"'You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a [lantern] and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.'"
Matthew 5:14-16

Light and dark are two of the most powerful metaphors in our world. Light represents the known, the safe, the comforting. Light allows us to see the world around us, it reveals the truth, and it brings hope. Darkness, on the other hand, represents the unknown, potential dangers that we cannot see. It obscures our choices, makes us fearful of moving forward, and brings despair.

For me there is a big difference between a walk in the dark in unfamiliar territory...and a walk in the dark in unfamiliar territory with a lantern. Even though the circle of light might be limited, it is still a circle of light. I can see the path in front of me, I can see what's right beside me. I have hope that I will reach my destination unharmed.

That is what I want my ministry to be. I want to give a "lantern of hope" to each person that I serve. I want to enable them to see their own path and to move forward without fear. I want them to know the truth of God's love and feel hope.

"Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light,
Like a little [lantern] burning in the night.
In this world of darkness, Jesus bids us shine;
You in your small corner and I in mine."

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

More

I thought that I would update y'all on my current "revised schedule". I write this with a chuckle because with Liviu "schedule" is a nasty word and what I am doing from hour to hour seems to change by the minute!

Sept 11 - Arrive in Bucharest
Sept 12 - Recover from journey and start preparing for Children's Ministry
Sept 13 - Go shopping in Bucharest, stay overnight with Ana's family
Sept 14 - Church (morning and evening) in Buturugeni, birthday lunch with family and friends, back to Bucharest for night
Sept 15-21 Children's Ministry in Buturugeni
Sept 21 - Clean up, pack up, move to Bucharest
Sept 22 - Hang out with Liviu and Ana and try to understand what Liviu does with the Distance Learning program at the Biblical Seminary.
Sept 23 - Spend time with Liviu in the morning, go to IKEA for dinner and shopping. See the main sights of Bucharest on the way there and back.
Sept 24 - Help Liviu to clean up and change the networking of the computers in the computer lab for the seminary students.
Sept 25-26 Vacation at the Black Sea.
Sept 27 - Back to Buturugeni for the new Saturday "Kid's Club". The church wants to continue what we've started, once a week on Saturday mornings. Please pray that they will find committed young people to make this happen. At this point, it sounds like Andra is willing to lead this ministry - I'll keep you posted.
Sept 28 - Fly home

I'm feeling a bit better today but now Liviu is sick. I've been able to rest a lot and drink lots of fluids which has helped. Please pray that our vacation to the seaside would be a good time of rest and recuperation. I will be very busy when I get back, Liviu is always very busy and Ana starts school next week so we all need it.

By the way, I woke up this morning to NO water at all in the dorm. :) Every day is an adventure here!

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Monday, September 22, 2008

Just a Quick Update

I am writing this from the front seat of Liviu's car as I wait while he delivers some important documents for a mutual friend of ours. Bucharest traffic is so bad that Liviu can actually answer email while he is driving! The concept of "lanes" is a little fuzzy here and parking on the sidewalk is quite common. Driving here is a like playing one of those racing video games - just go as fast as you can and try not to hit anything!

I am currently staying in Bucharest for a few days at the Theological Seminary where Liviu works. I have a room to myself in the dorm (school doesn't start until Oct 1) and hot running water!! It's all good. :) I will spend the next couple days hanging out in Bucharest with Liviu and Ana and Andra.

Please pray for me as I rest and fight a cold.

More later...we're on the road and I want to look!
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