What happens when God’s in control?

 You release all expectations.

 

Surprise!!! WERE IN ROMANIA… not Moldova.

 

The night before we were supposed to leave Ireland we found out that plans had changed once again and we were now going to Romania. Talk about giving up control and learning surrender! God’s funny… but He knows what He’s doin! Were staying in a remote gypsy village call Ville Tecci in the back country hills of Romania. Were staying with a family who’s connected with the American missionary were working with. His name is John and he’s been working in the village for quite a few years, bringing in many Racers to help him with ministry. He graciously took on JoHoLo and team Petra when we found out Moldova was a bust! He is coordinating over 100 racers in several villages. Yet 14 more was a welcomed idea. We have been living with his right hand man named Abbi and his family. His wife Mama Lilly, 20yr old son Addi, 17yr old dtr Andrea, 13yr old dtr Alex (who I LOVE and will be writing a blog about later on) and a baby boy whos 5 i think named Addi as well. The family is incredible!! I want Abbi to be my dad! He’s incredible. We have a garden that we pick fresh tomatoes and peppers from everyday for lunch and dinner. We got blessed with hot showers, our own room and Mama Lilly is the most amazing cook! She found out April and I were vegetarians so she always cooks us an option… she’s amazing! Theres so much love in the house! Were in a remote gypsy village so outreach is just going with Alex to other houses and loving on people. People dont start their days til 11 and each meal is at least an hour long. I knew I was made to be a gypsy! Their understanding of community and deep love for one another is unlike anything I have ever seen. Alex has been translating as we go to houses and serve them in tangible ways.. things like this:

 

-I cut a girls hair (her mom pretty much made cut her a mullett… as much as it pained me she seemed to be quite pleased with it!) -One day we took a womans rugs down to what I assume was the sewer water to wash them for her.

-Another night we held a bible study/ home church service at Simona’s house- a man whose never sat through more than 3 min of a service stayed the whole time and let us pray for him.

-The boys are helping Abbi (our host dad) build a brick oven

-Weve been cooking in the kitchen with Mama Lilly (learning SOOO much!)

-We started church Sunday morning in the building and John felt like God was telling us to walk down the one long dirt road that Ville Tecci sits on singing worship songs and inviting people to a service that night as they came out of their houses to check out the commotion. Incredible things came out of that day!

-and so so much more…. 

 

My most significant ministry this week (and what I anticipate will be the rest of my month) has been with Alex, the 13yr old daughter. She is such an incredible young woman who is years beyond her peers in maturity. She is compassionate, sensitive, brilliant, and bold. Opionated, sassy, and cares so deeply!! She met the Holy Spirit a few nights ago during worship and He rocked her world! I have some amazing stories about her that I need to get processed and written out then I’ll post em.  

 

But most of what God has for us here is just BEING with the families. 

Just BEING a presence in the village.

BEING the fragrance of Christ.

 

Pray for my family, Team petra and ourselves as we walk out the great commision in a tiny gypsy village. I believe God wants to do radical things here and it starts with prayer. Will you join me?

 

Sorry this has been so scattered. I’ll get the hang of this blog thing soon enough. 

I love you guys, thank you for supporting me and walking this out with me.