Halfway to Heaven

Since today is Tuesday and we have teen club tonight, I thought I'd fill you in on "Halfway to Heaven." That is the name that the group of 12-15 year olds have chosen to call themselves, although it's still normally referred to as "teen club." Every Tuesday night Timmie Capusneanu watches Nolan and Liam while Karen, Maurice, and I head off to club. Usually we pick up Dragos and two of the American students (Courtney and Rebecca) and we all pile into our car and drive together to the Baragan apartment block school.
All of the times I have gone, there are already kids waiting outside the school doors for our arrival and once they spot our car, there are big smiles and some waving of hands exchanged. We greet them and as a whole we all file into the school and head straight for the Chemistry Lab. Moving the tables to the side, we grab all the chairs (which are really small stools) and sit in a circle-like form and wait for instructions on the games of the night. The games are always a riot and it's actually fun trying to come up with different ones to play. Some we've played include: "Shuffle your buns" (which does not translate well), body-part musical chairs, pickle spitting, snowball fight, the human knot, pass the tongue depressor (without hands), and more...
Many-a-time directions don't translate too well and we end up playing a "regular" game with a new twist on it, which is pretty funny.
This past weekend we had "gym day" and on Saturday, the whole family went over to play in the school gym with the group. Not very many showed up (about 5 "regulars" of 25ish...10 total), but we still had a blast playing soccer for two straight hours!
Over the past few weeks we've begun to have mini "talks" included with the club. Karen usually leads them and has led the group through some very interesting discussions already. Since all of the group, with the exception of two, are Orthodox...talk time is always interesting. The first week of talk-time the fact that we are Protestant came up (and that's usually not seen as a good thing here in Romania). We praise God that these kids are still interested and excited about coming to teen club and we are excited to spend the rest of the year building relationships and learning from them. The year with them is certainly unpredictable!
A specific prayer request for this group is our upcoming (well, I guess it's now!) "project". We want to do a food drive with the group and collect food from their neighboring apartments to give to the less fortunate. Since this is a foreign concept to Romanians, it has met some resistance and the kids are unsure that they can do it. We hope and pray that God will work through their doubts and build them up as a team through this project!
Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Procrastination doesn't make it happen...

I am such a procrastinator. Although I should be editing and revising the college essays I wrote yesterday, I'm loading good music to my iPod instead. Well actually, there's a plethora of things I've done today instead of doing that. In my defense, they were productive things. Things like: searching for decent wall material for a "gingerbread house", washing dishes, cleaning out the fridge, playing cards with the boys, and the list goes on. Meh. There's no way around it: I flat-out hate college essays and dread them like nobody's business. The truth is, I can write fairly well and once I suck it up and do it, it's good. It's the doing it that's key. My deadline is Friday though. And seeing as this is the only obligatory piece of writing I have for this entire year, I think I can manage. =] I know my college freshman friends are yelling at the screen right now...sorry guys, not trying to rub it in.
Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to write a post that lists all of the ministries I am a part of (as of now) along with the days of the week. Then in the next few posts I'll pick one off the list and describe it for you. So here it is:
Sunday: Sometimes help out with worship (rarely) in Sighisoara
Usually some type of relationship building time (hanging out with friends)
Sometimes go out to Tsigmadru for evening service, when I don't the boys and I stay here in Sighisoara
Monday: Monday night Dinners @ Dorothy's with American students
Tuesday: Out to Tsigmadru for Kid's Club
Back to Sighisoara for Teen's Club (Halfway to Heaven)
Wednesday: Gospel Choir (not really "ministry" unless you count it as relationship building)
Thursday: Doctor's Clinic out in Tsigmadru
Friday: Devotions with Veritas Staff
Out to Tsigmadru for Kid's Club and Teen's Club
Saturday: Usually a day to myself =]

Monday-Friday: Walking the boys to school (Karen, Maurice, and I trade-off)
Elderly Club
Of course these aren't always consistent, but it's a general outline. Also, it's a given that living with the Hopkins is a 24/7 ministry for all of us. It's actually hard for me to categorize life here into "ministry" and "not ministry"- to me it's pretty much all ministry. I'd say watching the boys is ministry and I think hanging out with friends is ministry too...it just doesn't seem necessary to add them to a list titled "ministry" because they are so ingrained into my life. Like I said, separating life into "ministry" and "not ministry" just seems odd to me because shouldn't our lives be a constant ministry to those around us? Oy. Either way, I hope this helps you more clearly understand my day-to-day life here in Romania. Stay tuned for more details. =]

Thankful for Thanksgiving

We had a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner at Roberta's house last night. It was a lot of fun and having a "traditional American" meal was great. The company included 3 "foreigners"...one Brit, Annie Mettie...one Scot, Morag...one Dutchman, Hans. So we laughed together about some of the strange traditions and phrases that make perfect sense in your own culture, but not in other cultures. We went around the table and took the time to say what we're thankful for (in short, I said support). We just spent time in one another's company. It was really a blessing to be able to have that. I almost had to be rolled home, but luckily I managed to walk. =]
I do miss my family (and friends), but as I say a lot, God is guiding me through and providing in ways I didn't know were possible. Each day I am amazed by his grace and remain thankful for the opportunities I encounter daily.

Unveiling the Truth

I have to say, it's incredible how much God can reveal to a single person in the span of 4 days. The conference was beyond what I could have even hoped for. Just when I think God can't possibly grow me anymore, he takes me by the hand and leads me onto new and unforeseen ground. Some things I can't even put into words, but I can tell you what the Conference was all about. There were Free Methodist people from all over Europe (not just Eastern) who came and gathered together each day. We had meals, morning service, workshops, fellowship groups, and evening service every day. Karen, Maurice , and I rotated schedules so that we could all go to some of everything.
I had heard most of what was taught before, but God has a way of making you see things through new eyes. A lot of the conference was about prayer. Some of it was way over my head, but I could also absorb some of what Europe's most faithful missionaries had to say and teach us. It was comforting to be reminded that prayer is a constant learning process (along with life in general, right?) and that even the disciples had to ask Jesus, "teach us how to pray". It was awesome to see that although we were people from all different places, different languages, different cultures, different ages (15 countries and 13 languages)...we could relate to one another through Christ! One major point that Jerry Coleman made throughout the weekend is that the kingdom of God is not just at hand, it's here. We should strive to live in the kingdom and bring kingdom aspects here on earth. That was a really interesting concept and I'm still contemplating what that means to me. But again, it made me realize that the people there are my brothers and sisters! It was really good to get to meet and talk with people who know me (and I kinda knew them), but I'd never met face-to-face. Prime example: Lynette and Josef Sykora (and baby Simon!). They are wonderful people. And I had the opportunity to spend quality time with Lydia and Stephen Dunn, which was really good. One of the worship times.
Another worship time, Karen helped lead! Along with many of the Romania delegation.
Liam in the "drinkbar", watching TV of course (heh heh).
Nolan and Liam had a lot of fun too. One of their favorite things was the elevator. Another was having their own room and building "forts" in it. =] They handle the 10 hour car ride there really well. Once there, they won the hearts of many of Europe's FM missionaries. Often we'd find them with candy in their mouth and ask "hey where'd that come from?", only to look up and watch a sneaky smile pass over their face. They also took it upon themselves to be "waterboys" at the first evening meal. It was pretty hilarious to watch unexpectant people approach the watercooler with the intent of a simple glass of water and leave with smiles on their faces after engaging in a conversation with Nolan or Liam as the boys filled their glass.
The one day we went out to do the "touristy" thing, it rained. It was still beautiful!
Another beautiful view.

So the trip was all-around great. It was definitely refreshing and rejuvenating. It really got me pumped up and excited about all of our ministries again. It made the briefness of a year come to mind again, but encouraged me in that. Since I know that this is what God has called me to, I can trust that he will do the work in and through the Hopkins and I that he intends to do.
The conference really challenged me to live for the Lord in a way that I have neglected to do, even though I am trying to listen to his call by living here in Romania. It unveiled several truths about myself that I had chosen to ignore and called me to reach deeper, listen longer, and live richer. I have taken another step in discovering and defining my relationship with God. I've left a part of myself behind this past weekend and I know that God will continue to guide the reconstruction. It's exhilirating and at the same time, a little scary. But I stand in the face of change, with God's hand in mine, and say "bring it on."

Here is a set of verses given to us upon departure that really served as great encouragement:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1-3

Amen.
Thank you for your prayers and support!

Pack your bags. We're going on a trip...

Phew, this week has been another filled with a whirlwind of activity. And it doesn't stop now. Tomorrow we are leaving for Budapest, Hungary! I'm still in shock (obviously, seeing as it's 11pm and I'm not packed) that tomorrow at 6:30 in the morning I will be on my way to Hungary. You know, the country. For a Free Methodist Eastern Europe Missions Conference.
We have known about this trip for awhile, but two weeks ago my outlook on going was grim. There is this little thing called a VISA that is rather important when you are living in another country for an extended period of time...and I didn't have it yet. In fact, I still technically don't have it. But long story short, my papers are far enough along in the process that I can safely cross the Romanian border without threat of deportation (therefore, the trip became a possibility again). Fantastic, right? Well, not so fast. It's not that easy. Although Karen and Maurice have their VISAs (as of yesterday), the boys do not. So then it was a matter of getting the boys all set in their paperwork process in getting their VISAs. Yesterday we had a very successful trip to Targu Mures (where the police station that processes the paperwork is) and the boys were "cleared," so to speak, in order to go to Budapest. Praise God. All of us were "ready" in that respect.
But our car...that was another complication. We knew that we would be driving if we went to Budapest this weekend, so when our car broke down on the way home from teens the other night, it put another damper on going. Another relatively long story short, we were able to get the car fixed within a two-day time frame and Karen and Maurice picked it up this afternoon. There were even more small obstacles that took tackling before we were assured that we can, indeed, go to Budapest tomorrow.
All this to say, that try as he might, Satan is not keeping us back from this conference. We all feel like it is something we need and will greatly benefit from. I am really looking forward to it and I can't wait to see what God has in store for all of us and how he will continue to grow us through this.
"Let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting Him."
Hebrews 10:22
Thanks so much for your prayers!

It's alive!

Well I can joyfully announce that my computer is back in business! (Lappy is happy.) It has been running pretty much all day yesterday and today; organizing folders, downloading lost programs, reloading pictures, and more recovery things. I can't believe how "back to normal" it is...all thanks to Relu, the computer whizz from our church. =] He has done a wonderful job! And since I wasn't really expecting it to revive, it's resuscitation is all the more sweet. Praise God for the small things in life.

Rainy Days in Romania

Today I was the first to wake up in the household (for a change) and waking up to silence was so unusual that I couldn't fall back asleep. I stumbled out of bed, stretched my hands up to the cieling, and then fumbled with my curtain before making it safely onto the higher landing of the main floor. With squinting eyes I could see that it would be another soggy, cold day. I woke up at a remarkable rate, all things considered, and readied myself for the day.
My day so far has consisted of a few small errands. Saturdays have become an extra day to "get things done" for me. First we went to the photography place to get our pictures taken for a folder that's vital to our VISA process. Next on the list was cleaning at the Baragan apartment. Last week Saturday I had a "halloween party" with several of the teens from "halfway to heaven", the teen group on Tuesday nights out in the Baragan school. It was quite an experience, maybe a story for a later time. However, the apartment was left a mess. I had gone to clean earlier this week, but it appeared to me that someone else had already done it. After further investigation it was apparently not clean. Anyway, today was the ideal time to do it and so off we went. It was actually fun, Karen graciously helped me (along with Nolan and Liam) and we blasted worship music as we vacuumed and scrubbed. After that we slipped over to the "Russian market" on the Baragan property, which is pretty much a flea market of sorts. We strolled up and down the outdoor aisles quicker than originally intended because the air was biting and the boys were freezing. Last, we stopped over near the piata (open-air market) long enough for Karen to pick up some meat and pasta.
Once we had made our way back home, I threw some leftover chicken noodle soup on the stove and cut myself several chunks of some Hungarian bread Karen bought especially for me. When all was ready I sat down with my hot bowl of soup and bread, feeling the warmth flood my body from head to toe. Sometimes nothing tastes so good as hot soup on a cold, wet day. Then Karen made hot chocolate from milk that Hans gave me last night (basically milk straight from a cow) and afer having a sip of that I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Since then I haven't done much but stay warm and comfy, enjoying an afternoon free of activity.
In a little while I'll call mom n' dad and enjoy an update on life back home along with the encouragement and comfort that comes with simply hearing their voices. Then I'll call two of my best friends and laugh with them about how crazy it is that they are almost done with their first semester of college.
What more can you ask for on a rainy Saturday in Romania?

Bring it Home

It's hard to tell you exactly how I'm feeling today. It feels like one of those days where God's reassurance of my being here is overwhelming. I'm filled with an unexplainable and ambiguous joy. And I know that it can't come from anywhere but God because the past two days have been dreary. Cold, wet and unrelenting. I felt weighed down and burdened, but today is different. Today I have strength that is not my own. Today I will go to Tsigmadru with Annie and tend to the needs of people who truly need it and forget my own unimportant worries.
I feel like my focus has been off for the past couple of weeks and finally, today, God has brought me home.

"What do you want to do today?...Oh let's just Rome." Part 2

Alright, as usual it’s been much longer than I anticipated to get you this entry. =] I should altogether stop telling you when I think I’ll get them done. And hey, then it’s always a pleasant surprise when you find a new one. Anyway, I give you: Rome Part 2 (Final Rome conclusions)…
It’s been over a week since I returned home from Rome. My memories already have that history haze beginning to glaze over them. You know, that haze that makes it feel like yesterday and a month ago all at once. Sevral random things still stand out from the fog:
*Seeing the Coliseum from the public transportation bus and plastering myself against the window
*My first gelato by the Trevi Fountain
*The sights and smells of the little bakery/pastry shop down the road from our “house”
*Walking to the Pantheon with Ali and Amanda – Ali: “Doh-vay see troh-vuh Pantheon?” Guy: “Speak English.”
*Homemade dinner nights
*Walking through the Trastevere by night
*Laying on the cobblestone ground at the Vatican and looking at the stars, enjoying the peace and quiet
*Standing in Piazza Repubblica and replaying old memories in my head

I still can’t believe that I went to Rome for a week. It was my first “adult” trip. I’m not a child anymore, and I don’t need a chaperone. When did that happen?
I’ve learned to:
*find my own way around a large, crowded city (use a map)
*take public transportation and NOT get angry at the world when it goes slower than expected
*budget money in a way that’s frugal, but still enjoyable
*be the spokesperson for a group
*exchange valuable information through few words
*bite my tongue when my opinion is of no value
*intuitively plan activities according to the preferences of an entire group
*figure out another person’s preference without talking about it
*confront an issue before the breaking point
And more…

Okay I know lists can be obnoxious, but I’m a list person... imi pare rau (I’m sorry). I just can’t find a way to express how valuable this trip was to me on so many different levels. I not only saw Rome and all its glory (and shortcomings), but I learned things about myself that no other situation in life thus far has revealed. Before leaving, I imagined the trip to be extremely relaxing and just plain fun. I had no idea God would “put me to work” and help me develop as a person (in Him) in the process. It's funny how he does that when you least want it/expect it/feel like you can handle it, isn't it? And it's also funny how it's always perfect timing.
Yet again life here has proven to be challenging, unique, and invaluable.

More pictures from the adventure:

One of the many churches we saw. They were all very extravagant.
Although I don't know the theology and all the reasoning behind this act, I do know it's beauty.
By night, Rome is a different place.
Funky pyramid thing that supposedly houses the bones of someone important. (Haha...)
Fun at the fresh water fountains that appear out of nowhere on any given street.

Meet Ott the troll. He was kidnapped by the group from Hans and enjoyed a week in Rome with the rest of us. Here he's taking in the Spanish Steps. =]

Life is crazy

From that day I climbed on the plane to this very day, one thought has permeated all I do and think. Life is such a crazy thing. Since when did I become an 18 year old who lives in Romania and hangs out with the elderly (and loves it)? How is it possible that each day I get to walk out of my door into an old historical town and pass under a clocktower that has stood for many years past? Why do I get to go and work in a village that has no true doctor and help aid the nurse there today? Why do I get to experience what it's like to have two "little brothers" who love me? How come I get to hang out with two of Pearce's most committed leaders day in and day out? What on earth have I done to deserve such a life? Nothing.
God's grace is all-powerful and incredible.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
2 Corinthians 12:9