To say that God is moving in this place, is such an understatement. To be honest, there have been times that I’m so discouraged in Romania, because of the lack of faith. Or faith in Jesus, I should say. This past week was something I had yet to see in the youth in Romania.
But, let me just give you a basic history of Southern Romania for you to better understand. Romania has been under the influence of the Dacians, Romans, Turks, Greeks, and so many other people groups. And let’s not forget Communism. The Oltenians have been through so much trauma and have heard promise after promise, which were never fulfilled. They have been abandoned and neglected. Ask yourself this question. When you think of Romania, do you think of a churched country? Do you see Romania as a place with lots of Bible-believing Christians? Romania is about 92% Orthodox, people whom do not have personal relationships with Jesus. (There are Orthodox who know Jesus, but aren’t in this number). Friends, I’m sorry to tell you this, but Romania is NOT a churched country. Perhaps, this is why there is a lack of hope.
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So, the map might be hard to understand, but I live in the South, which according to the legend, is 90-100% population of Orthodox. The majority of believers are in Northwestern Romania, as well as the middle of the country.
All of this misery, pain and brokeness gets passed onto the children and youth of this country. Most Romanians have no desire to stay in Romania, because they see it as a place with no hope. Plus the fact that there are so many people in poverty here. A stable family is one of makes $500/month, if that. On top of that, this place is known as the “graveyard of missionaries and pastors.” Why should they stay in Romania if there’s no hope? BUT…this is where I begin to tell you what I saw.
I attended a youth meeting last Saturday in a nearby village named Stobaresti. My friends: Alex, Ancuta, Tavi and myself had the pleasure of taking 8 youth and young adults to this meeting, in which there were youth from several different villages. There were close to 50 teenagers and young adults in this meeting. Friends, while I was sitting listening to what was being said, God spoke to me saying “This is for you. I desire more than this in Draganesti and Oltenia. This is just the beginning.”
The youth meeting started with worship and a time in prayer. There was 1 person from each town/village who prayed and almost everyone who prayed was a teenager. I really wish we could have had some of our young women go, but the youth ministry in Draganesti currently is with young men. I believe that God is equipping the teenage boys and young men in Draganesti first, as they are the leaders of the upcoming ministry. I don’t know how to fully explain this, but I do know that the Lord is revealing Himself in some pretty large ways. The coolest thing I’ve been watching amongst the youth is: the teenage boys who are coming are not the “good” boys. It’s actually the boys who are in the rough crowd. They have admitted that there’s something in the Jesus church that they can’t get anywhere else. This past Sunday, 2 of these boys repented and received Jesus into their lives; they desire to be baptized at the next baptism. However, with them repenting, new boys came to see what was going on.
I don’t know what to say, because I’m not God, but something new is in the spiritual realm here in Draganesti and it’s so GOOD!
1) Please be praying for us youth leaders: Alex, Ancuta, Marian, Tavi, Roxana, myself, as well as the families who are to come in July: Paul, Brandon, Jessica, and Becky
2) Please be praying for Ionela, Ellie, Alina, Maria and Georgiana: for their hearts to be open to whatever God calls them to. For the last 3, that they would desire to have a relationship with Jesus.
3) Please be praying for these teenage boys: Dany and Alin, who just received Christ. That their testimonies would be empowering to the other teenage boys.
Thank you all for all of your prayers! The Lord is hearing them and we are seeing fruit coming from your ministry! Love you all!
Loved the update – God is good and He is doing a good work through you – be encouraged! 🙂
What a great update! So encouraging to hear what God is doing there and how He has invited you to be a part. Spreading, sharing, showing hope!!!
Rachel, I’m thanking God for opening the hearts of Dany and Alin!! Their transformation will be so radical to the other kids that you will have more and more coming to see what’s going on at Hope Church!! I just wonder what’s going to happen when the parents notice the difference!! Our Lord will be breaking chains left and right and Y’all will have to start having more than one church service on Sunday!! God is SO VERY good!! I love this update!! We continue to pray for all of you!! Love you!!
Really cool stuff Rachel! I am excited to see what God is doing in and through you. I am praying right now for the work that is before you.