After adjusting back to being back in the States (and at times I still feel a longing to be back in Moldova), I thought about why I felt like this year's team was better than last year. It's not that we weren't close, I believe every mission team become close because you're together so much. Almost three months have passed and I think I have finally figured out why I liked this trip and team so much better. Unlike last year where we were all from the same church and traveled from village to village. This year we remained in the same village all week to build relationships with the people and our team represented five different churches. Fielder and Rush Creek teamed up but we also had three other people from three different demoninations who joined our team. Our denomination were different but we all had one thing in common and that was Jesus Christ. And that's all that matters. It doesn't matter what church I go to. Jesus didn't come to die for a demoniation or religion. He came to die for THE CHURCH, which are those who believe in Him. I learned through this team that it is not about the church I go to and the pride of my demonination. It's not about my religion because religious rules and traditions are not what saves me. What saves me is my Relationship with Jesus Christ. And whether if I am a Bapist, Non-demonational or Lutheran, we can all serve God together and be used to further His Kingdom. I can love Jesus as much as the Methodists do. I learned not to take pride in my demonination but to take pride in Jesus Christ. I loved hearing everyone on my team share their heart and watch them serve. God had gifted us all differently and placed us in the same team to build relationships with the people in Birnova. Also, it was not just the different representation of demoninations on our team. Our interperters weren't from America. And we had some people who spoke little or no English. And when we sang together at the church or as a group we would sing in English and Russian/Romanian. It was beautiful! I was like a preview of what it will be like in Heaven with all the nations singing and praising God! Which is another thing I learned. God isn't American! It was so cool to meet our brothers and sisters in Christ on the other side of the world and working and serving together for God's Kingdom.
We weren't one demonination telling about our religion or demonination. We weren't one Nation or ethnicity or spoke the same first language. We were one church and one body of Christ telling about our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it."
-1Corinthians 12:27
Love, Molly Rae
Molly, you've spoken my heart!!! "I learned not to take pride in my demonination but to take pride in Jesus Christ." Amen sister! Before the trip, I wondered what it was going to be like, being one of the non-Baptists, and you all welcomed me with open hearts and open arms, and reminded me that we are all one with Christ!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you about longing for Moldova, but I also agree that this team was truly special in a way that may not be duplicated until we all reunite in Heaven (and I agree wholeheartedly that this was "a preview of what it will be like in Heaven with all the nations singing and praising God!"). A friend of mine once explained it like this: a coal, by itself, can do nothing. Put that coal in the fire, and the coal becomes red hot, but take the coal away from the fire and it starts cooling off. When we were all together, our hearts burned as one fire for Christ. Since coming back, I've felt my heart start retreating to the same doldrums in which it was encased before the trip. THAT'S what I miss: serving with all of you!
Keep up the good writing, MollyRae! I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!
Love in Christ,
Al a/k/a Mr. Beatles :-)