Feb. 1, 2007

Repentance, Forgiveness, Thanksgiving

Dear friends and family, 

We are in the midst of winter, but as Simeon reminds us daily- no snow.  We did have a miserable sleet, slush storm last week, and Simeon was excited to play even in that mess, but all he could really do was shovel the stuff.  But he didn't seem to mind. 

 The Christmas season was full of life and joy.  We had a great time celebrating with our family and with our community and the kids at the drop in center.  For us, the celebrations seem to go on for a month, as we have parties surrounding Christmas, New Years, and finally Simeon's birthday on January 17.  He will be turning 4 years old, and on one hand it hardly seems possible that he is that old, but on the other hand, he looks and talks like such a big kid, so it almost seems too young. 

Joel spent a month or so doing holiday crafts with the kids, which is OK, but doesn't do much for his artistic sensibilities.  Let's just say that he has seen enough glitter glue to last him for a while.  He desires to see the kids really open up their creative sides and make new and interesting things, but so many of them have already decided that they can't draw, so they are reluctant to try.  Once a week, he goes out on the streets to draw with the street boys, and though most of the time they are doing the same houses and people they always do, every once in a while, a really great expression of their inner world comes out and it is beautiful and broken, all at the same time.  Joel has also been working on series of paintings for the chapel at the drop in center based on the Word Made Flesh lifestyle celebrations.  Look at his blog www.artincommunityamongthepoor.blogspot.com  for his projects.

Since Abram is bigger now, and doesn't need me by his side quite so often, I have been able to extend my time at the drop in center.  I have enjoyed being able to work on homework with some of the school kids more regularly, though I find myself continuing to be intimidated by second grade math. (Its not your fault Dr. Roller, you tried.)  I have taught Bible study a few times with the children, and I find it a challenge to keep them engaged after a long day of sitting still in school.  Pray for me as I try to make lessons interesting and help them see old stories through new eyes.  We just finished our latest advocacy publication in Romanian, this one about racism.  It was the most difficult for me yet, but I am praying that it will be a prophetic voice in the churches we work with.    Please pray for me as there is so much I would like to do, and yet I need to be faithful to what God has called me to.  If you would like to keep up with our daily happenings, you can read about them at www.monicaklepac.blogspot.com

One last note, many of you have prayed for Moise over the past couple years.  Though he left the boys home, he has still been coming to the drop in center regularly for meals, showers and help with schoolwork.  When he left our home, he went to his family's house, but as we feared, they wanted him to bring in some income to help pay for what he used. They wanted him to go to Italy and make money there by begging or stealing, but Moise didn't want to and instead returned to begging here in Galati. He struggled to get along with his family and eventually left.  He has been living on the streets the past few weeks.  He has a stairwell of an apartment building where some people have let him stay.  Just today he told me that a man at church said he could live with him. Pray that the right place for Moise would open up.   Many of you have met Moise and know the effervescent joy he has. Even with the hard times he is in, he still has that  huge smile from ear to ear.  Pray that we would know how to love and serve him best. 

As you know, a few months ago we found ourselves in a tight spot financially.  Thank you so much for your generous response.  We are still not totally out of the woods, but we have been so blessed by the incredible gifts you all have given.  Thank you for  your thoughtfulness.

Below is a New Year's reflection I posted on my blog.  Thank you again for your love and support. 

 

Blessings,

Monica

 

I usually don't get into New Years, it is just one more day, only with me forgetting and writing the wrong year for a month. days of birth or death or marriage are much more significant to me. but this new years really does feel NEW. Romania officially joined the EU today. The old money is now useless and all we will use are the new Romanian Lei. It really feels like we are living in a significant time of Romania's history.

            As for me, i have a theme i feel God has put on my heart for the upcoming year.

A few weeks ago i was feeling frustrated, depressed and generally anxious about some situations in our community. and it all felt too big for me, I didn't even feel like i knew where to start praying. So i was standing at the bus stop, and i felt the tears coming. I began to pray the prayer that has been handed down to us to pray, "Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Now, i wasn't really feeling like a sinner at that moment, in fact, i was counting the sins of others and feeling very sorry for myself. But as i continued to pray, it was like the posture of my heart changed. In my heart, i had been standing up, pointing the finger at all the others around me who had done me wrong, but as i prayed, i found my spiritual posture to change to one of kneeling before God and confessing my own sin.

            The rest of the day i thought about this, and i felt God putting on my heart these three words that, if i follow them, put me in a proper position of humility before God and others.

Repentance. Forgiveness. Thanksgiving.
It seems too simple. These aren't magic words that make all my problems disappear, nor are they a mantra that helps me escape the worries of this world. They are like signposts to my spirit, reminding me of the direction i should be facing, the way in which my feet should walk. The words don't do anything in and of themselves, it is my reaction, my obedience that lets the grace pour in.

            So, this is my reminder (not resolution) for the inevitable conflicts that will come this year, well, all years.

            Repentance- Have i asked for forgiveness of God and others for my sins? Have i tried as much as i can to make peace and restitution for what i have done? Have i done everything on my part to repair the damage?

            Forgiveness- Have i let go of anger, resentment, bitterness for what others have done? Have i thrown away the laundry list of grievances? Have i given the grace that has been so freely given to me?

            Thanksgiving- Have i taken off the blinders of self-pity to see the innumerable gifts i have been given? There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. Have i recognized that i of myself can do nothing, and all that is good comes from God?

            So this is the position i desire my heart to have for this new year. On my knees (repentance), facing Christ (forgiveness), with my arms outstretched (Thanksgiving).

Many blessings to each of you this year.