Time To GO!

With Chelsea in the Madrid Airport


Here I sit in the Madrid airport with Sarah, Chelsea, Ruthie, Rick, Jan, and Jonathon, awaiting our plane to Bucharest. We had quite an interesting start to our morning. The three alarms that we set to wake us up did not go off, so we had about 5 minutes to get dressed, finish packing, and walk out the door to catch our ride. I look a little rough right now, but am content to be safely here at the airport and ready to travel to the final destination. Though, our flight has been delayed a few hours due to an air traffic control strike in France. And we were worried about the volcanic ash…

I cannot begin to describe how much these past few days of orientation in Madrid have meant to me. Through all of our sessions, I gained so much knowledge; my eyes were truly opened to life as a missionary and the spiritual condition of Europe in general. All of the missionaries present, Paul Trementozzi, area director of Southern Europe, Joy West, Kendall Reavis, Gil Rodriguez, and Jamie Robinson were so kind and welcoming. They really took care of us, and I am so appreciative for their generosity toward us. I am also indebted to those who spoke to us in the different sessions. I am grateful for their transparency and willingness to be vulnerable so we could benefit from their testimonies. Even if this was the end of my trip, it would still be worth it for all of the knowledge and insight I have gained.

Though it’s hard to say goodbye to a beautiful city, the wonderful Dave Moore, and all of my fun new friends, I know that the time is right. Greater things are on the horizon. I had an incredible experience in Madrid, and I can look forward to my return, but Bucharest awaits. I was reading in John last night and came across this passage:

“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

As I read this verse, I felt like the Lord was speaking to me about my experience and my own simple faith. I am so enamored and thrilled with my time in Spain for I have seen the Lord working and my cup has been filled to overflowing. How could it get any better than this? Just like Nathanael, I am amazed at the little that I have seen, but my God says there is more! I must believe in faith that greater things are yet to be seen. God’s spirit is not limited to Madrid, so why should I expect things to slow down now. This is just the beginning…

Tourists For A Day

As I write this evening, I have a bit more color in my face, several more pictures in my camera, and enough new memories to last a lifetime! I must admit; however, as perfect a day as this was, it did not come without a few fears. Let me start at the beginning though… In order to accomplish a few things before orientation this morning, the girls and I hesitantly skipped Café & Te for a quick American treat, Dunkin Donuts. In my defense, I ordered Italian coffee and a croissant to remind myself that I was in fact, in Spain!

Day 2 of orientation was just as wonderful as the first. We learned about maintaining realistic expectations, an excellent lesson for a struggling perfectionist, and tips for maintaining devotion in commotion. We also spent a little time team building as well! Every story told by the different missionaries was incredibly honest and so valuable to my preparation for this trip. I am learning more and more about life as a missionary. It has its rewards, but its surely not all flowers and butterflies. The honesty and insight was much appreciated! My eyes have been opened and I am now so much more thankful for our missionaries in the field and their willingness to press forward in God’s calling even in the face of hardship.

After our first three sessions, we grabbed a quick lunch, a ham sandwich and a cold vegetable soup called gazpacho, then it was time for the highly anticipated walking tour of Madrid. To be honest, it even exceeded my expectations. We visited the Plaza Mayor, the Plaza de España, the Opera House, the Mercado in San Miguel, the Madrid Cathedral, and the Royal Palace of Madrid which is the largest in Europe. We all enjoyed one another’s’ company as we walked around the city, with permission to be tourists for a few hours. The sights were absolutely beautiful! I am already excited about our return to Madrid when we can explore these sights further.

This evening, we finally got to meet our missionaries and get acquainted over dinner at Museo de Jamon, where I enjoyed a traditional Spanish dish, Paella. Paella consists of chicken, shrimp, mussels, clams, and squid in a bed of rice and veggies, covered in some type of sauce. Basically, the dish tasted like the ocean… it was interesting, but not bad. Rick was not available to meet with us, so the four of us girls met with Jan and her son Jonathan. I can already tell I will enjoy working with Jan! She is so sweet and personable. We all spent time talking about Romania and Jan’s ministry during dinner, and although I was excited, I started to get a little nervous. I learned that we would be traveling frequently, many times to places with nothing but an outhouse with a hole in the ground for restroom facilities. Jan also told us that the Romanian language is quite hard to learn, so our work will probably involve much more serving behind the scenes, because it will be very difficult for us to communicate. To put it simply, this internship will be challenging and require me to stretch myself beyond what I currently believe myself capable.

Though I am nervous, I reminded myself on the walk back to the hostel that I did not sign on for this experience because it was glamorous, I applied because I wanted to serve God and share His love with those in need. In all reality, I need to be stretched beyond my comfort zone, to broaden my worldview, to learn how to fully depend on God. I am no more entitled to the luxuries of this world than any person I will come in contact with over the next several weeks, and this experience will be a great reminder.

To end the evening on a light note, the girls and I shared some gelato, watched a chick flick, and just laughed over silly conversation to lighten the mood. I know that everything will be ok, or better than ok, everything will be great! Looking forward to one more day in this beautiful city!

The famous statue of the bear and the tree in Puerta Del Sol


Don Quixote Statue in the Plaza de Espana


That's me in front of the Royal Palace: You can't even see 1/3 of it in this picture


The Royal Cathedral


With Sarah in Plaza Mayor

Hola Madrid!

A little late, but better than never...

We finally arrived in Madrid yesterday evening after a nearly two day journey! Looking like zombies, we greeted the missionaries who directed us from the airport through the metro. What an experience! It’s a good thing we had a guide, because I could not have directed my way through the metro myself. When we finally got to Puerta del Sol, what would be our home for the next four days, I was in awe. Madrid is beautiful! We enjoyed dinner provided by the missionaries and then promptly went to bed due to extreme exhaustion.

This morning we started our day with tostada and café con leche at a small restaurant across the street from our hostel called Café & Te’. Fact: Café con leche in Spain is a million times better than American coffee. Starbucks will never compare! It was a great way to begin the morning. We then made our way to the Kilometer Zero center overlooking Puerta del Sol to begin our orientation for the day.

During our sessions, we heard from missionaries Scott Smith and Ellen Cannon. Scott informed us that 99.8% of Spain is unsaved. The statistics of high suicide rates, high unemployment among even college graduates, and general disgust with the church across Europe were shocking. I never understood what a desperate mission field Europe was until he shared with us. Ellen Cannon and her family are new missionaries to the community Lavapies, an area of the city that is predominantly Muslim, Asian, and African immigrants. We walked to their mission center where she spoke about her ministry and served us bisop, tea made from a hibiscus plant. It was delicious!



Finally, this evening we joined the Kilometer Zero team for their street evangelism ministry, On The Red Box. After an hour of gathering for prayer, our combined group walked out to the center of Puerta del Sol with a red box, handfuls of tracks, a few gospel books, and open hearts. Five members of our team from the United States shared their testimonies on top of the red box for all of the passersby. As I handed out tracks, I couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated that I could not communicate in Spanish. I attempted to speak with one woman unsuccessfully, but thankfully a member of the Kilometer Zero team came to my rescue. Later, a translator informed me that the woman claimed she believed in God, but she did not need Jesus Christ because she had no sin in her life. Sinless? Not in need of God’s grace? It’s hard for me to imagine, but I am thankful that she got to share a conversation with my teammate.

As I walked closer to the entrance to the metro, I prayed and expressed my frustration to the Lord. I wanted to be able to speak to someone in English, but knew it was not even a fair request because our ministry was in Spain. Just then, I noticed a young woman eying me and the tracks in my hand. I greeted her, and she pointed to the tracks with curiosity, though she would not take one. I asked with hope if she spoke English, and an answer to prayer, she spoke almost better English than I did! She was a student at the University in Madrid and was waiting by the metro to meet friends. I learned more about her, her life, her major in college, and we shared a friendly conversation. She was brilliant and so sweet. When she asked again about my trip to Spain and the flyers in my hand, the Lord gave me the opportunity to share my faith in Jesus Christ with her and His ability alone to fill an empty life and give it purpose. She listened intently and I could tell she really cared about what I had to say. Her friends arrived about ten minutes later and she had to leave, but she accepted a flyer which she was not willing to do previously before we said goodbye.

Though we did not say a prayer together, I honestly believe that a seed was planted. I feel so blessed that the Lord allowed me to meet this awesome young woman and enjoy a conversation with her. I am thankful that she was willing to listen and be open to my story. Most of all, I feel privileged that the Lord answered my prayer and used me when I felt worthless. He is so Good!

To learn more about Kilometer Zero and On the Red Box visit: http://www.ontheredbox.com/english/index.htm

Traveling

I am currently sitting in the Chicago airport, enjoying my last seven hours in the U.S. Our flight leaves at 10 P.M. this evening to take us to Madrid, Spain! It’s hard to believe, but the time is finally here! I am making final phone calls, watching American television shows on my laptop, and drinking my last Starbucks’ Skinny Vanilla Latte. Life as I know it is about to change drastically, well, at least for the next two months, and I’m ready for it!

I have really enjoyed these past few days of orientation in Springfield. It was strange to be in my familiar city, but not my home, Evangel University. I have really grown to love that place! Many of the students had never visited Springfield, so we hit all the major staples. Lamberts for dinner on Tuesday, Andy’s for frozen custard on Wednesday, and a complete tour of the Assemblies of God Headquarters Building. What else could you ask for?

Mixed in with all the fun outings were several meetings and sessions to learn more about Europe and tips for our trip. It was fascinating to gain knowledge about the culture and the people in preparation for our ministry. I know that a few tips can’t possibly prepare me for every situation I will face, but I do feel like the training has been very beneficial. Learning the facts has given me a better perspective and greater desire to see this nation impacted for the Kingdom of God. I look forward to learning more in our orientation time in Madrid.

As I look around the waiting area surrounding our gate, I can sense the anticipation. Though we are tired, there is a general excitement for the fact that tomorrow evening we will be in Madrid. I am amazed at the way each team is unified in goal and purpose. Ruthie, Chelsea, Sarah, and I share the same vision: to spread compassion to the people in Romania that we encounter and to train them how to reach others through Christian teaching. My prayer is that we continue to work together toward that vision in harmony and that we mesh with our missionaries as well. Please keep this in mind as you pray. We meet Rick and Jan on Wednesday. My next update will come to you from outside the United States!

Below is a picture of my team in front of the Romanian Flag at The Assemblies of God World Missions Office. From the Left, Chelsea, Ruthie, and Sarah…

And So It Begins...

Change is inevitable, though I admit; I have never been particularly good at handling significant change in my life. The familiar is comforting, and the unknown usually stresses me out! So, these past few weeks have been a stressful whirlwind with finishing my semester at Evangel, driving home, unpacking, repacking, saying my goodbyes, and beginning my adventure. Now I sit in the lobby at Central Bible College preparing for the start of my in-state orientation tomorrow morning. Time Flies!

I started my journey at 4:30 A.M. preparing for my 6 A.M. flight, pit stop in Atlanta, and eventual arrival in Branson. I'll confess that I was a bit nervous on the way to the airport, but when I reached the desk to check my bags, I was greeted with a pleasant surprise. The employee working behind the counter inquired about my final destination, and when I told him that I was headed to Romania, he told me with a smile that Romania was his native country. He was so kind, and I was reminded once again that God cares about every detail of our lives. It really put me at ease! My flights were smooth and I arrived in Branson right on time, greeted by a familiar face, my wonderful former roommate/ chauffer for the day!

I have now met the 30 other students who will be traveling with me, and have shared some quality time with the girls on my team. Everyone is wonderful and my heart is filled with excitement for what’s in store. As we gathered in prayer tonight, I was reminded that each of us is embarking on our own adventure to which God has called us. It’s a big change, a step of faith, and an act of obedience to reach God’s beloved children in Europe. In his book, Wild Goose Chase, Mark Batterson writes:

Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit—An Geadh-Glas, or ‘The Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger and an air of unpredictability surround Him... A part of us feels like something is spiritually wrong with us when we experience circumstantial uncertainty. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: adventure.

This season of change, this step into the unknown and unfamiliar, this circumstantial uncertainty is my present adventure. I am walking in God’s will, chasing the Wild Goose, so why should I stress or worry? I think it’s about time for me to live out what God has called me to do; no reservations! Romania is on the horizon! And so it begins…

The Adventure

I'm new to this whole blogging experience, but I'm going to give it a try so I can keep all of my wonderful friends and family informed of my adventures in Romania! Here We Go...

For those of you reading who are new to what my adventure includes, let me fill you in! In December, I learned that I had been accepted to be part of a program sponsored by the Assemblies of God Alliance for Higher Education, sending 32 students to 8 different countries across Southern and Eastern Europe. Through the help of generous donors, the Alliance is providing a scholarship to help with the cost of the trip! Total Blessing!

In my group, there are 32 college students from several different Assemblies of God colleges around the nation. We will meet in Springfield, MO for orientation, then travel to Madrid, Spain together for further orientation before we split into our 8 different teams. There are 4 students per team. I have been selected to travel to Bucharest, Romania with 3 other young women, to work with missionaries Rick and Jan Cunningham. I was chosen for this specific location because we will be working in childrens' ministry which is what I am most passionate about. We will be in the country from May 27th to July 20th!

I know that God has called me to this adventure for this specific time in my life! I am so excited to see what He has in store and the ways that He will use me while I'm in the country. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare to take this step of faith!

Love,

Bethany