Well it is Sunday and I wish I could stop the hands of Father Time right now as I sit here in Romania. You would think two weeks would be a lot of time to do God’s work but let me tell you it is not. My mind races as this awesome team still has loads to do and I know with God all things are possible and what He wants done will be complete.
I would like to tell you about this wonderful team and how each of them have sacrificed their passions to bring God glory. Their first sacrifice is their bodies. As Romans 12:1 says in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that is holy and pleasing to God. This team sure has worked their bodies to the bone and with each movement they make you can see the passion that burns within them as they pour out their love for Rachel and her ministry. As I watch the team I can see Jenn going up and down the chair to paint Iza’s room and while she does her face glows. Jenn has such a sweet spirit that just makes me smile. Or when I see Kelly bending and squatting to paint the window frames, I can hear her humming a beautiful tune. She is one sassy lady who I have named Kel Kel. Kel Kel is a teeny tiny lady but let me tell you she sure can handle a full backpack much better than me.
Their second sacrifice is their time. In Ephesians 5:16 it says to make the most of every opportunity. Time is such a great opportunity to minister to others. From day one this team has spent countless hours praying and preparing to do God’s work. Their time here in Romania has been blessed beyond words I can explain. I love to watch Michelle sit and spend time with little Calina and just hold her. When we arrive at the center I see Calina peeking around our legs looking for her Michelle. I love Michelle’s sweet mothering touch – a touch that makes me smile when she hugs me. Or when I see Sheila taking time out to play board games with the kids. Oh how they love to sit for a spell and play a game of Candy Land. Sheila is my thinker in the group. I can see her mind racing as she processes her surroundings. She has the gift of making you just want to spend time with her and just hang out.
The third sacrifice is the attitude of thanksgiving. In Philemon 1:4 it says to always thank God. As a team we have thanked God over and over for all those blessings and exciting happenings we have had each day and even in the small items. Items like sitting down to a meal when we know there are gypsies that go hungry or being able to take a shower when that is something others do not. I stop and think more when I am here about those simple things and how thankful I am than when I am home. I am so thankful to work along this team and Tracy. Tracy and I are leading the trip and let me tell you that two are better than one. We balance each other out and have grown close in our walk and in our friendship. A sweet friendship sure does refresh the soul. I glean from her organized self and have learned so much as we ventured along in our first trip leading, trusting and praying to God in every step we have made.
The fourth sacrifice is joy. I know you are probably thinking joy a sacrifice – well in Matthew 5:12 it says to rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven. Rejoice and let your light shine. I see that in this team for they just whoop and praise through out the day whether in the village with the gypsies or at the house working none stop. Let me tell out about Kassie K – that is the name I call her – who lights up a room when she enters as she rejoices in all that she does. The other day I asked her if she could help paint a hallway and she chimed in with her sweet energy as she said I would love to paint. I smiled as she just hopped right in for she just rejoices in everything. Kassie K has the gift of making everyone feel welcomed and loved. She is also our spunky young one on the team. Or when I see Urb who just has that laid back attitude and when asked to be apart of the people skit for the gypsies he just melts with gladness for he just loves those kids. What a joy he is to me. I have seen Urb just blossom this year being his second trip to Romania and he sure loves those gypsies and so happy they can be an example of a Godly man to them. Urb is my protector of the group and watches over his brothers and sisters in Christ.
The last sacrifice is praise. In Hebrews 13:15-16 it says to let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise and to not forget to do good and to share with others for such a sacrifices God is pleased. What a praise this team is to Rachel and her ministry as she continues to do God’s calling in her life to share the word and love of God to His abandoned, neglected and abused children. I cannot fathom how Rachel does it but I know she is following God’s calling. I know in everything she does she sings praises of joy to her Heavenly Father. Just as I see Rachel’s praise I see that Bill. Bill has a heart of praise for our Lord. This is Bill’s first trip to Romania and he told me just the other day me is loving it here. He is our sweet teddy bear big brother of the group with a fun sense of dry humor. He said let’s stay another week and I said how I would love to have just one more week but better yet a month.
Which brings be back to the beginning with wanting Father Time to stop the hands of time. As I sit her typing this blog and reflect back over each sacrifice I thank God I can come each year to help Rachel for I know seeds have planted and God is raining down showers as His vines are growing. We may not see the blossoms in our lifetime but I know I will see them in Heaven. I adore this team and their sacrifices they bring before God. We thank you too as we have felt every prayer and the love you have given us.