Summary Report for Moldova Trip September of 2014
Claire VanderHart RN
I was tired…very tired…and my back ached. Before I had been excited for this trip, but now, I was on the last flight before landing there. Doubts started invading my mind. “What do you even hope to do here, Claire? Don’t you hear everyone talking around you? You can’t understand a word they’re saying, and there is no way you can communicate with them. Until you get a translator, you are useless, and even after that you will likely be a nuisance. You will only be here for a week. What do you really think you can do in that time in this foreign place?”
With a prayer, I pulled out my Bible and tried to begin some morning devotions. Listlessly I started reading Colossians 4:
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving... pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ…that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak…Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each question.”
“You are right Lord, I can watch, pray, and be thankful. Like Paul, you want me to declare the mystery of Christ, and you are the one who opens the door for that. You are the one who helps make that message clear. You only give me one week, so please help me walk in wisdom among these people and to make the best use of the time. These people are not foreigners to you and neither am I. Please season my words and help me know how to answer. Help me be thankful, watchful, and pray.”
In this way, God comforted me. This was the first work he did in me that week, but it was not the last. He worked on me in three distinct areas: he gave me godly examples, he gave me professional vision, and he gave me courage. God gave me godly examples through pretty much every individual on our American and Moldovan team. I was clearly surrounded by other Christians more mature then me. I learn from example. Watching those great individuals seemed to quench a thirst deep inside of me and simultaneously kindle a fire to grow close to Christ.
I was also given professional vision through this trip. I have never been able to objectively picture what medical missions might look like. I always knew I was going to be a Nurse, and I always knew I wanted to be in missions. I could never picture the two together. Now, I have a much better vision of that.
Finally, I gained spiritual courage on this trip. When you share the gospel repeatedly for a week, you start to get used to it. I find even now at home I have more courage in sharing my faith and providing spiritual care to my patients.
Summarizing is not easy, but I know, God gave me examples of godliness, vision for my future, and courage through this trip.
Claire VanderHart RN
I was tired…very tired…and my back ached. Before I had been excited for this trip, but now, I was on the last flight before landing there. Doubts started invading my mind. “What do you even hope to do here, Claire? Don’t you hear everyone talking around you? You can’t understand a word they’re saying, and there is no way you can communicate with them. Until you get a translator, you are useless, and even after that you will likely be a nuisance. You will only be here for a week. What do you really think you can do in that time in this foreign place?”
With a prayer, I pulled out my Bible and tried to begin some morning devotions. Listlessly I started reading Colossians 4:
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving... pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ…that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak…Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each question.”
“You are right Lord, I can watch, pray, and be thankful. Like Paul, you want me to declare the mystery of Christ, and you are the one who opens the door for that. You are the one who helps make that message clear. You only give me one week, so please help me walk in wisdom among these people and to make the best use of the time. These people are not foreigners to you and neither am I. Please season my words and help me know how to answer. Help me be thankful, watchful, and pray.”
In this way, God comforted me. This was the first work he did in me that week, but it was not the last. He worked on me in three distinct areas: he gave me godly examples, he gave me professional vision, and he gave me courage. God gave me godly examples through pretty much every individual on our American and Moldovan team. I was clearly surrounded by other Christians more mature then me. I learn from example. Watching those great individuals seemed to quench a thirst deep inside of me and simultaneously kindle a fire to grow close to Christ.
I was also given professional vision through this trip. I have never been able to objectively picture what medical missions might look like. I always knew I was going to be a Nurse, and I always knew I wanted to be in missions. I could never picture the two together. Now, I have a much better vision of that.
Finally, I gained spiritual courage on this trip. When you share the gospel repeatedly for a week, you start to get used to it. I find even now at home I have more courage in sharing my faith and providing spiritual care to my patients.
Summarizing is not easy, but I know, God gave me examples of godliness, vision for my future, and courage through this trip.
