It’s really crazy that it is month 10 already, we’ve been in
Romania for 14 days and our time seems as though it’s flying by faster than I
can think. I’m not quite sure why but I’ve found it very hard to blog lately,
make it’s because there’s so much to do here, or because there’s too much to
process it’s simply overwhelming…I don’t know, all I know is that I’m having
trouble putting into words all that the Lord is doing.
I value very much everyone at home and abroad that is
keeping up with my adventures though so I’m going to try and put into words as
best I can all that I’m thinking.
keeping up with my adventures though so I’m going to try and put into words as
best I can all that I’m thinking.
Since being in Romania we have been living in the village of
Stejeris near the city of Tirgu Mures and we LOVE it here. Wow I knew that
coming home to America would include a lot of culture shock but I didn’t
anticipated such a culture shock when traveling from India to Europe.
Stejeris near the city of Tirgu Mures and we LOVE it here. Wow I knew that
coming home to America would include a lot of culture shock but I didn’t
anticipated such a culture shock when traveling from India to Europe.
Here are a few things I have been noticing:
- *We see women showing their shoulders and legs often (we
forgot these existed while in India) - *Everyone DOES NOT stare at us on the streets (since
everyone else is white too!) - *There is yummy delicious food on every corner including
pastries and coffee (two of my favorite things) - *The landscape is gorgeous and NOT covered in trash or
random livestock (cows, pigs, or ugly dogs) - *Everyone looks CUTE, no one wears Chacos or Cambodia pants
or old t-shirts, EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE is wearing cute shoes and
adorable summer dresses in the city….we feel VERY self conscious of our world
race attire on a daily basis 😛 - *There are crosswalks, that people actually USE…I mean
really we don’t even do that in America! - *There are flower shops on every street corner and GREEN
GRASS…we haven’t seen grass in a VERY long time, let alone beautiful rose
bushes and gardens everywhere we look! - *It’s very quiet, no more honking crazy drivers (India was
NUTS), we live in the middle of a small village where we mostly see people
driving by in horse carts or walking, (also they drive on the same side of the
road as America…its been so long I actually forgot which side was “right� and
which was “wrong�…watch out everyone on the roads after July 30th…I
may need a bit of practice
) - *There’s toilet paper in every bathroom…it’s GREAT!
- *We can drink out of the faucets….people this may seem silly
but its absolutely incredible; I have NOT missed brushing my teeth with a water
bottle AT ALL - *We have constant HOT water…the water does not run out every
night after two showers, there’s no water pump to have to turn on, also there’s
ELECTRICITY 24/7…constant electricity is something I will never take for
granted ever again, my computer and camera are always charged now…it’s quite a
luxury! - *It’s NOT culturally acceptable to just throw your trash on
the ground or out the car window anymore…OOPS!
- *THINGS are VERY expensive…wow no longer can I get fresh
fruit and veggies for next to nothing at the corner shop, transportation and
food are a lot closer to American prices than we’ve seen all year, I’m in a bit
of a sticker shocked mode at the moment. I miss eating butter chicken and
garlic naan bread for next to nothing! *There’s gorgeous architecture and history around every
corner, basically anything you touch or look at in Europe has a beautiful
history behind it.
Unfortunately, most of the incredible Cathedrals and
Orthodox Church buildings are filled with lost people who have no idea what a
personal relationship with Jesus is. The majority of people in Romania will
call themselves “Christians� but simply associate empty tradition and attending
church on major holidays as their “religion�. Many families grew up in
tradition and continue to follow the customs without seeking more.
Orthodox Church buildings are filled with lost people who have no idea what a
personal relationship with Jesus is. The majority of people in Romania will
call themselves “Christians� but simply associate empty tradition and attending
church on major holidays as their “religion�. Many families grew up in
tradition and continue to follow the customs without seeking more.
…Enter The World Race (and other believers in the area)
Our mission…show people that Jesus is not about “religion�
but a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe who loves them so
deeply and so intimately….
but a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe who loves them so
deeply and so intimately….
We have the awesome opportunity to travel into the city and
simply meet with people of the city and talk to them about Jesus. It’s really
incredible, we have been to parks, universities, hospitals, and even homes to
simply strike up conversations with people and then invite them to attend our
contact’s (Zsombor) church. Zsombor’s church meets every Saturday night at 6pm
in the middle of the city. His heart is so passionate to see this city
radically transformed from tradition to true relationship with God. He desires
to see the next generation rise up as spiritual leaders and lead their city and
ultimately country in encountering more of Jesus and Holy Spirit.
simply meet with people of the city and talk to them about Jesus. It’s really
incredible, we have been to parks, universities, hospitals, and even homes to
simply strike up conversations with people and then invite them to attend our
contact’s (Zsombor) church. Zsombor’s church meets every Saturday night at 6pm
in the middle of the city. His heart is so passionate to see this city
radically transformed from tradition to true relationship with God. He desires
to see the next generation rise up as spiritual leaders and lead their city and
ultimately country in encountering more of Jesus and Holy Spirit.
Zsombor believes this verse captures the vision God has given him
for his city’s future:
for his city’s future:
Jeremiah 33:9 “Then this city will bring me renown, joy,
raise, and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I
do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity
and peace I provide for it.�
raise, and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I
do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity
and peace I provide for it.�
Please continue to pray for our team and this ministry as we encounter and build relationships with the locals of Tirgu Mures. Daily we encounter both gypsies and university students who are stuck in the “tradition” of meaningless “religion” feeling hopeless; and we get the incredible opportunity of sharing true HOPE in Christ with them! Thanks everyone!
Other updates- I have heard nothing from the job at IJM though it has stayed on my heart continually. I am praying that if it is the Lord’s will He will open the door, and if it is not that He will guide me somewhere else because at the moment I have no other job leads. I know that in God’s time He will reveal the next step to me. I have some immediate financial needs which I will be posting in more detail very soon.
Also a donor was found for the orphanage painting project in India and we had a wonderful time painting and playing with the kids! Thanks for your continued prayers and encouragement!
Other updates- I have heard nothing from the job at IJM though it has stayed on my heart continually. I am praying that if it is the Lord’s will He will open the door, and if it is not that He will guide me somewhere else because at the moment I have no other job leads. I know that in God’s time He will reveal the next step to me. I have some immediate financial needs which I will be posting in more detail very soon.
Also a donor was found for the orphanage painting project in India and we had a wonderful time painting and playing with the kids! Thanks for your continued prayers and encouragement!
