Written Wednesday August 1st:
It’s weird to think about that I have officially been gone now for 1 year; getting on a plane heading off to Washington DC to launch, as they call it, into The World Race. It’s weird in the fact that I am still gone. I Didn't foresee that one.
For some reason I’ve recently been asked a lot what my normal day is like here, It's difficult to tell you that so I’ll fill you in on the last week or so starting on Sunday July 22nd (I call it the week of Blessing). You can see if there is some sort of normalcy in any of it.
Sunday:
While walking to church I was doing my regular greetings to everyone I walked past minus most of the men, because they creep me out. (I was smiling because I remembered how embarrassed the university students in china would get when I would do this, which has only enforced it into my routine).
Relatively early in my walk, “grandma” this 90 year old looking woman grabs my arm and won’t let go. Since I know the words for “church” and “let’s go” I used them and she agreed. We walked to the church at grandma speed so it took us 20 minutes instead of the usual 7 minutes. She continues to grasp tightly at my arm leaving me unable to escape. I exhausted my Romanian vocabulary that would be helpful in this situation within the first minute and just choose to sing her name over and over again “Maria, Maria, Maria…..” She slept through most of the service but I’m glad she came. The rest of the day was probably spent with me napping, evening church service and getting surprised with a skype call from half of Y squad. It’s a BLESSED DAY whenever I get to see those faces.
Monday:
Generally this is my day off, however I spent it in the church office replying to emails and facebook messages from Pastor Raul’s English speaking friends and supporters. If they ask for prayer before sending the email we stop and pray. I like that. I get to talk to him about how the past month has been on my own and tell him let’s change my approach for the remaining month and half left. The expectation of me possibly returning here is too much for me when every week starts to feel like a test. He understands. Praise the Lord. He also gave me permission to host a ladies night and start an Exercise program similar to Turbo Jam for the woman here and I have more control over my schedule. I walk home to prepare the house for the 2 boys from England that will stay with me for the week. I get my daily running hug and high five from my favorite gypsy children on the way back. Seriously, I don’t know what I would do without the power of a high –five. I finally get internet at the mission house! It’s another Blessed DAY in my book.
Tuesday:
I wake up early to the sound of Thunder and rain, Hallelujah! I catch a Mini Bus to Slatina (a larger city about 40 min away) with Danut’s to pick up my package from my parents (IT ARRIVED!) I get to shop at the larger cheaper supermarket to pick up needed supplies for next Monday. On my way to my first official Romanian lesson with Nicoletta, Grandma Maria from Sunday grabs a hold of my arm again and walks with me to church, just because she likes me. Oh the people stare at us as I keep responding with ”I don’t understand” as she laughs and laughs the whole way there. I get fed a delicious dinner with Jamie and Sam (the English chaps….do people still say chaps? I don’t know, I do). Hearing their testimonies and laughing at their exclamation over chickens and pigs. I get a call saying there will be a local family staying at the mission house with me for the next couple of days, the husband is off trying to find work in spain, and it's unsafe at their home without him. More guests in that Big House! (package+company= party!)
Wednesday:
I plan on walking the 40 minutes to Florina and Mark’s home to help in any way I can during late morning and afternoon. While walking I hear my name being yelled from a passing vehicle then .7 sec later hear my phone go off with Iulian’s name lighting up my screen, I hit ignore to 3 different phone calls one after another before I reach the church and thankfully see people I know who can speak to this man about not calling me again (just trust me on this one). Mark is at the church and he says if I wait 30 min I can get a ride with him back to his house (unknowingly to me he is also waiting for a ride as well, because his car needs tires and currently cannot be driven). I agree and have some coffee. I Head up stairs to where music lessons are going on and then head out to invite some people to a soccer tournament for that night. We make it to Mark’s home 1 hr after I would have made it there walking and I help prepare lunch for the guests that are coming and then later entertain the children that start to arrive for their daily children’s program at her home (the lady is amazing). I walk back into town in time to change quickly and catch a ride to the boy’s soccer tournament for 6 different villages. I’m a coach. I scream from the side lines forte bine (very good), bravo, pass, and goal! I walk in on the family showering at the mission house, with wet children running around naked. A bike was given to me to use for the remaining time I am here, answer to prayer.
Thursday:
I spend the day at home attempting to translate 6 pages of information for the church into English, with not knowing Romanian I’m told to use google translate, "it’ll do, He says." Of course, I now have internet at my house and I’m not focused in my task. Late evening it starts to rain and I head out to walk in it, everyone staring at me from under any cover they could find, while I’m jumping in puddles. On my way back I run into the family that’s staying with me and they join in on the fun. I turn on Tom and Jerry and feed them what food I have (they look hungry). Jamie says there is worship at the church tonight and I’m welcome to come along. I go and we head out at 1030 pm; finding out when he said worship he really meant worship practice and apparently I’m now singing at church with them. It’s good to have a yes mindset. we sing until about 2 am.
Friday:
I refocus, take my new bike for a ride and head to the cemetery to pray, there is shade and it has a nice view. I don’t remember what else happened that day other than another late night worship session. Probably more high fives, hugs, random greetings, and attempting to finish the translation.
Saturday:
Market day I buy more vegetables than I ever have at once and my usual vendor is excited about it. I search around other vendors and realized I look like I’m from around here so initiating conversation in Romanian may not be the best approach. I probably look mental when I realize I’m fumbling for words and then they laugh when I finally clue them in I speak English. I go for a bike ride and end up at the cemetery again. Sam ( Stage name: Da Sargeant) hosted a rap concert at the church and I go.
Sunday:
I sing in church. Both services. (you can find it on youtube). I eat lunch at the Pastor’s house and type a thank you letter to the American group for him. Did I mention there was a German group, an American group, and the 2 boys from England working in the area this week? That’s pretty darn cool.
Monday:
I woke up and found that my tooth brush has been used by the little kids that stay with me. NOT OKAY! I spent the rest of the day cooking my favorite food and being gifted a watermelon by someone who heard me sing at church (If I understood correctly). Two friends come later to help cut veggatable’s (the crazy's below) and finish preparing for the Ladies Night for all the missionary ladies. Twelve of them showed up and it was an excellent evening. SO. SO. SO GOOD. I found my purpose in being here: “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love….”Colossians 2:2. It’s a start of a plan and Ladies Night kicked it off.
Tuesday:
I check Blood Pressures at a dental clinic for a team of Romanian Dentists that have come to volunteer their time. I moved out of the mission house for the week so there is room for a group from Northern Romania and their puppets. The rest of the week will be revolved around their puppet ministry, I think. Time will tell….
Those nine days were different than the weeks before and I’m sure will be different than the days to come. So I really don’t know what to tell you when you ask what I normally do.
My prayer is that my normal day will be me asking the Holy Spirit to lead me. That it will be spent encouraging the believers here. That a normal day I will learn intentionality, that I will practice grace and patience. That a normal day will be in Worshiping at the feet of Jesus and that I would not always have the mindset of doing tasks for Jesus. My prayer is that a normal day would me walking victorious in my savior.
God is working in Romania and it’s an honor to be here even though I can tell my energy level is running low. Pray for wisdom on how to best encourage and unite these beautiful woman who have set their lives aside to follow after Jesus. Pray for the start of Turbo Jam, it has the potential to be an amazing outreach opportunity. Pray for continued strength.
Monday we head to the Black Sea for another Youth Retreat/Fellowship. Jealous?
My blogs seem to be getting longer and longer, I apologize.
Love from Romania,
Megan
