“Bless the Lord, O my soul. All my inmost being, bless His holy name.” (Psalm 103:1)

 

This scripture resounds with praises and thanksgiving in my heart. Last December I celebrated my seventh month in Romania. Yes, it has been seven months already! I continue to praise the Lord for His faithfulness and mercies that are truly new each day.

 

It has been a glorious Christmas season for me. Despite missing family, friends, and the festivities of Pinoy-style Christmas, I am blessed to have created memories of a different yet equally meaningful season.

 

The temperature in Romania drops down to negative 10 degrees at times, but the joy of many firsts, not to mention how amazingly I’m not getting any hint of sickness, warms my heart.

 

I had my first white Christmas, and my first snowball fight, too! I also got to help decorate a real Christmas tree for the first time! 

 

On December 23, we held the annual Christmas program in the orphanage where I serve. Kids and teens alike presented declamations, pantomimes, verses, and carols. The highlight of the little kids’ presentation was a comparison between Santa Claus and Jesus Christ—how Santa is limited and unreal, and how Jesus is limitless and is so real.

 

For the older kids, their highlight was a pantomime that expressed this message: rich or poor, only Jesus can really make one happy. They gave out heart-shaped cards with the message “Jesus came for you, too” to the audience. 

 

I saw one lady gave one of our kids a really tight hug after receiving one of the heart-shaped cards. I was close to tears as I felt God in that scene. It was such a blessed time. Another lady, a nonbeliever, said, “These kids taught me something about religion.” Praise the Lord! We praise Him not only for the success of the kids’ presentations, but more importantly for those souls that were ministered to during the program.

 

On the 24th, along with some workers and teens from the orphanage, I joined a local church’s caroling! It was so much fun experiencing caroling Romanian style. The homes served food instead of giving money. It was such a treat that night! 

 

I felt so blessed when Pastor Filip assigned me to play the tambourine. They had a tambourine but nobody knows how to play it. I was thankful because though I didn’t know the songs—I didn’t even get to practice—I still had a role to play. It was an awesome opportunity for ministry, a chance to sing about the reason for the season to those whose lives may be caught up and lost with the festivities of the occasion, a chance to bring Jesus into their homes through simple yet heartfelt singing of carols. 

 

Then New Year came. We played games, had a short worship service, enjoyed lots of good food, and had a great time welcoming the new year. 

 

On the first Sunday of 2010, I was put in charge of Sunday school. The Lord impressed on my heart to do an activity with the children, so I asked them to list down last year’s blessings they were grateful to God for. 

 

I asked them to share what they wrote. Eva, one of the children, shared an item on her list that really blessed my heart. She said, “I thank the Lord for my spiritual birthday.” 

 

I celebrated my own spiritual birthday last December 29. I was with the girls that day and shared to them about that special day in my life. I told them how, like them, I grew up knowing Jesus yet I didn’t really have an intimate and personal relationship with Him. I told them I was around their age when I decided I really wanted Him to be my Lord and Savior.

 

They listened and asked questions. Then I challenged them, as led by the Holy Spirit, to make that commitment for themselves, too. And they responded and prayed with me. I asked God to seal the commitment they made in their hearts. So when Eva said she’s thankful for her spiritual birthday, I heard God whisper, “That commitment is sealed in their hearts.” Glory to God!

 

One night, I went out to buy things at the store. It was so dark and foggy outside. From behind the driver’s seat, I could only see what was directly in front of our vehicle, where the headlights flashed on. I felt a tug in my heart to pray: Lord, please give me that kind of light, which is just enough for my next step.

 

It is not always easy. There are times when I find myself crying over difficult people and character-building situations, times when I feel stressed over “clashing cymbals.” But during all of it, God surely knows how to make me smile. Every time I get a little down, God surprises me with something that will cheer me up in an instant!

 

I’m beginning to see fruits in the girls’ lives. One of the girls who used to make me cry unto God now has really changed! And one of the teens who I had struggles with before, now we get along very well. Some of the workers now listen to my advice and approach me to pray and speak their hearts out. God is just so good! I am humbly grateful. All glory belongs to Him!

 

Looking back at the seven months that passed by so quickly, I can only really praise the Lord for the marvelous things He has done. As much as I’ve witnessed His greatness and power in the lives of the children and the workers, I’ve come to know more of His reality in my life. I look forward to greater things ahead. I know He is not finished with me yet.