Lauren and I woke up, got ready, prayed for the day and went to breakfast. Today would be our last day of going door to door. It was threatening rain, and quite a bit cooler today. In our devotional time, Sam told us that it was time today to work on "passing the torch" to the Romanians. Our job, as short-term missionaries, was to be the "match" that would help to light a flame that was intented to keep burning, long after we left. The e3 leadership team had been working on this prior to our arrival and would continue to help long after we left - to train, encourage and help disciple the leaders that would then need to follow up with those we came in contact with during the week.
Back to Sacalaz today. Since we had some new Romanian volunteer team members yesterday that had not been with us in Cenei, I thought we would spend some time reflecting on Wednesday's events. Here are some of the things that were said:
* We like to put labels on people: "Easy" to talk to (children, women, old people) and "Hard" (macho looking men/guys that don't seem to let their guard down. Because we put labels on people, we tend to focus on "easy people". However,"hard people" have the same importance. I haven't had the same courage to go talk to "hard people"...it is very important to listen first, talk later with this group.
* When we are in small teams, some have success and some don't. However we must consider that we are one big team and look at the overall work that we are doing.
* We (Romanians) have felt encouraged. You Americans were helpful, because you come from the outside. The ministry is not only ours, but you have picked it up as yours also - you share our joys and failures with us.
* (Andrea) This was my first experience and a very pleasant one. I've learned that Jesus is the way to heaven.
* (Kandace - who was sick Wednesday) We all have gifts that God has given us and He will use them to His glory...it is evident by who He brought to me on the street this week. People (in general) are very lonely. Being sick yesterday bothered me - I couldn't be here with you. BUT He did use me to pray for the team. I was grateful for that even though I couldn't be here in person.
* (Amanda) Yesterday, we were talking to a man on a bench. His friend kept coming closer, but he didn't want to engage in the conversation and really get involved. The man on the bench trusted Christ as Savior and then went to tell his friend! It is important for us to encourage these people to to share what they've learned with others.
* (Bill) I didn't feel like going out yesterday...the 1st half of the day was hard. However, God blesses our efforts. We need to just "show up" and allow God to work through us as He sees fit.
* (Lauren) I learned that I can't save people. It is God that speaks through you. He is using you to share His word to others.
* (Danielle) I learned that we have a greater responsibility when we share the word. We have to be examples for those around us. People look to us for something different. I have seen that people who have questions are really interested in God...they are searching. I had goosebumps talking to Dora yesterday and realized that I need to come with stronger arguments and not be "shallow" with the word of God. Dora said that she was confused in her faith. She hoped that we were the answer she was looking for and she said that we were sent from God. We need patience with people and even the way you look at people.
Wow! Our team had really been impacted by the events of the day. God has done some wonderfuld things in the hearts of our team members. I talked to them about the fact that they (Romanians) would be doing a majority of the work today and we would be there to pray for them and offer suggestions, but that they were "on". I even brought up what I had over heard a few of them saying earlier in the week ("I can't do this work." "I am not qualified to do this work"). I encouraged them again that there was really nothing to fear - when you think about it - because:
God has done the work of preparing the hearts and minds of those in Sacalaz. God will be the one who draws us to those He has prepared. God will be the one to give us what to say in His way and in His timing...and it will be God who will do the work of fertilizing the soil after we leave! Our job as faithful workers of the harvest is to just be the vessel that carries the message with love and compassion. Therefore, if God is for us, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US???
Lauren went out with Diana and had a wonderful morning. Three children they talked to trusted Jesus as Savior! Danielle and I went out and visited with 3 people - the first listened to us a little bu then shut us down saying that we just believe different things, and went in the house. She then pointed to an old man sitting on the sidewalk and said "don't try talking to him, he can't hear anything." We decided we would go ahead and talk to him anyway. His name is John and he is over 90 years old. As we started to talk/yell with him, his wife Anna showed up. We told them what we were doing and who we were with. We also invited them to come to the church that night and mentioned the reading glasses we were giving away. She was interested in that, but it appeared that they wouldn't be able to come to the church, that evening anyway. They did need new glasses though. So, I ran back to the church, got the two bags of glasses and ran back, and we did a little "house call". After we found some that worked for John and Anna, we shared the Cube with her. She made a decision to trust Jesus as Savior! We then had a conversation with John, that went on many different tangents. I am pretty sure that he was able to understand us an for sure heard us, but it is possible that he had a little dimentia going on. However, God is bigger than that. I pray that He will use Anna to lead John to a saving knowledge of Himself through Jesus.
We gathered back up for lunch and had an extended time sharing. Ovi shared his testimony and so did Astrid. Both were a real encouragement.
After lunch, I decided to follow Lauren and take pictures while she and Diana shared with others. We ended up having Danielle, Diana, and Lauren in a team...Diana played guitar on the front steps of the police station to draw others in, and then Danielle and Lauren would approach people who were crossing their path. Lauren was joking around saying that her new tactic was going to be to step out in front of people and say "STOP! In the name of the Lord!". Not sure that would have had quite the desired effect, but we did have a good laugh!
Lauren and Danielle talked to two sets of women. The first set listened to the Cube presentation, and said they believed, but needed to head home and rushed off. The second set - Olympia and Maria - talked with our girls for a long time. Danielle finally waived me over to try and answer questions concerning Revelation (yikes!!!) and other things that they were dying to know. We talked for a lot longer. They specifically wanted to know about praying to God through a man (priest) - like in the Orthodox church. They wanted to know what I believed. I told them that I assumed the priests to be good men, but that Jesus died for everyone and calls those who trust in Him as Savior "friends" (John 15:14-17)...I like to think that I don't need a "middle man" to talk to my best Friend! Also, in Hebrews, Jesus is referred to as our High Priest - once and for all (Hebrews 4:14 - 5:10). The Holy Spirit, who lives in every Believer, intercedes for us on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27). So, again, I am sure that these may be good men, but those who have trusted in Jesus as Savior, have DIRECT ACCESS to God, 24/7/365. God Himself has made it so! Amen! Olympia & Maria finally ended up trusting in Jesus as their Savior!! It was wonderful. God used the whole team to draw them to Himself!
We gathered back up and had our evening service at the Sacalaz church. There were quite a number of folks who came. Mocanu had asked Lauren and Kandace to give their testimonies and for me to give a quick lesson. I had nothing prepared and really don't even remember what I said. I do remember having the priviledge of introducing Lauren as my daughter and crying through the explaination of our family testimony of how Lauren came to be and how God had turned all things in that situation into good, magnifying His glory. Lauren and Kandace both did a wonderful job and then Mocanu spoke as well. At the end, we spread out all of the reading glasses on the floor and had everyone take what they needed for themselves and/or family members. It was really neat.
Afterwards we went to dinner. Again, all tallied, as a team we spoke to 35 people, of which 18 accepted the free gift of salvation found in Jesus! An awesome, packed day to be sure. We had a great time in Sacalaz. Friday was slated as a "free day" where we could sightsee and shop. We have a scheduled "Victory Service" where all of the teams will gather alongside the Romanian volunteers to hear all of what God has done in and around Timisoara during the week.
Um...yeah, and we slept well!!!
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