Welcome to Romania!
On July 10, we arrived in Bucharest, Romania (July 10 was also my team mate Ashley’s birthday, so happy birthday Ashley!). The entire “O” squad met for an abbreviated version of “debrief”- a time where we can meet as a squad and rest, swap stories, and encourage each other. We will have official debrief sessions at the end of months three, five, eight, and eleven. For now, though, the entire squad gathered at “Casa Shalom” in Bucharest to spend a few days together and discuss our first month of ministry. It was a refreshing time to see the rest of the teams on the squad and hear testimonies of what has happened since we left the states a month ago.
My team, Team Umoja, along with two other “O” squad teams, will be staying at Casa Shalom for the duration of the month. Casa Shalom is essentially a home in Bucharest that, at one time, served as a home for children without parents (although, to my understanding, official “orphanages” are not allowed in Romania as they attempt to move into a foster-care centered system). There are a few older children who grew up here and still live here, serving at Casa Shalom. Currently, Casa Shalom serves as a home for many activities. Periodically, summer camps will meet on the premises. Often, missionaries just like us, who are coming through Romania for a short period, will stay at Casa Shalom. It is a beautiful house, and I am so thankful to be able to stay here during our month in Romania.
While staying at Casa Shalom, our teams will participate in a few different ministries. The primary ministry that the girls on our teams will be working with is called “Jubilee Ministries”. Jubilee is a home that houses at risk women from ages 20 years to 30 years. Most of these women were at one time living in orphanages, until at age 18 they were forced to leave because of the age limit. Most of them had no real skills training and ended up living on the street. Jubilee Ministries serves as a home for them and a place of spiritual restoration and growth. Many of these women have physical and mental handicaps that have prevented them from working, and therefore have resided at Jubilee for quite some time. The girls on our teams will be going to the Jubilee house daily to spend time with these women, loving them with God’s love. I am so very excited for this opportunity- I think this will be one of my favorite kinds of ministries that we take part in on the World Race. While the women of our teams participate in Jubilee ministries, the guys on our teams will be doing various ministries in the area. Some days, they will be doing childrens ministry on site at Casa Shalom. Other days, they may be participating in relief efforts to aid those affected by recent flooding in Romania.
It will definitely be a busy month of ministry in Romania! I look forward to all the opportunities we will have this month, and hope that I will hold true to the word of God when Paul tells us: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:5). Please lift up Team Umoja as we try to make the most of every opportunity to share God’s love in Romania.
