That was our theme yesterday, at our final service in Cluj. It is the name of a beautiful American hymn, based on Lamentations 3:22-23. It was also my own reflection on three years as a missionary in Cluj, and on the anxiety that we all feel at a time of transition such as this one. Life may seem unpredictable, the world itself may seem hard and even frightening; but God is faithful, and God’s mercies are new each morning.
Among the many joys of our final service was the reception of two new members into the Lutheran church, through the rite of Confirmation.
Trio Atmosphere, with Brian Johnston and Pastor Terri
Other delights included the presence of Arden Haug, the ELCA’s regional representative in central Europe, and Kalit Eszter, the pastor of the Cluj parish. They offered farewells and a blessing. The music was led by some of our dearest colleagues — Trio Atmosphere and Brian Johnston. The gifts that Brian has brought to the English mission are too many, and too deep, ever to be counted.
Arden and Eszter Send Us Home
We aren’t done in Cluj yet. We’ll live here for a little while longer, as we make the final arrangements and say the final goodbyes. But this marks the end of the thing that has been the center of our mission, from the very beginning: the weekly worship service. We will miss it, and we will miss that the community which has gathered around Word and Eucharist with us.
But we will never forget a moment of our time here — and we will never lose sight of God’s faithfulness!
Pastor Michael and Pastor Terri,
On occasion, I “google” my son’s name because I have found interesting articles relaying info about his college days or his missionary work in Tanzania. Recently I did find the latter – and it was a blog post by you back in June 2010 – “Our Brother in Tanzania” – talking about Aaron’s work and asking the church to pray for him. I appreciated so much knowing Aaron had been in your prayers and also what you said about “sharing a ministry, which is to be living symbols of the connectedness among Christians all over the Earth.” I don’t know if you have met Aaron; I have not had a chance to ask him. I do see that you will be leaving Romania soon; Aaron too (and his wife Allison) will conclude their teaching at KEMPS in Bukoba, TZ at the end of this calendar year and will be back home in Iowa. Aaron has been in TZ for 3 1/2 years now. I can’t imagine what it will feel like for my children and you folks – leaving your work, the people . . . your passion for the past three years. I will pray for a positive transition for my children and will keep the two of you in my prayers as well. Thank you for the work you have done overseas, and may God bless the next chapter of your lives. Sandy Caya