Are you ready to be changed forever?

The picture above is me surrounded by a group of Romanian children as they prayed for me on my birthday. It was a moment I will never forget! I didn’t speak any of their language and they spoke no english, but it didn’t matter. God used this moment and these children to change my life completely.

I had always dreamed of being on the mission field. I even started college with the intent of going on the mission field after graduation. God had other plans for my life and a different mission field for me and I am grateful. However, it always niggled at the back of my mind that I wanted to experience international missions. 

I fulfilled this dream in 2012 when I organized a trip for myself, one other adult and three teenagers. We started fundraising to join an organized mission trip through one of the Southern Baptist organizations but came up short at the last minute. We were devestated that we did not meet the needed goal. But then I happened to run across Out Strectched Hands of Romania and it turned out we had the exact amount we needed for airfare and the amount needed for our stay with this group. God had a plan and we just had to be willing to listen. And I am so glad we met this group!

We spent one week working in the local gypsy village serving the children, teaching Bible studies, helping with crafts, trips to the Black Sea and attending the local Church services. I would encourage everyone to take this trip and see how God is working in the lives of these missionaries on the ground. 

I was the one who was changed!

I will admit when I headed to Romania it was with the thought of changing lives overseas. But I was the one who was changed. I grew in my faith, learned that parenting is hard even in other countries (lol) and watched the teenagers in our group blossom and learn to show God’s love in mighty ways.

Language was not a barrier for God’s love! The children on day one grabbed your hand and chattered away. They would willingly teach you words and laughingly correct your mistakes. They were amazing and happy and it made me feel ashamed for my many material desires. 

Are you ready to work on the mission field?

I believe every Chrisitan should experience international missions. It will change how you view our country and our materialistic beliefs. It will humble you and make you more content in the many blessings that God has provided us in this country. 

I will be writing many other posts to introduce you to this amazing organization and the wonderful work they are doing in this community. 

I would love to help you plan a trip to work with the children in Romania, help build buildings, or one of the other many tasks that these wonderful missionaries need in the field.