Pulling up to our debrief location, it was obvious that we were going to have a good time. Brasov is a beautiful little town, quaintly European, and very ready to receive a group of 20-something American tourists. The air was crisp, the coffee shops and pubs were plenty, and only a thin cloud of constant cigarette smoke reminded us that we weren’t someplace closer to home.
Welcome to Brasov, Transilvania.
After a few days of rest and revelry, it was time to move on to our next ministry location. My and one other team banded together in a van with “Precious Moments”-style décor and rode through a million breathtaking switchbacks to a village called Draganesti. It is a small and simple village with a fair amount of gypsies and a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.
As soon as we arrived, I felt heavy. Something about the village just didn’t jive with me. This was a physical thing as well- I caught some 12-hour mystery bug and threw up 14 times in a span of two hours a few days after arrival. My teammates were also coming down with random sicknesses and everyone pretty much had a chronic case of the Mondays. I couldn’t understand why I felt that way, either. I was so excited to be with another team and I was excited for the work we were doing. It was like I was Harry Potter when he didn’t realize he was connected to Voldemort through his scar and couldn’t understand what was happening.
I totally get it, Harry. I totally do.
About a week after arrival, it started to make sense. We learned that sex-trafficking is commonplace in the area and takes place in multiple houses on our street. We learned that, every so often, strange men will go door to door asking families if they would like to sell one of their children into the sex-trafficking trade. Heavy. Oppressive. Heartbreaking,
Learning these things gave a new perspective and a new place to fight off all the negative vibe-age from. It’s amazing how we forget the spiritual stuff, even when we’re setting out to do spiritual work. In Ephesians, it says “This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world.” Shoot. That’s intense.
There is definitely a spiritual Voldemort in this area and awareness is one of the first keys to defeating him. Check.
Does the armor of God include robes and a wand?
Other than all of that, the time in Draganesti has been the busiest and most productive time so far. Not only are we working alongside another team consisting of some of my favorites from the squad, but our contact has a lot of different projects that he needs help with.
My schedule has been pretty consistent. On the weekdays from 9:00-10:30, I teach an intermediate English class for the translators in the area. From 10:30-12, both teams get together for prayer for different things going on within the village, the country and the region. After lunch, a group of us goes out for “Evangelism” until about 5 or 6pm.
At first I was wary of that last part. I was thinking the scene would go something like this: “Hello, I’m a white American who has zero context for being in your culture. Would you like to hear about this Jesus guy who I’m super stoked on?” Luckily, it hasn’t gone that way at all. We’ve gone in for home visits to people who wanted us to come to talk and pray for them, passed out fliers inviting people to the local church, made friends in the village and have helped out where we can. We’ve been company to a lonely woman who’s lost both of her daughters, bought diapers for a woman who couldn’t afford them for her child, been encouragement (I hope) to a man who’d lost both of his legs, and have given our testimonies at various events. And it’s only been two weeks!
On the weekends, we venture into some of the surrounding villages to help out wherever is needed there as well. I’ve been helping to run the kids clubs- making Bible stories interesting and exciting enough to keep the attention of seven-year olds and making up ways for them (and myself) to remember them.
The hours have been long, but the work is so worth it. We’ve got two more weeks to give it our all before heading into Bucharest for team changes and to make preparations for India!
The time here is dragging by quickly and I can’t believe it’s already mid-October! Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I miss you all dearly, but am excited for what’s ahead.
Love,
