We have been in Romania for just about a week now. We are living in a small village outside of Bistrita called Viile Tecii. There are beautifu green rolling hills and wildflowers fill the hillsides. There is only one road in Viile Tecii and it happens to be a major highway – so every vehicle imaginable travels on it – 18 wheelers and horse drawn wagons, buses and bikes. Our teams are living with different families within the community – all within close walking distance of each other. Our ministry options are broad and limitless – each day looks very different. Somedays we play with children, somedays we visit homes, somedays we talk with elderly folks and most evening we have a campfire service which attracts many of the gypsy people in the community.
One day last week I climbed the hill behind our house. I hiked to a ridge where I was a bit hidden – I needed a little time away. After about an hour or so the winds picked up and the temperature dropped; I could tell a storm was on the way and then I felt the first rain drop. I gathered my belonging and slowly made my way down the hill. I was about half way down and I realized the wind and the temperature weren’t too bad anymore, so I decided to extend my stay on the hill. I sat back down.
A few moments later Lacey, one of the boys, spotted me and made his way up the hill. He sat down next to me and despite his small English vocabulary and my small Romanian vocabulary we were able to have a conversation. After a bit of time I handed him my journal and some markers and he went to town – he drew me beautiful pictures of rainbows and flowers and houses.We then proceeded to go meddling for wildflowers – Lacey is very enthusiastic about flowers! He picked all the lilacs he could reach and every single wild iris he could find, by the end of our time we had a very beautiful, very large bouquet.
The hill is a popular place and many others spotted us and joined us that afternoon. We built a fire and roasted potatoes, we drew pictures, we played a version of baseball with sticks – it was like being a kid again. The children here are beautiful, creative and passionate and are reminding me to be that way too.
It was a wonderful day – as I sought the Lord about my time and ministry here in Romania, He brought it to me. It is clear that I am to love these kids as if they were my own – and in that continue to learn how the Lord loves me as His own too.
Viile Tecii
The homes we live in
Wildflowers
Bianca and Paula drawing in my journal
Benny and the wildflowers
