Dear Friends and Family:
In chapel on Thursdays we go around and read from the Psalms aloud. Today we read Psalm 66 and it was my turn to read. Here are a few snippets:
Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious!
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is Your power that Your enemies cringe before You.
All the earth bows down to You; They sing praise to You,
They sing praise to Your name.”
Come and see what God has done,
How awesome His works in man’s behalf…
For You , O God, tested us;
You refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison
And laid burdens on our backs…
We went through fire and water,
But You brought us to a place of abundance.
I will come to Your temple with burnt offerings
And fulfill my vows to You-
Vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
When I was in trouble.
Come and listen; all you who fear God;
Let me tell you what He has done for me.
I cried out to Him with my mouth;
His praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished sin in my heart,
The Lord would not have listened;
But God has surely listened and
Heard my voice in prayer.
Praise be to God,
Who has not rejected my prayer
Or withheld His love from me!
And then these two verses from the next Psalm (67):
May God be gracious to us and bless us
And make His face shine upon us,
That Your ways may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.
As I read these words I thought how appropriate it was that I be the one to read these verses, especially in light of my first year in Romania drawing to a close. AND especially in light of the fact that less than two days ago I became engaged to Bela Ispas.
I say that it is appropriate because as I read aloud I was remembering how often I’ve prayed for my husband, how difficult it has often been to still be single, how I’ve said to God: should You give me a husband and family I will be careful to tell them how You answered my prayers, how I was given a life I never thought I’d live, how much You have done in my life.
And even now I share these words with you. Let me tell you how abundant God has been to me, not only in blessing me with such a sweet, strong man, but also for this life I’m living in Romania. Praise Him with me. And as the verses from Psalm 67 say, as God is gracious and has blessed Bela and me with one another, may His ways be known on the earth, His salvation among all nations.
Bela has served with Word Made Flesh in Romania for 8 years, and as we marry we plan to continue to serve here for as long as we are called. Our hope is to marry in California in June. However, because Bela is Romanian we have to work through the visa process together. So, we hope and plan for a June wedding and pray that he easily receives a visa. It would be amazing to view this process as a pleasure rather than a burden, so please please pray that everything comes together. Also, please pray that we would become more united as we anticipate becoming one. Finally, as our thoughts turn towards marriage we pray for a life together that is Kingdom centered, that speaks of the glories of God.
I’ve been having a good time working with the kids at the center who are academically behind their peers. We’ve been working on learning the alphabet, reading, comprehension, addition and subtractions facts, memory verses, and various other scholastic endeavors. It’s difficult because their attendance is sporadic, so please pray they will come more faithfully. Also, please pray that their little minds would be open and they’d be able to learn.
I’m also beginning to do a little play therapy with a small group of children. It’s so much fun to begin this process. Please pray that their hearts would be soft in this process and open to healing; may the Holy Spirit continue the work He has begun.
Just as a reminder, I’ll be in the states this month. Please come to one of 2 open houses I’ll be having. The first will be on Feb. 12 at the home of John and JoAnna Holmes in Beaumont, CA. The second is in Portland, OR at the home of Jon and Elisabeth Brawley on Feb. 21. I’ll be sending emails out about these, but please mark your calendars! Also, I’ll be sharing at The Packinghouse in Redlands, CA on Feb. 8 at the evening service.
And as I mentioned earlier, my first year in Romania is drawing to a close. I hope to write more next month about this as I begin to process all that has happened in that year, but for now I’d just want to say how grateful I am that you continue to support me through prayer, emails, gifts, and finances. It is an incredible blessing to be surrounded by such the support as I have.
Again, I ask you to praise God with me for all He has done. Because of His many blessings, may He be glorified.
My love,
April