The weekend was an emotional experience as we bid a fond farewell to each of our three classes. The first week is now over, and we will carry memories with us for the rest of our lives. An epic game of futbol (soccer) ended our involvement with local missionaries and pastors, but before describing the events of today, I’d like to write a little more about our hosts.
We have been living the past week with Kevin and Michelle Weppler. They began considering missions while living in Canada. Early in their preparation, they hit a serious obstacle. Michelle was paralyzed in a serious car accident and lost the use of her left side. Despite this incredible hardship, they continued to follow their passions, working jobs, caring for each other, and driving all the way to Bible school in preparation for what God planned. When they first arrived in Romania, they began work with a Gypsy school, where they developed many close relationships. Then, they met Raul. After giving their testimony, the church told them that for two years, they had been fervently praying for foreign missionaries to come help. Finally, the prayers had been answered. After prayerful consideration, Kevin and Michelle moved to Draganesht-Olt. They began with an old plot that had more in common with a landfill than answered prayer. Trash was everywhere, and the well was covered with the hood of a rusty car. Today, the land supports a house, a beautiful front yard and an entire wing for guests. The ministry continues to expand as Kevin and Michelle build relationships and support the local church. Of course, their work seems easy after the fact, but I wondered about the lows they must have faced on the road of God’s provision. When I asked Michelle if they ever had any doubts in the hardships, she responded with a confident “no.” God called them the entire way, and they knew God would continue to provide, as he does today. Since landing in Romania, Michelle has regained full use of her left side.
Our chapel today was the capstone. We spent all week building up to this discussion of grace and works. It is humbling to explain and simplify an idea for kids that I don’t fully understand myself. So often, I find myself living as though God wants perfection, as though the old law is still in effect – every bad action counts. But in reality, Jesus took care of the action. This is the beauty of salvation: Christians don't worry about being "good enough." We can't be, and God knows it. He took care of that, so that we can get to know him and become like him in the process. All we have to do is have faith and follow God’s leading, as Kevin and Michelle have done. Every missionary we worked with this week has a life story of faith in God’s provision. Even missionaries our own age, like Tavi, have shown a level of spiritual maturity that makes the truth of James’ letter come alive: “Listen, my beloved brethren, did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love him?” (James 2:5, NASB). While we may look rich on the outside, with multiple cars and nice houses, it is truly those who seek the things of God that are rich in the Kingdom.
Saying goodbye three times in the space of a few hours was difficult for us all. Our class seems minuscule compared to the reality of life. We may never see our compatriots again, or lose them in the sea of Facebook friends and email contacts. Some of our students won’t be able to practice typing for a long time, if at all, since they have no computer. Yet even in the craziness of life, we will never forget Romania. The memories made here are the memories of a lifetime. The children smiled, they wanted pictures, they waved goodbye, and then we were gone; yet something was changed in all our hearts.
Our spirits jumped a few notches when the futbol game began, only to plummet like a spiraling aircraft when we heard “Americans against Romanians.” So much for hopes of victory, since only two of us really knew what to do. America had a fair showing in the end, however. Sarah and Caleb, our veterans, carried several teams as players tired or left. According to Caleb, two hours of running after a ball takes a heavy toll. On the rookie side of things, Dr. G and Alissa are still alive, and Daniel’s face once again proved that a ball is attracted to glasses more than anything else – including the ground. His defensive skills allowed the power plays that Caleb and Sarah needed for American victories. Additional underground reports concerning my performance may surface in the vicinity of this post. I assure you that all such allegations are either false or exaggeration and hereby disassociate myself from them. Suffice to say, my playing was not worthy of note.
On the Romanian side, everything was worthy of note, so I’ll save that for another time. Suffice to say, our love as brothers in Christ grew as the ball flew across the court, leaving some helpless in its wake and others beginning the complex dance that we call sports.
Yesterday was a long day of travel. Thoughts flooded my mind, as I reflected on the sights and sounds, the new countryside, and the people. There is so much that is different here, and so many profound, encouraging, and convicting experiences. I now see the truth in Dr. G’s words: we will learn far more than those we teach by the time this trip is over. Indeed, I find myself saying “mulţumesc” (thank you) far more than “Cu plăcere” (you’re welcome). My eyes, however, were more concerned with sleep. It's a good thing that Sunday rest is a universal custom.
Please pray for the people. Now it's up to them and the local pastors as our influence and the memories fade. Pray that they walk away with more than a certificate of completion and a new CD. Pray for us as well, that we may learn to think differently, to be affected according to the will of God, by what we have seen and heard. We thank you for your prayers and your concern, and look forward with hope and faith to the weeks ahead.
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