It’s been close to a week that my David and I have been in Romania, and boy what a week it has been. 

We are venturing to a nearby city tomorrow to do a kid’s camp for the week, and there has been a ton of effort put into it from BHOP and the church here. We’re extremely honored to get to be apart of it all. Our role will more than likely look like kitchen duty and keeping things in order, as well as just simply loving the kids. It’s sure to be an incredible time!

David and I have taken to long walks in the village here, and I already feel the simple beauty taking it’s effect on my heart. The months of stress and endless lists and tasks to accomplish in order to come here for 3 months has fallen to the wayside with each step leaving that relaxed feeling in my forehead. I love being where the billboards are scarce, and the traffic is nonexistent. It was all worth it after all ;).

The family we are staying with is expecting another addition to their threesome during the time we’re here, and everyday as I look at Florina’s stomach my heart longs for little Miriam to get here already. Ana, their two-year-old, is ever excited and absolutely a beautiful soul. Truly, this family is so dear to us, and we are so honored to get to live daily life serving and loving one another.

There is much to be excited about, and much to plan out, your prayers are welcomed and desired by us. 

My father once told me that in Germany they have every tree counted, I couldn't count them all as we landed in Munich, but I believe him.

"We gave three heavy-hearted cheers, and blindly plunged like fate into the lone Atlantic."

Moby Dick: or, the White Whale (Melville, Herman)

I've been speechless for a long time.

  I'm convinced there are few things more beautiful than the honesty of a contrite heart. The simple musings and revelations of one who has lived through much, and has walked away humbled. I guess that must be what draws me to my David.

  Don't you agree, that there is something breathtaking in the woman taking her time telling you the reality of breast cancer, yet chemo couldn't wipe out that glimmer in her eyes when she smiles? Or when you read that post by someone who is just trying to pay their bills on time, they aren't depressed, they're writing about their morning run or the handsome piece of literature they've encountered at the used bookstore.

  I find myself inspired. What makes me speechless; the desire to speak with a contrite and honest mind. How easy it is to go through days talking about things as if you're an expert, to convince everyone you come in contact with that you're worth loving and admiring. Oh but the beauty of honest silence, and what's more - honest speech.

I'm doing my best to learn.

"Yet see how elastic our stiff prejudices grow when love once comes to bend them."

-Moby Dick: or, the White Whale (Melville, Herman)



This book is beautiful.

'Poised for Harvest, Braced for Backlash' --Timothy Miller

I’m in the middle of reading this book, and my heart is coming alive!!

Being in the Prayer Movement these past years, my heart has increasingly grown connected to prayers for the 10/40 window, unreached people groups, and the gospel being glorified amongst every tribe and tongue. Something in me melts when I think about His glory covering the earth as the waters cover the seas. I know this is the working of the Spirit in my heart, for me to love and desire such things, because these are not connected to the workings of the flesh- and oh the gratitude I have to the Lord for that.

Over the past years I’ve heard tons of testimonies connected to evangelism and discipleship, both good and negative. I’ve taken times to go to the mall and talk to people about Jesus, and have tried to live a lifestyle of a heart postured to hear and give way to the Lord in my daily life in this area. Yet, I’ve often been perplexed on how to truly give witness to Jesus in evangelism. How do I clearly explain the gospel in one conversation? What IS the ENTIRE gospel? What signs and wonders is God committed to? What happens if they DO accept Jesus, they will need to be discipled and to be in a community of accountability, and I don’t know how to direct someone in that?

These questions vexed me! One thing that I admit to being a huge deterrent to my being tenacious in the place of evangelism and the going out is how many I’ve known IN the church who are in such places of rebellion and sin. I’ve known so many to give their hearts to the Lord, and they are passionate and zealous for days, months, and even years yet they go back to drugs, sex, and enslavement. These things have caused me to ask many many difficult questions.

I’ve wept, I’ve interceded, I’ve tried and have mostly emerged confused and in some level of doubt or unbelief…

Well folks, as I’ve been spending the past months at IHOP-AC in a deeper place of concentrated study of the word and the secret place, I’ve had many of these things addressed. Then I picked up this book, and it further addressed SO many of these concerns that I’ve really wrestled with.
I wanted to blog about this, because if you’ve found yourself in a similar place concerning the mission of the church, I really encourage you to read this book. The PDF is free online, which I have put the link for at the bottom. This book will challenge you in many ways, but it will also bring immense and deep clarity into the how’s and the what behind evangelism.

Any thoughts are welcomed!!

Kirsten


PDF HERE