Romania Q&A

Hey All!! Here are the answers to the questions I received on my FB post asking for questions you have! I got a decent amount of questions, so apologize in advance that it’s a bit of a long one. Also, if you think of another question while reading this, comment it below, and I’ll answer it!! Thanks, and I hope you enjoy!!

1. Have you tried Romanian food? If yes, what is your favorite? 

Mici. It’s a type of meat that you generally eat with bread. The first time I had it was in Bulgaria actually (lol), but I’ve also had it in Romania. It’s pretty good and filling!

2. What is a way that you saw God in Craiova these last few months? What did He do in you?

Craiova: I saw God transform people and things in small ways. When first coming here, very few people would smile back when I would smile and say hi. Towards the end of the months here, I had a good handful of people smiling back. I also noticed people being more joyful when we would stop and get pastries or groceries at some of our common places. Most of the ways I saw God move were small, but God rejoices over everything, big or small, so I am happy with what I saw happen during my time here.

Myself: The Lord reminded me to be thankful for the gifts He’s given me, even when they get to the point of feeling natural and you forget it’s a gift. The Lord really had me use my gift of administration here in Romania. Through this, I was reminded that God really did make this a gift of mine, and I should be giving thanks to Him daily. 

3.  Did you learn any Romanian? 

A few small phrases here and there but not as much as I would have liked to learn. I learned general phrases like Thank You, Hello, a few numbers, Yes, No, How are you, and a few others. I’m excited to see how much I remember when I get back to the States, so question me on it if you ever see me! 🙂 

4. What is it like living in community with so many people?

*For people who don’t know, I live in a house with all my squad and some times a few other guest that come in and out. While in Romania there has been anywhere from 15-35 people staying in the same house. We share two bathrooms and one kitchen, and I sleep in a room with my six other teammates.* 

For the most part, I’ve enjoyed living in community with everyone. I like that our room has become a place of peace and security. I can go in there and have alone-together time or strike up a conversation at almost any given moment of the day. It took a little time to get used to being around so many people, but after a few weeks, we all got into a routine and are continuously helping each other. There have been highs and lows, but overall, I enjoy living in community.

5. Besides the obvious…family, friends and the dogs what is the one thing you miss about home? And what is the one thing you don’t miss? 

Miss: This one took me a while to think of because I don’t miss too much besides the obvious ones. If I had to choose, I would most likely say I miss Sunday mornings and the atmosphere at the Ridge. There are atmospheres around here that are great and amazing, but nothing quite compares to the one I get on Sunday mornings at the Ridge.

Don’t miss: I don’t miss the constant feeling/need to be checking my phone. I enjoy chatting with people at home but have been learning good boundaries. 

6. You have seen a lot already on your short time on the race. What has God challenged you with the most?

I have received many spoken words from other people in daily life, during worship, or through notes or drawings. I’ve been challenged with wanting to ask the person who told me to explain it to me, but lots of the time, they don’t know. I am challenging myself by having to take this word to God and Him helping me understand. Sometimes He reveals the meaning quickly and other times it takes a while and lots of praying. This challenge also brings patience and trust in God’s timing to reveal things to His children.

7. What is a favorite memory of your time in Romania? 

This is hard because there are so many good ones, so I’m just going to pick a recent, funny one! So one night after a long day of ministry, we were out of water at the house and needed some because the next day was Sabbath. Jacob, Aidyn, Mackenzie, and I went to a corner market about a 5 minute walk away. It was dark and chilly outside. We paid for all the water, and as we were walking out the door, we realized it had begun to rain! Sooooo the only option was to try running as fast as we could with roughly 7 pounds of water jugs in each hand. It was a sight to see and gave me a good laugh. Thanks Jesus for those fun memories!!

8. Something you will miss the most when you go on to Guatemala? 

Small thing: All the delicious tasting pastries. They are very yummy, especially the apple strudel, and I love the relationship we’ve built with the employees.

Serious thing: Although ministry in the office was sometimes overwhelming and exhausting, I will miss this greatly. I build a great relationship with the racers I worked with and with Cristina. I will miss the times when we were all cramped in the small office trying to get work done.

9. Any snacks or treats that you wish we had in the States, so you could keep getting them when you get home?!?

This is a hard one. I don’t really have one that pops right into my mind. If I had to pick it would be the pastry shop and their vanilla fruit pastry rings and apple strudels.

10. Has it snowed there yet?

Not yet! It was very cold for one week, but other than that, the weather has been great! 

11. What is the biggest difference between American and Romanian people; other than the obvious that Americans take all their luxuries and privileges for granted!

Romanians are very blunt and honest while Americans sugar coat lots of things. I’ve noticed this a lot in conversations and how things are explained. It’s never in a bad way but just different than in the US.

12. How has this experience (so far) changed your perspective of your purpose, your community, and your country?

Purpose: I’ve grown a lot in my purpose of where I am exactly at the time I am. I have learned I am exactly where God wants me, and He is going to work with me wherever my feet are. Remembering that daily is a huge thing that’s changed so far.

Community: I love my community (both home and on the race) and everything they give me, but I’ve learned God needs to come first and then my community. I need to be centered around God with Him as my firm foundation and the first thing I lean on. After that is established, then I can go to more support from my community. 

Country: One thing I believe our country could work on is intentional and relational time with one another. In general, we are more schedule and task oriented. We need to learn to be interruptible when intentional and relational time comes along. 

13. Assuming you have taken a couple weekend trips, what is the funnest thing you’ve done or seen on one of those trips?

I’ve only taken one weekend trip in Romania which was Greece in the very beginning. On that trip, I loved seeing the water and how clear it was. It was right at the beginning and a fun time of getting to know my squadmates.

14. Romanian Ramen or American Ramen?

Too hard to choose Dad

15. What is one thing you were apprehensive about but during your time in Romania, God has put it to peace? 

Before leaving for the Race, I felt like God would for sure call me into long term missions overseas, and I was terrified of that thought. I was terrified of that thought because I don’t want to have a huge physical distance between my family and myself. Since being on the race, God has really put that to peace and been reminding me that He knows and respects my values, especially my family ones, because He created me with the huge love I have for them. I’ve learned more deeply that God is a faithful Father and wants to respect and bless us in ways we’ll enjoy.

16. What are you most looking forward to on your next leg of the race?

PVT for sure! PVT is a parent vision trip where our parents come and join us for a week of ministry in late February if we invite them. God has been talking to me about how amazing this week is going to be and that He is going to start and finish big things during this week. I’ve heard my parents are going to be very involved in these changes whether it’s themselves changing or helping others change. I am so excited to see what God has in mind and have been praying for it constantly since God started speaking to me about it.

17. What’s the funniest thing you’ve tried to explain to those you’ve met?

This took a lot of thinking. Nothing really came to mind, so I would say my dairy allergy. It’s a little difficult explaining it’s an allergy and not just a preference when ordering meals without something like cheese. Sometimes I get some funny looks, but that’s okay! God made me that way so I fully embrace it!

18. Have you seen Dracula? Isn’t he from that area?

I personally have not seen Dracula, but there has been lots of talk of him! Dracula’s castle is up north in Romania, but I didn’t visit it. A few other racers did and enjoyed it. (And p.s. Brian, sorry to bust your bubble, but he’s not real lol)

 

Thanks for reading!! Love you all!!

PAIGE :):):)