I’ve got a pretty legit reason though…that first week I was completely swamped with a week of IBS (Inductive Bible Study) classes, and this past week I was completely swamped with a week of Biblical Missions class. I didn’t feel like I even had time to breath during those two weeks…but they were so good! In IBS I learned so much, we learned how to really study the text, like parables, prophecy, Hebrew poetry, etc. We also had to lead a couple of bible studies, and even a full out teaching. This past week in Biblical Missions we had a lot of awesome mission’s principles that we studied a lot of just really practical.
But now it is over and I’m happy to have a ‘normal’ week of classes.
So, Oradea Romania…
I’m not going to pretend that I can describe this week fully. I’m still at a loss for words.
I’ve honestly just been sitting here for 30 minutes trying to figure out how to tell ya’ll about it.
But I guess I can try, yeah?
First, God is awesome. I feel like that is a big understatement, but I’m a lack for a better word. How about abundantly awesome?
So many things I’ve grown up learning about God, I got to see, and experience and I was just utterly blown away. I learned more about prayer, really being led by the Holy Spirit, and was tested on my own faithfulness…my faithfulness to God, and being faithful to what He has for me.
It was 12 of us that went, 11 girls, 1 guy. To be completely honest I was a little apprehensive about being on all girl (and one guy) team. Maybe that sounds bad, but it was true. I love them all, but I also know how girls are. But this ended up being one of the best teams I’ve ever been on. I think we all worked so good together and I know it was by the grace of the Lord, we prayed for team unity continually, and He did that.
The first day we were there we visited a state run orphanage and just kind of hung out with the kids.
Sunday we went to the gypsy village. The guys we met up with go out there every day, and they do church on Sunday’s. So we did a VBS with the kids and the adults had their study. I remember that first day walking into the village, and all the kids came running…. I was in love instantly. They were dirty, and rambunctious, but I loved them.
Monday we did street evangelism in the morning-we went to a mall first, and later to a park to do skits, and that afternoon we visited a baby hospital. The baby hospital is for babies who have abandoned, some of them have parents but they just can’t afford to keep them. So we just went in to hold them for a few hours, because they hardly ever get held. They were all so precious, I wanted to bring them with me.
Tuesday they did the same thing, but another girl and I were sick so we had to stay back. I hated it at first, but it ended up being cool just having the day to pray for the team. When the team came back they told us how it was a blessing to have us stay back and pray because they really needed it that day.
Wednesday and Thursday was street evangelism and the gypsy village.
Friday we did the gypsy village and that afternoon we had chapel with the orphanage kids.
And our last day, Saturday we met up with some families that had foster kids and just hung out with them, and heard some of their testimonies.
That was our week, compacted into a nutshell. I loved everything we did, but the gypsy village was definitely my favorite. I loved those kids so much, and I think I would have been fine to just stay there with them.
For the street evangelism we pretty much just did skits, which I loved. It opened the door up so much more to go out and talk to people. We went to parks, city square, bus stops, and the walking streets.
God worked every. single. day. There wasn’t just that one good day, it was every day. I saw Him working in every member of my team, individually and as a whole.
There is just too much from everyday. There is no way I could tell it all…well I could, but you’d be reading a book, and I doubt yall want to do that.
So, now I’ll just share some pictures. (we weren't allowed to take them at the orphanage, or the baby hospital, so I just have some from the streets and the village)
These are from the gypsy village.
on the streets....
So that was our trip...I kind feel like I said a lot, but didn't really say anything at all. But all I can say is you're more than welcome to email me if you want to hear more. I love talking about it, I just think there is too much for one blog post.
Just pray for Romania- We met a lot of people on the streets, and many claimed that "everyone in Romania is a Christian!" but really, its a very spiritually dark place. I think a lot of people have the knowledge, they just ignore it.
I'll end with explaining the title...
So the first day we left, it was early Saturday morning. We brought breakfast stuff with us to eat on the train (cereal, yogurt, etc) while we were at the train station our leader told us how the school didn't have any plastic spoons for us to bring... but one of the other girls on the team has 7 plastic spoons. Spoons that her mom had given her right before she came to Hungary, telling her she'd need those spoons sometime during this semester. So guess what, we had plastic spoons for our food. That was just the beginning of the little (and big) things God did on this trip. I know it seems kind of silly, but God is just awesome, and He is involved in every part of our lives, even in the little details.
much love
-s
