People have this misconception that missionaries have this quota of souls to save, like if we go on the field, lead 100 people to Christ, then our job is done and we can come on home and pass the torch to the next person. People back home read the newsletter looking for numbers and tangible accomplishments. I've learned quickly (as I do monthly newsletters) that some months it's hard to fill the pages with "success" stories. Success stories take time to achieve.
That being said, one ministry that God has graciously allowed me to establish is through the English and Romanian language. When I was preparing to come to Moldova I knew I was coming to work with CCI and with LRC, my church. I wanted to take a few Romanian lessons so that I could communicate better with the girls I would be teaching the Bible to each week. I never imagined that my Romanian lessons would eventually turn into developing a close friendship with my teacher, becoming the facilitator of an English club for Moldovan people, leading the music class at a summer English camp, and having private English tutoring sessions for a few individuals. I love how God has broadened His ministry for me here in Moldova!
Yesterday was a mark of success! I have been working with George, a young man who is applying for a training program through the embassy to spend 8 months in the US. He must complete an interview with the embassy in order to attain a visa. When I met him the only English he knew was the memorized answers to the embassy questions. If I would ask the same question another way, he would not understand what I was saying. We met a few times for about a month and then he had his interview. He did not get approved for the visa based on his English. Later he received a phone call from the embassy saying that they were going to give him another chance. We worked harder and harder to improve his English, but it was the same story over and over again. He only knew enough English to answer the scripted questions. I met with him the week I left for the cruise and he had improved a little. He was understanding more and could speak more complex sentences. Still, it was obvious that he had a long way to go. This week I got a call from Elena, my Romanian teacher, saying that George's 2nd interview was going to be this week and wanted to know if I could "interview" him one more time. We met and I can't even describe how much George had improved. In just one short week he was able to answer all of the questions I asked him, even those I made up that weren't on the page! He could answer without thinking about it and his answers didn't sound scripted. I could not believe it!!! I kept looking at Elena with my jaw wide open. At the end of our time I jumped out of my seat and gave him a high five. It was like night and day, such a difference. George had his interview today. I don't know the results, but whether he is accepted or not doesn't matter to me. I know how hard he worked and how God blessed his labor and mine as well. What a privilege it's been working with him. So, I count this as a success. No, I did not lead him into a relationship with the Lord, but I know that the Spirit works through our obedience. This has been such a cool way to minister to the people of Moldova who I would have never met on my own!
Not only that happened yesterday, but also another huge answer to prayer. One day I was having lunch with a friend and she opened up to me about some problems she is having and concerns about different situations she is facing in her marriage. I loved that she was so honest and open with me but was also very nervous about responding to her as the topics we were discussing were pretty far from my realm of knowledge and experience. I kept praying as she was speaking that the Spirit would give me wisdom to counsel in the most appropriate and relevant way, biblically and culturally. I felt like I was stumbling over my words as I was trying to be sensitive to her but at the same time speaking truth. At the end of the conversation I felt like I had just confused the mess out of her...and myself! I prayed with and over her and we parted ways. Well, she sent me a text later that night saying that she and her husband had a huge talk and that the result was really good. I was so glad about that and continued to pray for them. Yesterday I asked her about her marriage and she said that things are so much better. She said that she knows God placed me in her path that day for that particular reason, to speak truth to her. That night her husband approached her out of the blue and initiated a talk with her, something that never happens. They were able to discuss the major issues they are facing and learned so much about the other operates. She told me that she believes my prayer worked! So, I count this as a success.
I'm so grateful that God had much bigger plans in store for me than what I was planning for/expecting!
