Country: Romania, Eastern Europe
Dates: 11/18/2022 – 1/8/2023
Team: Gloria a Dios (Mikahla Klug, Maggie Prokosch, Joana Quintana, Amy Scott – Honorable Mention: Raquel Portillo joined our team for Romania)
Local Currency: Lei (1USD = roughly 4.62Lei)
Favorite Local Food: Chicken Shawarma (I know this isn’t originally Romanian but they have perfected it here)
Local Language: Romanian (Many English Speakers)
Common Phrases: Buna Ziua (hello), Multumesc (thank you), Nu Stiu (I don’t know), Da (yes), Pa (bye), Chow (hello/goodbye), Gratis (free)- this is the extent of my Romanian
Ministry Partner: Hope Church Craiova; Harvest Church Timisoara
Ministry Location: Craiova, România; Timișoara, România
Ministry Host: Raul & Ana Costea; The Holy Spirit
Debrief Location: Bucharest, Romania
What was difficult? The chaos of ministry. I learned very fast in Craiova to hold VERY loosely to plans. Things changed frequently and quickly.
What am I thankful for? Hospitality and overwhelming generosity. While in Timisoara I was brought to tears many times with the physical representation of God’s provision. We ended up being welcomed by a body of believers who did not know any of us. We were given a place to stay for free, multiple home cooked meals, and countless rides. It was so cool to watch God reveal what it truly means to be one body and one church.
What did I learn about God? He is also our strength, even more than food, He sustains us. After deciding to fast to end the year and begin a new one, God showed up and let me see that He does make us strong and that a little prayer, worship, and sunshine can renew a spirit.
Funniest moment? In Timisoara we happened upon a link for a free tour of the city. And so why not?! The very first stop on the tour was this corner of a building where our tour guide told us a story of a small man who ended up riding horse back into the city and there was a piece of metal left from the gate or building (uncertain from my memory). So she ended the story with, “so here is a big hunk of nothing.” And that is when we knew we were in for a treat and a wild next few hours of history in Timisoara!
Favorite Ministry Moment? In the beginning of Craiova we were given the chance to sign up for a few ministry spots that happen weekly. I signed up to help with the Kids Club on Saturday mornings. I worked with Veronica Craciun and we worked together to share a bible story, a craft, and then some songs or games. The first week we told the story of Lazarus and made little mummy spoons to represent Lazarus being raised from the dead. After the first week we told stories of Christmas and the birth of Jesus. Then the grand finale was a Christmas program on Christmas Eve where the kids ended up reading a poem and singing various songs ending with a song that we taught them with movements. It was a lot of fun and every week was fulfilling!
Favorite Travel Memory? Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s Castle). On the way from Timisoara to our debrief in Bucharest my team went through Brasov for one night and got to see the infamous Bran Castle. This is the home of Vlad Tepes who was known for his cruel punishment of impaling people with spears and torturing in various ways. This soon became wrapped up and loosely depicted in the fictional character of Count Dracula a vampire by author Bram Stoker. But aside from all that fiction, the castle was large and beautiful. There were grand rooms and hidden staircases and it was worth the walk through.
Favorite debrief moment? Learning who my new team is!! Proud to be a part of STACKED for the next few months!
Romania was a learning country. Learning to hold loosely to plans and learning to be flexible and available, and knowing that God will provide and guide us in this crazy journey of life.
