I Get to Serve Christ as a Missionary

By Andy Raatz

 

I feel as if I've won the lottery.

 

I get to serve Christ in Moldova.

 

As I drove back from a small village this week, swerving around potholes and squinting through the fog, my mind fixated on how fortunate I am to serve in this country.  I detest the concept that I am sacrificing, but smile at the thought of being blessed.

 

Earlier that day, I chatted with an old married couple of 89 and 86 years of age.  My new friend fought in World War II, but on a different front.  I saw their tiny home, heard their stories and talked to them about Christ.

 

As we handed bags of groceries to the neediest in the village of Baraboi, I joked with people who had spent their entire life in that village.  I prayed with an old woman who still doesn't know Christ, but is concerned for her sick daughter. 

 

From the earliest ages, parents are always telling their children, “Say thank you” every time they receive a gift.  I need to say thanks every hour, because every moment in God's service is an incredible gift.

 

I'm not trying to be so Pollyannish that I have my head in the clouds.  There are headaches in ministry — hours counseling people with family problems, hearing untrue accusations about your character, sleepless nights praying about issues in the church.

 

I cannot speak like Paul and talk about beatings and shipwrecks.  My headaches are more from elbowing through the crowd at passport control, bouncing on roads worse than road construction, and speaking Russian all day until my brain is sprained.  I occasionally miss kettle corn, aged cheddar cheese, and Giordano’s pizza.  Mostly I miss seeing my family often, celebrating special times with each other.

 

Yet I am blessed.

 

I am watching the church being built in Bubuieci, a miracle happening before my eyes.  I get to hug the three little girls at the Home of Hope, showing them and their mothers that men can be good and honorable.  I am building spiritual bridges with the elderly as I hand them a bag of groceries and talk of God’s love.

 

LIFE WITH CHRIST IS AN ADVENTURE

 

How did I get so lucky?  How did I win this lottery?  Why do I have the privilege of talking about Jesus to an agnostic, praying with a religious non-believer, and befriending sinners of every shape and form? 

 

For our situation, it is because of you, those that pray and support the work in Moldova.  You are a part of the miracles in Moldova.  Maybe it is because I keep saying yes to wherever God is leading us on the next adventure (and some are crazy)!

 

Yet we all need to stop and give thanks to God for the privilege of being used by Him.  Life with Christ is an adventure, whether Moldova or Main Street.  Jump in and go for it!

 

Blessed out of my socks in Moldova, Andy

 

Andy and Nancy Raatz are AGWM missionaries in Moldova.

 

To read more missionary stories go to “Resources” on the Home Page and scroll down to “AGWM Article Archive.”