I had just completed my second year at the Bible school in Uppsala, and my future plans were set on university. Life was simply at its best. But why didn’t it feel that way? Why was there something inside me that was gnawing away?

A few weeks earlier, I had been asked to go on a mission trip the coming school year. I had dismissed the idea as quickly as I received it. Who was I to go? I wasn’t a missionary—new places and new people scared me, and then Romania of all places.

I had never been there, I didn’t speak the language, and I barely knew Ruben, who I was supposed to go with. It seemed like a really easy decision…

But the more I thought, prayed, and fasted about it, another decision kept pounding in my heart. No matter how good our plans are, God always has greater plans. No matter how well you’ve mapped out the future, true joy comes through trials—wasn’t that what Jacob wrote in his letter?

After my wise girlfriend said, “It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind,” I realized it too. It’s safer to be out on the water with Jesus than sitting still in the boat. After all, I had prayed to grow closer to Him. So how could I say no?

Two months in, and I’m really glad I dared to follow Jesus’ voice. We arrived with perfect timing to the church and leadership here in Alba Iulia. We’re involved in children’s and youth ministries as well as a home group for students. Besides supporting the pastor in whatever he needs, our main mission is to build up an evangelism ministry—and, above all, a heart for the lost that isn’t based on us but will remain even after we’ve left.

It’s so exciting and wonderful to see what God is doing here in Romania. Right now, we’re helping out with a revival conference organized, among others, by one of our Bible school students. And the more you start digging, the more you see that God is ready for great things here in Romania. It’s so uplifting—God is so good!

Albin Tjäder,
Missionary in Romania