Shoulder to Shoulder

By Doug Martin

With eager anticipation I drove six hours down the pothole infested highway to meet Pastor Vasile at the airport. Vasile Paul was returning from the United States with the incredible news that God was providing over $50,000 for church building construction in our area. As we drove home that night, our conversation turned toward our relationship and partnership in the ministry.

I would describe my relationship with Vasile like the biblical passage, "Iron sharpens iron." All I know is that when metal grinds against metal, it produces "sparks." I admit that "sparks" have flown during some of our deacons' meetings as each of us attempts to passionately communicate our thoughts and ideas. On this drive home, Vasile surprised me by saying, "Doug, I really like it when you tell me 'No' at the deacons' meetings.

In disbelief, I responded somewhat sarcastically, "Vasile, you do NOT like when I disagree with you!"

Vasile retorted, "Well, that's true. At that moment I don't like it, but it makes me think. In fact, sometimes for an entire week, I will think to myself, why does Doug not like my idea? Why does he not agree with me?" Vasile raised his hands side by side like train tracks and said, "Then I realize, sometimes I do not have right and sometimes you do not have right, but [clasping his hands] together we have right!" A big smile spread over my face knowing that he considered me his partner, shoulder to shoulder, in the work.

I returned to Romania briefly during my furlough and stopped to visit Pastor Vasile. Giving me a big bear hug, he said "Doug, when are you coming back to Romania to live? I have no one like you to talk to about the ministry."

"Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to stand shoulder to shoulder in the ministry with my dear Romanian friend, Vasile Paul."