ROM ad-hoc reunion

A breath of fresh air. A warm breeze on a chilly afternoon. Two men. Two men with presence, spirit and warmth. Maybe due to their unhindered humor on one hand, and depth and reserve on the other: the directors of ROM – the tenured leader and the one walking in his footsteps, they both graced us with their presence and words of wisdom.

Believers without borders, people who serve pointing all to Jesus, pursuing and “preaching” reconciliation in war zone for over two decades. As it turns out, this topic is sadly never out of fashion, and war happens here there and everywhere, under different circumstances and with diverse casualties. Sitting on the sidelines judging and thinking “thank God I’m not them” is not the way Jesus taught. On the contrary.

Also, a woman I admire greatly, who fights the good fight on the ring that is often despised and misunderstood, she spoke with eloquence about the realities of politics and how she serves exactly where God put her. Taking questions, facilitating discussions afterwards, that is tough indeed – and yet she served our Cluj youth, hungry for understanding. Dear H, you bless more people that you will know on this side of Heaven, through the work you do, not just your people, but people around the world. And Politics around the world seems to be on the brink of imploding. More than ever. Yet God is Sovereign.

We are in the midst of decisions, making plans for the future, finding time to enjoy the present… trying to stay active, relevant, awake spiritually and financially. Life right now seems too good and almost complacent I’d say. I’m glad we are grounded by prayer, dependence on God for our expanding family.

As we started reconnecting more personally with our neighbors, old inconveniences resurfaced with others. Keeping quiet, just so I wouldn’t stir the pot, kept us afloat but afar. But now the right context came about, speaking kindly but truthfully is what my conscience dictated, though it might take some time to sink in for those who heard my heart shared. I feel convicted for not getting along with my neighbors, the smoking neighbors, but as I sit here I think that what bothers me (and I admit it’s superficial) is that not everyone likes me and not everyone agrees with my stance. Once I square that away in my mind and heart, I can own my different opinion, without fear.