Well, it is 5am and we are officially on the bus and leaving Romania! We are hoping to be in Albania by the end of the day.
I’ve definitely cried at the thought of saying goodbye to this city and the wonderful people we’ve gotten to know over the last month. To think we will be doing the same thing 10 more times is both exciting and emotionally draining. This year will be full of beautiful goodbyes!
I want to do my best in this blog to give a high level recap of what the month looked like! Many know that it started in quarantine, then the last half of the month was full of ministry, but there is so much more to share!
QUARANTINE
Oh, quarantine…. To be honest with all of you, I was a little excited when I tested positive. Just the thought of being FORCED to slow down and rest was refreshing. God’s ways and His plan is so much better than mine. When we arrived here, I wanted to start running as soon as possible. I offered to be the personal assistant to the Pastor here as soon as the opportunity was shared with me. I remember being so excited to use all of the experience I’ve gained in the last 3 years of being an administrative assistant. I also remember thinking “wow, jumping right back in so quickly…”
Then I test positive the next day. I had peace and was even able to have zoom meetings and help coordinate the ministry tasks from quarantine for the whole squad. I got to rest and also still serve!
I have to share one of the funniest moments with you… We arrived on a Friday and the next night my team and I decided to order McDonalds. We heard the McDonald’s here is so much better compared to America… it’s true by the way. However, we ordered it on a Romanian app. We were checking off everything we wanted on our sandwiches without realizing that we were actually checking off “NO meat, NO cheese, NO pickles…” This means that when our food arrived it was just buns… that’s right. Buns with maybe some Mayo or maybe a pickle. We laughed until it hurt at the silly mistake we made.
This McDonald’s incident made me think about the world race and how we all thought we were checking off the “right” boxes. We fundraised, got our supplies, went through training camp and even arrived in our first country. We thought it was going to look like we wanted it to. Then, we got buns with no meat or cheese! We had a choice to make with quarantine just like we did with the empty buns. We could be upset, disappointed and frustrated or we could find joy, laugh it off and be content with what was provided to us!
That’s exactly what happened. God truly comforted us and helped us to fix our eyes on Him and what He wanted to do in and through us from quarantine. We prayed over the city and each other and trusted that God was preparing us.
We laughed so often and did silly things like “Jean day.” We found ways to bless and serve each other with encouraging notes and ice cream.
From switching bedrooms, roommates, cooking, laundry and cleaning, the mission house has been such a blessing.
OUTSIDE THE GATE
Then, we get the news that the people that first tested positive were no longer contagious and could go for a prayer walk the next morning. We couldn’t believe we were about to walk outside the gate of the house for the first time in 2 weeks…
What we thought was just an hour long prayer walk turned into a full day of ministry. Suddenly we realize that we are actually free. We were free to explore the city, free to be at the church, free to evangelize, free to go grab a coffee when we wanted… What a strange feeling it was.
Our ministry hours this month were 9am-12pm and then we’d go back from 4pm-8pm. That night when we went back our host Raul explained that we would be handing out 1500 bibles. Raul then looked at me and said “and you will stay back at the office.” I realized in that moment what I signed up for by offering to do administrative work. This meant while my squad was out evangelizing, I’d be in the office helping to organize the schedule for the month, planning meetings, delegating the ministry tasks and making sure communication was happening between our host and the squad. It was a beautiful reminder that all parts of the body are needed. What happens at the office is needed to make sure everything and everyone is prepared to go outside of it to share the gospel with others. I know over the next year there will be many different ministry opportunities. What a blessing it was to be able to help this local church in Romania with skills I’ve learned over the last few years!
There was actually 2 opportunities I had to go out with my squad to both the market to hand out posters that explain the gospel and also to go into Gypsy villages to minister to the children there.
I was so thankful for these opportunities!
We wrapped up our time here with 3 events in 3 days. The first night was a young adult event, then a cultural event ending with a women’s event!
43 young adults showed up to the event… 43 young adults that were just invited in the streets with conversation and a flyer invitation! That is 43 young adults who now know there is a local church where they are welcome to explore their faith. Praise God!!
HARD GOODBYES
While most of my squad was out evangelizing and going to different villages and cities for ministry, I got to stay back with Raul, our ministry host, and his assistant, Cristina. They were both warm and welcoming to me. Through the different meetings and projects I became so thankful for them and their passion to see this city come to know Jesus. There were multiple times that they were so generous and blessed me with meals, coffee and so much laughter. We were a great team and I will truly miss them.
TOP SPOTS ON A WORLD RACE BUDGET
Did I ever mention that our food budget is $5 a day? Buying groceries together is the way to go for sure but so if finding cheap spots around town!
Ponton | This is a Greek coffee shop with two of the nicest people we met. Nicole and Catalina were so good to us. I became a regular and was able to ask for “what they usually make me” because I had no clue how to order it otherwise… I asked for something sweet and they hooked me up! The warm and cheap croissants were also on another level. Lastly, lemonade with honey. Best lemonade of my life.
Maestro | I will miss this place the most. The food was quick, cheap and delicious. They had stuffed pitas called “Chifla Maestro.” Most of us would order the spicy chicken one. Then the other side of the menu was stuffed pretzels… They had options that are stuffed with almost anything you can think of. Meat, cheese, fruit, chocolate etc. My personal favorite was the chocolate banana one!
WHAT’S NEXT?
Next stop is Albania! We found out that next month is ATL month. ATL means “ask the Lord.” This means that my team of 5 women will be asking God each step of the way what city we should go to and what we should be doing there… Another way to put it is we are getting dropped off in another country and depending on God to provide everything needed! We will not have a ministry host giving us a schedule or telling us what to do for the month. We will learn to trust God and lean on Him like never before. Please be praying that we would be unified as a team and this month will be full of so much faith!
Thank you for continuing to be a part of this journey with me!
Let’s do this 10 more times!
