Clear mountain air, beautiful rivers, great fellowship, and good food...both physical and spiritual. These were the things that our friends from Ocna Mures were awaiting at the women's camps. This was the second year that a group from Ocna Mures had attended. This camp, sponsored by friends from Texas, has been held annually for a number of years and is such a blessing for many women every year. For a number of these women, it was their first time to travel any distance from their town or village. Very few have ever been on a vacation or retreat. All had a great time.

 

One woman, seen in the above photo wearing pink, had never traveled far from her village. She is paralyzed on her right side from a stroke and lives in pitiful conditions with her son. Though it was not simple to convince her son to allow her to attend, Valerica was so excited to see the beauty of God's creation. Through her limited speech, she expressed amazement at the things she saw and heard. What a blessing to be a part of enriching the life of this precious lady.

The topic of the women's retreat was God's Abundant Grace. Though all of us need to be reminded of our position of right standing with God through His grace, it seems that often in Romania, this message is overshadowed by "requirements". This is not a new problem. Paul addressed it in Romans. For many of these women, understanding God's grace was like a drink of water for their souls. One woman testified that she had always felt condemned and never felt like she did enough for God. She shared that this was the first time she understood grace. Another woman came under conviction of sin as she realized her need for a savior that would love her so deeply. She accepted Jesus, God's gift of grace.

No trip to the mountains would be complete without a hike to the local waterfalls. And what a hike it was! It was great to watch women with high blood pressure and heart problems winding their way through mountain paths, climbing over fallen trees, clinging onto rock ledges ( no, really!) and climbing muddy slopes to arrive at a spot in the Carpathian mountains where two waterfalls will take your breath away...as if the hike wasn't enough!

 

We know that many women grew in their understanding of God's incredible grace during this time. We believe that God will continue to speak to their hearts and that they will learn to extend grace to others as it is extended to them. May this be so for all of us! 

 

"This is the mystery of the riches of divine grace for sinners, for by a wonderful exchange our sins are now not ours but Christ's, and Christ's righteousness is not Christ's, but ours." ~ Martin Luther

 

What great news we all have to share! Jesus is our salvation, beginning to end. Now our response to God can be out of love, not requirement. So many people need to hear this good news. Share it with all who are willing to hear. And thank you all for helping us to share it around the world.

 

Going for Him,

 

Stephanie and Leslie