We Have to Be Ready!

Matthew Walker

Hello everyone!  This will be my third trip to Romania with the Trinity Romanian Missions Team.  Every year has been different and I don't expect any less from this year.  It'll be a wonderful time of fellowship with the believers in Romania, but it will also  serve as a time for the entire team to get to know each other in a way we never would have been able to outside of this trip.

Over the past two years, there is one thing that has stuck out in my mind: the youth (teenagers and young adults).  The next generation.  There are many who do not have a walk with the Lord, but many who do.  Many of those who do walk with Christ are cast out from thier families or just looked down upon for their Christian beliefs.  

One of our primary goals this year is to encourage the youth.  Those whose relationship with our heavenly Father is young and new.  Our team will strive to encourage them to do what is right in the Lord's eyes and stand for their beliefs and also simply to let them know that they are not alone.  

As Americans, we take for granted the luxury of freedom of speech and religion.  You see, within about the last twenty five years or so Romania has come out of a time of communist rule in the country.  So, freedom of religion is not as much of a foundational idea for them.  

We want to impress on young adults everywhere, but especially in Romania, that they (we) are the next generation of Christians and that it is up to us to pass along God's love, mercy and faithfulness.  And that if we don't do it there won't be anyone to fall back on to do the talking for us!  We have to be ready!  Even if times get very tough we need to have steadfast trust in our God. 

My prayer is that the Lord will bless our efforts to encouraging the church and the youth in Romania.  And at the same time that He will also encourage us in our steadfast trust in Him.  I also pray that we can bring that back to our brothers and sisters in this country when we return.