Out of 500,000 people in Olt, County, there are only 700 born again believers.
The largest church has 100 members.
There is a 70-80 % unemployment rate.
Witchcraft is regularly practiced.
Human trafficking and prostitution are widespread.
Many children come from broken homes and suffer from HIV. (Copied from church brochure)
I look at these facts about the county I now live in and I see the toll it takes on the people here. There are no jobs. There are many broken family. Drunkenness is a problem. The horse wagons that go by have red ribbons tied to their halter, which I’m told are to keep away the evil spirits.
I a nursing student spent the night with me yesterday and she told me of a gypsy girl who was married at the age of 11 in the hospital after trying to commit suicide. She had told the girl God had other plans for her then to die that day and the girl replied with asking who God was.
I’m excited about working with a church that wants to bring hope into these circumstances.
The current goal for me is to be placed in the different ministries they have going on right now to see where I would fit in the future if I were to return. This first month my time will be split into different parts of the ministry. These first 10 days will be spent in the central area around Draganesti-olt.
So currently, I lead prayer on the hill overlooking the town every morning with the youth in the church. The English lesson/bible stories are going really well in the 4 different villages I am involved in. The children are coming. The bible is being taught. The kids are having fun.
For some reason kids like me….it helps to my advantage.
In the village, Stejarul, one of the 3 church wives had told me the first day we met she felt like Noah when everyone was against him while he was building the ark. Discouraged. I made sure to point out that she had the largest group of kids come for the Jesus movie and English class. I hope she was encouraged that her work has not been in vain.
I got picked up by the pastor yesterday to have a meeting with me in the car on the way to another meeting (He’s a busy man). He had just gotten back from a camp they were doing with the youth that week so it was first time I saw him since I have been here. He picked up 2 boys that were hitchhiking and immediately found a common interest (soccer) and presented the gospel. The man astounds me, he is gifted in teaching and I’m ready to learn.
I also got to see an American team from Tennessee for about an hour and entertain them with my stories/ able to process the last 11 months with someone that knows my culture. It was a blessing I wasn’t expecting, I hope to see them again before they leave back to the US at the end of the week.
I’ve run into a very peculiar ”problem“ today as I threw out my moldy bread loaf. Is it possible to be blessed with too much food? I have been overwhelmed with the welcome I have received here in Draganesti.
Walking home last night with the nursing student she was amazed by all the friends I have on my walk home. I guess I do. I didn’t realize it. I have a lot of friends in Romania.
I picked a good place to remain.
Continue praying for us.
Pray I learn the language quickly because it’s a major hindrance for me always needing a translator.
In August we also want to take the youth for a retreat to the Black Sea. Camp has always been a major part in my life and I’ve grown so much because of it, it is our hope to be able to do the same for the youth here. There are 25 youth that would like to attend at about 200 leu ($66) /per person(lodging, food, and transportation covered) for 5 days allowing them to escape away from the negative influences at home. Last year there was a donor that helped with some of the cost but this year the whole cost is up to them. If you would like to help contact me @ [email protected] or [email protected] for ways to give. That would be sweet.
Love from Romania,
Megan
