friends! family! i’m writing this to you on a rainy Wednesday morning in Romania, it’s almost 2pm which means that the kids will be showing up any minute now for the kids program here. We’ve been serving Ukrainian refugee children & their families for the past four weeks. We have games, songs, snacks, a bible story, art therapy, and crafts for everyone! I’ve been able to have a lot of conversations with older and younger kids about the war, their families, school, and things they like to do!
A few days ago i was coloring with one of the kids when i heard a loud voice say “marissa! marissa! bestie!” i turned around and saw one of my favorite tiny humans in the whole world, Mo. He was so excited to see me & i was excited to see him! We hugged, i asked about his day, we made necklaces and then sat down for the bible story.
It was then that the Lord reminded me of the people in my own testimony of how i came to know Jesus. I was 9 years old, right after my parents split up, and my dad took me to a church (kicking and screaming because i had never been nor was i interested in it). I remember going inside and something about it felt safe. I went to the Sunday school classroom where a woman named Miss Mimi was waiting for me. She was warm and loving and always asked me how i was doing, like she genuinely cared.
That Sunday and every other after Miss Mimi was always there. Ready to ask me about my week, play games with me, teach me scripture and so much more. I began to go to the youth groups and bible study meetings as i got older, always looking for my leaders – Paula, Candace, Ms. Beth, Ms. Mack, Ms. Susan. Women who saw me and cared for me so well. They got me in the door and always made sure i knew i was safe and loved.
Even today when i share my testimony with people i always say “It was the Church, the body of Christ who cared for me so well, that I wanted to be close to Christ Himself”
And now here I am, almost 10 years after the first time i walked into that church, that I get to be the Miss Mimi for these kids. I have the honor of showing them the goodness & mercy & safety of Christ. I get to hold them, hear their stories, pray for them, share scripture with them, and so much more.
What a gift it has been to serve little children & teach them the things of Jesus. To pray for them until they see Him for themselves. May we never underestimate how the power of the Holy Spirit is used when we love people well.
Thank you so much for keeping up! Please be praying for the war to cease, for the kids to be protected, and for Jesus to come into their lives!
All my love,
- M
I love this and you and your updates. You are definitely a Miss Mimi to more than you know:-)
Marissa,
Katherine also recently wrote a blog that took me back to her childhood days in Bible classes at our home congregation. She, too, is carrying it forward as she points the littlest ones to Jesus. Currently that is in Ecuador; Lord willing, in July, she’ll be right there where you are in Romania. Never underestimate the seeds you are planting as you tell the wonderful true-life stories from scripture, color together, play the game, do the craft, sing the song, all while pointing to Jesus. The potential fruit will bless generations to come that you won’t even know about until heaven! Keep teaching, loving, nurturing, caring, sharing Jesus!
Your servant heart shines brighter than you’ll ever know! Love you so much and these updates! Continuously praying for you boo!
Wow this got me!! Proud to know you Mari!