“Appointments already made” -God

As I sit here in a Romanian house getting my nails done by a beautiful Ukrainian lady I think, what is my life? Just a couple weeks ago I cleaned this house getting it ready for refugees, I didn’t know if I would meet them or if I would be back to the same house. I prayed over the house as I cleaned and got it ready and make it feel at home for them. Now I sit here just amazed at how God works. When I thought of people staying here I thought refugees, poor, traumatized, not having anything, not knowing anything, but, no they are people just like us, they had job, they had friends, they went to school, and now all of that is gone. As they stay here and don’t know when or if they will go back to their home, they start a new life here. She brought all your nails stuff with her hoping to find a job.

Most of the people that come only stay for two days before they leave. But these people have been with us and we get to help support them as they start a new life. As I sit here at the table that I was just wiping down last week, I realize how perfect this table is for someone who does nails. We had no idea who would be in this house, but God knew.

I don’t know how to explain all that I feel. Being 300 miles away from the border of where a war is and people are fleeing. I feel so close yet so far away. I want to go to the border, to the frontlines, in the action but I can’t and I’m here to help were God has me. I felt like I wasn’t doing anything but I remind myself the fact that I’m here right now is a miracle We were supposed to be in South America but we got rerouted not knowing any of this was going to happen. So I’m very grateful that I get to be here and help Hope church with what they need me to do, it may be cleaning houses, going to the grocery store and helping cook food, helping load and unload vans of food, organizing piles of clothes, and getting to play with the kids! I know I worked at a refuge camp a couple years ago and I thought I was ready, but this is nothing like what I did before. I’m at a lost for words, what do you say to someone that just fled their county not knowing when/if they will go back? Idk. It’s been a learning experience for sure and each day bring a new things. Some days are long and busy and other are slow and lot of sitting and waiting, but I’m trying to enjoy each moment.

Yes our main focus has been working with refugees but we still get to make relationships with the locals here in Craiova. Just a quick story that happened to me the other day. I was walking to the store and I saw a lady sitting on the ground. I smiled and waved to her like I do to everyone, and she came running up to me and started talking. I pulled out my phone to use my Google translate and she was asking me for money to pay her rent. I asked her where her house was and so she took me to a an alleyway that had a mattress on the ground. She said that she slept there, and then we went through these big old doors and like six kids just came running up to me, hugging and kissing me so excited to see me. She said that 4 of them were hers and she needed money so they can sleep in the house. I asked which house is hers and she took me to a room where a man was laying on the ground. She said he was sick so I asked if I could pray for him. They said yes, so I got down and prayed. The kids were still hugging and playing with my hair as I prayed. We went back outside and she ask me again for money, so I gave her some and she said she needed more because the lady wouldn’t let her in if she doesn’t have all of it. The lady was standing right there, I was kind of confused at all of it because there was a lot of different people and I don’t know if they were all family or what it was. But I prayed for them and played with the kids for a little and when I went to leave a guy came with me to the main Street to ask if I could buy them some food for the little girl. So we went to the store. It’s hard to even explain all that happened in that short amount of time. But it’s just crazy how on that main street in the city where everybody’s living their busy lives, behind this door in an alleyway people are living, dirty and without food. God knew what I needed that day. I was in my own head as I walked the opposite way than we normally do and just a smiled and waved at a woman and it changed my whole day! Just a good reminder to keep are eyes open wherever we go, anytime of the day! I hope to go back and talk and play with them again!!

Anyway, lots of little moments that I wish I could put into words so y’all could understand, but I can’t and that’s ok. God is amazing and even though it is really hard some days and I don’t know what I’m doing or want life is, I’m glad I get to be a part of this! A simple thing like cleaning a house or smiling at a woman on the street can be used by God for great things. This month He has showed me that He can use all that I have and turn it into so much more.

It’s been a hard, but good month. We’ve been in Romania for 2 months now and it’s crazy, time has finally been going faster 😉 only 3 more month and I will be home!!!!!!:) yes, I’m very excited and counting the days!:) See y’all soon.    

https://togetherformission.com/donate-for-ukraine/

Here is the link if you would like to donate and help Hope church with helping the refugees. your money goes to, renting house, providing food, gas for the vans that are going in to Ukraine to pick people up and taking food and blankets, pillows, clothes etc. to the people that have nothing.

Thank you for your prays! Just continue to pray for Raul and he’s ministry here at Hope church. They are doing so much to help, they are always working, I don’t know if they ever sleep, so pray that God will bring more people to help and that God will give them straight and Wisdom in all of this.   It has been a blessing to work alongside them and see all they do for people! 

So this my last week with my team and I’m very sad. they have been such a joy to be with and it feels like family living with them!   next week we change team, so definitely being praying for us with that and as we travel to South Africa!