HeartCry missionary Natalia Terentii lives in Anenii Noi, Moldova. She serves as a part of the Philadelphia Church team. Natalia ministry includes evangelism and serving the older spiritual sisters of the congregation. In spite of debilitating health issues over the years, she has been a faithful servant of Christ. This month she shares some of the lessons she has learned during the Covid 19 isolation:
Man makes plans, then dreams and works, but the Lord makes the ultimate decision. Who would have ever thought that the entire world would stop and confined to home one day? Times are changing, situations are changing, but only God remains the same. I got sick on March 9th and the lockdown started on March 13th. I spent three weeks in the hospital. It was a time of recovering for me. Although it’s been more than a month since we haven’t been able to go to church, technology helps us come together around God’s Word. Pastor Pavel connected with us on Skype and we have had Bible study together. On Sunday we are online on Facebook when we have a worship time and then the sermon. We were not allowed to go out during this time.
After a month, I felt the need to go out and I visit a sister. God remains faithful during this hard time as He has provided for my needs (food, money, and medicines). No one has ever experienced something like this, being confined at home with your family. But we have fellowship together and develop our relationships. I am really thankful to the Lord for this period of lockdown. My situation became worse and I can’t go out too much for visiting. It’s like my body shuts off. It needs to recover slowly. I don’t have the energy to work as much as I used to, but the leaders are understanding and supportive. They help me a lot. I seem to do the same things every day; wake up, take pills, have my devotional time, have breakfast, go out in the garden, cook, work in the house and then I go to sleep again. But I take a deep breath and I say, “Be praised, Lord, for all things!” I don’t have the strength to understand and discuss what’s going on. I just live every day as a miracle and wait for my heavenly Bridegroom.
Whenever I have the opportunity, I send messages to my non-Christian friends. I am blessed to have courtyard, because I can go outside. I have neighbors who live in a block of flats and they only stay inside, but I can see nature and the birds. I can see how nature is coming back to life. I have the blessing to praise the Lord outside and talk to Him. Some people who have families ask me how I spend my time, because I am alone. And I tell them that with God you don’t get bored; you do everything with Him and for Him. You can’t change the situation, but you can change your attitude. I praise and magnify You, my unique, beloved God! I am thankful to the Lord for the peace He has given me.
When you are sick, you want to do many things, but you can’t; so you just stay and look and accept the situation. It is a struggle, but you say to the Lord, “I am right here, at Your disposal!” There are things that you don’t understand, but you need to learn the lesson and pass the exam. Life is not only about food, work, and fun; it is more about your character. If you take the wrong road, He will send you back. I was thinking about my weakness, and the fact that I can see the end. I am more dependent on Him. Through all my experiences, I’ve learned who God is, I’ve learned about His character, His voice, His plans. Job 7:17 says, “What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention?” Psalm 17:15 “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” Be blessed!
