A Time of Waiting

Paul's powerful sermon on Mars' Hill where he proclaimed to the people of Athens the identity of the "Unkown God" didn't start as one of his planned stops on a missionary trip. Instead, Luke writes that the believers sent Paul to Athens to protect him, and "Paul waited for [Silas and Timothy] at Athens." But Paul's "spirit was stirred in Him," and God used him to give the gospel to the Athenians in that time of waiting.

In some ways, I'm also in a time of waiting. As I write this, I am in Romania, waiting for my paperwork in Ukraine to be resolved and my visa to be accepted. When the visa is ready, I can stay in Ukraine for a year, after which I can renew the visa. Right now, I am certain that I can go back on May 6th for another three months, even if the visa is not ready. But I'm praying that the 1-year visa will be approved in the next week. This departure from the ministry in Odesa is not what I would have planned for myself, but it has been full of the blessings of God, and I believe that God has used even this time of waiting in my life and in the lives of others.

Serving in the church

God has been very gracious to give me a church, friends, and a place to serve during this time outside of Ukraine. Previously, I had served with Pastor Tim Tyler here in Timișoara, Romania, for a year and half. Both the Tylers and the church welcomed me back with generosity and love. Mostly, I'm happy that God has opened up opportunities for me to serve here in the church.

I've been consistently given chances to teach and preach - sometimes for the Thursday night Ukrainian meetings, sometimes for Sunday school, sometimes for Friday night teen meetings. If these sermons and lessons helped no one else, they certainly helped me. Studying these passages and explaining them has encouraged and convicted me. Several of these lessons I plan to use with our teen group back in Odesa. I have also been genuinely surprised at the conversations with Christians that God has allowed me to have while I have been here. I've been looking for opportunities to sit down with members of the church for a meal or coffee and get to have Christian fellowship and encouragement, and God has opened up these opportunities. With some, it has been an opportunity for me to disciple; with others, an opportunity to be discipled; and with many, an opportunity for mutual encouragement.

Of course, there's been other ways to help at the church: cleaning, construction, tract distribution, children's club, etc. Both through these ministries and during my time in the city, I have had some opportunities to invite others to church or to share the gospel. God blessed me greatly with a local church to serve in during this time - a place where I could seek to minister to others and be encouraged by others.

Trip to the States

During this time, God gave me another, great, unexpected blessing: a two-week trip back to the States. When I learned that my visa would be in process for longer than expected, I explored options to take a quick trip back to America, and God provided a great deal on a flight. Although it had only been half a year since I was in the States, it felt like years. The beautiful skyline of New York City was a great welcome back to America (although most of the city's people were less friendly).

In New York, I was at the services of one of my supporting churches, Open Door Bible Baptist Church in Queens. By providence, two other missionaries to Ukraine that I know happened to be at the same service, so we were able to catch up and fellowship. The church also has two Ukrainians that attend, so I was able to keep up my language practice even while in America. I also had the chance to present and preach at my sending church, Berean Baptist in Beloit, WI. I saw people that I had been missing, caught up on news from the church, fellowshipped in Christ, and heard over and over again, "I'm praying for you." The greatest encouragement and support that I could have is that the church that sends me also prays for me. I praise God for them - and I praise God that I was able to see them.

Of course, I didn't travel across the ocean without seeing all of my immediate family. Although I only had two weeks, I managed to spend time with my sister and brother-in-law in NYC (and their two adorable daughters!), with my parents, sister, and brother in Wisconsin, and with my brother and his wife in Michigan. (Unfortunately, I was two months too early to meet my new nephew in Michigan). The fellowship with my family was a breath of fresh air and a spiritual help. Despite the jetlag and all the travel, I returned to Romania feeling refreshed. I feel that this unexpected time with my family, friends, and church was a special gift from God and an encouragement as I move forward.

Conclusion

When I look at the story of Paul waiting in Athens, I realize that it's not really a story of Paul waiting in Athens. It's a story of him serving and preaching and seeing God work. He only thought he was waiting for God to work. In reality, God was always working. Similarly, my time of waiting is not a time to wait. It is a time to serve God where I am. Pray for me while I work in Timisoara; pray that I would be a real blessing and help to the church and the church members; pray that I would have opportunity and boldness to share the gospel here in Timisoara. And pray that, as I leave for Odesa on May 6th, God would protect me as I travel and use me in His ministry in Odesa.