Hello from Romania!
After months of waiting, weeks of preparation, and days of travel, we made it to Romania! Due to Hurricane Irma, our original travel plans were canceled. It took us 4 days filled with 18 hour bus rides, 2 plane rides, 1 train ride, up to 24 hour long layovers, one hour of sleep a night, and many time changes, to get us to our destination.
My squad of 40 people is staying in a medium sized, two story house with 4 bedrooms, a family room, and a kitchen. What I’ve learned so far is that a house with this many people in it goes through toilet paper like it’s chocolate. There has been a couple times in the few days we’ve been here where we are in crisis mode because there is no toilet paper. Living with this many peoplegets a little wild and a tad bit overwhelming at times, but I’m loving it.
Yesterday was our first day of ministry! We gave out glasses to older people in a local village. The churches here are focused on providing for the physical and spiritual needs of their community.
This ministry provides people with glasses in order that they may read the bible. Upon arrival, people are greeted and go through a time where they can receive counciling. Next they get their glasses and are given their own New Testament to read. A few weeks later, people from the church check on them and ask them about what they’ve read.
On our way to the village, I was fighting feelings of fear and doubt, reminding myself that God will work, whether or not I feel ready or equipped. The success of ministry is not dependent on how good I feel about myself when I leave. My goal is to be open to what God has for me. I will trust that He is working even when I don’t understand, I will have faith when God calls me out onto unfamiliar places.
During our time in ministry, I got kissed on the cheek by an old Romanian woman, played with a cute 7 year-old-boy, and talked with an English speaking Romanian man for a while who attempted to teach me Romanian, but mostly just made fun of how bad I am at learning it. (I learned: you’re welcome, Hello, and water in Romanian!!! 3 words and counting!)
We learned today that in the Southern part of Romania, where we are, .02% of the population is Christian. It is only day 3 and I am incredibly amazed at the perseverance and faith of the missionaries here. I am so blessed to be able to partner with them. Please keep Romania, the missionaries, and my squad in your prayers.
This is just the beginning of so much! Thank you for the support financially, with prayer, and by keeping up with my journey.
God, thank you for getting my squad safely to Romania. Help me to keep my eyes on you. Thank you for the people of Romania, help us to love and serve them well. I love you, Lord.
Below is a photo of my squad with some of the Romanian missionaries after we finished our glasses ministry.
