I've been here for 2 weeks now! It's flown by, but at the same time I feel like I've been here a long time. I'm mostly settled in and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm not only adjusted to city life, but loving it! I've met so many people and can't wait to see where those relationships go!
Many of you have been asking how you can more specifically pray for me, so here's what I've been praying lately. I know without a doubt that God brought me here. It wasn't my doing, I just told Him I was willing to go wherever he led me. I know He has me here for a purpose, and that right now this is where I can bring Him the most glory. But I don't yet know specifically how He wants to use me here. It's something that I've been anxious about, because I don't want to waste any of my time here. But I've also learned (once again) that I need to trust God and continue to let Him have the reigns. Of course God is going to use me, but be patient to see that is hard.
There are so many ways I can and am getting involved here. I'm loving getting involved with Alfa Omega church! Tom leads a Bible study with a small group of them on Friday nights. Sunday is church, hanging out for a while after, and sports night. Through those I've gotten to know so many amazing people who are becoming my friends! But right now I don't see a way that I can personally be involved in ministry there, besides through my individual friendships with people.
This past weeks I've visited Bucharest Christian Academy 3 times. Its very small and there's only about 50 students total, but it seems like a great group of people. I'm pretty sure I will be taking over the art class there next week! When they first asked if I would be interested, I told them they probably wanted someone else since I know nothing about art and the best thing I can draw is a stick figure. But I went to visit one of the classes, and it was more like craft time and was really fun. I have no clue what I'm actually getting into but I'm meeting with Leah Postema who teaches it now for her to show me the ropes. Tom explained that these art classes once a week let the teachers and students get a little break from each other, which is usually needed since it's such a small school. As I get my foot in the door, I'm sure there are many more ways I can help out at BCA and I'm excited about that opportunity, even though I have no teaching experience.
One goal that I have is to start a girls small group, kind of similar to a prayer group at LU. I really don't know who it will consist of or when we'll get started. I was thinking it would be great to get a group of girls from Alfa Omega together. But I learned that anything like that has to be officially through the church, and they already have so much on the agenda. Bible study with those people is great, but there isn't really an opportunity to share what we've been learning personally or what we've been struggling with. Gela leads a Bible study with some of the girls, but it's for the married ones and I don't fit that category. But maybe us single ones could find a time to get together. I've also been thinking that as I get more involved with BCA, that maybe we could start a group with the teen girls from there. I know that as a high schooler I always looked up to the college girls who wanted to invest in my life, and I want to be able to use that influence while I'm still "cool." I don't know exactly how this is all going to work out, but I know that I benefited so much from being involved in leadership at LU and I want to continue to have a group of girls who I can encourage and challenge and who can also do the same for me.
There's also some people I met that are involved at an orphanage here that I went to once. It is definitely out of my comfort zone, and that is kind of why I want to see how I could possibly get involved there. One big barrier with that is not knowing Romanian yet, and the kids don't know English. But I am hopefully going to start my language tutoring soon! And it's not an excuse because kids don't have to understand what you're saying to understand love.
So these are some of the ministry opportunities I can see right now. I'm praying that God will direct me and show me how He can best use me. Tom warned me I might get bored in the 1st couple weeks, and I think I've hit that point now that I'm used to city life. Besides Sunday, I haven't really done much the past few days, and I feel like I'm wasting my time. But right now I really don't know what else I can be doing. I'm sure it will be plenty busy soon enough so I should also enjoy the rest while I can get it. But like I said, it's also making me impatient, and I need to wait on God. So if you could be praying for me to rely on God and for Him to show me how He wants to use me!
Another prayer request is for the visa process. I have 90 days after I've entered the country to get my visa, but we're getting started on it now, because as I've learned in Romania, nothing is a quick and easy process. We went to some office the other day, but the specific office we needed was closed with no hours posted. I'm getting my birth certificate officially translated, and hoping that they will accept it without the Apostille seal. If not, my parents will have to get it at the courthouse in Lynchburg and mail it to me, which will take more time. To get a visa for religious volunteer work, I have to go through some board of cults or something because evangelical churches are considered cults here. So long story short, there will be many random trips to many random offices and we have no clue what we're doing. Also, Jess's visa expired when she turned 18 in October, so we're praying she doesn't get deported when we try to renew her visa also!
So here's what's been going on lately & what I've been thinking and praying. It's A LOT to read, but get used to it because that's me haha. THANK YOU for praying! :]
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