So I left Ukraine eager to find out what God had for me in Romania, because this country is partly why I picked this Route. I had no clue what to expect but I had a draw towards it. We arrived in Romania after having a 4 day girls retreat in Odessa, Ukraine. Our train ride was insanely long and uncomfortable. Travel days are never fun. I walked into Romania thinking……"great start…..can I go home now?"
We got on a bus to Timisoara and then had a 40 min van ride to Anina where we stayed for the month in the mountains. It's an old mining town that has charm and really cute old ladies. This is where we met the most incredible people. The most loving body of church and town, and the most servant hearted. They said "We are going to spoil you", as we walked in the door. WHO SAYS THAT ON THE WORLD RACE?!?!
Many times on the race, hosts can either have agendas that don't include you, or they don't really want to or don't have time to get to know you. Sometimes they just want your work. This is understandable because we ARE here to serve but it gets a little rough because you just feel like you're only here for that and it becomes a task to build that relationship.
Our pastor Benni, his wife Eugenia, and their family friend Carla changed our perspective on what it means to serve, what it means to love well, and how to continually invest in someone even if you're tired. We ate like kings and queens, the church donated food and did our laundry. We preached on Sundays for 3 services and taught English class and VBS on the weekdays. We also had the opportunity to chop and move piles of wood for their winter season. It was a wonderful month full of little kids smiles, little old ladies pinching our cheeks and speaking endlessly to us in Romanian (I'm sure saying something precious), and also feeling the love of an amazing community while getting to serve them back.
It was definitely a moving month. Benni, Eugenia, and Carla are all very educated and working to stop human trafficking. They are lawyers and are writing the laws in Romania to protect trafficked victims. The cool things is they get to write the laws from a Christian perspective. Benni has spoken before our 9 supreme court justices and many places influential in America. They are going to start building a Butterfly Center for restoration of the trafficked victims. This is where my heart lies. I would love to write articles and even work with them in any way I can. Who knew God had all this right here in Romania. I don't know what my future holds but I'm feeling butterflies!
I go home in 4 days. THIS, is insane. Even though at times it felt as if it would never end, it also feels like it was just a short time ago that we started this crazy journey! I am so thankful for all of you, the ones that support me in prayer, read my blogs, love me, and support God's Kingdom! The world needs all of our light to shine bright. Shine brighter than a diamond, shine like Jesus Christ created you to.
I'll be updating a few more times after I get home to give you an idea of what's going on. If any of you would like to see me or come to my supporters BBQ please email me, but make sure to include you email if you message me through this blog. Thank you all!
ps- Heidi, and Mrs. Werner I need your emails!
