Overwhelmed
with thoughts as I ponder what revelation and insight I should share
with all of you. Josh and I just completed the World Race in May and
after a whirlwind of visiting family and friends, we are now in Spain.
Since we arrived we have been more than assured that this is exactly
where we are supposed to be right now. My mind is brimming with new
understanding and I am completely inspired. We are a living and
vibrant church as we live in a deep level of community; feeding each
other with encouragement and truth. And, I am constantly being
challenged by the leadership and their unconventional wisdom, as old
thoughts are shattered and new paradigms emerge.
We had a homework assignment last week where we were asked, "What
mountain are you willing to die on?" They shared with us that If you
don't know what you would die for than you don't truly live. Now every
moment it is completely quiet I find myself pondering that question. I
have come up with a rough draft to this answer, but it is exactly that,
rough. And, in all honesty I don't have the answer really figured
out. Here is what I have come up with so far.
What Mountains am I Prepared to Die on?
God spoke to me many times over the last couple of years that have
all led me to this one conclusion. That God's dream is my dream and
the mountain I am willing to die on is the mountain of God's dream
becoming a reality. I am willing to give up myself wholeheartedly to
release thousands of others; awakened and alive into Kingdom living,
ruling and reigning with Kingdom authority and power into the entire
world. I know that I am called to equip and lead this generation to
speak life into all the barren and chaotic places and breath forth the
life within. We are the generation that will transform this earth from
a place of brokenness and darkness to a place of Grace and God colors.
I can see the hope rising from the ashes and God's dream moving forward
as an army of united, lovesick worshipers take back dominion over all
the earth. I will die to see us win this thing. (Because, guess what
WE DO WIN THIS THING. It is just whether we are going to be a part of
that generation that decides to break the curse of history and actually
go for it!)
Needless to say, being at G42 Leadership school is both challenging
and making come even more alive. We ask tough questions and learn from
one another. I am being stretched and I am growing immensely.
Currently we are learning about the Church and Equipping. It has been
great to go back to the roots and truth of scripture and challenge my
American paradigm of church once more. I know that when we leave here
Josh and I will be equipped, (not having everything figured out) but
ready to begin and create as we fall forward in obedience to God's call.
Thoughts to ponder: Ask yourself the same question, "What mountain
am I willing to die on?" Or, what are you going to truly live for?
Some pics of Mijas, Spain.
Please follow Josh and I while we are in Spain at G42 Leadership school. Here is a link to the website where we will be posting blogs.
Josh and I are going to be parents. In the same breath God gave and God took away, but as Josh and I know that God is always good and loving, we knew that it was his will. So we chose to rejoice as we sat in the doctors office and heard the news. We got to hear the heartbeat and it had to be the most beautiful sound especially after 12 days of waiting and hoping to hear life. The doctor showed us and explained that I still have a twin pregnancy, but that even though there are two sacs, there is only one embryo, meaning that we will be having one baby a few weeks before Christmas this year. We are 2 months pregnant today! So I guess tomorrow I get to celebrate Mothers Day for the first time. (PS. MOM I love you and Happy Mothers Day - hopefully I will be able to do a comparable job to you. You have been an amazing Mother!)
Our first ultra sound. (this was at 7 weeks and 3 days)
*****THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS, KIND WORDS, AND LOVING SUPPORT!*****
A couple of weeks ago we went on a day trip to Sibiu, a city that was named the Cultural Center of Europe in 2007. Yeah, I know I did not expect that in Romania either. The city had clocktowers, cathedrals, arch ways, colorfully painted walls, exquisite doors and cafes. Then we drove to Hunendoara to see Corvin's Castle, a castle from the 1400's. Even though we got lost along the way and were chased by dogs and our car had to come to brieg hault because a horse jumped into the middle of the road, we eventually made it to the fairytale castle. I also took some random shots of the towns along the way.
The city of Sibiu from the top of the clock tower.
Sibiu town square. I love all the cafes and the fountain in the center. You can't see it now, but the pigeons bath in it by lifting up their wings one at a time.
Gorgeous paint chipped walls with cobble stone streets.
I just love the walls painted with such bright and fun colors.
Car door and regular door in one.
Every door and street in Sibiu is colorful
The street lanterns and all the shutters are so typical of Europe.
These are ity bity doors. I am not sure what these doors are used for.
I know sorry, more doors. But, it was door heaven in Sibiu.
This one I took out the window while we were driving through a smaller town on our way to Corvin Castle.
Well, the traffic wasn't too bad except for the occasional buggy, road contruction and horse that jumped in our way.
Traditional Gypsy dress. All the gypsies in town where these lace hemmed bright colored flower skirts. Red seems to be a very popular color as well.
Contrast this woman walking in red in the same city. There is a huge difference in Romanian and Gypsy culture. I have come to love the Gypsies and their incredible sense of community and hospitality. And, I love the Romanians as well. There just totally different.
Driving and Red Trees. All the trees are painted white on the bottom. We have been told conflicting opinions about this. 1. It is because of the bugs. 2. It is because it is Easter, which is when they get repainted. 3. Reflection for the cars, because there are no street lights.
I call these the feather trees, because they look like upside down feathers.
Corvin Castle. I got this informations from a website... Read if you are intersted in the history. If not, just look at the photos. HUNEDOARA
is a town situated in South-Western Transylvania, in Cerna Valley in
The Poiana Ruscãi Mountains within the Transylvanian Alps. It is a town
with beautiful monuments and a rich past, but also an modern industrial
town with a large metal processing factory. It is the most important
center in the "Tara Hategului" (Hateg country) also known as the Iron
Gates of Transylvania, a region with rich and unique history and
traditions. Iron ores have been extracted in the area since the Iron
Age and later in the Thracian and Roman times. One inscription
discovered in the region by the name of "Corpus Inscriptiorum
Latinorum" mentiones a local inhabitant as "natas ibi, ubi ferum
nascitur", born "where the iron was born". Mentioned since the 12th
century as a hub for leather tanning and wool processing, the town of
Hunedoara became an important iron extracting and processing centers in
Transylvania. In the 14th and 15th centuries the
iron foundries and works were famous for their swords and spears. The
first tall industrial furnace for iron extracting was built in 1750 in
Toplita, and a later one in Govajdia in 1806. There is also a system of
narrow-gauge railway built in the 19th and 20th
centuries that still runs today through the breath-taking landscape of
"Tara Padurenilor" (Woodlanders' country). The town is also known since
the 14th century as the residence of the Corvin family. King
Ioannus Corvinus of Hunedoara (Iancu Corvin de Hunedoara) built here in
the 14th century the beautiful gothic style Corvin Castle
which still stands today dominating the surrounding town reminding of
the powerful rulers that reigned over these lands.
We arrived at the castle late because we were stopped in traffic due to the road being paved. We were determined however to make it to the castle and with Shanda and Josh in charge of navigating we eventually got there after some crazy off roading in our white delu's (small cars). The gaurd was not going to allow us in, but Shanda looked so sad and he ended up waiting for everyone else to leave and then giving us a tour, opening up locked doors and everything. It was just magnificient and looked right out of a fairytale.
One more door photo. But this one is from inside the castle and is an original door from the 1400's. The pic is a little blurry, but I liked it anyway.
The last few days I have been in a state of waiting and praying, in what has seemed like the longest couple of days of my life. You see about 10 days ago Josh and I found out that we were PREGNANT. It was Easter Sunday and we woke up early and took a pregnancy test and immediately there were two lines. We were overjoyed and at the same time flooded with a mix of emotions so we decided to walk into town and sit on one of the park benches in the square. We watched as dad's pushed their little ones in strollers, and moms chased after their children and families walked the streets arm in arm. Josh and I just looked at each other and smiled as tears filled our eyes. We both laid our hands on my belly and prayed for our little one.
Over the next week we kept the secret to ourselves, spending countless hours praying for our baby. During this time God began giving us a new revelation of his love for us. Josh and I were already so radically in love with this little unformed baby that was no bigger than a pea. Our thoughts were constantly filled with hope and love for our baby. We read Psalm 139 and were flooded with emotion as it spoke to us in a deeper way this time, because as God was giving us a supernatural love for our baby, he was reminding us that no matter how much love we think we are pouring out to this little gift that he loves our baby even more, and he loves us more. It gave me a new perspective on the depths of God's love for us, because honestly I can't fathom anyone loving this unborn being more than Josh and I. I was once again reminded that God's love is beyond human understanding and his love is deeper, wider, longer and higher than I can ever imagine and vaster than the sky.
THEN IT HAPPENED.... I started bleeding and I thought I miscarried. I ran into our room and fell hysterically into Josh's arms as we held each other and wept over our child. We were so sad and overwhelmed with heartache. I could not even speak without weeping and eventually decided we needed to go to the doctor to find out what was going on. So we went to the Emergency Room, not because I was in dire danger, but because it is free here in Romania and it was the weekend. After the examination we soon learned that I had a twin pregnancy as well as a huge blood clot. The doctor told us that it was too early to tell exactly, but that there was a huge chance that one baby could absorb the other. He shared that both babies might not make it and that I would have to come back in 10 days when the babies are further along. He said you could have zero, one, or two babies, depending on what happens in the next 10 days.
SO I AM WAITING. It has been 3 days now. And, we have 7 more to go. We are praying all the time for God's will. We want both babies to survive, but more than that we want God's will and we know that he is so GOOD and we know he wants what is best for us. So we pray and we wait. Our trust is completely in the Lord and we can't wait to let everyone know the outcome.
"YOU GIVE AND TAKE AWAY. YOU GIVE AND TAKE AWAY. MY HEART WILL CHOOSE TO SAY, LORD BLESSED BE YOUR NAME."
THIS BLOG WAS WRITTEN BY MY TEAMMATE SHANDA DODD. I really enjoyed our time of street evangelism and worship and got to have an in depth conversation with a man who was totally searching. He kept walking around in circles and watching us from different places and at the end I tracked him down with Stefi, one of our translators. And, you don't see me in any of the pictures because I was taking most of them. Ok, read on to hear Shanda's thoughts of the day.
Even
after months of it, I'm still not fond of street evangelism. I'm
generally under the opinion that it does more harm than good. People
walk by, stare, and think what are these crazy Christians doing?
Most people don't take the time to ask what's actually going on, they
make a snap judgment and continue on their way. So, as we headed out
for a night of street evangelism, I wasn't the most excited person. I
know God can move whenever and wherever
he wants, regardless of the setting or the people involved, yet I
wasn't expecting much from our few hours on the street. But, as usual,
because He's simple amazing, God surprised me.
It started out like I expected. We set up downtown in front of the
theater and began singing worships songs. Our plan was to praise our
Lord and Saviour and then see where He guided us. At first people just
walked by, giving us strange looks but not curious enough to approach
us. One man even threw a rock at us from across the plaza. I wasn't
surprised. But as we continued on, a few people took seats, some right
next to us, others as far away as possible within ear shot. And then
things began to change...
Daniella spotted us from across the plaza and walked straight up
to us asking "What are you doing?" We explained that we were worshiping
God. She didn't ask many questions but simply joined in clapping,
dancing, and even trying to sing along. We found that she's an eighteen
year old Hungarian, Gypsy who's had a very hard life.
But in that moment she seemed to let her worries go and relaxed in God's presence.
Gary sat down with some friends and listened to our music. When we
finished his friends walked away, but he stayed back. Josh and Feri
approached him and began talking. They were able to encourage him to
reconnect with his family and challenge him to come back to God.
Moni and Andrada sat halfway across the plaza whispering to each
other. When Feri noticed that they were singing along he beckoned them
over. They excitedly sat down and continued to clap and sing
with us. After we finished, I approached them and found out that they
were Christians and both attended a church in town. I have never met
young girls so on fire for Christ. They're passion and excitement
bubbled over as they expressed their surprise at hearing Christian
songs sung in their town square. It was such an encouragement to hear
them talk about God transforming their lives and hoping that their
fathers would also come to know Jesus.
Julia slowly approached us and sat down nearby. She didn't ask
many questions, but just wanted to listen and enjoy the music. She has
a religious background but isn't walking with the Lord right now. Kara
and Tara were able to talk to, encourage, and pray for her.
While some of us were talking to those who'd chosen to sit nearby,
the rest of our group walked around handing out tracks and inviting
people to a Friday night coffee house. Some good conversations were had
and people were challenged to reevaluate their thoughts on God.
I began that evening with very little joy or excitement and not
really sure what to expect. I thought maybe we'd have one of two good
conversations, but I was wrong. God showed up in a big way, moving in
the hearts of the people both young and old. We were encouraged and in
return were able to encourage those around us. Overall it was a
wonderful experience and one I'm actually looking forward to repeating
again in a few days. Please pray for our next night out on the streets
of Targu Mures. Pray for open minds and hearts as well as willing
spirits on out side. Pray that our preconceived ideas of street
evangelism won't get in the way of God working in miraculous and
surprising ways.
My favorite gypsy child. His laugh was adorably and look at his beautiful eyes -- they are captivating.
I really just want to take him home with me.
I almost cried as we prayed with the children to receive Jesus into their hearts and this little girl held her
hands out just like this for about 5 minutes, keeping her eyes closed and smiling the entire time.
It was precious!
Every Thursday our team gets to go out and minister to the gypsies in their villages.
We taught the children songs, performed a drama and Josh gave a message.
After the message around 25 adults and children gave their lives to Jesus Christ.
The typical form of transportation for the gypsies is either by horse and buggy or tractor.
In this picture you get to see a typical Gypsy village along with both forms of transportation.
Every house in the village has their own well.
Most of the gypsy homes have a bathtub in their yard.
A beautiful gypsy grandmother. She is actually the grandmother of my favorite gypsy boy pictured above.
This woman kissed us on the cheek as she invited us into her home and we enjoyed singing
worship songs in English and Pastor Zomba and his friend sang some worship songs in
Hungarian and Romanian. The town that we are in is about 50% Hungarian and 50% Romanian.
This is Targu Mures, Romania --the town in which we are living this month. It is beautiful and filled with many domed cathedrals, a castle, the cultural palace, and an old theater. We have really enjoyed working at the YWAM base here doing street evangelism and working alongside the international house of prayer. My favorite little spot in town so far is this place called the Dancing Sheva where they serve coffees, teas, and hot chocolate -- my favorite is the Aztec Chilli Hot Chocolate.
A common language without words loudly echoed in our hearts as we embraced the gypsies. They understood the sense of touch and its meaningful communication. It was so simple yet so significant the way the first gypsy lady I met held onto my arm and gently touched my skin. When I prayed for her she tightly and lovingly gripped my hand as a sign of unspoken friendship. The next gypsy lady kissed my cheek as a beautiful symbol of affection and hospitality. But, the children's language was my favorite -- HUGS. The gypsy children held onto me with everything they had as if they were screaming, "I LOVE YOU!" with each touch. They wrapped their arms around me and I held them tightly trying to tell them with everything in me that I too loved them dearly and they were extremely precious and valuable. One little boy was my absolute favorite and every time we would hug he would look up at me with this grin of pure satisfaction. Touch spoke to their souls much louder than any words could have.
You see in Romania Gypsies and Roma people are considered UNTOUCHABLE. Saying that gypsies have a negative stereotype does not even do it justice. They are persecuted and ridiculed. There are thousands of orphans in Romania and most of them are of Roma / Gypsy decent because poverty has led to an increase in child abandonment (about 40% of the the population is considered poor). The Romanian government has also sadly put a stop on international adoption trying to increase national (in country) adoption. The problem with that is Roma orphans are the least likely to be adopted even after children with disabilities. It is so sad because when you see these Roma / Gypsy children your heart will completely melt as they wrap their little hands around you. They are the most gorgeous children and I want to adopt one -- maybe the government will lift the international adoption ban when it is the right time for Josh and I to adopt.
Students in Moldova have attacked the country's
parliament in protest at the victory of the governing Communist Party
in Sunday's general election.
Witnesses say crowds
poured into the building through smashed ground-floor windows and
shortly after hurled furniture out and set it alight.
More than 30 people - both protesters and police officers - have been treated for injuries, medical officials said.
President Vladimir Voronin's office said he would make a statement later.
Tear
gas and jets of water were blasted at protesters by security forces
defending the parliament building. The presidential office was also
attacked.
Representatives of the opposition parties, are
among the thousands of mainly young people protesting in the centre of
the capital, Chisinau.
They believe the election result was fraudulent.
The
mayor of Chisinau, Dorin Chirtoaca, who is deputy head of the
opposition Liberal Party, said the protests were justified "because
people did not vote for the Communists in such large numbers".
Many Moldovans have taken to the streets against the Communists
The Communists won 50% of votes in the election declared "fair" by observers.
They were followed by the centre-right Liberal Party with almost 13% of the votes, and the Liberal Democratic Party with 12%.
Reports from the country say local television stations are off-air and the national radio station is broadcasting folk music.
No reports about the protest have been included in its radio news bulletins.
Presidential successor
President Vladimir Voronin is expected to step down on Tuesday after two terms in office.
He
is barred by the constitution from running for a third term, although
he has indicated he wants to remain involved in affairs of state.
Parliament
will begin the process of electing his successor on Wednesday. The
Communists have the biggest party in the new parliament but not
sufficient votes to select the president alone.
If no president is chosen before 8 June, another parliamentary election must be held.
The
pro-Western centre-right opposition parties have said they will not
join a coalition with the Communists, who favour strong links with both
Russia and the European Union.
Mr Voronin's successor
will lead the poorest country in Europe, where the average wage is just
under $250 (£168) a month, and will inherit an unresolved conflict over
the breakaway region of Trans-Dniester.
Correspondents
say the dispute is reminiscent of the situation in South Ossetia before
last summer's war between Georgia and Russia.
The region
has run its own affairs, with Moscow's support, since the end of
hostilities in a brief war in 1992. Mr Voronin resumed direct talks
with Trans-Dniester last year.
***Blog written by Shanda. This was during our month in Malawi and it was incredible the way the Spirit moved through us and allowed us to minister FREEDOM in the hearts of the men and women in the prison by pouring out an abundance of GRACE!
One Saturday afternoon in Nkhota Kota a few
of us had the chance to go into the local prison and preach the gospel.
Each of us was able to share a story or message with the hundred or so
prisoners that were gathered around listening. Here's a brief version
of what we shared...
Ashley - "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
Luke 17:19
We have all done things to make us ‘unclean', but just by believing, by having faith in Jesus Christ, you can be cleansed.
Tara - "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."
Luke 15:24
No matter what you have done, God is waiting for you, with arms wide open, all you have to do is return to him.
Josh - "The end of the matter, all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
Ecclesiastes 12: 13
Josh to the prisoners - "I've made more money in my 25 years than all
of you combined. I've worked in the capital of the US, walked past the
presidents house on a daily basis, eaten at fancy restaurants and worn
expensive clothes. Now, here I am in a Malawian prison with you. There
is only one rational reason for this, I've come to the same conclusion
as Solomon, nothing matters but God and Jesus. So here I am, in prison
to share God's truth with you and as I look out into the crowd I know
that despite appearances I am looking at some of the richest men in the
world, for nothing is as valuable as knowing and believing in Jesus
Christ, our Lord and savior."
Shanda - "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:32
You may be physically captive in these four walls, but if you believe in Jesus and his truth, you are truly free men.
Pastor Bonix gave
an alter call in the middle of our visit resulting in 40+ prisoners
coming forward and accepting the Lord. It was an amazing experience.
Our time in the prison was one of my favorite ministry days out of the
whole race. It was incredible to see God at work in such a dark and
hopeless place. We were truly able to live out Isaiah 61...
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because
the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me
to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and
the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
Isaiah 61: 1
Here is a video of what Josh and I are up to next. If you feel led to support us financially please click this link. And under PROGRAM choose STUDENT SUPPORT and type Josh and Tara Bruce in the field. Love you all!
Even
after months of it, I'm still not fond of street evangelism. I'm
generally under the opinion that it does more harm than good. People
walk by, stare, and think what are these crazy Christians doing?
Most people don't take the time to ask what's actually going on, they
make a snap judgment and continue on their way. So, as we headed out
for a night of street evangelism, I wasn't the most excited person. I
know God can move whenever and whe
rever
he wants, regardless of the setting or the people involved, yet I
wasn't expecting much from our few hours on the street. But, as usual,
because He's simple amazing, God surprised me. 
go and relaxed in God's presence.
g
with us. After we finished, I approached them and found out that they
were Christians and both attended a church in town. I have never met
young girls so on fire for Christ. They're passion and excitement
bubbled over as they expressed their surprise at hearing Christian
songs sung in their town square. It was such an encouragement to hear
them talk about God transforming their lives and hoping that their
fathers w
ould also come to know Jesus. 
