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2003 Team Chronicles
Days 3-6

Written By Team Member Ramona Lewis

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The Pictures above were sent by Doug just before the team arrived in Sarata. On the Left is an mountain top view of the Sarata village and on the Right is a current picture of the church the team will be working toward completing.

WORSHIP TIME, SUNDAY June 15, 2003

[If] anybody had any doubts about why we are here, the two hour worship time with the gypsy people in Sarata this morning took care of that.

The numbers were few. The place of worship was small. The witness is relatively new. But the hearts of the people are big and welcoming, and their love for our Lord was openly expressed. [Team Member] David Wright said, "I was impressed with the warmth of the people. You could feel it and you could see it in their eyes and on their faces."

I loved the music! The gypsy music is unique, very expressive and passionate. Everyone claps their hands as they sing to the accompaniment of the accordion and keyboard. Victor [Romanian Elder] plays the accordion. He has been a Christian for less than three years. He loves to share his testimony about what Jesus has done to change his life. He has written a song for the people to sing and it is about the Shepherd who had one hundred sheep, but one of them was lost. And the Shepherd was very sad. But the Shepherd found his lost sheep and the sheep was very glad. Praise the Lord! He found his lost sheep!

The children had prepared two songs to sing for us. So they came dressed in their very best and sang to the tops of their voices while the mamas and papas beamed with pride. That feeling is universal.

And they prayed. One precious woman poured out her heart through tears and a breaking voice. Even though I didn't understand her words, I knew her language because it was the language of the believer's heart praising Him for His goodness and thanking Him for His grace. That is what this is all about. That is WHO this is all about. [Team Member] Allen Clark, when asked to introduce himself and say a word, said it best. He said, "God is here." And indeed, God was there in our midst, just as He said He would be when at least two of His children came together. We did not bring God to Sarata, but we certainly encountered Him there this morning!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

Written By Team Member Ramona Lewis

View Other Days: 1-2 | 3-6 | 7-8 | 9-10 | 11-12 | 13-14 | Other Pictures

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