Words can not even describe the emotions I feel as I think about everything that happened the last two weeks. (I wish I could post pictures, but my iphoto is broken, pictures will follow as soon as I get it fixed) It was beyond what I ever could have asked for! We arrived saturday July 6 and for the next two weeks I had no clue as to what the date was, with no internet and wifi it was a nice break from the outside world. God has us there to focus on that time and that time only. Esther 4: 14 "...yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" We spent two days getting to know our way around the camp as well as getting to know our team. The first week there were 6 of us, Matt and EB Jackson (missionaries to Hungary), the three of us from San Antonio, and one other lady from Dallas, Judy. Judy was my room-mate and God has given us a special bond, I will miss her greatly! We also got to know the disciples from Moldova who were part of the second program going on at the same time. I am so honored and blessed to call them my friends. Sunday afternoon our campers arrived and we were set up with our tutor groups. From then on it was high energy and constant activity.
Our mornings started with breakfast at 8 a.m. (usually oatmeal and bread/cheese) and morning class until 11. Morning class consisted of a discussion time/games/american dance time and a lesson taught by our friend Matt Jackson, a missionary to Hungary. Morning class was followed by a break and than a time of bible study for staff members and a discussion group for the students. Lunch was at 1:30 (it was mostly potatoes and soup) and then a slight break or pool time until 3:30. At 3:30-6:30 the tutors and students met to get to know each other-to hang out, and to share the gospel through different ways. My favorite thing to do during this time was to go to "the beach," get ice-cream with my students and just hang out and talk/play sports with them. I was usually exhausted after this time, both physically and mentally. But the time I got to spend with the students was precious and I wouldn't trade it for anything. God used this time to capture their hearts and by the end of the week a few of them made the decision to become born again believers, the way God works is truly breathtaking! After tutor time was dinner (again..potatoes) and then a program at 7 until break at 9 (some form of bread and black tea). The program consisted of various activities, a scavenger hunt, talent show, american culture night, movie night, games, etc. After nine we would just hang out and do whatever until the wee hours of the night. These times were so much fun! My favorite was the talent show and of course friday night, when we had our last event-who can get the most points by playing games to pie an american followed by a dance. We learned traditional Irish dances and Moldavian dances! I barely got sleep friday nights, I always felt like the time I was able to spend with the students shouldn't be wasted, I will probably never see them again and I wanted to make sure they knew who God is. Friday was also decision day- the most important time of the week. The tutors would meet with each student individually and talk to them about their state spiritually. My 6 students from week one were very passive about it (except for 2, woohoo!) and out of my 10 students from week two, two came to know God, three were ready to make a decision but wanted to be sure and some were already Christians. I always had mixed feelings on fridays, because it was the last time I would spend with them yet it was also exciting because I knew God had a lot on store for tutor time.
We decided early on that we would measure success on presenting the gospel clearly and truthfully, not on how many make a decision to follow Christ. We know that we are merely ambassadors for Christ, and once they hear the gospel it is now their choice whether they accept or not. Sill the hardest part was walking away from those who didn't make a decision but I know that God will not relent and the work He has done in those students is not finished. On saturdays we said bye to our students, then went sightseeing the first week, and the second week we just rested and cleaned up a bit and had a staff party! It was so much fun, everyone dressed up and it was a time of encouragement and reflection. Serving alongside the group of people God called together for this project was phenomenal. We are all working towards one goal- "Go therefore and make disciples of the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." At the end of the night we started clapping thanking God for all He had/continues to do, and it turned into a synchronized beat that went on for a few minutes, it was one of the most powerful times of worship I have ever felt, and there were no words, just clapping. Wow.
We left the camp sunday and this next week we will be partnering with various ministries around Moldova. Please keep us in your prayers, that we be filled with the Spirit so we don't miss any opportunities to share the gospel and that we recover from the last two weeks and have energy and strength to continue doing God's work.
Thank you! <3
Our mornings started with breakfast at 8 a.m. (usually oatmeal and bread/cheese) and morning class until 11. Morning class consisted of a discussion time/games/american dance time and a lesson taught by our friend Matt Jackson, a missionary to Hungary. Morning class was followed by a break and than a time of bible study for staff members and a discussion group for the students. Lunch was at 1:30 (it was mostly potatoes and soup) and then a slight break or pool time until 3:30. At 3:30-6:30 the tutors and students met to get to know each other-to hang out, and to share the gospel through different ways. My favorite thing to do during this time was to go to "the beach," get ice-cream with my students and just hang out and talk/play sports with them. I was usually exhausted after this time, both physically and mentally. But the time I got to spend with the students was precious and I wouldn't trade it for anything. God used this time to capture their hearts and by the end of the week a few of them made the decision to become born again believers, the way God works is truly breathtaking! After tutor time was dinner (again..potatoes) and then a program at 7 until break at 9 (some form of bread and black tea). The program consisted of various activities, a scavenger hunt, talent show, american culture night, movie night, games, etc. After nine we would just hang out and do whatever until the wee hours of the night. These times were so much fun! My favorite was the talent show and of course friday night, when we had our last event-who can get the most points by playing games to pie an american followed by a dance. We learned traditional Irish dances and Moldavian dances! I barely got sleep friday nights, I always felt like the time I was able to spend with the students shouldn't be wasted, I will probably never see them again and I wanted to make sure they knew who God is. Friday was also decision day- the most important time of the week. The tutors would meet with each student individually and talk to them about their state spiritually. My 6 students from week one were very passive about it (except for 2, woohoo!) and out of my 10 students from week two, two came to know God, three were ready to make a decision but wanted to be sure and some were already Christians. I always had mixed feelings on fridays, because it was the last time I would spend with them yet it was also exciting because I knew God had a lot on store for tutor time.
We decided early on that we would measure success on presenting the gospel clearly and truthfully, not on how many make a decision to follow Christ. We know that we are merely ambassadors for Christ, and once they hear the gospel it is now their choice whether they accept or not. Sill the hardest part was walking away from those who didn't make a decision but I know that God will not relent and the work He has done in those students is not finished. On saturdays we said bye to our students, then went sightseeing the first week, and the second week we just rested and cleaned up a bit and had a staff party! It was so much fun, everyone dressed up and it was a time of encouragement and reflection. Serving alongside the group of people God called together for this project was phenomenal. We are all working towards one goal- "Go therefore and make disciples of the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." At the end of the night we started clapping thanking God for all He had/continues to do, and it turned into a synchronized beat that went on for a few minutes, it was one of the most powerful times of worship I have ever felt, and there were no words, just clapping. Wow.
We left the camp sunday and this next week we will be partnering with various ministries around Moldova. Please keep us in your prayers, that we be filled with the Spirit so we don't miss any opportunities to share the gospel and that we recover from the last two weeks and have energy and strength to continue doing God's work.
Thank you! <3
1 comment:
Wow this is some good stuff! I'm excited to hear that you are serving and honoring God. It's a great encouragement to hear that there are still people like you reaching out to lost souls. It is our single most important duty in life as Christians and oft times we fail even when the opportunities are all around us. Jesus said in the book of Matthew "the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." I honestly believe what he means here is that not many Christians are trying to reap(witness) the harvest(lost souls). The labourers are few he also mentions, so if we are the labourers and if we are few and decide not to witness for whatever reason we are hindering the harvest even more! This is why it is so important that we pray for one another and encourage each other to continue strong and become greater labourers for Christ. It is a very rewarding experience to serve God and be his ambassador not only doing his will but reaching lost souls and giving them the opportunity to have a new life and a new heart in Christ, after all that's all that's going to count when we cross over into eternity!
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