Dear one,
“Privilege” and “pleasure,” these are the two words I use to describe my recent Romanian experience. As I implied in my previous blog, great was my privilege to relate to twenty-three Romanian pastors. Even now, as I think of them, yet another of these comes to mind: he has chosen to live among children in a destitute setting, most unappealing to many of us, including Romanians, and yet because of his love “for the least of these,” he is willing to live a very “inconvenient” life. Because of his love for Jesus, he loves those discarded by others.
Equally, I was greatly privileged and pleased to relate to and instruct some—rich in heart, mind, and talent—who in years to come will provide timely leadership for the church, and thereby Romanian culture in general. One of these, while working on a Masters degree, teaches flute thirty-five hours a week at a music academy for high school students:
“How long have you been playing?” I asked her.
“Oh, I don’t know,” she said, “ten years or so. For a while I wondered: Why did God give me this gift? But now I know—through playing I draw closer to Him.”
“Ah,” I said, “a gift to you has become a gift to many others.”
In response, her eyes and smile beamed a sincere but shy affirmation.
Another of these students, an IT programmer and entrepreneur, noted:
“It seems to me that trends in the US eventually reach Romania.”
“I’ve observed much the same regarding Indiana,” I said, smiling. “Trends begun either on the West or the East Coast are soon woven into the Indiana fabric.”
“Well that I don’t know,” he continued, “but I wish that we Romanians could better anticipate, rather than simply being swept along.”
“Somehow,” I said, “we’re knit together—influencing and influenced by one another— and so my presence among you. Who influences whom? I’ll let you decide.”
He looked at me quizzically.
Because I have been pleased and privileged to share in the lives of gifted and dedicated Romanians, I am reminded of Paul’s words to those first, Roman believers:
“For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine” (Romans 1:11-12).
Who strengthens whom? Who is privileged? I think I know.
Faithfully,
Stan