Moldova - heard of it?
No?
Me neither...at least until a few months ago when our church decided to partner with Convoy of Hope-Europe to adopt the community of Leova, Moldova, a town of 10,000 on the border of Romania.
For...well, forever, the land of modern-day Moldova, has been a transit country. Because of its strategic placement in Eastern Europe, this land has passed through the hands of the Roman Empire, the Huns, and the Soviet Union - just to name a few. Lacking identity as a country, the people of Moldova are a melting pot of Romanians, Ukrainians, Russians, Bulgarians, and Jews. With a high unemployment rate, it's also one of the poorest nations in Europe. Moldova is also a source and transit country for human trafficking.
In late April, we will spend 10 days in Leova - constructing a church, taking part in outreach and community service as well as compassion ministry to community. In preparation for my first overseas visit, I have to admit that I feel a little inadequate for the job. Although I have such a burden for missions and believe that Derek and I will be used on the missions field during our life time, I find myself seeing all of the "lack" within me.
This morning Pastor Rick began our new sermon series "Dream: God-Inspired Financial Freedom." I'm so excited for what God is going to do through this next semester at CP - but more on that later. Rick said something that struck a cord. Let me share with you:
John 6: 5-13 (The Message)
When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread to feed these people?" He said this to stretch Philip's faith. He already knew what he was going to do.
7Philip answered, "Two hundred silver pieces wouldn't be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece."
8-9One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said, "There's a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that's a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this."
10-11Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.
12-13When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted." They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with leftovers from the five barley loaves.
First of all, Jesus already knew the plan. He had it figured out. The same truth echoes in the lives of His favorite creation - people. How awesome is that? If He's got it under control, then why should I worry?
So, God has this plan to feed the five thousand (men only in that number, by the way, which means there were probably WAY more people) with only five barley loaves and two fish. He does this incredibly impossible thing and feed everyone there and then there is extra left over!
God made MUCH out of little.
He can do the same in me. I possess nothing without the providence of God and the ONLY goodness in me is Jesus. But the little that I do have can be used greatly if I allow God to have control and to work out the plan that He already has in mind. Before I even existed, He has known the place where I am right now. None of my feelings or doubts surprise Him. From the foundation of the earth, Jesus knew that I would, once again, fall into His arms where His grace covers all of my dirt.
What an awesome God. Seriously.
As the next few weeks go by - between fundraising and work and volunteering and home life and everything else - I pray that I will trust that He is making much out of little. I pray the same for you.
Please be in prayer for the Moldova team while we prepare to do what God has called us for at this time. I look forward to sharing this journey with you as we begin the countdown to April 28th and my first missions trip. It's going to be incredible.
John 6: 5-13 (The Message)
When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread to feed these people?" He said this to stretch Philip's faith. He already knew what he was going to do.
7Philip answered, "Two hundred silver pieces wouldn't be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece."
8-9One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said, "There's a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that's a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this."
10-11Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.
12-13When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted." They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with leftovers from the five barley loaves.
First of all, Jesus already knew the plan. He had it figured out. The same truth echoes in the lives of His favorite creation - people. How awesome is that? If He's got it under control, then why should I worry?
So, God has this plan to feed the five thousand (men only in that number, by the way, which means there were probably WAY more people) with only five barley loaves and two fish. He does this incredibly impossible thing and feed everyone there and then there is extra left over!
God made MUCH out of little.
He can do the same in me. I possess nothing without the providence of God and the ONLY goodness in me is Jesus. But the little that I do have can be used greatly if I allow God to have control and to work out the plan that He already has in mind. Before I even existed, He has known the place where I am right now. None of my feelings or doubts surprise Him. From the foundation of the earth, Jesus knew that I would, once again, fall into His arms where His grace covers all of my dirt.
What an awesome God. Seriously.
As the next few weeks go by - between fundraising and work and volunteering and home life and everything else - I pray that I will trust that He is making much out of little. I pray the same for you.
Please be in prayer for the Moldova team while we prepare to do what God has called us for at this time. I look forward to sharing this journey with you as we begin the countdown to April 28th and my first missions trip. It's going to be incredible.
