Along Came Carmen...

This week was the busiest week of my mission. Everything for our baptism had to be planned to the very last detail. Simultaneously, I've seen God's hand in this work the firmest it has ever been. Maria did get baptized this week. After an obstacle here and an obstacle there, she was able to walk down the stairs of a baptismal font this past Saturday. All I can say is, I did nothing. That was not my work that led her to this life-changing decision. Prayers have been answered and another daughter of God's family was able to join His side.

FACTS I LEARNED:

• Romanians get my humor more than French people do. Riddle me that.
• If a woman gets into a baptismal font after dying her hair the day before, chances are she will come out of the water as pink as a highlighter and drip pink water all over the chapel floor so that you have to follow her around with tissues until the night is over.
• Speaking of hair, Europeans tell me I'm blonde. You've seen my head. You know what color that actually is...

What I felt this weekend is really hard to explain. As much as I'd like to, I really can't find the best way. I stood by Maria as she waited by the stairs to go down into the water and all I can remember is seeing her glow. She gave me a hug and began to cry (and quite frankly, a tear or two may have escaped my eyes as well). She told me she thanks God every day for sending Sœur Cerdhé and I to her that day in November. Her family even admitted that she's different. She's happier. 

Carmen did not join her that day because she wanted to see Maria do it first. She talked to us after church the next day and said she's been talking to her husband about it. Her family is opening up more and more to the gospel each day. I can't believe God has placed this family in my life and given me the opportunity to see this family be transformed by the spirit from day one. It's been a learning experience that I thought I'd never see. It's an incredibly fine process. 

Each struggle is worth each blessing. I am a living testimony of that.

I love you. You are prayed for. Que Dieu vous bénisse!

Sœur Green