In 2003, my heart was drawn to the River of Life Care Home in Romania because they helped women save their babies from abortion. At first I didn’t know what I had to offer, but in the end, I was able to love on the women and children and speak on prayer and parenting: two subjects I look back on now and think how little I knew then, but I shared from my heart and knowledge I had at the time, and I do believe the time was blessed. At least it was for me.

As a person who doesn’t seem to verbally communicate so well, I thought and prayed much on what I would say to these women. It wasn’t until I was on the long plane ride that it all came together. That was the longest trip I have ever taken, and I honestly don’t think my body could handle that again, but God knows for sure. If I am to go back, He will make it clear!

I do believe back then I became a threat to the enemy, without realizing it. I didn’t really understand the Armor of God so I didn’t get what “tools” I had as a Child of God. When I arrived, I could not sleep; the eight hour time difference really messed with me.

It didn’t help that we had a rooster in the village who wanted to cock-a-doodle-doo all through the day and night, but I experienced a Spiritual Warfare that was very emotionally draining. I didn’t have a name for what I went through, but can definitely look back and now see it for what it was. I felt as though the enemy was present and trying to get me to leave.

Where was I going to go? Back to the airport in Hungary and wait it out? I remember when I was in high-school, I had similar things that happened but not nearly as intense as what had happened in Romania nor what I’ve experienced when praying for prodigals. I believe the enemy possibly saw me as a future witness for Christ and needed to start working on “taking me out”.

When you choose to follow God, to truly follow God, no longer being a Sunday Christian as I was for so many years, you will have a big target on your back. When I was 12, I believe, I did desire to be a Christian, but I quickly fell away in high-school, so I will never know if I was sincere to follow Christ then or if it was more out of a desire to please others.

I do remember talking to God out-loud as I walked the country roads of Cheyenne, Wyoming, a place filled with unpleasant memories, but I do believe I “met” my Savior there, though having no understanding of how deep that relationship would ever go. I am still learning that to this day.

We had been praying whether to do missions overseas or not and that was on the forefront of my mind while I was in Romania, and the first night I had these thoughts of “THIS is NOT where I wanted to be”, then the next night, and the next. I was so restless with these thoughts and soon I knew I had to email for prayer from those I knew would pray. I also had a roommate that sat up with me one night for hours praying for me and, at times, she repeated, “Jesus” over and over as I cried.

It is only by God’s grace I was able to get through teaching during the day, but that is one of the first times ever that I realized the power of Jesus’ Name personally in my life. I was able to sleep after I fought the night-time crazy…and the stupid rooster. I really had ignorantly believed roosters only crowed first thing in the morning before that experience…I kid you not! The cartoons have it ALL wrong! Foghorn Leghorn does NOT exist. Hahaha!

I know that the enemy didn’t want me to make a difference there. It was way out of my comfort zone, but I was so thankful for the experience. My heart will forever be in the little village of Romania yet it will also be the time I realized how powerful and beautiful the Name of Jesus could be in my life and that was just the beginning.

Blessings,
Jennifer