Potatoes, Pickles, and Pork: not my preferences but His.
This year I am really striving to be unselfish with everything; my time, belongings, preferences, etc. So far it’s been really hard, trying to put all of my preferences on the back burner to serve my teammates and ministry partners and uplift those who are in leading us. We’re a family, all 25 of us. We need to take care of each other, and it’s a constant striving to making sure everyone is sought out and loved.
I’m sure laying down my preferences will be a year long process but it is leading me in the growth of dying to myself in order to live for God and His Kingdom. A key focus of Jesus’ teachings and the gospel message is to be reborn as a believer in Christ and as a child of God. While the phrase “die to self” is actually not explicitly found in scripture, it is closely related to the idea of being born again and devotion of faith. The closest thing found in the Bible is where Paul writes, “our old self was crucified” (Romans 6:6). Dying to yourself means to forego the selfish, physical, and egotistical desires of this world and wholeheartedly seek the kingdom of God, serving Him and building the Kingdom. I don’t want to worship my preferences anymore. These lyrics from “Preference,” by Rachel Morley, are my prayer.
“What if it doesn’t look like what I thought it would.
What if you come in ways I didn’t know you could.
Offend my mind. Reveal my heart.
I don’t wanna worship my preference anymore.
Right now if you whispered my name would I know your voice.
Would I ache to respond or would I not hear you,
Because all else is too loud.
Lord, you have my attention, speak to me now.
I don’t want to worship my preference anymore.”
A sweet story from Romania:
At the end of our month in Romania, we were blessed with a trip to northern Romania. One Sunday morning, all 25 of us + 5 Romanians hopped in four vans and headed north. On the 5 hour drive, we saw the beautiful snow-capped mountains, had sweet conversations and restful naps, stopped at a gorgeous canyon and pet some stray dogs, then finally arrived in Alba Iulia, where we toured around the historical downtown, with a church, tunnels, university, moat, etc. So cool!
Then our squad was split to go stay at three host houses. These hosts were a pastor and two families from his church. Six of us girls were split from our squad to stay with Elena. When we arrived at her home, our driver helped us unload our backpacks as Elena came out to greet us. Warm smiles and firm hugs were immediately given to all of us. We were also greeted by her 17-year-old daughter, Lydia, and her 8-year-old son, Tudor. Then she ushered us all inside, where a hot meal and comfy beds were waiting for us. During the meal, we all got to know each other. Lydia spoke the most English and helped her mom and brother in communicating with us. Afterwards, Tudor asked us if we wanted to watch a movie, Encanto! Of course! So, Elena pulled out a projector and we rearranged the couches and cushions to make a place for everyone to sit. (What a cute movie! I recommend watching it!)
The next morning, Elena made us a wonderful breakfast with traditional Romanian food, “fruit of the forest” homemade jam, and hot coffee to enjoy before going out to explore and adventure. Elena so unselfishly and hospitably sent her kids off to school, made us breakfast, coffee and made sure we were ready for our day, all with a smile on her face before 8am. Also her husband works out of the country for months at a time, while she stays in Romania and takes care of their kids. Yet, her home was so full of Christ’s love and joy and peace. She is a sweet example of Christ.
That night on our way back from visiting Alba Iulia, the castle, and fortress, we stopped at the local church (whose pastor was one of the other hosts for our squad). There we got to meet several church members and hear about their church and ministry, worship with them and then close in praying for their church, the ministry they do, the people of Alba Iulia, and the growth of the church they’re hoping for in the city, as well as safe travels and health for the pastor and his wife as they travel to the USA to meet with churches there. As the night came to a close, we were driven back to our sweet sweet host where again she had a hot meal ready and waiting for us of potatoes, pickles, and pork. Now if you know me, I’m a weirdly picky eater… I don’t like potatoes. Yes, all potatoes, even French fries. I don’t like pickles, ew yuck. And I really don’t like pork. No reason other than I think I’ve eaten too much badly cooked pork to prefer to eat it. At first, I was a bit frustrated that I wasn’t going to eat anything. But being super hungry, I knew I had to eat something. So I picked up a pickle, a potato and a piece of pork, and ate it all. Sitting there with a full table of people who love Jesus and are full of joy, I forgot that I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy my dinner, but I left the table feeling full and so loved. God is teaching me to put down my preferences, and in that, He blesses me with being so present in my life. It’s a hard journey, but it’s nothing compared to the sacrifices God has made for me. It’s a constant surrender of preferences, that I know will continue to be hard, but there is so much joy and filling in laying it all down for God.
Prayer requests:
For our Romanian friends: Our host family and church in Romania are on the front lines helping transport Ukrainian refugees from the Ukrainian/Romanian border to Germany. Also many churches and missionaries in Romania are housing and feeding the refugees. Please pray for all these people; the Romanians, Ukrainians, missionaries, refugees, soldiers, etc. For protection, for peace, for the hope of Christ to spread, for families to be brought back together, etc. Thank you!
For my squad: Tomorrow, our squad of 25 split into our teams of 6 to spread out in Albania, following the Lord’s guidance to where He wants us to serve. Some teams are going south, some north, some to the coast, some to the mountains. Please pray for safety as we travel, for the softening of hearts of the people we will meet, and boldness to share the Gospel.
For me: Clarity in listening to the Lord’s voice, and laying down my preferences to serve God, my team, and Albania well. Also continuing funding… I’m less than two months away from needing to be fully funded, with about $2500 more to raise. If you feel led or know someone who wants to donate, here are a few options:
On my blog: click the DONATE tab. You can donate directly to my fund, also it’s tax-deductible.
Venmo: my venmo is @clleverich.
T-shirt fundraiser: I made a cool t-shirt design, check out THIS LINK. I make about $7-10 per shirt depending on type.
Love you all dearly, Clara Grace
