As our final days in Romania finished up, I felt excited to have a change of pace, but sad to leave the incredible community in Draganesti. The group of 50-100 church members is one of the closest I have seen to biblically emulating the early church. They are constantly serving and loving one another. They meet the need of the moment. There is a group of 6 or 7 men in their 20s that I will miss in particular.
The Romanian culture is latin with an Eastern European twist. Many things remind me of central/south America such as similarities to Spanish, long meal times, etc, but the people aren’t quite as warm due to the past influences of communism. There is also an interesting dynamic with the people group that migrated from India, the gypsies, as they constitute both the very top and very bottom of the economic range.
Upon reflection on how I have grown personally this month, I have realized that living with 11 women has spurned a lot of growth. I have learned that I need to grow in loving peoplet. well individually. Additionally, I need to rest not in what I do, but in who I am created to be in Christ. Outside of that, I am not sure if my faith has grown a lot. I need to be more uncomfortable, and therefore more reliant on the Lord. Romania is the most developed country we will travel to, so I am eager to get to countries where I will be more uncomfortable.
To end our time in Romania, we spent 3 days together as a squad in Bucharest and in transit to Moldova. It was awesome to catch up with everyone and hear about their months.
Two days ago, we arrived in Moldova via an overnight train. This month will be just what I was needing: uncomfortable. Our housing is very limited space wise, and we don’t have running water. Internet will be very tough to get to. The culture is similar to Romania except there is more of a Russian influence. Also, the country has lost half of its population in the last 10 years because there is no work here, so everyone wants to leave.
Our contact, Vitalie, seems amazing, and our schedule for the month is this:
I get up around 6:30-7 to have a quiet time and work out.
9-9:30 Breakfast
9:30-10:30 Group Prayer and Worship
10:30-2 Mission- Could be cleaning, field work, home visits, etc.
2-3 Lunch
3-7 Mission- Kids programs, land projects, and time for “asking the Lord” what ministry to do
7-8 Dinner
8-9 Team Time
10 Bed
This is the schedule 6 days of the week, and Monday is our rest day.
Please pray for our month in Moldova. Thank you again for all your support and prayers.
