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I've realized lately that my heart is inclined to love people in interesting circumstances. Saturday was the anniversary of the pentecostal movement in Moldova and to celebrate they had a crusade. The pastor of Basillica Emanuel had asked that as we go on house visits we invite people and try to take ownership over certain individuals that attend(tricky considering the language barrier!) Prior to church on wednesday I sat outside playing my guitar and singing and a woman that we've all been informed is one of the town drunks came over and sat by me- lately her and her daughter have sort of found a place in my heart and as I played she kept urging me to continue. I just wish she could understand the words so they could speak into her heart. Nonetheless she seems to have taken a liking to me, "cheering me on" whenever I run by, walking up and taking my hand... saturday she attached herself to me and wanted to stick with me the whole time- what baffles me about this is we have no way to communicate, and then I started to notice the way others interact with her. We are so quick to write people off... and often they're more perceptive to it when we realize- the same thing happened with a guy who came and spoke with the team last night- our translators were apprehensive to have a conversation with him but Tommy persisted. People long to be seen, they long to be valued, they long to be loved. Never write off anyone- there is no limit to the ability Christ has to transform a person- regardless of how lowly they may seem to us. When we take the time to see and acknowledge them as having value and worth and sometimes this message is clearer than any words we could speak. Live out love- you may just change a life.

Break Every Chain

There's a man who sits outside of the apartment complex we stay at... he doesn't speak and hardly interacts with us. I'm not really sure if he has some kind of spectrum disorder or what- but from day one I've really wanted to see him "unlocked." Sunday I got back from church but the rest of the group wasn't there yet so we couldn't get in. In true Joy fashion I opted to play the Jesus Hippy card and pulled my guitar out- he smiled. I shared this small interaction with Tommy our team leader and so a few nights ago when we decided to have a worship night outside we intentionally stayed in front of the building... sure enough he stayed to listen- music seems to break down the walls words cant. Then yesterday as I was leaving with my guitar I held out my hand and spoke to him and he made eye contact and verbally responded... it wasn't really intelligible- but it was a glimmer of hope. Moments like this are such a reminder that their is power through Jesus to break down every chain.

Keep praying for us as our team works to restore the vision of Sinai 30 and build bridges in the community

Learning to Act in Faith

Tuesday we went out to do house visits, on our walk around the town I saw a man in a wheel chair and told the group that I wish I had the kind of faith to just go up and lay hands on people... trusting that God would move- I said that and one of the guys was like, "Well lets talk to him then" as we learned his story my heart broke- he'd gone to help with clean up in Chernobyl and today cant walk and his health is failing. Initially he was apprehensive to let us pray, but the more we listened the more he opened up and actually was alright with us laying hands on him. I wish this is where I could tell you some crazy story where he got up and started walking around, but what did happen definitely left an imprint on my heart, when I put one hand on his shoulder he grabbed the other and held on the way a person does who's desperate for hope- a person who likely hasn't felt loved in a long time... a person who's lost their dignity. After we prayed I asked our translator if I could tell him something simple... all I said was that I wanted him to know that Jesus loves him, and it doesn't matter where he's been or what he's done- he wants to restore him and by the end of it we were both in tears. And that's the truth... Jesus loves some broken people and so should we... the most incredible ministries never happen because people set out to be great, set out to heal, set out to inspire.... it happens because they set out to love and the overflow of Christ's love for them has the power to break EVERY chain.

Longest Entry Ever...

Sorry its been so long! Internet access is very sparse and we've been quite busy! I'll do my best to fill you in, though the real life conversations and emails may do it more justice... I've divided this post up chronologically to make it a bit easier to follow...

The End of the Epic Side Trip

These trips make me realize what a painfully persistent person I can be- a few wrenches were thrown in my initial travel route (economic and political crisis tend to do that) yet obviously, as most of you know- I did make it to Moldova. After exploring Athens I took a boat over to Aegina for a day trip prior to what turned into a long journey to Istanbul. I was so blessed with companionship along the way- made some new friends, convinced them to come with and after a pretty transparent conversation about faith we had a pretty fantastic adventure- rented Mopeds, swam in the ocean... not a bad way to spend the day :o) On the way back a guy came and asked about my tattoos... didn't really know what he was getting himself into... if this is any indication of what my time in Moldova will look like I think Jesus is up to something! 

My initial plan involved taking a train to Thessaloniki and then Istanbul, however due to Greeces economic crisis this wasn't a viable option... time to improvise! From Thessaloniki I took a bus into Bulgaria (hey! One more country to the count!!) Then had to take an overnight bus to Istanbul... a few delays (both in Bulgaria and at the border into Turkey) and another new traveling buddy and I arrived in Istanbul. Was so blessed with companionship along the way! After a day exploring Istanbul and a good nights rest it was time for Moldova...

You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.I have seen you in the sanctuary

Because your love is better than life

Welcome to Moldova

A dry and weary land... my friends, this is the state of Cornesti right now... and when you are in a community dependent on well water this begins to influence every aspect of life... and ministry. To build a deeper well would cost around 5,000 dollars... when you're partnering with a ministry that's already struggling to survive this isn't really a viable solution. As a team we felt led to commit to praying for rain- even though the forecast was no rain for a month. With seven team members we began to pray seven times a day... boldly asking for the rain within a week. Our hope was this physical outpouring of rain would awaken the hearts of the people in this city- that with it would come an outpouring of His presence.

The Widows Heart

As we work to connect with the community and help the church continue to build relationships in it we've been going on quite a few home visits. One of the biggest things that hit me was the heart of the widow- when we go to encourage and pray for them they wind up completely humbling us. Not once but twice we encountered these beautiful women- completely gracious in inviting us into their homes. One woman can hardly walk and yet she still was on her knees to pray... to have that kind of reverence for the Lord. They have so little, yet what they do have the are willing to give... Jesus give me a heart like that.

Let it Rain

And so the seventh day comes. We kind of became rain watchers- getting excited as the completely blue sky began to have sporadic clouds... excitement growing as the clouds increased and darkened... a couple days ago we began to get glimmers of hope- light showers... today it rained for a bit- God is good. Pray for the city of Cornesti. We need more than a little rain- we need an outpouring to restore this land!!