateful that you are on my team and that we get to do life together. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing. Keep going. Keep showing up. You may feel weak but you are definitely strong in the Lord. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.
I absolutely delight in seeing these updates from you. You most certainly are making an impact daily. Thank you for having a heart for the Lord and sharing his good news. You truly are a light in this dark world. Praying for you all daily!! Love you friend!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us. Keep pushing, praying, and being a blessing to those who have met you. I love you friend!!
I love seeing more and more your heart for the Lord. You are such an encouraging light to this community!
So proud of you Nancy for taking the call to spread the gospel to the world! You’re already making a huge difference and I pray you continue to stay encouraged to fight the good fight of faith and be salt and light in a dark place! Sending love your way!
Nancy! I’m prying for you! Thanks for the update, you did great! Remember how you shared you love how simple kids stories are, that’s all God asks of us to have faith like a child. Don’t doubt what God is doing:) you are an awesome example!
Nancy, what a blessing your posts are! I am honored to know you. What a beautiful example of obedience. That is where God’s light shines the most, when we step out in faith. I believe that He will receive much glory and you will receive an abundance of joy from this journey.
May God bless you, your team, and the countless people that will be touched by this.
Nanny! Reading this just made my day. Your heart for the Lord and your obedience to take on this journey despite your doubts and fear are so inspiring! Praying that the seeds you are planting will fall on soil that is ready to receive! I am believing that lives are already being redefined in Jesus in your first week of being there. Love you so much!
So blessed by your story, and I totally understand! God speaks to me as I prepare lessons for children. You are in my prayers often and especially on Wednesdays!
I think we have a lot to learn from these “simple truths” you craft for children. Thanks for faithfully sharing them. You’re doing more for the kingdom than you realize 🙂 never doubt it.
Amen sister! How beautiful it is to be reminded of those foundational truths! I feel like I could learn a lot from those kids about having faith like a child.