Lastly.

I know this blog post is long overdue, but I thought I should do one last post anyways. I posted all the pics from the trip on my Facebook profile. Here are the links to the albums:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2095680785148.2113566.1039180335&l=9aba5d9d45
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2095935391513.2113581.1039180335&l=d1559554db
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2079262934712.2112720.1039180335&l=54c7af5165


The eleven days I spent in Romania were some of the best days of my life! This trip was so impacting, eye- opening, and Jesus filled. I feel like I have a whole new family in Romania that I will continue to lift up in prayer. They were the most encouraging group. God spoke to me so much on this trip- through the people in Romania, on the team, and even through messages from people back at home. I feel like there was many things God wanted me to know. I'm going through alot of transitions in life where all of my decisions are up in the air. But constantly being encouraged to listen to God's whisper and knowing that my home is wherever He is..has made listening to Him that much simpler. Something Florine told me while I was over there was that it's always easy to walk with God on a straight, paved path but walking with Him on water is what is difficult. I want to walk on water. I want to love Jesus with my everything. I want to serve Him with my everything. I want to share His mighty love with others. What really touched my heart was how the people of the church shared the gospel with strangers; they took any opportunity they had to tell people about Jesus. It is so inspiring. I've only been home for two days, and I've already received opportunities to share Christ with others. It amazes me that God is already hearing my prayers that I want to be use by Him. This trip has forever changed me. Witnessing the way the people we met served God has changed me. I am just so thankful for the way God used others to help send me over there- we were involved in so many awesome ministries and I am so honored to have met such amazing people. I can't wait to go back. ;)

Sunday

Today was full of church services and rest! I am so blessed by everyone here. One more day in this beautiful town, so I'm ready to make it one of the best!

Saturday

Today we did another Micro Kids service in the village! It was a blast! We had the chance to teach them "Boom Chaka Laka" and taught them "Jesus Loves You" in Romanian. It was an awesome experience and I'm so excited for the great things that are and will continue to take place in this ministry! We were supposed to go to Doicesti to do another service, but we ran out of time. We ended up starting street evangelizing early for the youth even tonight. The plan was to have a bunch of youth gather in a coffee shop for music and games and dramas that sort of thing, but the shop ended up being closed. We gathered in the park instead. It was a fun filled day. One of the coolest things is the way Christian teenagers talk about God here. He is so real to them and usually it's not like that for most young people. For example, my new friend Claudio is a total goof ball and always being funny and messing around, but when we talk about Jesus it's just so simple to him. He basically says you know what it's all up to Jesus. I want to serve Jesus. And I think that's so awesome. Today we had a conversation about the mind blowing things Jesus did on earth. It's crazy for me to have these kind of conversations because although I've always been close to God, I never really shared my faith with others in such an open way. God is continuing to speak to me through His disciples here in RO. . . please continue to keep the team in your prayers!

Friday

 It's so sad to think about only having three days left in this gorgeous town. :( But I can't think ab out it, or I will become depressed! Today we went to the gypsy village to pass out the bags of food to all the homes. We split into groups. . . I was with Imelda, Jason, and my Romanian friend Claudio. We were invited into their homes and had the opportunity to pray over them. It was way harder than what I expected- I had many weak moments throughout the time we were there, but God pulled me through. What is so amazing is seeing the kids' smiles. I love kids. I learn so much from them. . . even through only their smiles. Our trip into the village was a little chaotic; many of the gypsy families made organizing the bags very difficult because they lied about receiving bags of food. I understand why they would. I wish we could do more than give them a bag of food that will last them a week, but right now showing them the love of Jesus and PRAYING is what we can do and I'm so glad I can be a part of it. I'm so honored that our team is able to partner with MCR in blessing them. I know I talk about it all the time, but these people's hearts are so big- it's so inspiring. For the whole afternoon we worked on the cement project here at the building. Well, I may have done alot of watching. Us girls had tiny jobs. We collected rocks for the cement, and I ran to the store with Carmen to get drinks. We were mostly cheerleaders. Except for Jessica and Imelda! They rocked and were getting in there covered in dirt and cement! We then split into teams again to street evangelize and invite youth to the scavenger hint we did again tonight1 The scavenger hunt is like a weekly thing they do here for youth. I can't imagine doing a scavenger hunt every week, but it's been fun! They even made the list English this time! I've been getting alot better at going up to people and starting conversations. I usually have Oana with me to translate for me! Tonight's scavenger hunt was fun! We had to make alot of videos this time. We recorded a video of David proposing to me Lol, jump roping, having a water fight, and singing a song. Fun stuff. I'm super tired! Pray that tomorrow Micro Kids is just so blessed and goes extremely well!

 

Thursday

     Good afternoon America! :) Got in about an hour ago from eating a great meal Pastor Mehi's wife prepared! We began the day at the building with Flourine and Liz. Flourine gave an awesome presentation on Masters Commission. He talked about how it started in Targoviste, their principles and goals, and some of the students gave their testimonies which were SO encouraging. It is amazing to see how all the people here serve God. It is the most passionate love and is inspiring. Flourine asked us to go around the room and talk about what we were going to do with our lives and how we were going to serve God. I'm going through many transitions in my life and basically all my decisions and options are all up in the air! But I have the desire to serve and be a disciple of God in whatever way He wants me to. So my prayer is that I listen to God and that I'm able to hear His voice loud and clear. I know that when I'm with kids I'm in my element, that I teach well, and love to write. I have just felt so urged to use everything I can to serve my Savior wherever He wants me to and doing whatever He wants me to (even when it's really scary!). Although I had to come to Romania to figure all this out, I'm so glad I did. Again, the people here have been incredible! It's awesome having people here to talk to you who have at one point felt and thought the same things. God is so good, and we have all been so blessed! 
      The men worked on their cement project for pretty much the whole afternoon. Tomorrow they begin mixing and pouring cement I believe. I hope I'm able to help out with that! The rest of the team prepared for Micro Kids on Saturday because we will be helping out with the service. Chelby and I are going to do the memory verse, worship, and game! We are so pumped! Totally feel this is where we'll serve best. We also went to another Romanian grocery store where we picked up the things we needed for Micro Kids. I also picked up a couple things of my own like green apple juice (the best! it's really green!) and chocolate to take back home! After that we met back at the building and prepared for street evangelizing where we gathered more youth for another scavenger hunt! Our team won this time!! Woohoo! But it was probably because we had Nikki was on our team and had a car! She picked up almost everything at her house Lol! We are cheaters! Our prize was coca cola and chocolate chip cookies!The youth broke up into small groups after the  scavenger hunt. Jessica and I went with Nikki to pick up food from Pastor Mehi's house. We were able to meet his wife and two daughters who were adorable! It was cool because Mehi's wife remembered Crystal and asked lots of questions about her. Crystal: we need to plan a trip out here ASAP! :) All in all, another great day. Gotta go, I have Caleb breathing down my neck Lol. I think he wants to go on Facebook!