Romania has been a tough yet an amazing month! Although emotionaly I have felt all over the place, a think it was a combination of knowing the end of the race is approching faster then I wanted and there was a heavy spiritual darkness that hovered over the small town we lived in. In that region of Romania many people practice witchcraft, and only 2% of the population are Christians!
We lived in Dragonesti-Olt a beautiful cozy little town. Our contact was awesome and he really focused on the power of prayer! Every morning we had a time of prayer at the church from 10 am to 12 pm. Honestly the mornings were one of my favorite parts from this past month. The ministry during the rest of the month was helping out with children programs, construction projects and handing out bibles and tracks to every home.
Over the past 11 months God has continued to teach me about the power of prayer. Which has been perfect because this month I needed to put what I've learned in to practice. Arriving in Dragonesti-olt, I was very sick. The first time I had actually been sick on the race! It wasn't the best start to the month, and not only did I get sick but most of my team did as well. Everyone was sick and then the fact that 18 americans moved into a small village we definitely stood out!The first week and half every night someone would try to break through our front door and during the day we would get water thrown on us from the second floor of buildings. Although once we started praying for protection and good health a definite change happened. The rest of the month was peaceful and the health of the team improved greatly. I was reminded of how important it is to pray over a place when you arrive and to continue to cover everything you do in prayer each day.
Divine appointments have definitely been the theme for this month!
We had been in Dragonesti-Olt a week and everyday we seen this adorable little old lady walking by her self up and down main street. It seems that she never had a destination just always looking for company. Elizabeth and I were walking to the grocery store one afternoon and met up with this lady. She doesn't know any english and we don't know Romanian but she grabed our hands and walked the entire way with us, talking up a storm. Its funny how God knows us best. That day I needed to experience her genuine love and she just needed to have someone to spend time with.
Another divine appointment happened when a few of us were spending the day in the park. As Elaina and I were walking, we passed a woman and her three children, two toddlers and a newborn. They were asking for food or money, asking for help! As soon as we approached by this family we got a strong feeling to do something. We ended up buying some food and water. When we gave them the food we also prayed for them. After praying the mother showed us her babies severe diaper rash and asked us to pray for the baby. The mother didn't have money to buy proper medication, and there happen to be a pharmacy two stores down so we were able to buy her the right lotion. It was all God in that situation, he gave us a divine appointment to pray twice with this family.
Romania has been a spiritually growing month for me and my team and I have had some amazing fun times! The many relationships I've built over this past month will always be close to my heart.
An adorable puppy we found on the side of the road!
Childrens ministry, so much fun!
The beautiful country side.
One of the Gypsy Home's.
Eight of us went on a weekend trip up North were we got to go hiking and sightseeing. It was incredbible and so much fun.
One of my favorite sunsets
Handing out Bibles and tracks to every house in the surrounding towns.
Prayer request for Romania
- Hope Church, and that more missionaries would come and serve.
- For the town of Dragonesti-Olt, that each person would see the light of Christ and a deep desire to know Jesus would grown in there hearts.
- My Contact, Paster Raul and his family
