2019: Romania Ramblings #3
Dear one,
The room is quiet; sunlight streams through the window; and not far distant I hear jets ascending from Bucharest’s Otopeni International Airport. But for the moment my heart and mind return to the past three days: the experience of sharing with fifty pastors from Fetesti, Constanta, Alexandria, Giurgiu, Alba Iulia, Cluj, and from small villages in between these towns and cities. Together we found ourselves inexorably drawn into Jesus’ experience in Gethsemane, into the kangaroo courts presided by Caiaphas and then by Herod, only to hear again His cry of utter abandonment, and to watch the women’s fear-filled flight from His empty tomb: Mark 14:32-16:8.
For some time I will picture those fifty: some are white-haired and balding, nearing the end of their ministries; others mid-career, confident but harried as they seek to care for their families, flocks, and friends; and still others, trim and bright of eye, youthfully bearded—and almost all appear open and eager, willing to learn and share with one another, desiring the rest and encouragement found among the family of faith. For me a delightful picture—and with that picture, the words “hope” and “renewal” come to mind.
Even though we could not escape the ever-pervasive theme of our shared moments: we too are called to share in Jesus’ sufferings, knowing however that His suffering means redemptive healing and love, as we parted from one another, we truly shared renewed hope and energies. Many of the fifty expressed heart-felt thanksgiving, comparable to our rejoinder: “Please know, our lives have been greatly enriched by yours”—and so the mutuality of faith, hope, and love. This mutuality, however, was captured with winsome mirth by one leader’s closing remarks : “Stan moved us to a depth of ‘profound confusion’ (an observation from the previous day, which was greeted with peals of laughter) and always closer to Jesus.” Whatever the truth of his words, I look forward to returning to Romania this fall.
Tomorrow I fly to Tel Aviv, and then on to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, shifting from teacher-pastor to pastor-teaching. Nonetheless, I am fully cognizant that what we pondered in Sinaia, in some form I will observe in Israel. Moreover, our second week in Israel coincides with Holy Week. We leave Israel on the eve of Good Friday.
Restfully tired,
Stan
Ps. My experience of fifty pastors is greatly dependent upon skilled translators, hopeful traveling, and your great support and encouragement!