Good Morning all! I woke up with some sweet memorries from my time in Romania. As I considered some of the some of the memories I decided to post on one special time- “Becomng the Unexpected. (From December1996)
“There is a place where our tears run, once they leave our face They drop into the Savior’s hand in exchange for Grace.”
I didn’t know what was in store for me when I first began to follow God’s plan for my life. His leading has brought me to many places geographically. Each place is amazing in its own way. This particular part of my journey took place in the country of Romania. It was here that I discovered one of the most beautiful and incredible places that He has ever led me. A place not to be found on any worldly map. This road led me into the lives and hearts of children whose brief journey here on earth became a treasure for me. This story is about the privilege that love has; to believe all things, hope all things and endure all things. Love can do all this, because God is love. Love is always moving and actively pursuing the opportunity to be revealed in our lives.
As a missionary living in Romania, my introduction into the ever-widening world of precious families with children who have life taking diseases began with the desire to do regular hospital visitation. It is a ministry I thought I was well acquainted with. Though I was familiar with the abject poverty for so many of the Romanians, my eyes were further opened as I saw first-hand the tremendous need for much of what I took for granted in the States.
One day I took along one of the young women from our church in Brasov to help me with translation as I trained her in Hospital Evangelism and Ministry. At the hospital, as we were going from bed to bed – about eight to ten per room, I learned that these precious people could not depend on the hospital staff for everyday things like meals, clothing and help with bathing. This was, for the most part, the responsibility of the patients’ families. I remember receiving a request to get colostomy bags for a woman who had to use plastic shopping bags (also in short supply) brought from home. How incredibly painful it was when I could not meet such a specific need immediately. On another of these visits, I had brought a skunk puppet with me to have some fun with the patients. I had a great time together with them. When finished and preparing to leave a nurse came to me and asked if I would come again and visit her niece in another part of the hospital. It was the Children’s Cancer Unit. I didnot know it at the time, that stepping into that ward would leave footprints in my heart forever.
Since it was only a few weeks before Christmas we decided to return and bring the children a little skit. I was dressed as”’The Christmas Angel,” and had a group of young men and women from our church with me. All were dressed in colorful costumes. We had a very large rabbit, a mouse, a clown, and one or two smiling Christmas packages! We were so excited to share the Christmas Story with them. We entered their room with a boisterous Romanian song of joy!
The children were in their beds not expecting us. Now all heads turned in wonderment to this spectacle before them. For me, this room held a new world I had never been to! There were about nine or ten children, all different ages from about three years old on up. The oldest was a boy of seventeen, who was alone and seemed wary of us. His eyes yearning but cautious. Each child was at varying stages of their cancers. Four families were with their loved ones and this made the room quite crowded. When we entered to present the Gospel and the love of Christ to them, it was electric! Though the teenager still held a serious and overwhelmed countenance, most were just filled with incredible joy at the unexpected visitors. I remember in particular a ten-year-old boy at the far end of the room. His eyes lit up with such joy and expectation. It was clear that our intrusion into their day brought a wonderful distraction taking them temporarily away from what was – their normal – to enjoy an hour of fun! All became involved with us in laughter and hope. The parents took the lead from their children and freely enjoyed this moment in their lives. As families living in a world that most do not share, It was clear – that looking for the unexpected blessings – was of the highest importance! Those times were formed into a memory book that they feasted on together before tucking it away in their hearts for safe keeping. One mother said, “We speak every day with our son about the love of God, and the joy He has over all of us. We speak to him about what Jesus has done for us and let him know that when it hurts- Jesus is holding him and hurts alongside him.” Another father said, ” Our five-year-old has learned how to be comforted with God’s love and how to laugh with joy at every blessing. This gives us strength, hope, and joy.” I could only stand in awe with them. As for the teenager; his name is Andre and after our visit, Andre’s name was added to the Lamb’s Book of Life. I held my tears in check as I gave Andre a hug after praying with him. I know he will greet me – with a great smile- one day when I go home.
The journey to Heaven is already started from our first breath. Some may get there sooner, but our Heavenly Father has “special unexpected blessings” all along that very difficult path so that hope and mercy can create a beautiful memory book for those who will follow only later. But the reality of being together once again – and one day to share their Memory Book, is medicine this world cannot manufacture. I and our little unpolished troop of actor volunteers Had the joy of becomng the “Unexpected” in one of the days of their otherwise difficult lives, changing that day into an extrodinary Memory that will walk with them and thir loved ones till they see Jesus.
Can you become someone’s” Unexpected Blessing” today? You truly can, In the most surpeising ways, because God is the one who will use you. He sees Blessings in you, that would astonish you. We have an amazing life!
Please share them with me here!