February 27, 2011
This morning we went back to the orthodox church to bring food and money to the beggars that stand outside Metropoli. Two women really talked a lot to us. One of them is an older, very funny woman that kept talking to Courtney, Laurel, and I even though we had no idea what she was saying. The other, named Mihiela, is a girl who had her nose bashed in during a protest in Bucharest. She was very nice and told us her story of having children. She called Annie this afternoon and invited us to come to her house, so we are going to meet her at a public place and buy some things for her children. I am really learning to experience God's love in a tangible way, and I hope and pray that the love that I am feeling shows the beautiful people that we met outside the church today that the God of the universe loves them too. We had a relaxing afternoon, and then Annie, Laurel, and I went to La Rescruce. At church, they talked about the conference in Chisinau that they just got back from. Again, they welcomed us into a community with them. The love that they have for God, each other, and for us is amazing. They inspire me as well as convict me about how I choose to love. Today at church, there was a schizoprenic man, two homeless men, and three foreigners (us) and every single one of us was not only welcomed but whole-heartedly included. I love these people and I love God and what He is doing in their lives.
luni, 28 februarie 2011
duminică, 27 februarie 2011
"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget."
Feb. 26, 2011
Today was very relaxing. We had a late morning, after which we went to work at the church. There was not much left to do with the insulation so we just cleaned up and drank tea with George and Lavina. We went to a museum with them that showed the things that Romanian royalty used to have. On the way there, we got to see a lot of Iasi that we previously had not seen. We went to the cultural palace by the Metropoli church, but it is being renovated so we could only see the outside, which was extravagantly beautiful. We came back to Abby's apartment (where we are staying) and had a dinner of French toast and potatoes. Afterwards, Diana, Lavina, and George watched a movie with us.
Lord, thank you for your perfect love. I love you. Thank you for our grace and that you love us even when I am unlovable. Also, thank you that you love these kids. You made them. Make them feel loved. Please give them a peace that they have never known. Make us fully secure in your love.
Today was very relaxing. We had a late morning, after which we went to work at the church. There was not much left to do with the insulation so we just cleaned up and drank tea with George and Lavina. We went to a museum with them that showed the things that Romanian royalty used to have. On the way there, we got to see a lot of Iasi that we previously had not seen. We went to the cultural palace by the Metropoli church, but it is being renovated so we could only see the outside, which was extravagantly beautiful. We came back to Abby's apartment (where we are staying) and had a dinner of French toast and potatoes. Afterwards, Diana, Lavina, and George watched a movie with us.
Lord, thank you for your perfect love. I love you. Thank you for our grace and that you love us even when I am unlovable. Also, thank you that you love these kids. You made them. Make them feel loved. Please give them a peace that they have never known. Make us fully secure in your love.
"Be courteous to all, intimate with few, and let those be well-tried before you give them your confidence"
February 25, 2011
We had a discussion today about Henri Nouwan's book In the Name of Jesus. In it, he says "Go live among the poor in spirit, and they will heal you." This is so beautiful because if this statement is entirely lived out, removes the "us" and "them" distinctions that all to often characterize work focused on marginalized individuals. When we go and live with these children and families, we are not just being used by God to help heal them, but they are being used by Him to help heal us. The book also discusses the idea of first and second loves. God has a perfect love for us. When I am with him in prayer, I feel his love for me. Yet, I still look for that perfect first love in people that are only second loves that need grace just like me. God has really been showing me that I need to stop idealizing romantic love and other second loves and just be in God's perfect love and grace.
Anyways, today was good. We got a lot done at the church and started forming sentences in Romanian during the lesson.
We had a discussion today about Henri Nouwan's book In the Name of Jesus. In it, he says "Go live among the poor in spirit, and they will heal you." This is so beautiful because if this statement is entirely lived out, removes the "us" and "them" distinctions that all to often characterize work focused on marginalized individuals. When we go and live with these children and families, we are not just being used by God to help heal them, but they are being used by Him to help heal us. The book also discusses the idea of first and second loves. God has a perfect love for us. When I am with him in prayer, I feel his love for me. Yet, I still look for that perfect first love in people that are only second loves that need grace just like me. God has really been showing me that I need to stop idealizing romantic love and other second loves and just be in God's perfect love and grace.
Anyways, today was good. We got a lot done at the church and started forming sentences in Romanian during the lesson.
vineri, 25 februarie 2011
"Please don't come back with a husband. Or knocked up. Well, maybe knocked up is OK."
Today was great! In the morning, we had a bible study about the poor in scripture. I am shocked not only by the number of times the poor are mentioned, but by how many times God identifies himself with the poor. It kind of seems like He loves the poor (however they are defined) as a peer as well as a God. Afterwards, we had a Romanian lesson. It was hard but we are learning concepts that will really help us communicate with and understand people here. For dinner, Courtney and I made Borscht! I am pretty proud of attempting to be Romanian. It turned out pretty well. We had George and Lavina over. It was so much fun! After dinner, we played a long game of Skip-Bo and laughed the whole time! And, I talked to my mom and dad. We're seeing things that God is doing here in Iasi that are really awesome.
miercuri, 23 februarie 2011
"The most beautiful discovery that true freinds make is that they can grow seperately without growing apart"
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
I feel so much better today. I had a good night sleep and was able to feel less homesick as well. We went to go help with the church building today, and I felt well enough to help put up the insulation. I have discovered, even though I might have figured this all along, that construction is not my forte. However, I am extremely happy that I could help the church in some way. My low of the day was being so cold! This is the first day of my being here that I understand why people do not like winter.
We had a huge warm lunch to help us recover from the cold, so I recovered pretty fast.
After getting back from the church and showering, we got into the hardest Romanian lesson thus far. I am stressing, but I am finally learning conversational Romanian that we can use on a daily basis.
Tonight we watched the Blindside and it led into a discussion on whether or not it is OK to be a rich Christian. That is why I love this group.
I feel so much better today. I had a good night sleep and was able to feel less homesick as well. We went to go help with the church building today, and I felt well enough to help put up the insulation. I have discovered, even though I might have figured this all along, that construction is not my forte. However, I am extremely happy that I could help the church in some way. My low of the day was being so cold! This is the first day of my being here that I understand why people do not like winter.
We had a huge warm lunch to help us recover from the cold, so I recovered pretty fast.
After getting back from the church and showering, we got into the hardest Romanian lesson thus far. I am stressing, but I am finally learning conversational Romanian that we can use on a daily basis.
Tonight we watched the Blindside and it led into a discussion on whether or not it is OK to be a rich Christian. That is why I love this group.
"Just when the catepillar thought that the world was over, it turned into a butterfly."
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
Today was hard. This morning, we went to go build the church, but I got sick. The whole day I felt sick and disappointed I couldn't work. But, the prayer group was fun.
Today was hard. This morning, we went to go build the church, but I got sick. The whole day I felt sick and disappointed I couldn't work. But, the prayer group was fun.
"Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind and less on outward circumstance"
Monday, Feb. 21, 2011
I couldn't sleep hardly at all last night. During the orthodox service yesterday, a begger came up to me and I wouldn't even look her in the eye. There is something very wrong with that. There is a verse in the bible that says whatever you do to the least of these, you do for me. So, by default, I ignored God, at church. We are going to go back Sunday and talk with all the beggers outside of the church (there are a lot).
This morning, we cleaned the apartment to get ready for the prayer group tomorrow night. We also went to Kaufland, which is the most "American" thing here. It has a set up similar to Publix. On the walk back, I got to make a snowangel! I was so excited (and I got a picture of it). Definitely a high point of my day. In the afternoon, Courtney made us an amazing salad at lunch and we ate it with Laurie and Lavina (our Romanian teachers). We had a good Romanian lesson, but I am excited for when we start learning how to have real conversations, since the vocab we learned can only get us so far. After the lesson, we all played a game of phase 10. It was hilarious! We laughed more tonight than we have since we got here.
I couldn't sleep hardly at all last night. During the orthodox service yesterday, a begger came up to me and I wouldn't even look her in the eye. There is something very wrong with that. There is a verse in the bible that says whatever you do to the least of these, you do for me. So, by default, I ignored God, at church. We are going to go back Sunday and talk with all the beggers outside of the church (there are a lot).
This morning, we cleaned the apartment to get ready for the prayer group tomorrow night. We also went to Kaufland, which is the most "American" thing here. It has a set up similar to Publix. On the walk back, I got to make a snowangel! I was so excited (and I got a picture of it). Definitely a high point of my day. In the afternoon, Courtney made us an amazing salad at lunch and we ate it with Laurie and Lavina (our Romanian teachers). We had a good Romanian lesson, but I am excited for when we start learning how to have real conversations, since the vocab we learned can only get us so far. After the lesson, we all played a game of phase 10. It was hilarious! We laughed more tonight than we have since we got here.
luni, 21 februarie 2011
"What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't happened yet"
Sunday, February 20, 2011
There is something so beautiful about living simply. The past 5 days I haven't watched TV. I've had limited access to internet. And, today, we went to two church sevices (one orthodox, one protestant), slept, ate, read, and talked. I feel closest to God during relaxed days. I need to get used to walking on ice in heels though, because on the way back from the orthodox service, I fell. I'm getting closer to the girls and I feel a lot less homesick. At the protestant church (who is providing us with the apartment we're staying in right now), I felt like we were being welcomed into a family. It was so small and they found someone to translate for us. The music was amazing and the sermon was one of the best for me to hear in a while. He was so sincere and honest. Also, everyone there had a great sense of humor and people just came up to talk to you. We also hung out with Laurie, who will be teacjing us Romanian this week. I love Iasi.
There is something so beautiful about living simply. The past 5 days I haven't watched TV. I've had limited access to internet. And, today, we went to two church sevices (one orthodox, one protestant), slept, ate, read, and talked. I feel closest to God during relaxed days. I need to get used to walking on ice in heels though, because on the way back from the orthodox service, I fell. I'm getting closer to the girls and I feel a lot less homesick. At the protestant church (who is providing us with the apartment we're staying in right now), I felt like we were being welcomed into a family. It was so small and they found someone to translate for us. The music was amazing and the sermon was one of the best for me to hear in a while. He was so sincere and honest. Also, everyone there had a great sense of humor and people just came up to talk to you. We also hung out with Laurie, who will be teacjing us Romanian this week. I love Iasi.
sâmbătă, 19 februarie 2011
"=) <--- Talk to it"
Today was a good day. We woke up relatively early in the morning to have breakfast and we went to the bank to exchange money. Annie and I tried to act Romanian by linking arms as we walked. We all went over this cool walking bridge that goes over the rail road tracks and trains. Also, I got to finally buy a headscarf and house shoes: two Romanian/ Moldovan essentials. Not to mention, it was SNOWING! Thick, beautiful, just-right snow. I told the girls that someone is making a snowman with me before I leave. In the afternoon, we went over more Romanian and discussed philosophies of ministry in Word Made Flesh. I love that it is an ecumedical organization. We also talked about Moldovan history and shared our "stories". I got far too emotional, but it was a good bonding experience with the team. Gid has really been teaching me the past couple of days that this whole experience is not about me, but about Him and His glorifying Himself through the most vulnerable Moldovans, and all of the rest of us. On a side note, I have been thinking a lot about my servant team project, and I am so excited to get started.
"When the best things are not possible, the best an be made of those that are"
Friday, Feb. 18th, 2011
Today was a very good day. We had a late, lazy morning before going out. On the way down the stairs we got yelled at by an older Romanian man who was offended that we did not let him go first and say good morning. Annie had to explain that we were not trying to be rude, we just do not understand the culture. There are a lot of cultural idiosyncracies to get used to. We went to a few little shops underneath our block apartment and I loved being able to go all the way to the Piata (an outdoor market) to buy things for dinner.After dinner, made by Annie and Laurel, we all talked about expectations, gals, requirements, and a lot about our lives. I am a little homesick but I love it here.
***All titles are from a gift that my friend Karen gave me. Also, all blogs are just typed out excerpts from my journal
Today was a very good day. We had a late, lazy morning before going out. On the way down the stairs we got yelled at by an older Romanian man who was offended that we did not let him go first and say good morning. Annie had to explain that we were not trying to be rude, we just do not understand the culture. There are a lot of cultural idiosyncracies to get used to. We went to a few little shops underneath our block apartment and I loved being able to go all the way to the Piata (an outdoor market) to buy things for dinner.After dinner, made by Annie and Laurel, we all talked about expectations, gals, requirements, and a lot about our lives. I am a little homesick but I love it here.
***All titles are from a gift that my friend Karen gave me. Also, all blogs are just typed out excerpts from my journal
joi, 17 februarie 2011
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?"
Today, after three long flights, we landed in Chisinau, Moldova. From there, we took a minivan to Iasi, Romania. We will be spending three weeks here for an orientation and Romanian language lessons. This is due to the fact that if we stay in Moldova for more than 90 days, we have to go through a costly visa process. I also met the 2 other team members . Courtney on the layover to Newark and Laurel in Munich. They are both very nice. I am extremely exhausted and excited at the same time. However, I am also rather homesick. I really miss my family and I want to call them and talk, but I can't until I have time to figure out skype times and payphones. This lack of communication is what worries me the most. However, I know this is the experience of a lifetime, so I can deal with it.
Annie and Rachel met us at the airport (which is, the smallest I have ever seen). Annie is with us in Iasi and we met one of the Romanian women that will be teaching us the language. Her name is Laura. My host family is an older woman and her daughter, they sound very nice and I am so excited to meet them!
Annie and Rachel met us at the airport (which is, the smallest I have ever seen). Annie is with us in Iasi and we met one of the Romanian women that will be teaching us the language. Her name is Laura. My host family is an older woman and her daughter, they sound very nice and I am so excited to meet them!
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