Hello from Timisoara, Romania!
From Odessa, Ukraine, we took a train with The Messengers to a western Ukraine city where we met up with team S.W.O.O.B.S. to travel by another train to Bucharest. We spent a few days in Bucharest with the entire Q fam in order to rest, explore the city, and say our final good-byes to Stefan & Christina [two of my first teammates] as they will not be joining us for final debrief due to a family wedding at the end of the month.
After our stay in Bucharest, my team and I boarded a train to Timisoara — the city where we currently live. When we weren’t quite sure how to pronounce our city’s name, one of my teammates decided to call it tiny-saurus. So, we’re living in a dino city this month.
The weather here? super cold! July 1st = wearing long pants, socks, long-sleeves, jackets, & a fleece + still not warm. We're hoping for some summer weather in the next few weeks…
So far, we have been treated so well. We’re staying at The Potter’s House where we are leading a day camp type program for kids who come from very poor families. We spend about 8 hours a day teaching them Bible lessons, playing games, making crafts, and loving on them. One little boy has captured my heart while playing volleyball with me each day.
After two weeks of day camp, we will be working with kids with special needs — taking them to the zoo, the pool, and other places around the city.
We are surrounded by so many Americans, have attended a phenomenal barbeque, and were shown around the historical parts of this city — which will get a blog all of its own. 🙂
I am unashamed to say that I may or may not have teared up when one of the American couples offered to take us to Starbucks and make us taco salad. Yes, home is verrrrry close.
Please keep my team and me in your prayers as we hope to finish the WR strong. We are all very anxious about the end of the race, going home, and all that entails. Please pray that we will stay focused here and give the people of Romania the same amount of energy and love the people of the Philippines were able to receive.
More to come soon.
Peace & blessings,
Samantha
