Two and a half years ago I went on a short term missions trip to Bucharest, Romania, and I fell in love. I fell in love with the country and the people. It was in that short week that God began building a passion in me for the hurting Romanian women, children, and babies. Over the last couple of years, this calling was put on the back-burner of my life. School, work, and relationships took over the focus of my future. After my plans brought me to terrible frustration (as most human planning does) in January 2009 I began to ask God what He wanted me to do. The answer was simple - Let go of your life and you will find not only yourself but Me. My prayer began to be - Lord, loosen the grip I have on my life. He listened, and EVERYTHING unraveled. It seemed like everything was falling apart when, in reality, everything was falling into place, and God placed Romania on my heart once again. I decided to apply to become a Missionary Associate. In my last post you would have read the kinds of miracles God did in order for me to be able to apply.
A few weeks ago, after being approved by the Assemblies of God, I flew into Springfield, MO to join with 35 other MA's to be trained and commissioned. I'll share one quick story of how God confirmed my calling while I was there.
One afternoon during one of our training sessions, one of the other MA's came up to present his ministry as an example to us. He mentioned Isaiah 61 as a part of it. The passage sunk in my heart pretty deep. I thought it was because I felt it related to my ministry and I could possibly use it in some publication I would give out. But then I felt moved to look in my Bible at the passage since The Message might have a different way to put it. When I turned to Isaiah 61 I saw the coolest thing - In the margin of my Bible I had written "Romania - 4/07". That passage moved me back when I was in the country and now God was showing me once again that He wanted to "send me... to turn beauty for ashes". That is when all my doubts fell away, I felt peace that I was truly in God's will, and my nervousness turned to excitement about leaving everything behind to just serve Jesus and His people. I haven't felt joy that big in a long time, and I'm happy to report it hasn't worn off!
I hope my story has inspired whoever is reading my blog to keep coming back and to keep reading what God is doing in my life and with this new mission. I hope that you will remember me in your prayers and if you e-mail me, I will also add you to my prayer list.
Blessings always,
Gabrielle
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