Easter in Romania Part III

12 April 2007 – Thursday
I knew the pressure would eventually get to me and after a few calm days, my temper flared. Today my 4 teams spent all day inside plastering walls while at the same time trying to stay out of the way of other teams doing the channeling and wiring work. As I was busy trying to make sure all the work was done properly and the construction workers have their cement delivered on time, I didn’t really notice that some of my team was sitting around for a long period of time with not much to do. Naturally, I was called over by the Habitat Director to query why kids were sitting around. I just snapped and raised my voice and said that the kids are waiting for the cement to dry and trying to stay out of the way of the channeling and wiring teams. I felt really awful afterward. I also raised my voice at the construction workers when all they seemed to do was to “order” us around to get this and that for them. They took our tools and never bothered to return them or cleaned them afterward. I thought, how much easier it is if I was not a work site leader or a cabin leader for the kids. I got especially miffed when I learned later in the evening that one of the workers dismissed one of our kids from the work site. I told other leaders that tomorrow I will definitely give them a piece of my mind! I thank the Lord for letting the day end and I had time to collect my thoughts. I know the Lord is using this experience to teach me patience and humility.

Cabin time tonight was the most difficult. We had to talk about sin, about how sin separate us from God. We needed to examine our life to “pull the skeletons out of our closets”. I dreaded this evening and as I walked out of Club I prayed to the Lord. I asked that He gives me the wisdom to lead this cabin time and I surrendered myself completely to Him and asked for the Holy Spirit to use me as the vessel for Lord’s Words. By the time I walked into the room the girls were already talking excitedly. The only subject that could get the teenage girls this excited was boys. They asked whether they could do some boys talk first and somehow I believe the Lord has purposely used this opportunity to help me listen with my heart. Alexis and Kirsten were sharing about the excitement of “new” relationships on this trip and the two Nicole’s shared how they deal with their relationships with their boyfriends which were also on the trip. As the conversation continued, I could sense where the Lord is leading with this discussion. I asked them how they coop with difficulties in relationships. I was really thankful that the girls continued to share and I felt a really close bond with them.

13 April 2007 – Friday
Today was our last full day of work on the work site. With the experience from yesterday, I realized that the Lord is trying to teach me patience and humility. Instead of being rude and commending toward the construction workers, I was courteous and polite. Somehow, I saw a change in their responses as well. They were much more respectful and even gave praises to the kids. Praise the Lord! The work procedure was getting smoother and more things got visibly accomplished today. We concentrated our effort on two of the bigger apartments and we could see the result from the fruit of our labor.

Club time today was about the cross and resurrection. Before everyone returned to their cabin we had 20 minutes quiet time. During these 20 minutes I sat with the other Frankfurt leaders to pray for cabin time and for the kids. It occurred to me for the first time that the end result of this week was not about “leading” the non-believers to Christ. This was the major worry I had from the beginning. I thought if that didn’t happen then I have failed God. But during this week I have learned that we are not the one “leading” the kids to Christ, God is doing that. We are here to serve the kids and to reflect the Glory of Christ by being a good and obedient servant. As I returned back to the Cabin I asked the girls about their 20minutes quiet time and to share their experiences so far in the week. I was really relaxed and felt a burden has been lifted from my shoulders.

14 April 2007 – Saturday
Our last day of work, we spent most of the morning doing finishing touches and after lunch we started to clean up. We had group photos taken and everyone was happy and sad to leave the site. I made sure I had a photo taken with Christi our Construction Director. I told him I will see him again in June when I come back with another Habitat group. I also said goodbye to a few home owners that have been working with us in the past week. And I am looking forward to seeing them again in June. God is good!

We had our celebration dinner this evening where the families that we have been helping came to join us. Alex made a moving speech and I could see a few tearful faces in the room including mine! I knew once again that the Lord has introduced Habitat to me as one of His greatest gift, a gift that has opened my heart, my soul and my mind. Habitat is a gift that has taught me the concept of selfless living. Hallelujah!

This was our last Club talk and John wanted all of us to share our thoughts on Christ and to respond to Him in private during cabin time. I really didn’t know what to expect but somehow I felt the Holy Spirit stirred strongly in me. The Lord has been pressing me to pray for these girls and I have been doing so in private. However, I had a strong sense that the Lord wanted me to pray for these girls openly with them. This is something that I am extremely uncomfortable with. I can pray with my small group because they are brothers and sisters that I trust but I have problems praying openly with and for others. I worry about what others will think. I worry that my prayers are not powerful enough or moving enough. These are such ridiculous worries but I confess that I do have them. As I slowly walked back toward the room, I still had no idea what I should do. Once the girls all returned we started our last cabin time. This had been a long week and everyone was really tired. But praised the Lord, as I probed them about their best and worst experiences this week, everyone openly shared their thoughts. I also asked whether their views about God has changed. The two Nicole’s still feel the same about God and Alexis still does not believe. However, Kirsten said that now God is at the forefront of her mind and she can no longer push Him away. Hallelujah! As we sat their quietly for a few minutes, I felt the Holy Spirit stirring strongly in me and I asked the girls whether they mind if I pray for them. I knew the prayer was put into my heart by the Lord. I am notorious for not listening and remembering about what others tell me. But as I prayed for these girls, everything they said to me through out the week just came bubbling up. I knew that the Lord wanted the girls to know that He is watching over them whether they believe Him or not. As I prayed for these girls I didn’t care how I sound or whether I am making sense. I didn’t care whether my prayer was moving or powerful, I just knew that this is what the Lord wants me to say. As I finished my prayer, I could no longer hold back my tears but they were tears of joy! The girls hugged me and I knew the Lord is with them!