Dear Friend,
Today was another day where God’s amazing answer to prayer showed through, and in ways I don’t think I even understand. For most of the morning and afternoon, I was at the office trying to work on the high school curriculum for forum theatre. Let’s just say, I have a ways to go. Iris was in classes during this time, so she dropped me off and then returned when she was finished. We then headed over to her father’s place so she could visit him, as she had turned twenty-five a couple days ago.
Iris’ father wasn’t much taller than her, but was certainly wider. He invited us into his really groovy looking living room, which was filled with an assortment of media devices, not to mention a wide/flatscreen television monitor, some crystals and other mystical objects, and a naked lady statue here and there. The room was dimly lit and eventually became smoky from all the cigarettes. The light-up display on the multiple track CD player/radio flashed a little bit of a strobe light effect from its sensors with each throbbing beat of the techno music that came from its speakers. Iris reminded me of her father’s unusual beliefs before we arrived, so being in this man’s living room made me feel as if I was visiting a New Age guru of some kind.
It didn’t take long for this guru feeling to take even greater shape, as Iris’ father very comfortably began to explain to me his views of life and the world. As his girlfriend – a very sweet and shy lady – served us with a freshly blended fruit drink, carrot salad, and plum/apple pie, he unfolded for me a prophecy of how the new technologies will create a new world. Starting out with simple questions about my visit to Romania, he then told me all about his knowledge concerning extra-terrestrials, that terrorists do not exist and that they weren’t there on September 11 (aliens were a part of all that,) how the pyramid gizmo he built himself creates life energy that keeps him healthy, which means he doesn’t have to eat anything but can drink and smoke as much as he wants because his wine is homemade and there’s nothing harmful in cigarettes, that he understands me telepathically, that control is a mental disease, and that by the end of 2011 the new world will begin because the scientists that took the time machine into the future could not control the people in 2012, or something like that. I mentioned earlier that this would seem funny and even entertaining out of context, but that wasn’t the case for me as I listened to him. All I could think about while he was talking was the frustration I got from Iris and Vali telling me about him.
As I politely ate his girlfriend’s food and tried engaging him in conversation about the art pieces in his room and his own travels and hobbies, I couldn’t help but feel that I’d eventually have to give some part of my testimony. Iris warned me not to mention God to her father if I didn’t want an argument about beliefs, but as he had brought the whole subject up I could feel my ability to act interested and understanding move precariously toward agreement. A couple times he asked what I thought about what he was saying, and I half-heartedly remarked that it was all a lot to understand. He’d then tell me that there was nothing to understand, which only convoluted the whole conversation more. Eventually I took the plunge and told him I was a Christian and had never encountered these ideas before, hoping that would help him understand where I was coming from. He interrupted me by saying, “I am Christian, too.” More convolution. I eventually realized there was no way to communicate with this man outside of his fabrication of the world. In this way, he reminded me very much of my father. Dad didn’t believe in aliens (at least, not when he was living with us) but he certainly believed his interpretation of the world was the real world. Maybe that’s where the idea of multiple universes comes from, which was another subject Iris’ father brought up. I mean, seriously, with each of us viewing the world from our own perceptions, and people convincing themselves their perception is the real world, then of course there are going to be multiple universes. As this theory is based on relativity, it can’t be true, because relativity is a manmade scientific extrapolation from observations of the world and not created by God.
I also met Iris’ grandmother, who was once married to an ambassador and therefore spoke very good English. She was sweet, but Iris told me it came from being an ambassador’s wife during Communism, so I shouldn’t take it to heart. Iris’ father’s girlfriend couldn’t speak English, so the only words we really exchanged were “Mulţumesc” and “Cu plăcere” (“Thank you” and “You’re welcome.”) Before we left, I shook her hand and she told me “La revedere,” to which I replied “La revedere” (“Good-bye.”) Other than that, she spoke mainly with Iris, while Iris’ father spoke to me.
Despite the apprehensions I had about the whole experience, I felt everything went down rather well. I hate encounters where I have to pretend like I know what’s going on and don’t, but I’m starting to become accustomed to that. This experience was a bit more anxious for me, as I had heard from Iris and Vali about their father, which only helped me to subconsciously categorize him with my father. This, in turn, didn’t help me as I prepared to meet him, much less interact with him. I wasn’t prepared for him to open up like he did, which actually made myself and Iris somewhat happy. Iris was pleased to hear her father using so much English, and I was pleased that, despite our very obvious differing beliefs (I think they differ much more than mine and Iris’) he nonetheless took the opportunity to trust me and open up to me, which I hope I received with love. I had prayed really hard for peace of mind before entering. I think this encounter is just another in a string of strange encounters while on the journey of serving God.
We returned to the flat to find Iris’ mother just finishing whatever work she had been doing. Tomorrow is Iris’ birthday party, and the house needs to be cleaned. Her mother once again delivered a delicious supper for us, which I was thankful for. I thanked her, as I do, and she me told in Romanian (Iris translated) that she thought I was a nice, polite guy and liked having me around. It was something like that. I then wanted to return the compliment. Iris asked if I wanted to say it in Romanian. Without allowing myself to hesitate I said I did. I tried thinking of something simple to say, so I wouldn’t have to learn Elizabethan Romanian (if there is such a thing) and finally came up with, “I appreciate all you’ve done for me.” This was sincere, as she had done quite a bit for me, more than was necessary or called for. Iris then ran through my line with me, I repeated it a couple times, then approached her mother, with Iris at my side for lingual support, and said, “Apreciez tot ce faci pentru mine.”
Romanians who are familiar with each other greet each other by kissing each other on both cheeks. Guys don’t do this with guys, but they greet girls like this and girls greet each other like this. I hadn’t done this because I wasn’t familiar with any Romanians. Hadn’t done this, that is, until Iris’ beaming mother reached up, took my head in her hands, and kissed me on both cheeks. As odd as this may sound, this was a breakthrough. She then told me she wasn’t able to do everything she wished she could for me, but said “Thank you” in English anyway.
Things are certainly getting better here, but in a way I don’t think I would’ve planned myself. I mean, I had no idea things would happen like this. As I’ve gone through these past couple of days, I’ve just tried to keep my mind once again on “What would Jesus do?” or “What would Jesus want me to do?” and things started happening. It has to be a God thing, because these opportunities are just coming up. It’s really great and I hope it may keep going. Obviously, I should prepare myself for when the going gets tough again. I just read this morning the story of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 14-16. It was going all fine and good for Asa because he was staying close to God and following His precepts. However, Asa soon got a little complacent and made the wrong decision. Things didn’t go so hot for him after that, which just made him angry with God until his death. “Come near to God and He will come near to you.[1]”
Thank you for your continued prayers, friend. Apreciez tot ce faci pentru mine.
Blessings.
Kailen
[1] James 4:8, NIV
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