These are the people I worked with this past month. People I fell in love with and still adore. People I want you to be a part of knowing, understanding and loving as well.
This is Pastor Raul, our main contact. Pictured here are his youngest son Jonathan (pronounced Yonathan) and his wife Ana. He has another son Sammi and below is his adopted daughter Vera. Raul really spurred us to greatness and prepared us for the next 10 months. He challenged us in scripture memory and constantly reminded us that what we are doing this year is necessary and truly desired by God. His son Yonathan taught me how to say “come here” so I would constantly yell at him “COME HERE!” when I saw him, he’s adorable! Ana is such a woman of God and supports Raul in such a fantastic way. She spends most of her time raising the boys and making relationships with the women of the community. Vera is 25 and we really took a liking to one another, we learned that we shop in the same way, quick and to the point! She is finishing up nursing school and just has the kindest heart. She works with the children’s programs and I think her love language is physical touch…YEESSSS!!!!!
This is Marian and his wife Andrea. They met when Andrea came from Germany on a mission trip and then came for the 2 years after that and well we just like to say he rode in on a white horse. The man is hilarious and the family is absolutely adorable!! Their daughter has fiery red hair and bright blue eyes and we are all obsessed with her. Marian is the man that not only took us on a 2.5 hour walk to get two kids and bring them back, but also took us to a church with only 6 people and gave the same passion that he would have given to a church with 100!! The man has taught me the meaning of loving the individuals and reminded me that God loves each and every one of us. That God has individuals thoughts for each of us!
Anka is a 22 year old ball of fire! She works at the church and goes to school in a town right beside ours. She reminded us all that no matter what country you are in, boys still break your heart, you still wait by the phone, chocolate can makes you feel better and a life not focused on God is a life wasted. We were able to have her over one night for chocolate and a dance party and we all grew to love her so intensly, I feel as if I’ve gained a sister.
This is Tavi, his wife Nicoletta, and their 2 month old daughter Don Maris. Tavi might be my favorite Romanian, simply because when he’s frustrated he makes this hilarious high pitched moan type sound that makes me DIE laughing every time!! His wife is so kind and every time we go to their house she offers us tons of food and coffee!! MMM, and getting to hold that beautiful little baby was just wonderful. Tavi technically worked for the church, but I always tried convincing him that he was a missionary because he did do house visits and all kinds of stuff.
This is Alex, the kid that lived in our backyard….he did have a house back there it wasn’t just a homeless kid. Actually he’s 21 and such a gentleman. He always made sure we had a guy walking to and from the church with us at night. He was a big encouragement to our men and our two men were really able to pour into him. His story of coming to Christ is just phenomenal and his passion for musical worship is inspiring!
Okay, so my real favorite Romanian (they may all be my favorite really) Mihai and his wife Mariana. This guy is such a trip and he became best friends with one of my teammates Jacob. After I gave part of my testimony, he would always walk up to me and say, “you are a strong woman.” Very encouraging words. His wife was so sweet too. She took me on a house visit one day and I could see how much she cared about those without in the community. They were just so cute and so real, I felt like Mihai was a friend I’d known for years and yet just met, he made us all feel very comfortable!
Here’s a video from one of my last days in Draganesti, on a hill over looking the town. Just my prayers and hopes for the beautiful yet dark place of Draganesti, Romania
