Michelle: So do you really like living in Romania?

Me: Yes, we really do. We love the Romanian people and all their smiles. We love the work we do at the church, and your country and your city are so beautiful. We love living here.

Michelle: I do not understand. Yes, it is beautiful, but America is better and more beautiful. I know other missionaries. I ask them why they here, and they say, “Because in America we are nobody. Here we are stars.”

Now perhaps these other missionaries (not anyone we know) actually said this. I don’t know. I think it’s a bit more likely that something they said was a bit discombobulated by the language barrier. But regardless of whether they said it or not. The idea of self-aggrandizement as a motive for ministry is what Michelle has taken away from her relationship with them.

Oh, may this never be the impression we pass on to the Romanians or to people anywhere. And may this never be a secret motive of ours.

1. Please pray with us that that the Lord will make us into His servant-leaders.
2. And even more please pray that He will continually refine us internally making us heart-bondslaves  of Christ.
3. Pray that when we are around others that they see not us, but what Christ is doing in and through us. May our lives so radiate Christ that we are lost in His brilliance.
4. Pray that we can be perceptive of cultural differences and wise with our words and actions so not to give impressions we never intend.
5. Pray for my (Laurel’s) relationship with Michelle. I see her once a week for several hours. I do not know yet exactly what she believes, but I do know that she is very burdened for her teenage daughters who are making choices that she sees as morally dangerous.I was able to give her some Romanian Bible studies to look at and suggested she do them with her daughter. She seemed very grateful. Please pray for much wisdom and help in communicating. We communicate with her speaking broken English and my speaking mostly English but trying very hard to use the Romanian I do know.

As always this is not her actual name. We change names and minor details to obey European privacy laws.

As I wait I can’t help but think of the demoniac of the Gerasenes in Mark 5. This man like Mr. F was held prisoner by something much greater than himself. And like Mr. F, no one could keep him from cutting himself. No one knew what to do with the demonic of the Gerasenes, and we don’t know how to help our Mr. F. But we do know that the same person who helped the demoniac can help Mr. F. Our prayer is that Mr. F. will do what the demoniac did and that is run to Jesus and fall down before him. Please pray with us that Mr. F like the demoniac will be a trophy of Jesus’ grace and that he will be able to proclaim in Lugoj how much Jesus has done for him and that the people of Lugoj will marvel just as those of the Decapolis did.

We’re doing well and getting as much accomplished as can be expected in the slower more laid back world of Romania. Nothing happens fast here. For example getting our paperwork notarized for our visas took three trips to the same office and half of the day. The slower pace matches our jet lagged brains quite well, so it hasn’t been too much of a frustration, just a lot of walking around down town, which we and our children have enjoyed.

The Kids

Vivian is adjusting very well. She’s enjoying soaking up all of the attention her blond curly hair brings her. She’s even started to great people in Romanian and often waves at everyone we pass.  Athan’s had a bit harder time adjusting, but he seems to be doing better than he was at first. As you pray for us, please remember our two tiny ones. Your prayers are helping!

Although they have their clingy nervous moments, they’ve also been having a grand time most of the time. They have chickens to visit next door. At the Howerton’s home where we are temporarily staying, they have a dog and two cats, a trampoline, and a swing set.  And in town within walking distance they have multiple parks, bridges, and waterfalls to play at and see. They also get very excited to see the occasional horse and cart rumble by. And as in America, nothing makes their day like seeing a bus or an emergency vehicle—sirens wailing—speed by.

Learning Lugoj
Joshua and I are learning the layout of Lugoj—locating groceries stores, the post office, the library etc. Today we got the first step on our visas done, and Pastor Howerton showed us where the electronic stores were, and I bought a hairdryer and priced appliances. We also learned where the open market is, and discovered a children’s shop.

It’s very hot (mid 90′s) with no air conditioning. Our legs have been operating as our primary vehicle, so while the weather is cheerfully sunny, we are very much looking forward to the relief fall weather will bring to mid-day errands.

I think that we will do some more work on Visas tomorrow and also try to set up language lessons. Baron and Joshua are also trying to nail down the weekly schedule for the church and are organizing groups of church members to share the cleaning of the church, the children’s Sunday school, the yard work etc.

We’ve currently seen three apartments and favor one. We’re hoping to see a few more before we decide. We can’t see any more until this coming Thursday when Lugoj’s weekly paper is published.

Prayer Requests

As always we are so grateful for your prayers. I’ll try to get some specific prayers up here soon. In the mean time, please pray

• for the people of Bereea to adjust to Joshua’s leadership smoothly
• for our kids to adjust, sleep, and eat
• for the government to grant us five year visas
• for the Lord to lead us to the right home.

Thank you.

Joshua met with a group of Christian businesspeople near Spartanburg, SC on Friday afternoon to explain our vision for Romania. One woman picked us up for support, another man is planning to share our DVD presentation with his Sunday School class and church, and a third man who was already supporting us committed to make up our remaining support difference for the next 12 months! We still need to raise a permanent 12% financial support, but what a blessing to know that while we are in Romania for this first term that we are starting out at 100 %. The Lord is such a good Father and his timing for provision is perfect.

The Spotted Event
We are also resting in the truth of God’s perfect timing for our spotted event. Although it is a bit more challenging to understand why Friday afternoon was the perfect time for Vivian to come down with the Chicken Pox, we do believe that it was. The Chicken Pox complicate our plans to leave on Wednesday a bit. For good reason, United Air has a policy against kids with Chicken Pox flying, so we’re waiting for an OK from the doctor that she is not contagious. In the mean time, we’re proceeding with our packing and finalization of details as if we are departing tomorrow at noon. But at the same time we are aware that we may have to reschedule. Please pray that we will be content with whatever God decides is best for us.

The checklist includes but is not limited to, securing visas, setting up language lessons, finding housing, moving into that housing, hopefully recruiting a few musicians for the church, assuring the brothers and sisters at Bereea that Pastor Howerton and Joshua are on the same team, praying for a smooth transition, learning the ropes of the ministries Pastor Howerton wants us to maintain, finding the children a preschool program, teaching me to drive a stick-shift, learning how and where to pay bills (you can’t just mail a check in), and many, many other things.

The checklist for the next three week seems even more daunting, and I’ve  broken down into tears more than once as we try to sort through what to take, what to store, what to ship if we ship etc, and see friends and family for the last time for a long time. In the midst of the whirlwind of activity, the Lord has been such a faithful shepherd supplying both physically and spiritually. On the physical side of things He sent Jessica, Joshua’s sister to be with us for the next nine months primarily to free me up for language study, but she’s already been such a blessing and help as we start to transition. And He’s provided above and beyond what we expected for our outgoing expenses. We are so grateful for the financial gifts from both friends and anonymous donors that keep rolling in. It’s hard to plan financially as the dollar seems to shift in value daily. What a comfort it is to know that God knows ahead of time exactly what we need and that He, as our heavenly Father, fully intends to care and provide for us.

Spiritually, the Lord has recently made His word come alive with encouragement and promises. Two Sundays ago the message was on Joshua 1:8-9 where God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous, not fearful or dismayed as He faces the giants and walled cities of Canaan. And the reason for this command is found earlier in the chapter. God has promised success for those following His clear will as outlined in His Word. How my fearful and dismayed heart needed this reminder. God is so faithful.

Please continue to pray for  us. We need your prayers and are so grateful for your ministry to us in this way.

Laurel Louk

So if that green glow is there, then why do so few people seem to miss the ordinariness of missionaries? Well, missionaries leave the comforts of America; they leave their families and give up most everything for the cause of serving Christ. How could such people not be better than average Christians? It just stands to reason that it must be easier for missionaries to follow God’s will. They must not struggle with sin as much as normal believers. Missionaries must be all-around extraordinary people! Not so. Our families know better. If you have met a missionary and have come away with that kind of opinion, you don’t know them very well.

Ironically, the churches we visit which outwardly show the greatest heart for and active involvement in the Great Commission often seem to forget that missionaries are above all else saved, repentant sinners simply loving their Redeemer through obedience. When churches present missionaries as supersaints more than a couple of dangers lurk around the corner.

Such introductions place missionaries in a separate category from everyone else sitting in the pews. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard, “I could never do what you’re doing.” Really? You can’t read your Bible and lean on the Holy Spirit to empower you to obey God’s commands?  Every Christian is responsible to obey the Great Commission through the enabling work of the Holy Spirit. And yes, it can be hard and often uncomfortable. But missionaries feel these challenges too. When this is forgotten, and foreign missionaries are placed on pedestals as super-saints, the temptation quickly becomes letting the “professional take care of spreading the gospel,” instead of asking the Holy Spirit to both empower you and to bring opportunities for you to obey and love by sharing the gospel with your neighbors and co-workers.

Another danger of presenting missionaries as super saints is that by elevating people to a false position, we rob God of the glory of what He’s accomplishing as He redeems His people all over the world. He’s the motivating and empowering force here. The missionary simply takes orders and executes them. The equally repugnant twin of this danger is that by ignoring God as the primary hero in missions and focusing on his bumbling side-kick, we can inadvertently stir up false pride in missionary hearts. And remember the kryptonite? Trust us, missionaries struggle enough with sin, we’d really like to avoid that temptation.

Missionaries are no different from anyone else. We are susceptible to all of the challenges, trials, and temptations that any believer might face. I personally struggle with sins like covetousness (when I see people’s homes, iPads, and financial independence), arrogance (especially when I see seeming-problems in churches and with the deputation system), and doubt (questioning God’s will when things get difficult). I’m running a risk by revealing these chunks of kryptonite to you so openly. Please don’t hurl them back at me, but do pray them out of my pocket.

Missionaries in general and we in particular need you to go before God’s throne on our behalf as we seek to minister in Romania. As James O. Fraser appealed to his prayer team in the early 1900′s,

I am not asking you just to give ‘help’ in prayer as a sort of sideline, but I am trying to roll the main responsibility of this prayer warfare on you. I want you to take the burden of these people upon your shoulders. I want you to wrestle with God for them.

We are people, no better than you. But through prayer, God can use our partnership to accomplish superhuman tasks. Please pray for us!

The Christian life is a long series of interwoven journeys so complex that we can’t hope to perfectly map everything out ahead of time (or after the fact for that matter). But God knows exactly where we are going and how we should get there. So as the Christian navigates life, he ought to continually ask God for directions. Through prayer and the word, God keeps us on the right path (Psalm 119:105).

Unfortunately, it is all too easy to appear to be on God’s path without really asking Him for directions. Instead of prayerfully following God’s course, Christians often just do what other Christians expect of them. This leaves a believer following his subculture’s general will rather then actually following God’s will. Do what’s expected and be accepted. But just doing what’s expected, while common, is not necessarily the most direct or even correct way.

This extended metaphor can be applied to many situations worth your personal reflection. I bring it up to ask you to pray for us. Even before we settled upon Romania, we have been seeking the Lord’s mind on how to live the life He has designed for us. But there are so many human expectations placed upon a missionary that just doing what is expected is a real danger. From time to time, we must examine ourselves. Who are we following? Are our methods Gods or just man’s? Are we still in America because we took a wrong turn when listening to someone giving bad directions? Or are we just where God wants us to be? Please pray for God to lead clearly and for us to follow Him faithfully.

But even after we arrive in Romania, several months will be needed before we can take over for them. Our first six months in Romania will be devoted exclusively to language acquisition, phasing gradually into ministry participation after a solid grasp of Romanian is attained. Please pray that we will be able to move to Romania soon.