Today we spent time with the Governor of Romania as well as going shopping in town. It was amazing to sit and listen to this government official who is also strong Christian fighting for the cause of Christ.
Soon after lunch, we headed to the malls and street shops of Oradea. It was a great experience for all of us, as we purchased things for our loved ones and ourselves to take back to America.
At dinner time, we walked into the cafeteria to find that it was set up for a very elegant dinner! They really pulled out all of the stops to make us appreciate this last meal. Ever since we arrived, we have been overwhelmed at how kind and loving our hosts have been.
After dinner, Pastor Cosmin took some time to challenge our hearts from Phillippians 1. He told us that the good work that Christ has begun in us will be completed! He encourage us to pray for one another and to never forget what God has done in their hearts over the last 10 days. At this time, we all stood in a circle and prayed over one another. It was a sweet time of going before the throne of grace to find the grace we so desperately need!
This mission trip has been the trip of a lifetime! I cannot believe that it is actually over. We have seen God break us and shape us. We has seen God cause us to be emptied of self and filled with Him. We have seen God truly change us from the inside out. As we return, let's remember to focus on what God did in us and through us. Let's remember to encourage one another in our spiritual walk and not let Satan or self get in the way. We all know how much Satan desires to discourage us and hinder us. Now that our trip is over, Satan will attempt to destroy the unity and progress we have made as a team. He will stop at nothing to divide us and keep us from serving and and loving one another. By the grace of God and the power of the Spirit, we cannot allow this to happen! We must be in prayer for one another and be focused on continuing the unity and love that should identify us as brothers and sisters in Christ!
All of these teens are on the brink of a new beginning. They will soon be graduating and heading out to college. I hope that this trip will serve as a turning point for them - a time when they decided that they would take their walk with God seriously and own their faith. I pray that each senior would remain on fire for God by feeding on the Word of God. The Word is what will fan the flames and keep them moving forward!
Please be in prayer for us as we return tomorrow to Lynchburg. We will be traveling for a long time and will be looking forward to seeing our families and friends once again! We will also be having a special chapel at TCS on Tuesday, March 24th in the New Gym at 10:00am. We encourage all to come and hear the full report of what God has done and how He used the team on this life-changing trip.
Your fellow servant,
Pastor Stephen
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