Welcome to Romania and Month 1 of my World Race! I have been here for a week and am incredibly excited to be here. After months of fundraising, training, packing and anticipation, everything has actually happened. I am so humbled and thankful to all of you who have supported me and made this possible.
Travel day was quick and painless as most World Race travel days are……Ok so it actually took 2 plane rides, a bus ride and 36 hours total, but most of the time was spent with air conditioning and internet- so overall, it was great!
Our situation is unique this month in that our entire squad is staying together in the Mission House of Hope Church, which is the ministry we are partnering with this month. We have been blessed with hot water, wifi and beds for the entire month (…..the girls have beds….the boys have tents and hammocks in the backyard…) We are definitely living as a community taking turns cooking meals and doing laundry for each other. I absolutely love the opportunity to socialize with my entire squad and build a depth to some relationships that may not exist otherwise. Of course there are some challenges, like finding a quiet place in a house with 54 people!
The town of Draganesti is beautiful. A mix of old and new, East and West. You can stand on the street corner and watch a Mercedes pass a mule cart. The young people wear bright modern clothing, and many of the elderly are in more traditional clothing, including head scarves for the women. Stray dogs are as numerous here as squirrels are in Virginia. Some of the buildings are run down, but the gypsy houses are big and beautiful. Every house has a wall with a gate door, but each is unique in color and design. Ensconced in the walls are brightly colored houses surrounded by lush flowers. Go to the backyard and you will find 50 yards of fruit and vegetable plants, and perhaps a pig pen and chicken coop.
The missionaries we work with are an incredible group of people. They live each day to serve others with the heart of God. It is hard to see people I love disrespected in their own culture for their belief in Jesus and association with Americans like me. And yet they continue to serve and give generously of everything that they have. For Raul, Alex, George, Alexe, Marion, Marcel, Florina, and Mark, the Kingdom Work is their life.
I have so much more to share! My heart is overflowing with joy to be here. Be on the lookout for many more stories that give you a deeper look into the ministry and daily life here in Romania!
