Team Perisseuo (my team) and Team Radiant have been living in Draganesti-Olt for the last week. First off, I just want to say that our pack of 13 is such a dynamic combo and I am so grateful to be doing life and living in community with these amazing people! Now back to where we are living…Draganesti is located in the heart of Olt county in southern Romania. Olt County is the poorest region in all of Romania with the average family earning around $500 a month (of those who actually have work). With the lack of work and little opportunity to provide for their families, many of the people in this region suffer with depression. As a result these beautiful people are, at first glance, extremely closed off and cold. As we walk down the streets saying “bună ziua” with a huge smile as only crazy “Americanos” can, we are often greeted with a stare. There are approximately 0.2% believers ("repenters" as they are called here) in the county. Unlike my home town with a church on every corner, there are very few churches in this region and none here in Draganesti, but the ministry we are partnered with is actively changing this reality.
I have been so incredibly encouraged, as well as greatly challenged, by the faith of the people we are partnered with in this ministry. The head pastor, Raul, along with his wife and two sons, moved here from Northern Romania in 2003. They gave up their life of ease in the big city to move into an area where they were rejected and mistreated by their own countrymen. Although Raul is a Romanian, he was ordered by the police chief and the mayor of Draganesti to leave. When he did not comply, they beat him mercilessly declaring that there would never be a repenter’s church in this county. Raul’s faith and obedience in what the Lord told him to do did not allow him to become discouraged, but instead filled him with renewed fervor for the vision of Speranta Biserica (Hope Church). After years of dedication and perseverance, Hope Church will be holding its inaugural service this Sunday!
What Raul and his family have created here in Draganesti is true community. As I have had the opportunity to listen to many of the men and women’s stories, there is a common thread–Raul. Raul has had a huge part in their story whether he led them to the Lord, discipled them at the beginning of their walk with Christ, or helped facilitate their relationship with another person from the church. (It’s a good thing we can’t date while on the World Race, otherwise I think Raul might try to use his matchmaking skills on all of us! : )) The church family of Hope Church is the living church of Acts…loving one another as Christ loves the church.
Our team has been so incredibly blessed to be a part of this ministry and we are honored to be here to see their vision come to fruition. As we scrape paint off the windows, stand on scaffolding that might not be the sturdiest in the world (which I have thankfully not fallen off of, even with my klutzy tendencies!), walk through the villages passing out invitations speaking our limited Romanian, sweep dirt into the cracks (I almost goofed this one up when I was handed a broom and shown a sweeping motion…I thought that meant to sweep away the dirt, but no, here we sweep the dirt in between the bricks…we learn something new everyday, right?), I feel humbled that our limited contribution is helping Hope Church be a glimmer of hope in this spiritually dark place and even as we scrub the floors again and again, I am reminded that what we are doing each day has eternal value and for that I am honored to play a part.
Please join us in prayer for this ministry, the people of Draganesti-Olt, the church family, and specifically for the opening church service on September 25th.
The church family
Praying on the hill over the city of Draganesti-Olt
