September 28, 2008: A Time to Rest, a Time to Wake

Dear Friend,

Vali’s alarm clock ended up breaking, or something like that. I woke up at seven-thirty and was ready for him to come and get me at eight-thirty. Nine-thirty came around, as did ten-thirty, but no Vali. I did some devotional work, read the book of Ruth and little bit of First Samuel, something I’ve been meaning to do now for some time, and then laid down for awhile. Vali came around eleven-fifteen, apologizing profusely for the mix-up. We decided to go anyway, though the service was going to be ending.

The Orthodox church was similar to the one in Straja, only slightly bigger and without the hall of saints. The service was indeed ending, as everyone was lining up to be blessed by the priest. I followed Vali and pretended as if I knew what I was doing, then walked off to a chair to pray a little. I was hoping to have an actual “worship” experience there, but the choir was singing rather loudly and somewhat off key and there was a lot of commotion. I pulled out the copy of St. Francis’ prayer that I received from Brandi a couple weeks ago and tried saying that a couple times in my head. By the time I return to the States, I will have it memorized.

We spent maybe fifteen minutes in the church and then returned to the flat. Cristiana’s boyfriend was visiting, so the two of them, Iris, Vali, and I had lunch together. The usual splashing around of Romanian conversation took place at the lunch table. I acted somewhat engaged, but they knew as I did that I didn’t understand a word of what they were saying. Some words here and there were recognizable, but nothing concrete. I was involved with the family, though. Cristiana made sure I was at the table eating with them, and simply doing that, I’ve realized, is enough. We had a salad made of a number of vegetables without the lettuce (Romanians don’t use lettuce) and a pork and rice dish. I remembered to tell Cristiana that everything was delicious. Iris informed me she likes small compliments like that.

The rest of the day was spent writing and resting. I’m concerned somewhat about my health because I’m still very tired. I can’t imagine that I’m still so overwhelmed that I’m still exhausted, though it’s only the fifth day so it’s still possible. I’m avoiding the cigarette smoke today, so my body can have a break. It’s quite possible I do just need a day of rest.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately, though, about my mission in this internship, and by mission I don’t mean assignment. There is no cassette that will self-destruct five seconds after I finish listening to it. By mission I mean ministry. Though it’s only been five days, I can sense that unless I get over myself it’s quite possible I will live the rest of my month in this homestay simply shut away in my room working on my assignments. This is the orange zone once again and I need to take advantage of the opportunities I have not only to learn but also to serve. I can feel the Spirit’s prompting, and reminding myself that I no longer live, but that Christ lives in me I shouldn’t be afraid to serve.

Bucureşti, for all its hidden beauty, is a place hardened and torn up by years of never-ending corruption and filled with people who are trying simply to survive. Even the people I’ve met, my host family and my A.R.T. Fusion colleagues, struggle to have jobs that pay only enough for them to pay their overpriced rent and buy overpriced food. Please don’t mistake any of this for pity, because these people are very intelligent and very resourceful. However, they are also taken very much advantage of by a system that is blatantly flawed.

Please, friend, pray that I may be Christ to these people. I want so much to experience as much as I can while I’m here, to soak it all in, but none of this will happen unless I invest myself in the people I’m working with.

I spent a little time with Iris and Vali near the end of the night. Some of Iris’ friends were over and she invited me to join them for awhile. I didn’t interact all that much. A lot of the conversations were conducted in Romanian, but I was at least with them. I’m hoping that’s a start.

Blessings.
Kailen