It was so hard to say good bye to all my new Romanian friends and family. As I made my way down the stairs of the 8 story block building I lived in, I was accompanied by a band of family that wanted to send me off with hugs. Tears flowed as we said good bye and the incredible gratitude in my heart for the hospitality was inevitably overflowing. I just am blown away at how these friends cared for me when I was sick, provided for my needs, fed me, housed me and prayed with me for the ministry God had there. They are and forever will be a part of my heart and prayers.
This was the best mission trip I have ever had. I was able to see things and do things you just can’t do with a team of Americans traveling around. I ministered to mental hospitals, Gypsies, orphans, abandoned babies, children, teens and women. The need and opportunity there is endless and I am forever marked by my experience. The main reason for this trip was to live in the country and observe and learn what it was like to be a Christian woman in an Eastern European culture.
As we are currently developing some ground-breaking vision here for training women regionally, it has already proven helpful to know and feel the heart of an average woman in ministry there. We recently heard a quote that said, “Teach a man and you teach a man but teach a woman and you teach a village”. That is not to be critical of men at all because there are many men doing incredible works for God. But God also wired women to pass on what they learn to a community…to share it!
There was one Christian woman there that is a great picture to me. She works 40 hour weeks to help pay for her family’s bills. Their family makes an average of $400 a month. The taxes there are 24% on everything including food, and that is in addition to income taxes. It’s impossible to get ahead and hard to even have hope for easier days. This Christian woman comes home from long days to take care of 2 vibrant children, clean her home and cook the food. She has 2 full time jobs (work and home) and is expected to still be the traditional mom, wife and even daughter. There is not a mindset that women can take time for themselves or breaks or even go shopping alone. She is always working, always striving and always praying that God would meet their needs. She serves in the church choir where the children are expected to sit next to her for the 3 hour service. She has a ministry heart but wonders how she will ever have time to become equipped for such a task. She feels insecure about her scriptural knowledge or ministry experience. She asks questions like, “Can I really lead a women’s group?” and “Am I worthy enough to do big things for God?” or “Who will teach me or help me to get there?”.
Well we at Greater Reach have a heart for that woman. A woman who wears many hats but still wants to change the world for Christ. We want to help answer her questions and equip her with resources. And I’m so excited to be a part of the process.
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