Journey to Romania, Part 3: Preparation

September 11, 1995, I boarded a plane to Bucharest, Romania with a team of twelve others led by our mission pastor.  It would have been my mother’s 55th birthday.  I was given some great advice from a previous missionary to Romania, “Don’t have any expectations.  Just ask God to show and teach you what He wants to teach you.”  Expectations.  I never, ever in my entire life thought I would share with hundreds of Romanian orphan children the testimony of my being unwanted by my earthly father and redeemed by the overwhelming/never-failing love of my Heavenly Father.  My life was forever changed and Romania was forever embedded in my heart.  (Side note:  JeJe had just finished attending CC Bible College in Hungary and we did not meet on this trip.)

I was asked by my missions pastor and the then pastor/missionary of the church we worked with, to pray about moving to Romania and serving full time. I shared with them that I only wanted to be in/do God’s will and I would seek Him about it.

Within days of our return, my back went “out” and I could not walk for a couple of weeks. I started physical therapy but ended up having two herniated disks surgically removed in May, 1996.  When this first happened, I thought it was a definite sign that I wan’t supposed to go to the mission field, but…if that was the case, why was Romania burning in my heart?  Then in February, 1996, I attended a women’s conference and heard another missionary share words from Corrie Ten Boom and Elisabeth Elliot.  Oh, did the Holy Spirit fall on me and overwhelm me with the direction that I was to “GO!”

My family was against my being a missionary.  They were very good at reminding me of my “past” (especially my aunt).  Jesus gave me two verses:

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:37-39

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–as her great love has shown.  But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47 (Jesus speaking about the “sinful” woman who washed/anointed His feet and the criticism made by the disciples.)

The LORD began confirming my decision by bringing my home church alongside of me, and I had total support when I moved to Romania, a few days after my thirtieth birthday, February 25th, 1997.  Shortly before I left, the LORD worked in my family’s heart and my aunt began supporting me.

It was winter when I arrived.  It was bitter cold and I lived in the town next to where the church was.  I had been placed to live with a couple of girls from the church until I could find my own place.  We were a five minute bus ride from our town to the next, but our town was a coal mining town.  Coal smoke filled the air as the city was not yet piped into natural gas.  There was a central coal burning place right across from the windows in my bedroom and the kitchen which blew puffs of dark clouds right into our windows…sigh!!! I cried into my pillow several nights.  It was freezing cold, my hands and skin became dried and cracked until they bled.  Daily I went to the baby orphanage, which was very emotionally draining, and my hair, nose and ears were black from coal soot at the end of each day.  I did not have a washing machine. We washed clothes by hand with a wood board and scrub brush in the bathtub and many days the water was shut off to prevent it from freezing in the pipes of the apartment.  Soot…ashes…cinders.  Seriously, God had a BIG sense of humor sending this Southern California Valley Girl there!

by Coleen Jejeran, Missionary to Romania

(Look for Part 4 of Coleen’s story soon)

Journey to Romania, Part 2, Surrender

At eighteen I said “goodbye” to my aunt’s house (and her church); I moved in with a high school girl friend who lived in the North Hollywood area.  We loved going to concerts, clubs and the whole Hollywood scene.  I worked two part time jobs to provide for myself and soon landed my first full-time office job near Beverly Hills, working in the finance community for the “rich and famous.”  I went to clubs and bars with my friends and eventually met an “older man” (he was 25 and I was 19).  We spent four years together, breaking up when he broke my heart after having an ongoing relationship (just one of many, I learned) with another woman.  Naive me, during this time I had even followed him north to live in San Francisco.  My aunt graciously helped me move back to L.A. where I again repeated the life style of going to parties and bars and entering into unwise relationships.  I was twenty two years old.

BUT, this time Jesus started pursuing me and searing my conscience.  Unbeknownst to me, my grandma had been praying for this very thing.  My aunt said she had prayed for me, too.  She hadn’t wanted to see me self destruct.

That’s what I was doing, self destructing.  I had a great job, my own apartment, a sports car, a good looking boyfriend…and I could attract just about any guy when I went into a club, but I was empty and desperate.

I was trying to control my life with an eating disorder.  I had high levels of anxiety accompanied by periods of heavy depression.  I went to a Twelve Step Program…I went to a psychologist, who wanted to put me on a prescription drug…I didn’t go through with that.

Then, one day someone said, “Coleen I can’t fix it, but Jesus can.” That is the moment when I fell on my knees in my bedroom and called out to Him to save me.  I confessed my sins, asked His forgiveness and told Him I was done doing it my way.  I needed Him. His peace completely washed over me.  I went to bed that night and woke up to a new day and a new Coleen.  Complete peace filled my heart which was now totally on fire for Jesus.  A couple of weeks later I ended up at a Raul Ries Bible Study where I loved the open preaching of God’s Word and the on-fire time of worship.  I began attending a Calvary Chapel near to my home.

Oh…, the boyfriend.  Well, I broke things off with him right away.  I told him we were “unequally yoked.”  He said he was okay with it and I thought that was the end of our relationship. Less than a week later he began pursuing me…my friends and family said he was “stalking” me.  I thought it was my duty to evangelize him–Big Mistake!  He eventually told me he had found Jesus and just wanted to be with me.  As a baby Believer who didn’t know better, I made the mistake of not seeking God’s will.  A few years later he found someone else and left our relationship.  Being with him quenched my fire for the LORD.  The guy hadn’t given up his friends or worldly lifestyle and he had pulled me back into it with him.  But…the best part is that I went back to church regularly and my fire grew again.

In 1995 I worked close to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and went to a Wednesday night Bible Study taught by Pastor Chuck Smith.  He was teaching on Romans 12:1

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.”

Pastor Chuck said that we will never be able to repay Jesus for what He did on the cross, but we can live our lives as a “thank you” by offering ourselves wholly to Him for service. I prayed with him as he led us in the closing prayer, surrendering my life to Him for His use.  Within a couple of weeks, I sensed a stirring in my heart to “go somewhere.”  I didn’t know where or for how long.  I just started praying and seeking.

Someone at my home church (CC Pacific Hills) shared some information and photos of the CC Bible College (aka Castle) in Austria.  My first thought was, “Oh, a castle!  I want to go there!”  However, no doors opened.

Shortly after, our church High School group shared about their trip to Romania. We were supporting some missionaries who had gone to a really poor town there in 1990, following the revolution; they had a large ministry to orphans.

Hmmm…,I really didn’t even know where Romania was on the map but the LORD was stirring my heart.  My missions pastor encouraged me to step out in faith, so I did.  I asked my boss for the time off to go on the trip, but he said, “I’m sorry, it’s one of the busiest sales times for us…I just can’t let you go.”  I was so disappointed and called a good friend.  She prayed with me asking if it was God’s will for me to go on the trip to Romania, God would change my boss’ heart; then I would know without a doubt that I was meant to go.  Next morning at work my boss called me with a change of heart.  He told me I could go!!!

by Coleen Jejeran, Missionary to Romania

(look for Part 3 of Coleen’s story soon)

Journey to Romania, Part 1...                  The Growing Years

Who doesn’t love a good story?  I’m sure you just had a favorite come to mind. Ever since I was a little girl my favorite has been Cinderella. I know…a fairy tale with a princess, a handsome prince and, let’s not forget, a cool pumpkin coach, sparkling glass slippers and a dress that twirled and twirled as they danced and sang…until midnight.  Looking back, I love that Cinderella was always kind, regardless of what others did to her, and she allowed all the circumstances to play out without being vengeful or spiteful.  In the end she got the Prince, the dress, the shoes, the castle and she lived beyond midnight to “Happily Ever After.” Truly a beautiful story.  Only in a Fairy Tale?

The best stories are the ones we allow God Himself to write; after all, He knows us best (Psalm 139).  I have been asked to “pen my testimony.” It’s really God’s story of what He has done and is still doing.  It’s still being written and I did omit some of the more lengthy details, but I can’t edit God’s work, so here goes…

“Once upon a time” (oops, I couldn’t resist writing that), I was born in Los Angeles, California.  I grew up in the San Fernando Valley/Hollywood areas.  My mother loved Jesus and met my father at Grace Community Church (later pastored by John MacArthur).  My grandparents were founding members and my mom and her siblings grew up with (future pastor) John and his sisters at church and school; our families have lots of history together.  My father was directed to the church through one of the prison ministry pastors when he was released after serving time for various felonies, including drugs and fighting.  He pursued my mother and they were married just a few months after their first date.

I was born two years later.  When I was older my father shared he had not wanted my mother to have me.  My memories of him are filled with his drinking, violent rages, gambling away the household money, and carousing with other women.  On most family vacations I sat in the ladies’ room of a Las Vegas casino with a coloring book or dolls until he would allow my mom to come and get me.

By my early teen years, I grew to resent him.  Just ahead of my thirteenth birthday my mother was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer.  She made legal arrangements to ensure that my younger sister (by twelve years) and I would not remain in the care/custody of my father so we were sent to live with her sister six months before she died.  At my mom’s passing I became angry with God.  My aunt and I did not get along; she resented my close relationship with my grandmother (her mother) and openly shared that information with me when I moved into her home.  Not only was I the first grandchild (and the only granddaughter for over twelve years), but all of my aunt’s children were boys and I had spent a lot of my growing up time with my grandmother.  Ours was a nurturing relationship and she was a shelter for me against being home with my father.

When I was eleven years old, the Sunday School teacher had asked, “Who wants to go to Heaven and be with Jesus when you die?  I raised my hand with enthusiasm, because who wanted the other alternative…hell? What I did not understand at the time was the Lordship of Jesus Christ; that salvation involved admitting our sinfulness and our need for a Savior, which involved a full surrender to His Lordship in our lives.

In my teen years I looked to men for acceptance.  I hadn’t received it from my own father, so it became a driving force in my life.  I often wondered why the good looking, strong Christian boys at church didn’t give me a second glance.  Well…I was not walking with Jesus.

by Coleen Jejeran, Missionary to Romania

(Look for Part 2 of Coleen’s story soon)

Serving in Japan, Part 4

Origami Cranes made by Janine

Interests

I have a variety of interests. Lately, I am most interested in writing. I very seriously have 2 books that I’m going to write, but I won’t tell you what they are about (bah-ha-ha!). It’s at the encouragement of a friend that I am pursuing them—she also encouraged me to produce Therefore, a play we did at CCEA in 2013, which was 8 years in the making. In the meantime, I like to keep up with our blog (nipponalva@blogspot.com) and occasionally write short pieces.

I also love art, design and creativity in general. I love origami as well, and did 501 of the 1001 traditional cranes for my wedding (ran out of time), as well as all the floral center pieces (origami flowers). My nails were a wreck after all the folding.

If I had the opportunity, I’d love to be a hairdresser from home, and use it as a way to both bless people and make an extra buck. (Of course, I’d have to go back to school for that).

I love to read. My favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo (the unabridged version), but I love all the classic Jane Austen books and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. I love missionary biographies as well and hearing about the amazing things the Lord has done.
On that note, I’m thankful for the invention of Kindle, as books are too heavy in luggage!

I also like to cook and experiment with that. I like hosting people over at our home for small dinners (I work better in small groups!).

I love language learning. My original goal was to learn five languages, but after Japanese, I figured three was just fine (English, Spanish and Japanese).😉 My new goal is to become fluent enough in Japanese to be able to be used for translation at church, etc. And to be able to easily read my mail.

Well, I think this is more than enough to know about me. I appreciate your patience though and congratulate you if you did indeed make it to the end. I thank you for your prayers and always appreciate communication. So feel free to drop me an email (nipponalva@gmail.com). Please know that we do pray for you guys, so it helps to have specific requests.

Again, thank you for your love and support. It truly is a blessing to know that you are remembering us and there’s someone “holding on at the end of the rope”, as we hold on to you in love and remembrance from over here.

Blessings! Janine Alvarado

Editor’s Note:  You can follow Janine’s blog on Facebook at
nipponalva@blogspot.com

Serving in Japan, Part 3

Origami Floral Centerpiece made by Janine for her wedding

AND then…

In November of 2010, Break Free Ministry came to Japan and a certain young man was on that trip. It is an interesting story, but the same time that the Lord was doing things in my personal life and challenging me was the same time that the Lord maneuvered the dynamics of the trip so that Vicente could be a part of it. I was 26 at this time.

We connected through Spanish and through outreach and began getting to know each other after he returned to California and CCEA. After visiting each other, and Break Free returning to Japan again for a longer trip the next summer, we eventually became engaged and got married in April of 2012.

It was always our heart to return to Japan to continue working there as we both had a heart for Japan. But we knew we needed time to get settled in marriage first. We continued working toward Japan, and the Lord blessed us with a beautiful baby girl, Rosalyn, the day after our 2nd wedding anniversary.

In December of 2014, we moved back to Japan and are now working with the same church Fuse Jesus Community (part of PAZ Japan Mission). Vicente has already made connections with local break dancers and we are involved in a cell group, which we hope to grow and multiply shortly. Within the cell groups, people often get saved and later join in one on one discipleship. We have a 5 year commitment and will go from there at the Lord’s direction, whether it be to stay, move or go home.

Whew! Hope you’re still with me!

A little more about my Fam

Vicente, my husband, is originally from Honduras, but is now an American citizen. He’s a very outgoing, funny, relaxed kinda guy. He enjoys break dancing and music (understatement of the year…). He loves to share the Gospel and I’ve never seen someone who was always looking for an opportunity to share, no matter where he finds himself. He’s currently studying Japanese in the same language school that I went to and walks around now attempting to read everything he can. He’s extremely good with directions, and has shown me many shortcuts that I never knew existed. I’m not quite sure how he’s managed that when I was the one who lived here for 2 years!

Rosalyn, the little joy of our family, is 9.5 months old. She’s pretty friendly, loves to smile. Almost everyone always says that she is such a happy baby and they’ve never heard her cry (though I have). She loves to do adult things like drink out of real cups and eat real food. She hates the Japanese baby food (with rare exception), but loves their snacks for growing babies. She is doing the cruising thing, and always wants to stand and walk with us. She just very recently learned how to crawl (which was my prayer that she wouldn’t learn to crawl until after we moved and got settled in Japan!). We are still waiting for her teeth to make an appearance, but they are giving her a hard time lately, so I’m sure they won’t be long in coming.

Look for the final installment of Janine’s story coming soon.

 (editor’s note:  the time of this writing was January)