I wanted to let everyone know a bit about how my life in Romania has been thus far. I’ve told everyone that my blog was the place to find what has been going on and so if you’ve been interested then you’re in the right place.
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:LOCATION:
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So, my first month so far has been in a place called Craiova (cry-ova) and it has actually been really great. Craiova is a university city. It’s nice and really like a regular city with a bunch of people my age. Because the city has a really nice university and school system there are a lot of student that live in and around the city. Most of our ministry and time in Romania has been just making connections with these youth. Simply getting to know them, hanging out with them, getting coffee, going on walks in the park, and then somewhere in our conversations with them we begin to share the gospel with them and see if they know Jesus or not.
Craiova is 0.5% Christian and has been known as the spiritual graveyard (mostly because of the communist history). Having this reality in mind, you can tell how it can be very difficult to share Jesus with some of the locals here. Cultivating relationships and finding common ground makes sharing the gospel much easier as a whole.
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:MINISTRY:
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I told you a bit of what ministry looks like here, but I really haven’t told you the end goal of our ministry yet. So, our ministry host Raul has already planted a church called Hope Church in Dragonesti, Romania but, like I said earlier, were in Craiova. This is a new church plant, a whole new battleground. Every day starts with prayer and teaching in the morning. Prayer for the city, the people, the missionaries that are here, ourselves, etc. We have that session for about two hours and then at 3pm we come back together, and all go to separate ministries. My ministry particularly has been working with the Roma/Gypsy people. We help with kids’ ministries in those places, help the elderly people, bring them clothes and other supplies, and many more things. This ministry has been a huge blessing to my life, and I’ve enjoyed loving on those who may not be a fortunate than me in any way I can.
WHAT’S NEXT?
So, for this first month on the field we’ve been altogether as a squad. But in a few weeks my team and another team of girls are going to Dragonesti to help the church that has already been established there. The other two teams of girls will stay here in Craiova to continue to help plant this new church.
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Lastly, please be praying for me and the other teams that are staying and going in this next month. It has been great to be in Craiova but I’m excited to see what life in Dragonesti will be like. Please be praying for us as we travel there and then continue our ministry over there.
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Also, I have still have more to fundraise in the next few months so if you want to see me stay on the field then please consider donating through my blog. I have to get to my fully funded goal of $16,600 by January 15th, so anything counts!
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Love all of y’all, Nathan.
