September 2009 Update: Wow, can you believe September is here already? I don’t know how you feel about this summer but three months in Romania went by very fast for me. As my grandfather would say, the earth spun around several times and May turned into September and here I am at the beginning of my last year in Seminary. Please allow me to share with you some of the highlights of the summer.
Internship The overall feeling of my trip to Romania is that I was spoiled by God. I am filled with gratitude to see His provision and the opportunities to minister to people. God’s goodness towards me is renewed daily and there is nothing that I have done or can do to deserve it.
After six years of Bible training I was asking God to show me how He wanted to use my life to make an impact in Romania. Serving with Missio Dei this summer was a powerful answer to that prayer. It was one of the first ministry involvements where I can see how God used me to help others grow and draw nearer to Him.
While I was there I had several opportunities to preach. They were all good experience but one worth noting is a three part series on Repentance from Hosea. It was a profound learning experience for all of us and a humbling experience for me. I saw how the Holy Spirit was powerfully using God’s Word to change people’s perceptions about repentance. I was humbled to be reminded that the Holy Spirit is the one who brings fruit in the lives of people and not my clever and clear exposition. I hope to keep that in mind for a long time.
I also spent two weeks in the mountains of Northeast Romania at Missio Dei’s summer camp. It was another great ministry opportunity to minister to people and get to know them a little better. I helped lead a series of 12 stories that go through the Bible chronologically. It was very encouraging and challenging to bring God’s story to people who did not have a relationship with Christ.
My three months in Bucharest were busy, but it was a good kind of busy. My schedule was an alternation between meetings, individual and group, reading, resting, hanging out with my host family, and visiting my family.
Family Another significant highlight of the summer was the opportunity to spend time with my family. I am very thankful for the opportunity to spend my birthday at my grandparents’ house. God gave me the opportunity to spend time with them and show my appreciation for all they have done for me. I was also able to spend some time with my father, although not as much as I would have liked. I was encouraged by his advice and willingness to help me as I get closer to the next stage of my life. I also spent time with my sister and brother-in-law. Bogdan was my faithful driver for the summer and together the three of us enjoyed a few trips around the country.
As I mentioned the summer went by like a heart beat. This page provides you with the highlights of an awesome blessed summer. I want to thank all of you who helped make this possible. I am still amazed at how God moved your hearts to give and support my ministry. I pray that He would reward your efforts and I hope this update was encouraging for you.
Final Lap My final year of seminary has started. I will be taking 8 classes this semester. It will be a busy semester but I have 4 classes in counseling which is a new and exciting area of study for me.
Future The ministry involvement was a great blessing this summer but it also opened up some opportunities for involvement once I relocate to Romania. The hopes and plans are to move back to Romania in the fall of 2010. Hopefully I will have more details in my next update. Until then may God richly bless you!
Prayer Requests- Please pray for strength and motivation in the new semester.
- Pray for wisdom and discernment as I seek God’s will for ministry involvement in Romania.
- Pray for effective ministry involvement in my last year in the States.
- Pray that I would not grow weary of books, classes, and academic work (after 7 years it can get a little dry)
- Pray for Gospel motivated rhythms in my life.
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