Just the beginning of the journey...

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

Monday, August 24, 2009

The Next Step...

I wanted to create this blog to go chronicle what happens next. I thought picking a college would be insanely difficult. How about picking a life!?

Two years ago I ventured on my very first missions trip to Romania and ever since then I have not been able to forget that place, or those people. I figure there is a reason for that. It has never been the perfect time for me to leave home and pursue this dream/calling. I want to go and serve there for a year with Touched Romania. EVERYTHING is in place. God has performed so many miracles on my behalf already.

MIRACLE #1 The first one was graduating. Somehow, I was able to finish before the summer was over. It really didn't look like it was going to happen and I would need to take an extra class this Fall. God knew that if this was going to happen I would need to graduate and not have to worry about school.

MIRACLE #2 Italian father's approval. IMPOSSIBLE. I really believed this would be the insurmountable obstacle. I've had this conversation with my father before. His response was "You're not going to waste your life doing something like that." Obviously there is much he did not understand. A few weeks ago, after much prayer, I went to dinner with him and explained to him what I planned to do if given his permission, and he said YES! I am beyond excited about this one.

Praying and seeking ..

Gabrielle