English Club in Draganesti

My new team got the privilege this week to do ministry in a town about an hour from Craiova, where we have been living since we got to Romania. We were told no details and wisked off to the town to do ministry.

Upon arriving, our team of 7 (six of us and a squad leader), were told that we would be splitting into two groups. One group to do evangelism and one group to teach English to some students for the three days that we would be there.

Knowing my background, I hopped onto the English train and awaited my responsibilities. The first night we got there, we went over to one of the missionaries houses and began to plan for the event.

In these communities, things work a little differently than I am used to. The principal of the school was aware that we would be hosting an event, but had not yet invited anyone. This was not a problem, just how things work here.

We were asked to choose an age group of kids and then someone in the school was going to invite them. This was at 8pm on Tuesday night and the camp was scheduled for 5pm the next day lol.

Ultimately, we decided on the 3rd-6th grade age group. Somehow kids were invited, and we made a plan of what we would teach the next day. The ultimate goal of this event was to build relationships with the community so that individually and eventually the permanent missionaries here could share the gospel with families and invite them to church.

I’ve found that more often than not, Romanians, unlike Americans, typically don’t need to be sold on things, they just need an invitation. What a concept, I love it.

Wednesday afternoon rolled around, we set up for the event and waited for the kids to show up. And we waited. And we waited some more.

And then one kid showed up…a 12 year old named Andres.  We planned an event for 20 kids. I was so excited that we had one kid. I also began to think to myself; outwardly this could look like a failure.

What is a failure in the kingdom of God?

I think that what looks like failure in the world, we need to weigh instead by the standards of the Father.

While on earth, Jesus told the familiar parable of the lost sheep. He said this:

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of those little ones should perish.” -Matthew 18:10-14

My understanding of this passage is that it is taking about believers who have in a sense strayed from the faith. Also my understanding is that regardless of the direct intention of the passage it conveys the general heart posture of God. It shows the reader that to God, the value of a single soul is no less valuable than a large group.

God cares deeply about everyone as a whole, and at the same time intimately about each of us.

I know God smiled at one kid showing up. I know that Gods heart was moved by us being obedient and showing up regardless.

I especially know that Gods heart was moved when I was pleased with the arrival of one kid, and then 20 minutes later we had 8 kids.

English club ended up being so fun. We got to teach the kids some English words and line dances and got to bake them some American desserts. On the last day we all took pictures together and gave them their own bibles. A short time spent well, who knows what God will do with it.

Thank you God for the courage to show up. Thank you God for the kiddos You placed in our path and the opportunity to see Your face in theirs.