Melodious Invitation

The doors and windows of the rural Romanian church are flung wide open to welcome any hint of breeze in the July heat. Eighteen children sit inside. 

“Let’s get started,” Pastor Danny says. “More children may come later.” 

Our mission team gathers at the front of the room and begins to sing. “Savior, He can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save! Forever, author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave!” 

Eighteen voices join in and carefully mimic the correlating motions. As they learn the song, their volume increases. And increases! 

I’m in the back of the church praying and taking photos, so I was the first to notice the beautiful sight: a line of children walking toward the church. A dozen? No, at least twenty, and there are more coming further down the road! Newcomers are led to empty seats, but before long the growing crowd has to share chairs. 

My friend Andy catches my eye: “We sang them in!” Indeed. The village children were drawn to the church by the inviting sound of voices praising God. 

“Who hears music, feels his solitude peopled at once.” 

(Robert Browning)

Fast forward to our mission team’s last night in Romania. We sit in the gathering room of Noble House, singing our grateful praise to God. 

“How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God, and all will see how great, how great is our God!” 

We sing song after song, eyes closed, hearts focused…until the realization that our voices have multiplied, new harmonies are blending in. A glance to my right confirms that our circle has grown to include members of other mission teams who have just arrived. Hearing our praise, they were drawn to join in. And so by evening’s end we worshiped God in Romanian, English, French, Spanish and Italian. 

Mission trips end, as this one did. I’m back home in North Carolina now, sitting alone at my computer. But I’m praying that my heart stays in tune, that my very life will continue to joyfully sing the invitation, “Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us magnify his name together” (Psalm 34:3 NLT).