Yet again I've fallen of the face of blog world for quite a bit... only to come back with a rather exciting update, I'm leaving for moldova in a month and a half! (According to cyberspace I never left...) There's so much to reflect and share regarding my time back in the states- along with new dreams and visions that have begun to surface, however I suppose its best to focus with what's at hand in this instance... Cornesti Moldova:
In a land decimated by emigration, spurned by a failing economy and severe lack of job opportunities, still fighting off the residue of Soviet occupation and communism, and suffering from its notoriety as the #1 gateway of human trafficking in Europe, where is hope found? Where is God in the midst of this country’s oppressive darkness?
Hope is alive and well in Moldova, fueled by a God who promises to work through the faithful remnant of God’s people to transform the brokenness of the world.
In Cornesti, Moldova, a small, agriculturally based town and village in the western countryside of this Eastern European nation, this hope and its ensuing transformation are living in the people of Basilica Emmanuel, a small but huge-hearted church within the mission of Sinai 30, and their passionate pastor, Vitalie Gaiceanu. The hope for God to transform the desperate and seemingly never-ending cycle of poverty and injustice, to redeem the broken people of Moldova, is found, so Vitalie believes, in the faith-filled lives of local churches and communities that seek to make God’s Kingdom a reality in their worlds.
This summer, a hodgepodge team of ex-World Racers, seminary and college students, young business professionals, and others journeying with God, will embark on a mission to come alongside Basilica Emmanuel and Pastor Vitalie in their Kingdom work, to enter into relational solidarity with them in their longsuffering of the multi-faceted struggles of their country and community.
This is a mission borne out of a response to God’s call to take up our Cross and sojourn with the Spirit to bring the Kingdom into the oppressed pockets of the world. Through preaching, teaching, evangelism and house visits, discipleship and bible study with orphans, street kids outreach, and farming and manual labor, this team will live out this Spirit-led calling in Moldova. Hope and the growing seed of the Kingdom are already there… We are going only to fan this flame through humble servanthood… to participate in what God’s already doing there.
From July 1-August 15th, this mission, Sinai 30 Fire Summer, will become a part of God’s people in Cornesti, Moldova, living life with them in the hope of Kingdom coming on earth as it is in Heaven.
It can only come through the faith of God’s people… Will join us in faith for God’s Kingdom to come in Moldova this summer? Do you want to witness it firsthand by joining our team? Do you want to witness it through our team by investing in us through prayer and even financial support? Hope is alive… it just needs people of faith to make its object, the Kingdom, a reality. Will you help make it a reality?
In Cornesti, Moldova, a small, agriculturally based town and village in the western countryside of this Eastern European nation, this hope and its ensuing transformation are living in the people of Basilica Emmanuel, a small but huge-hearted church within the mission of Sinai 30, and their passionate pastor, Vitalie Gaiceanu. The hope for God to transform the desperate and seemingly never-ending cycle of poverty and injustice, to redeem the broken people of Moldova, is found, so Vitalie believes, in the faith-filled lives of local churches and communities that seek to make God’s Kingdom a reality in their worlds.
This summer, a hodgepodge team of ex-World Racers, seminary and college students, young business professionals, and others journeying with God, will embark on a mission to come alongside Basilica Emmanuel and Pastor Vitalie in their Kingdom work, to enter into relational solidarity with them in their longsuffering of the multi-faceted struggles of their country and community.
This is a mission borne out of a response to God’s call to take up our Cross and sojourn with the Spirit to bring the Kingdom into the oppressed pockets of the world. Through preaching, teaching, evangelism and house visits, discipleship and bible study with orphans, street kids outreach, and farming and manual labor, this team will live out this Spirit-led calling in Moldova. Hope and the growing seed of the Kingdom are already there… We are going only to fan this flame through humble servanthood… to participate in what God’s already doing there.
From July 1-August 15th, this mission, Sinai 30 Fire Summer, will become a part of God’s people in Cornesti, Moldova, living life with them in the hope of Kingdom coming on earth as it is in Heaven.
It can only come through the faith of God’s people… Will join us in faith for God’s Kingdom to come in Moldova this summer? Do you want to witness it firsthand by joining our team? Do you want to witness it through our team by investing in us through prayer and even financial support? Hope is alive… it just needs people of faith to make its object, the Kingdom, a reality. Will you help make it a reality?
An outline of what our time in Moldova will look like:
1. Church work- As the local church, Basilica Emmanuel, is the heart and soul the ministry of Sinai 30, we will participate in and help lead (when appropriate) the 3 weekly church services, 1 of which is geared towards "unbelievers." We will also hold some "Big Evangelism" services this summer, which Vitalie is already organizing, that we will play a role in too. In all of these services, weekly and BIG evangelism, we will help teach, preach, lead worship, pray, give testimonies, etc.
2. Discipleship and Empowerment- Most of our time will be spent building and continuing relationships with the people in the church, the orphans at the church, and Vitalie and his team of missioners. This is truly the heart of our ministry in Moldova, using our various gifts and just the simple power of our love to encourage the people in their struggles and life pursuits. There are all different kinds of people to build Gospel-centered relationships with, whether the church members and orphans, or the local community members and street kids.
a. Orphan Discipleship- specifically, we will lead weekly fellowship meetings with the orphans that will include Bible Study, prayer times, and discussion about life and faith.
3. Evangelism and Outreach: The main task of structured ministry during the days will be going on house visits with people from the church to people that live in the local village. These visits will be Spirit-led times, but typically include basic friendship building, prayer, encouragement, Bible Study, sharing a meal, helping around the house, etc. These visits will be a balance of reaching out to people the church doesn’t know and people that are friends or members of the church. This is where we seek to fully embody the way of Jesus and live as His people in a faithful witness to the Kingdom of God and its transformative power that God is offering the people of Cornesti to "come, taste and see."
4. Manual Labor: The church has a significant amount of self-support agriculture that we will often help with, depending on the needs during the time. This will most likely include gardening, building, maintenance/repairs, and playing with the beavers!
5. Daily Prayer and Worship: Most days, if not every day, we will lead a morning or evening prayer and devotional time. These prayer times will be for anyone serving in the ministry, including the workers, orphans, Pastor Vitalie, and the American missionaries that will be serving with me. Then at night, we will have a time of worship and prayer with the community again. These are pivotal times of the day that will punctuate our time together around the Spirit of prayer and worship as the Body of Christ. This is what will sustain our community life, keeping us connected in what matters most: the Spirit!!!
6. Kids Program- During most afternoons, we will help with the Kids Program that church does for local children. This time includes play, relationship building, snack, and some type of structured activity like games, Bible lessons, crafts, etc. our role will be more supportive, not leading (but can be when necessary), and we will focus on spending time one-on-one with the children and living out the Gospel through those relationships.
The Lord's already been moving so much in these last minute preparations to join this team- and I have a hunch this adventure will be a starting point for an even bigger kingdom purpose. Join with me in prayer as benefits are organized, tickets are booked, and things come together. Blessings!
