What do you do in the south of Romania without television, transportation or demanding job? You talk, you read, you drink tea and you wait…
If you know me, you know I’m not always the most patient of the group. Here in Rusanesti, the majority of the days we wait. We wait on an opportunity, we wait on visitors, we wait on the Lord. It is a very different way of life from what I live at home. However, I knew this year would be a year of challenge. God is teaching me so much about myself through the mental, physical and spiritual challenges I’m encountering.
Between these challenges, there is room for fun and play:
Social Activities
We played dominos with the next door neighbors, who don’t speak English…but who needs common language when you’re playing a game with numbers and colors?! Well, we certainly didn’t. It was such a fun night. Adena made tea and popcorn, and we crowded around the coffee table to play 4 rounds of dominos. There was joking, picking and lots of laughing. I haven’t played dominos since college with an amazing sponsor family. I have the Hester’s to thank for my enthusiasm and glee for the game.
CHORES
When I am a guest in a person’s home, I try to be respectful, gracious and clean. So far, it has been easy to do so at the Filip house. Both Adena and Christi are kind, caring and “go with the flow.” The kitchen is small, but its plenty of room for both the family and the team to share to make and enjoy meals. Clean up is easy: wash, dry and put away dishes, wipe down the cooking area and make sure all waste is put in its designated bin. Dishes are just not the same when you have a sink and drying rack; they take on renewed delight after spending a month hand washing in large rubber tubs on the ground in Haiti. Dishes are relaxing for me; the time is spent by myself, focused on a singular objective, that yields a tangible outcome. Washing dishes is my personal time…sigh.
BABYSITTING:
When living with a family there are addtional activities I don’t immediately associate with home life. Not so much a surprise…its the baby in the picture! One of our main activities, duties, joys is getting to play with Edward. He really is quite a well-behaved-handful. He affirms the theology that God makes makes each one of us in His image: boys are men and men are boys all around the world. Edward never misses the chance to throw, eat or roll in the dirt. I play with, hold, chase around, love on, soothe, and watch the most complicated aspect of family life. He is a great example for how we are to always seek the outstretched arms of our Father God.
TEA TIME:
Just as anytime is a good time for coffee in America, here in Romania, anytime is a good time for tea. I am now enjoying our Red Passion Blend after breakfast to replace my non-existent second cup of coffee. Then in the afternoon at proper tea time I have another cup, this time with a little sugar. And if I’m not in the mood for a hot chocolate at night, I might just have another cup of tea!
Relax. We are all well, happy and really enjoying Romania. Take a deep breath, thank the Lord for our hosts, Christi and Adena Filip. Breath out. Now another breath in and out. Check the ministry website of Christi for more information on his current status and his dreams for expanding the kingdom: http://misiunerusanesti.wordpress.com/.
