October Update!

"...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - Jesus (John 10:10b) Another month has come and gone.  Right now I have been enjoying such beautiful Fall time weather.  October was a month of getting settled into my classes with my kids in the After School Program.  It has been so nice to have consistency with the kids and to get to know them more.  I can see the difference in them as well.  Stability in the classroom, a schedule, them knowing what to expect and what my expectations are, makes such an enormous difference in their behavior and learning.  This year because the school in the village has the grades all mixed up as to what time they attend school, I was not able to take kids all from one grade, instead I took the kids who are all on the same level learning and knowledge wise.  As with last year, I have the kids who are furthest behind.  I do not have any first graders this year, which is a little sad, as I really loved working with those kids last year.  This year I have all second and third graders.  We have seen a few kids who are not able to be in the program anymore because they refuse to go to school, and unfortunately that means they are not able to attend our program either.  We have over 115 kids and there are so many we had to turn away because we just do not have the space or staff.  So we need to be sure we are working with the kids who are actually attending school. Vasi who was in my first grade class last year is in my second grade class this year.  She is so amazing.  She is now the only child out of 11 who is attending school.  She goes on her own and comes to our program.  After snack she will pull out her school books and begin her homework.  Even if the rest of the class does not have homework to work on and together we are all learning something new on the board, Vasi will be diligent to sit at her desk and complete her homework.  Homework is a main part of the After School Program, as many of the children do not have a parent or family member who are educated enough to help them with their studies.  I’m so proud of Vasi.  Seeing her grow and her desire to learn is awesome.  I still get a giant hug from her every day before she walks out of the classroom.  She makes my heart so happy!   Time with the interns has been amazing as well.  Our individual monthly meetings are revealing to me all that God has been doing in their hearts and lives during their time with us.  We also have been reading “Knowledge of the Holy” by AW Tozer and going through what we read together each week.  Seeing their knowledge of who God is and what His attributes are grow is really encouraging.  This past week we finished our Bible Study series “Breath on a Page” by Louie Giglio, where he taught us all about the Word of God.  These young ladies are so open to grow and learn. I am truly enjoying being able to disciple them.  They have true servant’s hearts and God is blessing them so much through their time here.  I love watching them grow! My Interns during our Book study time We also do fun stuff together.  Each month we have an Intern Adventure and we also have a craft time.  This month we decorated pumpkins for the fall time! Last month the girls each painted a canvas with their theme quote for the year. Intern Izzy, celebrated her 21st birthday this month! “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -Jesus (John 16:33)   October had a lot of really hard stuff in it for me personally as well.  God is stretching me and challenging me in new ways.  I want to grow in Him through it all.  There has also been a lot of spiritual warfare stuff.  Let me tell you, when you commit to follow Jesus, and then get out there in the battle and are discipling people, and sharing His love, you will have opposition!  I had been warning my interns to be aware of it and boy did I get nailed with it!  It is so important to have people standing with me and lifting me and these ministries up in prayer.  Also please pray for my health, I have had a sinus infection for 2 weeks now, which has not been fun. “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:10-13   Finally I found out this month that my support I receive will be decreasing in January.  I do not usually bring things like this up. I have actually been praying about it all month, whether or not I should say anything.  God has been so faithful to me in the past, and I have felt challenged by Him before to not say anything and to just watch Him work to supply. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and has time and time again throughout my history of living in Romania and even my short term missions trips provided for me, without my making a request for support.  But God has been showing me, that I have always loved to give through my tithing to support missionaries in other countries, knowing that my finical support for the work they were doing was actually laying up treasure in heaven for me.  Whatever work was done through their hands, was also credited to me in heaven because I support them.  God even challenged me to continue doing this even while here in Romania.  It’s all His money, and His work.  And as the widow gave out of her poverty there is no reason I should not be tithing myself. I had budgeted that I would need about $700 a month to live here in Romania. I have only had $475 a month committed from supporters, but as always, God was faithful.  There have been numerous people throughout the year who gave a one time donation that made it possible for me to live.  God also provided in other ways, by providing material things I needed.  I would have had to buy them, but God provided them saving me money that way.  He also provided me a “free” place to live for my first few months here, which allowed me to save up money to use throughout the year.  He is always incredibly faithful to provide for my needs, just like He says He will in His Word.  My support will be decreasing to $425 in January.  My rent and utilities are almost 2/3 of that amount alone.  I do believe that God still has for me to remain in Romania, He is not calling me somewhere else, so I know He will provide, but I wanted to give you the opportunity to come alongside of the work I am doing here.  I don’t want anyone to give out of guilt.  God is bigger than that, and He asks that we give from a cheerful heart.  If He places it on your heart to help support me, that is awesome!  You can click HERE for more information.  If He does not, that is ok too!  I do have faith that He will provide, He has proven Himself to be faithful to me on so many occasions that I do not doubt His Word.  I do ask that either way you would keep me in your prayers.  Prayer support is even more critical to my life and work here than financial support, and I am in no way being sarcastic when I say that. November begins tomorrow and it will be a crazy month!!!!  I am a bit intimidated by all that is coming up.  Please keep me in your prayers. There are some exciting things around the corner for me, and at the beginning of December I will be coming back to California for a visit.  After being in Romania for 14 months, it will be time to come home and see my family and friends.  I can’t wait to fill you in more next month! Grace and Peace, Rachel Copyright © 2015 Rachel Titiriga, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you asked to be on Rachel's Missionary Update List Our mailing address is: Rachel Titiriga Strada Neptun 16 Bloc 61 Scara B Apt.20 Brasov 500348 Romania Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Sometimes life gets the best of me.

Sometimes life gets the best of me.  I suppose that is just part of life.  So many things going on, and we can become buried under them.

Last night as I was laying in bed feeling pretty depressed actually, and then I realized that I had not read my Bible at all this week.  I have been fighting a pretty bad sinus infection/head cold and have spent every moment at home just out of it.  All the while life has continued on around me and stuff has been happening.  This month has been a rough month personally.  Probably the hardest month I have had in my one year back in Ro.  It's like I have gone through a year of Peter walking on the water, and then this month, the waves have come crashing in and I have begun to sink.

As I was praying last night, trying to ask God for wisdom and to help me with a decision I need to make, He gently reminded me that I keep asking Him questions, but then not spending any time with Him in His word for answers.  Sigh....I know better.  And really I should not use being sick as an excuse.

So this morning in my devotional I was reminded about keeping it all about Jesus.  This obviously applies to my ministry here, but it applies to life in general.  It is not only the needs of the people we minister to that can overwhelm us, it is our own needs and wants, the needs of family and friends, the expectations of those around us....and next thing you know we are so focused on the waves of needs that we lose sight of the ONE who has called us, who has redeemed us, and who has a plan for us. The one who gives us answers and blessings, wisdom and hope.

So now that the Lord has reminded me of this, I need to put it into practice....cause even the revelation of truth, while it brings freedom and hope, still needs to be worked out in our lives.  I know these things to be true, I know where my eyes and heart and hope need to be focused.... NOW I need to apply this.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I turn to Him and lean on Him during this crazy time.

Here is the devo I mentioned earlier....

What is a Missionary?

Jesus said to them again, "…As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." —John 20:21

A missionary is someone sent by Jesus Christ just as He was sent by God. The great controlling factor is not the needs of people, but the command of Jesus. The source of our inspiration in our service for God is behind us, not ahead of us. The tendency today is to put the inspiration out in front— to sweep everything together in front of us and make it conform to our definition of success. But in the New Testament the inspiration is put behind us, and is the Lord Jesus Himself. The goal is to be true to Him— to carry out His plans.
Personal attachment to the Lord Jesus and to His perspective is the one thing that must not be overlooked. In missionary work the great danger is that God’s call will be replaced by the needs of the people, to the point that human sympathy for those needs will absolutely overwhelm the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ— “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19).
When looking back on the lives of men and women of God, the tendency is to say, “What wonderfully keen and intelligent wisdom they had, and how perfectly they understood all that God wanted!” But the keen and intelligent mind behind them was the mind of God, not human wisdom at all. We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the divine guidance of God being exhibited through childlike people who were “foolish” enough to trust God’s wisdom and His supernatural equipment.
-My Utmost For His Highest

One Year!!

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Today marks one year since I packed up my bags and said goodbye to my parents in the International Terminal at LAX. Time is so surreal.  It feels like only a few months have gone by, and yet that moment in the airport feels like years ago.  I feel like I have not been in Romania for very long, and yet feel like I have always lived here. I just wanted to write a quick note, to thank all of you who have supported me this year financially and through your prayers, I would not be able to live here and be involved in the ministries I am a part of without you.  And to those of you who have taken the time send me short emails and to ask how I am doing, thank you all as well, you have no idea how much it means to me to hear from you. This isn't an update, rather a photo review of my year.  Looking back at these pictures brings joy to my heart and tears to my eyes. I am so blessed to be here.  To be a part of Firm Foundations Romania, to manage the After School Program and Internship Program and to be a part of the other ministries and relationships the Lord has brought across my path this past year. I am thankful for the friendships and lessons learned.  I am thankful for what the Lord has done and what He will continue to do. I hope you enjoy the pictures! The After School Program The Internship Program Autumn 2014 Thanksgiving 2014 Winter Time! Christmas 2014 Spring 2015 Easter 2015 Summer 2015 My 36th Birthday! Friends Along the Journey Beautiful Romania