Hello everyone!

Today is Sunday August 29th as I write this post. I want to share my honest thoughts and what I’ve felt. There is so much good I want to share through the honest struggles I’ve been going through.

We arrived here in Craiova, Romania on August 13th. The very next morning we find out some people had COVID. We have all been in quarantine since we arrived here because we’ve been around them. I found out a few days ago I tested positive for COVID from a rapid COVID test. I have felt 100% amazing every day since I’ve gotten here. I still feel 100% physically. Most of you that know me, understand that I’m a very extroverted person. I love to be on the move. I love to meet new people. I was so excited to develop relationships with the people here in Romania and be a light to them. To share the name of Jesus when those opportunities arise! I want people to see Jesus in me by how I love them. I want them to see the great unfathomable love of the Father through my life. I have a few more days in quarantine. I truthfully and honestly do not want to be here but I know this is out of my control. All I can do is lay this down at the feet of Jesus, knowing he brings all my requests to the Father! (“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15 ESV).

I know The Lord has heard me. As the song “Even If“ by MercyMe goes:

“I know You're able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone
They say it only takes a little faith
To move a mountain
Well good thing
A little faith is all I have, right now
But God, when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Oh give me the strength to be able to sing
It is well with my soul”

I know I’ve gone through many hard things in my life. Now, if I’m being honest with myself, there is always a lens that I can look through in my life. A lens that Jesus can help me see through. I can either say “woe is me” OR I can look to His word and SO CLEARLY see His truths!

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
(Romans 8:28 ESV)

-Do you see that? He works everything together for GOOD! Not my definition of good. My God’s definition of GOOD that is the standard of good!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

-Do not lean on my own understanding. God’s ways are beyond my understanding. I desire to give everything to Him! He knows that! And He says “TRUST.” I can SO CLEARLY see His faithfulness in the past and how He worked it together for GOOD!

If I know His word is true (which it is!) and Jesus is the same ALWAYS then what is there to fear! ?

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
(Hebrews 13:8 ESV)

If I’m supposed to sit here and lean into Him and do ministry from a home then I will! Ministry can be done ANYWHERE.

Paul Did Ministry from PRISON. He was in Prison for years! Not one but MULTIPLE YEARS. God used Paul from a PRISON!!! He was suffering in a prison and God used it for GOOD! About 2/3rds of Paul’s Letters were written from a Prison and here I am being ridiculous because I can’t leave a property. However, what if I was in a prison for my faith? Is God still good? Is God still going to use me? ABSOLUTELY!

As Paul said: “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
(2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV)

I know this is beyond my understanding. I must walk, not always by what I see or understand but by faith that God will use me wherever I am, even when it makes no sense.

My deep desire and prayer is that this post will be an encouragement to those who read it! God is SO good and He loves us beyond what we can fathom. He ALWAYS deserves ALL the praise, ALL the honor, and ALL the glory no matter how much hardship there is in our lives.

As Paul would end His letters:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
(2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV)

-Lee Heiner

 https://youtu.be/ds3UyYqaIwM