My Birthday

When I woke up this morning I didn't think it would be anything special, just another normal day. But God had something better planned. Of course, I got on facebook and people had already started posting on my wall. It started to feel a little more like my birthday. But by the time I got to church I was ready to share my day with my wonderful Gypsy church family. I had brought drinks and cake for everyone. When I was putting the stuff in the kitchen one of the boys asked if I wanted to see my presents. I had no idea what he was talking about. He opened the schoolroom door and there was a table full of gifts and flowers. I was so touched and taken back that I started getting emotional. Then I went upstairs and the church was so full there was only one seat left in the very front. So today at church was the Lord's Supper and a baby dedication. And after that all was over, the pastor read a blessing from Psalms over me and then I was prayed for. I was getting to the breaking point. Then they brought me up front and started singing and one by one, the ladies from my Bible study and the church presented their gifts to me, saying La Multi Ani (Happy Birthday) and giving me the traditional kiss on both cheeks. The line went all the way to the back of the church. By this time I was crying and then after this was all done, the pastor asked if I wanted to share a few words. It took me awhile to compose myself, but I was able to thank them and share how much they mean to me and how blessed I was by their love and generosity. At the end of church we shared cake and drinks with everyone! I left feeling completely blessed, loved and accepted by the people I have come to minister to and serve.

A few hours later, 8 of my friends came over for cake. We had a time of fellowship and I was just thankful that they took time out of their day to spend it with me. I also skyped with my parents and grandma.

I will never forget this birthday! God continues to show me how much these people care and love me and that He has brought me here for a reason.

Here is a picture of the presents that I received today from the church and friends; and also the flowers that I recieved. It felt like Christmas!!!

Highlights!!

Hey Everyone, I know I am not very consistent with blogging but I am going to try to be better. I am going to give you the highlights of the last month or so.

* I was able to spend a few days in Budapest with my friend Lynn that lives in Timisoara.

*We had a team here for about a week at the beginning of December. I was able to join them for a few of the days when I wasn't working on my visa. We passed out Christmas shoe boxes, books and food bags.

*Had my first off road experience. It was snowing and I slid off the road into the ditch. Scary but God was with me and no one was hurt.

* On Christmas Eve I went caroling in Nusfalau with the Gypsies. I loved every second of it.

* Christmas Day I was out visiting people. I was also able to spend the day with both of my neighbors and meet their children.

*New Years Eve I was with some friends and we watched fireworks downtown which is basically right outside my apartment.

* My friend Lynn from New York came to visit for about 10 days. We visited many of the villages where I was able to get to know more people. I also translated infront of the church for the first time.

*Most recently, this past weekend; I attended a conference with both of my friends named Lynn and then spend a day with Lynn from New York before she flew home.

Here are a few pics!!

I can't believe its already November. Time is flying by. I am already wanting to start decorating for Christmas since there is no Thanksgiving here to celebrate. We had a Thanksgiving service at the church in Nusfalau. I was amazed at what I saw. My Gypsy brothers and sisters brought gifts of offering to the table. It was full of vegetables, fruits and so much more. These people who have so little, offer so much. Then we had a time of open thanksgiving. We went one by one around the room giving thanks for family, God's provisions, healing, safety and more. It seems every time I am at the church in Nusfalau, I sense God and can tell that these men and women truly love the Lord. I always leave blessed.



The past two weeks we have had two teams back to back. It was busy busy but I loved every second of it. We were with the kids in both Nusfalau and Ghida. I love that almost all the kids know me by name or at least recognize me now. It blesses my heart to hear them say my name. They are God's children and that is all I see when I look at them.



God has already blessed me with so many relationships. I feel like I have family here and am thankful for those that are in my life.

MOVING DAY!

Today is moving day!! I am sitting in my apartment full of bags and furniture ready to be packed into 2 vans and a trailer. I am so anxious but I know that God has His hand in this move and in everything that I do. It is sad to say goodbye to Oradea, my home for the past 2 years, and to all my dear friends here. The past two years have been full of seeing friends, visiting my kids from the center and packing up my apartment. I also had the chance to head down to Timisoara to visit some friends that were in town. I also had to say farewell to two friends that are moving home. It was so sad but I am excited for what God already has planned for them.

One of the memories I will be taking with me from these past weeks of being back in Oradea after being in Simleu for the summer was when I went to visit my Gypsy family. I hadn't seen them since April and I had missed them. I bought some school supplies then headed to their home. I ran into Susana on the street and she ran to me and threw her arms around me. We walked arm and arm to their home where I was greeted by the entire family. What a blessing! They were constantly hugging me and asking me how I was doing. Their mom, Mandra, gave me a gift when I left, I was truly touched. They are a sweet family. Though they are struggling, they are trusting that God will provide. I love how God works. I went there to bless them but I left blessed myself. I miss them!

Camp Joy

Summer is flying by. Camp Joy was a huge success. A team of 12 of us, Romanian and American worked together to do VBS in 5 different Gypsy villages. We had music, Bible study, crafts and lots of games. We had a lot of fun and I was truly blessed by the kids. Watching them learn about God and His Word.

This has definitely been a summer of growth. I feel like I have been pulled in every direction, allowing God to mold and shape me into the person He has for me to be. I know that I will continue to be pulled out of my comfort zone as I will be starting a sports ministry in Nusfalau. Even though it is so overwhelming at times I am overjoyed with all the possibilities to serve the church and the children.

Please pray with me as I am searching for an apartment so I can move to Simleu from Oradea in September. I am also in search of a car so that I will be able to get out to the villages. Then most importantly working on getting a visa.

Be Blessed!!

Visa update

To anyone who reads my blog, I am sharing my news with you first before sending out an email later this week. Since returning to Romania I have been trying to find someone to help me with getting a visa. When I came back I knew that I would only have the 90 days given to my by my tourist visa (the stamp in my passport). I have a found a wonderful organization and am excited to do ministry with them. The director has invited me out to spend the summer with him and his family in Salaj ministering with them but my 90 days would be up and I would be heading back to the states. So I have come up with a plan..... I am heading home April 21 and will be home til June 17. This will then allow me to be in Romania during the summer and then the visa process will hopefully begin soon after. This is an answer to my prayers and I have complete peace about everything. God has been oh so good to me and I am so so so thankful!!!!!

A little side note and totally random. When I first came back the trees outside of my kitchen were just beginning to show some buds and now they have leaves and are so beautiful. Spring is here which I love, minus the rain. God's beauty is all around us.

Be blessed!!!

Return to Oradea

Back in Romania!!! What a whirlwind of getting back. I arrived on the 18th for the night. Took off to Timisoara. It was a great way to arrive and to see the countryside for 3 hours. You can definitely tell that spring is here. Farmers working their land by hand, the shepherds out with their flocks of sheep and the trees blooming. It is so good to be back here.

My apartment is finally back together and cleaned. I am so excited to go to the center tomorrow and see the kids for the first time in over 5 months. Church today was so good. I couldn't believe the amount of people that kept coming in. It was a packed house and we ran out of chairs. Also what a relief to find out that I hadn't lost all my Romanian. I was able to have some good conversations with the girls from my small group and catch up with them.

What a good day!!! It's good to be home!