Fundraising update: I am currently at $15,572. In order to stay on the field I will need $16,617, which is the amount I need to be fully funded, by August 31st. Thank you so much to those that have supported me financially and in prayer. If you or anybody you know would be interested in partnering with me, feel free to share my blog and ask any questions! You can donate on my home page at johnhopkins.theworldrace.org. My email is [email protected] if you have any questions or just want to chat! Thank you all so much for reading! Keep your prayers coming for me and my team while we serve here in Romania!
Here is an updated picture of my mullet fundraiser! I am at $1076 of the $1776 I’m trying to raise to get close to my final goal (see above). I got to put some of my finance background to use helping out the church with some financial matters.
I can’t believe how fast time is moving on this journey. It’s such a blessing to think about all the amazing people we have met and all the great ministries we have had the opportunity to be partnered with this year. I’m doing my best to soak in everything I can in these last 3 months before I return home. Thank you all so much for the support you all have shown me on my mission. I would like to ask for continued prayer as we continue here in Romania and for clear direction from the Lord as I transition back to the US. Thank you so much!
I am currently in Draganesti, Romania which is about 2 hours east of Bucharest. It’s a small town of about 12,000 people. We are partnered with a local church here called Hope Church, http://www.hoperomania.org/. While here, we will be involved with many of the programs they have in place, you can see a list of them under ministries on their homepage. I’ll give more updates as we get further into the month. As far as the religious climate here, of the total population, only about 0.3% of the country is evangelical Christian. Eastern Orthodox is the main religion here with Islam also gaining influence. The people are hungry for the gospel and are searching for more. There is a huge need here for more missionaries, funding, churches, etc. Please pray for us as we work within the community and the church this month.
The other day we went to the house of a local missionary to help them with some clean up around their house and church. The house was donated to them but needs a lot of work to finish up. The couple is expecting their first child later this year and need to get their house finished and raise money so they can get heating before winter comes. It was a hard day of moving rocks, raking grass, gathering limbs, etc. but it was one of the more rewarding days I have had on the race. It was great to be outside and being able to see what the finished product could look like. Here is Nathan moving some brush into a pile to be burned.
Later that day we were treated to an amazing Romanian lunch which consisted of fresh baked bread, goat cheese, eggplant, tomato, and soup. Everything was from their garden and it was so good!
This is one of the local churches in the area. This particular church only has about 7-8 members currently. One of them is an old man that walks about 3 miles to and from church every Sunday even though he has been told not to because of his age. The church was built about 50 years ago under the cover of darkness to hide it from the communist rule that occupied the country at the time, it was built in about a week.
Last thing, in about a week from today, my parents are making their first trip across the pond to come see me and do ministry! I’m very excited for the opportunity and can’t wait to see them and work with them here. Thank you so much for reading my blogs, encouraging me, and supporting me. I’ll update you soon!
