First Week

So almost a week in Romania! VBS has been going great. I am really impressed with the LCC (Lighthouse Christian Church) who put it all together. I have had many memories of my vacation Bible school experiences. These kids are having lots of fun and learning about God at the same time! We've had some really special times with the kids, and I already feel attached. It will be hard to leave eventually, but I know God will give me the grace to do it.


Bernadette (Bernny, as they call her) is pretty much attached to my hip, and it's hard to even go to the bathroom without her wanting to follow me! Her little brother, Antal (Anti) is such a cutie! It's so good to see him smile and laugh and play, since the last time I saw him, he was living with his parents and he barely acknowledged our presence and cameras. I hope I can get pictures uploaded soon, they are both adorable and I am so happy and priviledged to be with them here.

There is so much already that I can share, but one important thing I would like prayer for is health. A couple of people from our team have gotten really sick. I haven't been feeling 100%, but nothing serious. Just pray that I will be kept healthy throughout my stay. They all leave on Saturday (Friday night for my friends in America), and I stay on. I am in His hands, and He is in control. That is what I am sure of.

Something cool God showed me today - I had been praying for physical and mental healing for some of the children, and as I was doing my devotions today, and going over my notes that my wonderful friends had written for me, I noticed that anytime healing was mentioned, it was synonomous with love. "God's healing through LOVE." I realized that love is a powerful thing, especially when we are portraying God's love. I know that healing is not about me, it's about the children, and if God wants to heal them physically, I am open to however He wants to use me in that regards. But what He is calling me to do right now, is to LOVE them - even if they are laughing and goofing off in the bathroom at 11 o'clock at night when we are trying to sleep! And through that, God will do the rest.

I'm praising God that I am able to write you all! I feel like it's been weeks since I left, so much has happened! I think when I get back to the Emmaus Home, my schedule will be more structured. Then again, plans change constantly and oftentimes I find out what I will be doing the day before... or 5 minutes before! I have to remember we're on "Romania time" it's different than American, and clocks are almost obsolete - I'm not kidding!

Much love from Chariti (and Bernny)

I'm here!

Well, I made it to Romania safe and sound... what an adventure! From the taxi drive who spoke no English to walking around the city looking for a decent place to eat, I finally made it. Last night was my first night staying at the Emmaus Home. I have my own room with an extra bed, so I wonder if Bernadette will be sneaking in sometimes to sleep with me! Some of the boys made me braceletes out of yarn. I feel accepted already! Today we go to pick up the rest of the children from visiting their families. I get to see Bernadette, or Berny as they call her, and her other siblings. The team from Chucks church is amazing. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people in my first week.



I am trying to learn Hungarian, but oh my gosh... its not easy. Lets just leave it at that.

Living in the orphanage, I know I will be seeing a lot. My prayer request would be that I would be discerning enough to know what is a legitimate need, and what is simply a luxury. Shower curtains, for example may be nice and something I take for granted, but they dont seem to care. Soap and toilet paper however, are much more of a necessity. Thank you Jesus for putting it on my mind to bring my own!! I know I could be staying at a hotel, or even sleeping on Eszthers couch, but I would not have it any other way. I will be living just a few short weeks what they have lived almost every day of their lives, and I am priviledged to see just a glimpse into their lives.

Vacation Bible school camp starts Tuesday! Pray that the childrens hearts are open to Jesus during this time.

Love from Romania and Emmaus,

Chariti

Bigger Than Me

  I've known since I was a teenager that I would always be apart of something great. My name would never be known - which is completely OK with me! - but a movement, or force, or whatever you want to call it, would be in motion and I would have a big part in that movement. I've known since I was a little girl that I have a DESTINY and an incredible calling on my life. (BTW, everyone has an incredible calling on their life, and if you are feeling like you don't, or are feeling worthless, then you are being LIED to!) Something bigger than me. God has been revealing more and more to me that it's really all about Him - that I am just a willing vessel. I've always been a bit overwhelmed with all of that... I mean, I'm just one little person, how can all this come from me? From a "yes"? But it's very evident that God has had a plan for my life from the get-go (Jer. 29:11)

  A group of close friends came together to pray specifically for me and this trip, and a reocurring theme was that God was going to bring healing through me. It was a confirmation of something that had been stirring in my heart already, and it was so exciting to hear again and again the word "healing" come out through others' prayers. God has revealed to me specific faces of children that are under the influence of dark spiritual forces, who He wants to deliver from that. The orphanage that I will be going to has a lot of children with mental & physical disabilities, and I believe that God wants to pour out His healing on that place! And again - it's so not about me, but what He wants to do through me. He's had a heart for these kids before they were even in existence... before even the world was in existence! And it just amazes me that He wants me to be apart of this. Apart of their destiny.

With a simple "yes"

  I haven't written in a while because I have been left speechless.

  Just looking at the pictures of the kids from last year's trip makes my heart skip a beat. I am going to be with them for 5 weeks!!!!! That is a long enough time to establish relationship, and certainly enough time for me to get attached and not want to come back. That is a given, but to say that I am prepared for that is a stretch.

  I am speechless because I am so amazed at what God can accomplish with a simple "yes". From the day I said "yes" to God, my life has changed and I have had the amazing opportunity to touch other people's lives. God desires to encounter us and for us in turn to show others His love and mercy. What a priviledge to be a messenger of that love. And not only that, but to see people's lives change right before your eyes - I love that! I have faith that miracles WILL happen there. Not so that I can be looked at as some super spiritual person, but because I KNOW that God wants to do it! All because I live my life saying YES to Jesus. Whatever it is, yes I will do it!

  I am prepared for God to stretch me. I am also prepared for Him to change me. It always happens when I set out to serve someone, I always get blown away by how much I get blessed. I want to see people set free, healed, and touched by the love of Jesus. I want Him to change me from the inside out. Even more than He already has.

  Would you please join me in prayer that God will soften the hearts of people enough for them to let Him touch them? Will you pray that they will say "yes" to the move of God. Would you ask Him to till the soil so that it will be ready for the Holy Spirit to come in and grow the seeds I will plant!