We made it to Romania afte
r a long 36 hours of traveling. We started out with a 4 hour bus ride to the airport, then a flight to Miami Florida and had a 9 hour layover there, our next flight was a long one to Paris with only a 3 hour layover, following that our last flight landing in Romania. We’re not done there though! We then had two train rides to get to Craiova, our first train was about 45 minutes and our next eventful train ride was four hours long. We finally arrived at the mission house around 1 in the morning, which led to everyone sleeping past lunch that same day!
Being here in Craiova for only 3 weeks has shown how spiritually heavy and dark this city is. There is a noticeable difference when sleeping, communicating, and just living life here compared to other cities in Romania. Some examples are, Last weekend we got the chance to travel to northern Romania to visit a castle, it was a 1 night and 2 day trip. Some of us have not been sleeping well, but this one night away was one of the best sleeps they have had. Others even said they started to feel the shift of spiritual atmospheres just as we got closer to home. As a squad and separately in our teams, we have experienced some tension, frustration, and just annoyances quicker than normal, which is said to be common among racers when serving here. Craiova is cold literally and figuratively, the sun shows maybe once or twice a week, some find it hard to make time for the lord, people are homesick, and some just feel like they have weights on them. These are just some of the challenges we have begun to face as a squad.
With Craiova being a colder city figuratively, it sometimes makes evangelizing harder. Getting rejected and ignored is a lot more common here and it is harder to find the joy in these people compared to Guatemala.
This is now where we have the choice to stand firm and face the challenges in unity as a squad and a body of christ. Philippians 1:27-29 says, “Then whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” We as a squad of 42 have the choice to stand in one spirit and body against the devils schemes. Suffering for the father looks very different for different people, but with this season we’re in, “suffering” for him looks more like, facing the attacks of the enemy, ministry in the snow, rejection, less sleep, and random annoyances from the people around you. In this time of “suffering” are we going to count it as joy and sit in thankfulness?
What an honor it is to be rejected for the sake of Jesus Christ?
There are students here that are being persecuted for saying they are christian and talking about Jesus. We have four students being threatened with getting kicked out of their school during their senior year because of the beliefs. Some other students are facing the pressure and judgement from their families for coming to church and youth. We have a student not allowed to come back because their parents says it’s a disgrace to the family and their beliefs. There are people in the Middle East dying and getting raped for the sake of the gospel. They are willing to give their bodies and their lives because of their deep commitment and desire for the lord.
Hearing the stories and being face to face with ones who are standing for the lord in the midst of persecution is so inspiring, and is also challenging. It makes me question myself, and my willingness to suffer for him and then to be joyous in it. I am so thankful for the students here and the example they are for me and my squad.
I am excited for all that Romania is going to bring for the next month and a half. Time is flying, as we just hit month 6. Thank you guys for sticking with me through this journey.
Prayer requests:
Students being threatened by their school, and ones dealing with pressure from their families.
Spiritual atmosphere
Hope Church: donations, staff and volunteers, and their congregation.
Our last months of the race and the rest of our time in Romania.
