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).

16 comments:

  1. Our hearts should always be singing considering the Savior. Such a sweet reminder of this, Kim. Love the little barefoot boy in the front row. : )

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    1. As I was writing this, I looked up lots and lots of references to singing and songs in the Bible. I'll probably write another post about what I discovered by doing that. I agree, our hearts should always be singing!

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  2. Beautiful story and pictures. What a blessing!

    I linked here from Thrive at Home Linkup and thought you might want to link this post at the linkup I host called Essential Fridays.

    www.essentialthingdevotions.com

    I'm sure my readers would love to see this!

    Blessings.

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    1. Thank you, Mel! I appreciate your encouragement, and I did linkup at your Essential Fridays. Thanks for the invitation!

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    1. Thank you, Val! It was an amazing experience that can't be fully captured in words, but I enjoyed trying :)

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  4. I can hear this post! Collective worship is one of the most precious experiences as a Christian. Thanks for sharing! Love, Rachael @ Inking the Heart

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    1. YAY GOD! I am glad you can "hear" it, Rachael! It was my delight to attempt to make the words "sing"!

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  5. Joyful singing and praise does call in those from outside to enter in.
    This story was wonderful and thank you for sharing at "Tell Me a Story."

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  6. Dear Dee
    Yes, music is a language nearly every heart understands. Oh, I think our Pappa looked down from heaven at you all and smiled that day when you all sang praises to Him!
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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    1. I agree on both points: Music is a universal language for hearts, and our praises make God smile! Thanks for reading, commenting and encouraging, Mia!

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  7. Wow!! How wonderful!! Thanks for sharing this over at WholeHearted Wednesdays this past week.

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    1. Judith, thank you for hosting the blog hop and for your ongoing encouragement: both bless me!

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  8. So exciting! I'm visiting from the blog hop and thought this might be a birthday invite thing, but what a great surprise. I love this story. Thanks for sharing!!

    Lindsey from Growing Kids Ministry

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    1. Lindsey, I am glad you visited even though it was a different take than you imagined! Glad it was a blessing to you. Yay God!

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  9. Hey, we sang that song at church today! Lol! Such a beautiful song and I love how it drew these children's hearts and curiousity to the Source!

    Thanks so much for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday! By the way, the new linky party is live and ready for your posts! :)

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Each week I write a BOG (Brag On God) post. My prayer is that my words will invite you to brag on God, too. And together we'll make God smile.