Middle School Snow Ball

How fitting that on the evening of the Middle School Banquet, Bucharest was once again transformed by snow. It started falling early in the evening and by the time we left that evening, there was significant accumulation on the ground.

Student Council did a wonderful job of transforming the activity room at BCA into a winter wonderland. They were gracious hosts and wonderful servants for the 6th-8th grade attendees.


I had the wonderful privilege of attending this banquet as a chaperon. Here I am with the sixth grade girls who attended and sat at a table with me.
Student Council members this year:)--a great group of students!

Two Words

For many of us who grew up attending church and memorizing Bible verses, it always seemed to be emphasized that the shortest verse was, "Jesus wept." I think I'd heard a couple of times that this verse came in the middle of the 'story' of Lazarus. (John 11:35)

As I was reading the Bible yesterday morning, I came across another two word verse (at least in the NASB)...
1 Thessalonians 5:16--Rejoice always.

Followed by:
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18--Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

As the verse from John was mentioned in chapel yesterday, I started thinking about possible connections between these two short verses. I find it most difficult to rejoice, pray, or give thanks in the midst of tears and grief.

As I thought about the 'story' of Lazarus, I saw how through his tears, Jesus was praying, giving thanks, and rejoicing. Although I usually picture Jesus crying for a time and then getting up and going about the business of raising Lazarus from the dead, I have to believe the effects of his grief carried throughout that entire event. I don't think it was an immediate switch.

So, for me...what will I choose to rejoice about today even in the midst of difficulties (trivial compared to the death of a friend)....

Our study this year in chapel/Bible classes is on the promises of God. Some seem so happy, nice, and welcome:
~Salvation for all who call
~God will forgive you
~Nothing can separate you from God's love
~God will complete his work in you
~You will bear fruit
~The Lord will guide you
~God will not withhold any good thing
~God will fight for you

Some are a bit harder to understand.
~God will discipline you
~God will not bring any unnecessary suffering into your life

It's my choice how I'll react in the midst of uncertainties, unknowns, and challenges. What can I choose to rejoice about today?
~my name is written in the book of life...eternity is secure
~God's promises which are certain
~I'm not alone
~God is in control
~the love of my family
~I have dear friends near me to help and encourage me--to bring laughter into my life when it seems I've forgotten what it is
~my needs are being met--warm apartment, clothes, food, bed, hot water, and on and on
~I have a gift to share with others
~my life makes a difference (what kind of difference am I making today?)

Though the future is uncertain (not comfortable), I want to be more focused on those things that are certain. It's a daily, moment by moment battle...one that I think the enemy would like to see me lose. But, I've got God on my side--He will overcome!!

Life-Pt. 2

I shared some of what I'd heard about the tragedy of abortions with a group this evening. As we discussed it, one woman shared that at one point 90% of pregnancies were terminated by abortion. As I was searching trying to find statistics accurate for now, I came across this chart. It breaks my heart to see these statistics. It's a clear indication that this is a group of people who need the love and hope of Jesus...not to make everything better and offer a picture-perfect life, but to rescue their souls and to bind up the broken-hearted.

Abortions in Romania after 1989

Year	Abortions	Per 1000 live-births
1990	992,265	3,158.4
1991	866,934	3,156.6
1992	691,863	2,663.0
1993	585,761	2,348.4
1994	530,191	2,153.5
1995	502,840	2,129.5
1996	455,340	1,971.9
1997	346,468	1,465.6
1998	270,930	1,144.0
1999	259,266	1,107.5
2000	257,267	1,099.5
2001	253,426	1,153.3
2002	246,714	1,174.9
2003	223,914	1,056.5
2004	189,683	879.5
2005	162,087	735.1
2006	149,598	683.5

(http://www.insse.ro/cms/files/pdf/ro/cap2.pdf )

Life

I'm so thankful for the many women who choose life for their children.

I recently traveled west three hours to Craiova to visit two other ReachGlobal families. While there, I enjoyed playing games, homemade pizza, good conversation, and homemade ice cream (after taking my turn cranking).

I joined these families for church on Sunday morning before my train back to Bucharest. Since I've visited previously, one of the young women in the church sat down and struck up a conversation with me. I learned she was nearing the end of her medical degree. As a part of her studies, she spent some time surveying women who were waiting to have abortions. To the question asking how many abortions she already had, one woman resonded 42. Another chimed in with 36. I nearly fell of my chair. One woman, 42 abortions. How horrible! How tragic! As a missionary friend joined the conversation she mentioned another woman who has one child and can't remember how many times she's been pregnant. What a travesty! Her hope is to open a clinic that will begin to change these staggering statistics. I believe that her dream is a gift from God and pray that God will bring people alongside her to help see it become a reality.

Life is too precious to throw away.

Unforgettable Teacher

My class worked on writing biographies over the past couple weeks. They picked who they wanted to write about. One of my ESL students, Eu Jin, chose to write about me. While the paper below isn't error-free, it was fun to work with her on. We worked together on writing titles for each student's paper. The first title suggested was 'Everlasting Teacher'. I just didn't want to be everlasting:)

In August 2003, Ms. Westrum followed God. She came to Romania and became a teacher. She loves to teach kids and watch them learn.
Ms. Westrum grew up in a Christian family. She worked hard throughout college to become a teacher, and to be able to serve God. She has been here six years. This year she teaches 4th and 5th grade. Ms. Westrum teach very well. Every single day she helps her students and makes things simple for them to understand. She helps our minds to be clever. She is a funny teachers.
Ms. Westrum wawnts to help us become great students. She is strict and hopes we will play and work hard. She helps us not to fight. Because of this, Ms. Westrum's class will become great and clever students.