Homecoming in Eastern Europe

Someone once said that you could not go home again. Nevertheless, I feel as if I just returned home from our home away from home. Over the past two weeks, my dad and I ministered in Bucharest, Romania and Warsaw, Poland. Having traveled to Bucharest three years ago, it was a wonderful homecoming as we greeted our precious brothers and sisters in Christ. The dear friends we met in both of these countries have become family to me. This is why I am convinced, no matter where life may take you, you may be able to return home.

Home is not simply a building comprised of four walls. Rather, it is a place where you feel completely comfortable, compassionately cared for, and so very loved. This summer, I found myself at home, more than 5,600 miles from my hometown. As we were invited into the homes of such loving friends in Eastern Europe, it became clear to me that God had orchestrated this opportunity to share the Gospel and to encourage these kindhearted people. I am humbled that God would choose my dad and me for this incredible journey.

 

Our gratefulness to God began before we even left home. Due to pandemic restrictions and civil unrest in Eastern Europe, our original travel plans were cancelled. After much prayer, we were led to find some other way to reach Bucharest and Warsaw. Romania had opened to U.S. citizens. Poland was still closed; however, we booked the travel arrangements in faith that Poland would open. Revelation 3:7-8 says when we obey His command, God will open doors that no one can close. One week before our departure, God opened the door to Poland.

 

Our entire trip was filled with memories that will remain in our hearts forever. We will always cherish the sweet fellowship with dear friends. One pastor invited us to their home more than once for a delightful meal with his family. On one occasion, they even invited one of my close friends from the church to join us for dinner in their home. What a wonderful gesture, one for which I am very grateful.

Many of the church members shared delicious meals with us. We enjoyed scrumptious food, not only Romanian and Polish cuisine, but also delectable dishes from Myanmar, India, Lebanon, Italy, Thailand, and Moldova. The meals were some of the best we have ever encountered. The combination of spices and fresh ingredients truly made my taste buds sing. Yet, the number one ingredient was love.

 

Sitting in the apartment of one of the families in Romania, we listened and watched as one of their children played worship songs on the keyboard as some of their siblings sang along. Afterward, we all sang together, giving all of the glory and honor to the Lord. Our praise transitioned to prayer as we all bowed our heads. Everyone, including these precious boys and girls, prayed aloud to Jesus Christ. As I prayed over this family, I could not hold back the tears. My heart was literally overflowing with joy as I sat there, feeling the presence of God in the room. As Jesus said, “‘For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them’” (Matt. 18:20 NLT).

 

Throughout our time in these two countries, God opened the door for us to encourage others. Simultaneously, we were encouraged ourselves. The people God placed in our path took First Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) to heart: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” They continually encouraged us through their friendship and their prayers. How special it was when one of the pastors, his wife, my dad, and I all shared in praying for one another aloud!

 

Words could never express the magnitude of the love shown to us by our friends in Eastern Europe. The term unconditional love does not suffice. They shined forth the love of Jesus Christ to us in so many ways. In addition to their love, they gave us a priceless gift: their time. Even after each church service, these caring friends desired not to hurry home, but to fellowship with us, giving us the opportunity to know them better. Setting aside entire days to join us in ministry, I never once heard someone say, “I’m too busy.” They knew God had arranged a divine appointment for us to fellowship together and to proclaim the Gospel in their city.

 

Several times, some of these devoted Christians joined us for evangelism in local parks and market squares. I will never forget the people we met along the way, such as the woman in the park in Bucharest who told me she felt like an orphan, having lost both of her parents. The fact that God would provide me the opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ with her, as she stood there in tears, was truly humbling. Then there was the woman and her daughter in Warsaw whose family had made bird whistles by hand for multiple generations, as well as the man and woman who we witnessed to on two separate occasions. My dad and I sang on city streets, handed out Gospel tracts, and told people why we had traveled so far. We came to share the Gospel, just as Mark 16:15 tells us to do. God ordered our steps all along the way.

 

While I have memories that will last forever, my greatest desire is that someone will water the seeds we have sown. As the apostle Paul said, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Cor. 3:6-7 NIV). My dad and I planted seeds and watered others. Now, we pray God will speak to the hearts and lives of the men, women, and children with whom we were blessed to share the Gospel.

 

The number one reason we travel is not to see the sights, but to set our sights on Jesus Christ. He is the truth, the life, and the only way to salvation (John 14:6). May we all make the most of every opportunity we have to tell someone about Jesus before His soon return! Like our treasured friends in Bucharest and Warsaw, we pray that every soul we encountered on this journey will one day be our friend in Heaven, our eternal home (Luke 16:9).

It's the Little Things

A phone call, an e-mail, a hug, an unexpected gift…sometimes it’s the little things in life that bring true joy into our lives.  While I love receiving gifts on Christmas or my birthday, I’ve always had a special fondness for the gifts I receive for no particular reason at all.  My mom was the same way, always feeling extra special when my dad would bring her flowers on an otherwise ordinary day.  This past week, my dad surprised me twice, once with flowers on Valentine’s Day and again on February 16th, a non-holiday in our home.  As I sit here looking at the beautiful daisies, carnations, and roses currently filling two vases, I cannot help but feel special.  Each single petal serves as a beautiful reminder of my dad’s unconditional love.

This past week was full of surprises, as two dear friends also gave me unexpected gifts.  It wasn’t my birthday; I had nothing to give them.  Yet they each gave me a gift to show me how much they appreciate my friendship.  Both of them gave me something even greater than the gift itself; they each gave me a hug.  Their embrace reassured me that I held value, not just to God but to others as well.  These special people in my life went out of their way to simply let me know that I am loved and I matter.  A small token of their friendship left a huge impression on my heart.

Sometimes, even the smallest gifts leave the largest impression.  Consider the widow in the Bible who gave two small coins as her offering at the temple.  The Bible says they were “worth only a fraction of a penny” (Mark 12:42 NIV).  I am sure some people there laughed at her for putting in such a small amount.  They probably even said she was worthless and should not have bothered to come.  But I am so glad that Jesus was standing nearby.  You see, He knew exactly who this woman was.  He knew every little detail concerning her life, including her financial circumstances.

God’s Word says that Jesus called His disciples over to him.  He wasn’t just going to make a statement for anyone who might be listening.  He made sure that everyone could hear what he was about to say.  Jesus said, “‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on’” (Mark 12:43-44 NIV).

This woman gave all she had as an offering to God.  She did not worry about how much it was, nor was she concerned with keeping one of the coins to herself.  Instead, she found favor in the eyes of Jesus because she gave her all.  She showed her love for the Lord through a small gift, a token of her admiration for the God she so adored.  She didn’t worry about what her friends would think.  She wasn’t concerned with what she would eat or drink the next day.  She was solely focused on giving a gift to the Almighty, a gift that would change her circumstances and the lives of those around her as well.  And Jesus knew that this small gesture was going to bring about a rare display of sincere selflessness.  All it took was a willing vessel and two little coins.

Jesus Christ knows where you stand as well.  He knows if you are hurting on the inside because of grief or depression.  He knows if you are struggling to put food on the table and to keep the electricity turned on.  He knows if you are feeling worthless and unloved.  No matter what you’re facing, Jesus Christ knows.  Not only does He know what you’re going through, but He wants to help you get through it.  All you have to do is take the first step.  Drop those two little coins in the basket.  Don’t worry about what others might do or say.  Fix your eyes on Jesus and be amazed as He does abundantly more than you could ever imagine.  Give everything you have to Jesus, and Jesus will give you everything you need.  Jesus loves you and YOU matter.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer