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
“Not my standard of Good.”
Hard lesson to accept by the world and us personally. And part of a daily walk.
Glad to hear from you Lee!!!
God is good, all the time.
All the time, God is Good.
Mark Shreiner
Lee,
It is so good to hear from you!
The words of the benediction that Aaron Moore leaves us with each week are so good! Tuck them in your heart – we continue to pray for you on this amazing journey!
“You go nowhere by accident.
Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, God has put you there.
God has a purpose in your being there.
Christ lives in you and has something he wants to do through you where you are.
Believe this and go in the grace and love and power of Jesus Christ.”
By Richard Halverson, former chaplain of the US Senate
Hi Lee,
Sorry to hear that you have now tested positive for Covid. I have been praying for you. I am thankful that you have been feeling well. Like I told K, even though she has been quarantined since she got there, we can be thankful the symptoms are mild and she isn’t in the hospital. Also, we can be thankful that you are not sleeping in your tents. I have heard that you have a great host and a nice home to stay. You also have many more months of ministry to serve. You have done a great job of serving your teammates as you took care of them while they were sick in the beginning. Praising God for you and thankful for your very positive perspective. Stay strong in God’s loving promises. Thank you for keeping us updated.
So sorry you tested positive. I am very happy to hear that you are feeling good and want to do ministry. I am sure you will be a blessing to your host and others during this trying time.
Lee
I your personality is like mine. It is very hard to not be active and involved. But the Lord gives us a lesson. And that is patience. He does everything through us. So no matter if you are quarentined or not he will send his message through you and in the mean time you will/can be patient. You can pray and listen. You can reachut through media like this to others and you will go out into the mission better prepared to hear, to follow and to serve. Be grateful he loves you so much that he takes this time to help you even thogh it does not seem like it sometimes. Trust.
JOhn
Hang in there Lee. Christ IS working through you no matter where you are. I’m glad you’re not feeling sick. Your time will come. Blessings to you and your team. Lisa (from EPC)
Lee,
Your are in our thoughts and prayers. We hope your COVID illness is not severe. God will be with you every step of this journey as you
spread his word, grace, mercy, love and forgiveness!
God bless!
Your time in Romania has not been what you expected but it is what God planned. I am grateful you did not feel ill and were able to help your fellow missionaries. Also grateful none of you had to be hospitalized. I cannot imagine what that would have looked like in Romania. Sometimes God calls us to serve in the most unexpected ways. 🙂 He will provide ample opportunities. of that I am sure. God’s plans are perfect, even when we don’t understand them.
Leslie
Proud of you son. Glad your feeling ok w Covid. Please be careful. I met a couple last Wednesday from Huntington and they have been in Romania for missionary work. Small world. T hi is couple bought your great grandfather’s home and redoing it. I love you and pray for you but I know where God has led you.
Hi Joan!
Your message really means a lot to me! I’ve been trying to find ways I can serve those here. Thank you for your prayers! It was nice seeing you on the video call with Kaitlynn a couple days ago! I hope you all are doing well!
– Lee H.
Hi Darla!
I got your email too! I’m doing well! I’ve always felt 100% with no symptoms. I was asked to take a rapid COVID test. Unfortunately, I tested positive. Things are going well and we’ve had a great time of fellowship and prayer today!
Hi Leslie!
Thank you so much for your encouragement! It really means a lot to me. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a piece of scripture that I’ve really been clinging too through this. So good to hear from you!
-Lee Heiner
Hi Mike and Jennie!
I was so overjoyed to see your names pop up in the comments! I have not had any symptoms. We just have COVID protocols here that I have to abide by. Thank you all for keeping me in your prayers! Miss seeing and taking with you all!
– Lee Heiner
Hi Lisa!
Thank you so much for your encouragement! It’s so easy to know these things but it can be easy to lose sight of truly remembering the fullness of what that means. Christ does work in and through me wherever I am. Sometimes I need to be reminded of simple things like that from others. Thank you for that!
-Lee Heiner
Hey John!
So good to hear from you! You are absolutely right! That’s the hard truth for me. I can use so much of my time to better encourage my team here and ministry can be done here. I know God is using this time for good. It’s been important for me to remember that and not get distracted from that truth. Thank you for your encouragement! Miss you all! Say Hello to the Saturday crew for me!
-Lee Heiner
Lee
Praying that will use even this COVID-enforced downtime for His glory.
Blessings
Doug