Babies, being useful, and serving Jesus

Another baby was born to the Romania Word Made Flesh community. Kira Wren made her appearance into the world last Sunday night here in Galati. She is beautiful and as some of you may know I am cautious about describing newborns this way. Yet I assure you she is very pretty. I have been so privileged to spend time taking care of her two big brothers while Kira and her mom Audra recovered at the hospital and her mighty father fought the dark battles of paperwork trying to free them from their captivity. He was determined, persevered and the powers that 'were' had no choice but to relent. The happy family is together again in their home. I was blessed to be a part of their miracle.
During this last exciting week many staff were elsewhere at retreats in Turkey, out of town, building houses, etc. And so the Servant Team found themselves feeling very useful for perhaps the very first time since our arrival. Useful being defined as they couldn't have done without us - and this felt good. We are helpful around here at other times as well but this last week it was nice to be really truly needed. It was a small trial run in what it will be like to have a job again, to be counted on, depended on. I kept checking to make sure that my heart had really learned to stay centered in Christ, in my identity being in Him and not in performance and praise. All my reflections concluded in the synopsis of baby steps.
I have been really reflecting on what it means to serve Jesus among the poor. I still am not really sure. I have read a few more books. I have had few more discussions. Spent even more time "serving" the poor. I had a conversation earlier this week were I was challenging the best practices and results of certain methods of social justice. I don't know if I was exactly wrong in my assumptions but I feel as though I may be missing the point a bit. This last Sunday one of my friends here made a point about serving Jesus among the poor. He quoted the verses from Matthew 25 that read,
"Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' 45Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these,you did not do it to me.'
And for just a moment I understood that whenever I forget myself and give with all my heart and all my love to another, especially those who are difficult to love - I am loving Jesus. I am loving His own hands, His own feet, taking care of His own wounds and hurts and needs. Last week I was able just for a moment or two to forget when I was washing the hand of one of our boys here. I adore him. Every time I see him he is a reminder, an icon, to me of another One. It is good for us to care for the poor because we are seeing and experiencing Christ more fully. Somehow it is just a mystery.

"Fall"ing

Since our return from Moldova the weather has been much colder here in Galati. Daily I am bombarded with chatter from Irina about the temperature outside. "Frig! Frig!" she insists and then goes off into a Romanian tirade that I cannot understand and then "tsk tsks" me when I leave the house in unsatisfactory attire. Apparently the city doesn't turn on the heat until November 1st so I've almost two weeks to wait for warmth. It is a small reminder of how spoiled I am at home.
I keep thinking about Fall at home. I really love the season - leaves, pumpkin carving, hot chocolate, cider, and Halloween, Thanksgiving. Ahhh. I am going to miss some things very much. I have been wanting candy corn and I don't even like it really. Funny the things you miss when they are out of reach.
Christmas is coming too! I cannot believe that I will be home just 10 days before. The kids here have completed special art projects in effort to raise funds for the center. It is part of the beginning of a job creation project. Together they have completed 4 Christmas cards that are available for purchase on the web. If you would like to take a look at the work the children have been doing and help support them go to http://www.wmfromania.com/Eng/news1.php. It is a beautiful way to incorporate support for the children with something you will probably do anyway around the holidays by sending out Christmas cards. Reminder - orders need to be in by November 1st!!!
Since we have returned from Moldova I have found myself sinking into a 2 month marker slump. They say this is the typical time for another bout of culture shock but I am stubborn and keep to the prideful assumption that I am immune to such trifles. All I know is that I don't really want to try anymore at understanding another culture, another people, or this Romanian language. This is a humbling realization because in my heart of hearts I know that I came to Romania to be made uncomfortable, to put myself in the place of having to work at seeing Christ in another because of my own humble state, to see God through another's eyes, to not have all the answers all the time. And these things have happened for me here in a beautiful way. I have learned so much from the people here and will continue too. It is a good breaking of pride that comes when I see myself falling from the heights I have placed myself in terms of having something to offer people. I am the same as everyone else; twisted and beautiful, sacred and profane, beloved of the Savior at all times. The Lord is now offering me a potent cure for what ails me. But it is good to stand in His fire. Hopefully I will come out more like Him.
Well, after that rather serious note, my final charge this evening is for everyone to enjoy Fall for me. Crunch some leaves, carve a pumpkin, buy candy corn stripped socks at target, whatever. Celebrate!
Much love,
Elizabeth

My Birthday and Moldova

Orthodox Church in Chisinau Moldova

It has been many moons since my last entry. I had intended to write again before leaving for Moldova but that didn't really happen. Ah well.
My birthday week was lovely. I was treated with special care and all the kids sang to me, "La Multi Ani" - which means many more years. The evening of my birthday all the women of the community got together for cake and I was presented with more chocolate bars than a girl should really have in her possession. Mmmmm.
Last week we were visited by three members of the Peruvian Word Made Flesh community. It was marvelous to meet Brian, Ana, and Sebastian from Lima. They are focusing on work with street children. I had a good conversation with Brian and Sebastian about hearing the voice of God in our lives over a game of Jenga. And Ana is a dear sweet soul with hidden strength and a loving presence. Sunday after church we all came to the center and made lunch together - we decided to make fries and chicken nuggets. Nate and I made the best chicken nuggets improvised from scratch and others fried up the rest. It was a great meal. The best treat of the day was a coveted Ranch dip packet that Robin and Josh relinquished for everyones enjoyment. I wish that I had had more time to get to know each of these people but our time was limited as we were headed to Moldova on Sunday night.
We rode the night bus to Chisinau (key-sha-now) Moldova starting at 11:30 pm and arriving very early in the morning. I can't say it was the most pleasant of experiences as I get so sick but medication is the key. We arrived to a lovely breakfast at our host families and were snug in bed by 9am. I slept in late and we vegged the rest of the day playing cards in our pajamas.
The rest of the week was spent exploring the city, enjoying the sights, and resting. One of the days I was able to attend meetings with some of the staff researching human trafficking issues in Moldova and a future Word Made Flesh sight in the city. One of the most disturbing sights that I saw during my stay was a light post with a trafficking trick flier and a missing girl posted underneath it. Apparently, people are lured into thinking they can come work in the states for a better life and then basically brought into either labor or sex trade. So awful to consider how many this happens to everyday in the world and we hear so little about it.
I was able to visit the Art Market in the city and buy a few "native" items. Hard to pick and choose from the souvenir type items to things worth bringing home. I did meet a great little painter though and with the help of Ryan and Nate managed to shop well.
While in Chisinau we were able to attend a free concert featuring compositions played on the piano, violin, and cello. Crystal chandeliers hung glittering from the ceiling and the music was delightful - a respite from darkness and need outside in the city.
We arrived back in the city early early yesterday morning. I have to say it is nice to be back in familiar surroundings here in Galati. I have counted up the weeks and we are half way through our time here in Romania. I am conflicted. It seems like I have been here a long time and changed so much. Praying that I will take full advantage of the time that I have left here and not think too much about the things and people that I am missing at home. Would appreciate prayers. The Lord has been so faithful to me here, in every way, and I want to enjoy all that He has for me yet.