I-squad arrived in Romania last Tuesday evening to begin all squad month. Part of the drive was incredibly breath taking. The road followed the curves of the Danube that cut through the mountains dividing Romania and Serbia. The leaves on the trees have even started changing colors with hints of fall in the air.
This month is all squad month which entails the whole squad, the squad mentor, and Justin and I, all living under one roof (44 people). We share four ice cold shower areas, and three toilets. You can imagine the fun.
We were participating in squad wide ministry the first few days in Romania but starting today the squad breaks into their teams and their team ministry begins. We start our mornings at 10 with squad wide worship for thirty minutes, and then an hour of intercession. After that the squad splits into their teams and their ministry for the day begins.
Justin and I started off the month by sharing our testimonies with the squad so they could get to know us better and hear our stories. The squad has handed out bibles, cleaned up the village, and poured into each other. It is normal to walk around the house and see people praying for each other. It amazes me how well they all love.
Our first full day in Romania our contact gave us options for adventure day activities, and what happened was thirty seven of us spent the past few days in Greece. Our days of ministry didn’t end because of off days though. Two people were baptized, locals in Greece asked about Jesus, and strangers were prayed over. Some people even found new levels of freedom in their life. The days went by quick but the Lord stayed present in every moment.
I also got to celebrate my thirty first birthday in Greece as well. I never would have placed Greece on the map for a place I would celebrate by thirty first birthday, but it happened.
So here are THIRTY ONE fun facts of things that happened on my birthday:
Doug was baptized
Amy was baptized
I had a famous person sing happy birthday to me in the town square
All my nieces and nephews sent me birthday videos
I swam all the way out into the dark blue water
People jumped off cliffs into the water
I took a hot shower
I charged people for hugs
Coffee was gifted to me
My dinner was paid for
I received lots of hand written notes
Three people drew me pictures
I met a professional football player
I went skinny dipping
The Lord let me witness a beautiful sunrise
I received an amazing e-mail from a person I met before leaving the states
I ate an omelet
My hair was washed for the first time in 14 days
I received a coffee cup from Greece
I was given pebbles from the beach
I was told it was my 24th birthday
We slightly flooded our hotel room
I actually blowdried my hair (rare for the race life)
I took a second hot shower
My mom sent me a text message for my birthday (same as most birthdays, she’s still waiting for me to have a husband lol)
I got birthday wishes from all over the world (except Antarctica)
I ate ice-cream before dinner
I laughed until I almost cried
I probably swam almost a mile that day
My head was kissed
My heart was filled with JOY
