sâmbătă, 26 martie 2011

"Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to great places! You're off and away"

Friday March 25 2011

Today was really nice. Courtney and I volunteered at the freedom home and played with the cutest babies! I am really tired lately for some reason though. This is a song that has really been on my heart lately. I think this is comforting to me after seeing people in such obviously vulnerable places

You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are

[Verse 2]
You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

[Verse 1]

[Verse 2]

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

There is no one like our god
There is no one like our God

[Chorus]
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

"When I say I'm a Christian, I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I'm worth it"

Thursday March 24 2011
Today was really good. we cleaned our hallway at the internat this morning after chapel. It was actually a nice break from having to think about books or language. In the afternoon, we picked up trash around the soccer field with the kids. We made it a competition and they were so excited about it. I had never seen two people fight over who picked up a particular piece of trash before today. Afterwords, two Peace Corps volunteers and Audriana's husband's high school class came and we just played legos with the kids. It was really nice. At night, I talked to Doamna Zinaeda and read my Bible a lot. It was a really relaxing day.

miercuri, 23 martie 2011

"The fact is, to do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as best we can"

Today was awesome. This morning's chapel was very nice. It was a good time of prayer for the kids at the internat. The four kids I am praying for this week are Tatiana, Petru, Dina, and Marin. We had a book discussion afterwards that was really informative for me about aspects of Christianity that I have always kind of dismissed. Then came the fun: these kids. They are so much fun and so sweet despite all of the trauma that they have experienced. We played cards, and one of the girls invited me to the internat on Saturday so she can teach me Romanian. Tonight, we went to a youth service at Isus Salvatorul and they had a guest speaker from the states so half of the service was in English. There was a guy there that had been sold by his parents into slavery and he told his story. It was amazing! We also ran into Ana from Freedom Home so it was fun getting to talk to her.

luni, 21 martie 2011

"Insist on yourself, never imitate"

So, yesterday I took a really crowded Maxi Taxi by myself. I didn't keep a close enough I on my stuff and someone took my wallet. Luckily, I only had some of my money in it, and I didn't have my passport or social security card in it or anything. But, it still sucks. I realized that it was missing today at the office, so I ran home to see if I'd left it, and I didn't. It was definitely stolen. And, thinking back to being in the maxi taxi, I know who did it. But, there is no way to track them down. The whole day was just kind of off from there. But, it was fun because it was the 13th birthday of one of my favorite kids at the internat. He is so sweet! I left the internat early (we each have one day a week to do that, and normally I would just stay, but I had to go) so I didn't get a chance to say bye to anyone there. It was just kind of awkward. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Tonight, I had a great talk with my host mom (in Romanian!).

duminică, 20 martie 2011

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be"

I think I am coming down with something. Everyone in my host family is sick and despite the many (very interesting) home remedies that they have given me, I think I am still getting it. But, church was still really good. I went to an orthodox church in the morning and then to the same evangelical church as last week. At home, I basically slept all day. But, last night, God really opened my eyes to how prideful I am in certain aspects of life. I throw around titles and crap to seem like I am important to myself. But, it really doesn't matter. Whether I am "Food Coordinator" or "Janitor" it is all the same as long as I am glorifying God. If I am trying to follow Jesus, and the bible says this about Him, why do I care what my position in life is?
"Who, being in very nature God, 
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 
 rather, he made himself nothing 
   by taking the very nature of a servant, 
   being made in human likeness. 
And being found in appearance as a man, 
   he humbled himself 
   by becoming obedient to death— 
      even death on a cross!"

"A good deed is never lost. He who sows courtesy reaps friendship. He who plants kindness gathers love"

Saturday March 19 2011
Today, despite the fact that I was crabby because of little things that annoyed me, was really good. In the morning, I did laundry, watched a movie, and finished Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger (I definitely recommend it). Natasha's cousin, cousin-in-law, and nephew came over. They are very nice and a very beautiful family. But, they speak Russian so without the translator on the computer, I didn't understand anything they were saying. It is interesting to see how the political views of people here influence the language that they speak. I took  the bus to Anca's and had a great time with the girls there. We ate, watched a movie, and played games. When I got home, Natasha and I watched (another) movie. A very relaxing day.

"One does not know, until one is a bit at odds with the world, how much one's friends who believe in one rather generously, mean to one"

Friday March 18 2011
Today was awesome. In the morning, Audriana gave a lesson about institutionalized care in Moldova and the education system here in general. The things that stood out to me the most are:

  • children are with the exact same group of 25 kids from grades 1-12
  • children with any type of disability are sent off to "special schools" in remote locations
  • One of the children in our program at the internat had a family that was going to adopt him. They took this child for a day and then left them at the Internat and never came back. 
After lunch, we went to a really cool ministry. It is a home to survivors of sex trafficking and their children. What an amazing place! It is a very nice, big, homey place. And, based on the conversation with their communications assistant, they are extremely loving, serious, and proffesional about what they do. I'm going to pray about volunteering there on weekends. At night, I just ate dinner and crashed.

joi, 17 martie 2011

Happiness resides not in possesions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul

Today was so. much. fun. And, I really see God in these kids. They are broken people with obvious problems because of the trauma they experienced. But, through all of this they still have this joy that seeps out of them. I especially notice this when they shout the songs we sing at the top of their lungs and when they all start out praying by thanking God profusely. We had a book discussion this morning and Anca joined us. It was really cool how all the different perspectives and biases that we have came together. Then, since it is Thursday- it's movie day. So, we watched Prince Caspian in Russian. I have no idea what it said but three kids huddled around me for the whole movie. I was too focused on how adorable the kids are to realize that I had no idea what was going on in the film. I was also really excited because I was able to have a full on Romanian conversation with my host family about things other than how our days were.

"Kind words are the music of the world"

Wednesday March 16 2011
Today was great. I am getting more comfortable with the kids.  I think I relate best with the boys, which surprised me. I have been praying for reconcilliation for these kids for what has happened to them. From what the staff here says, that has happened a lot since the beginning of the program. That is so awesome! In the afternoon, we had a Romanian lesson. At home, I ate an appropriately portioned dinner and got to talk a lot to my host sister. All in all, it was a fun and productive day.
And, I got to see news coverage about Japan. I can't even believe the devastation that is there. I heard about it but today was the first time I got to see actual coverage. It is so sad and overwhelming.

"Heaven never helps the man who will not act"

Tuesday March 15 2011
Today was a lot better than yesterday. I am starting to warm up to the kids and staff (and vice versa). After our book study as a servant team, we played outside with the kids. It was so much fun! I am definitely going to be more coordinated when I come back home.Then, I played cards with the kids. I have never been in a more intense game of Go Fish. Ever.

luni, 14 martie 2011

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven".

So, this is going to be me complaining. Sorry. Today was hard for me. When I imagine how things in my future are going to be, especially big things like working at an orphanage in Moldova, I romanticize them. A lot. Today was the first day I worked at the internat. It's hard. It's hard to not speak the same language as the kids here. It's hard to not connect as well with the staff as I want to. It's hard to literally have nothing to do but sit there. It's hard to have a kid get really attached and crave attention because you know they don't get that from a lot of people. Its hard to see the how the places that they live in are really not homes at all. They are worse than the worse college dorms I've heard of. I think that today is the first day that I am experiencing real culture shock. But, I can rest in the fact that God loves these kids. God has room in His heart for them. God understands them. I know that I'll get over this feeling that I am having now. But, I hope that it is not fruitless. Please pray that this feeling leads to real change in how I love people. Noone deserves to feel how I am sure a lot of these kids do: abandoned, alone, and unloveable.


Heading from quotes:<insert picture of a unicorn here>

"A friend is someone that lets you have total freedom to be yourself."

Sunday March 13 2011
This morning, I went to church with Annie, Anca, and the other interns. The church is really small but I like it. The pastor talked to me about things that the church does with Stella's house that seem really cool. I hope to get involved in that. On the way to church, we went to this cool market with traditional crafts and jewelery. I will definitely be returning there. After church, we walked through the main park in Moldova. It is so beautiful. At home, I had a great time hanging out with Doamna Zinaida and Natasha.

"Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out"

Saturday March 12 2011
Another really good day in Moldova. I ate a huge breakfast. They feed me a lot and it feels rude to decline. Natasha and I talked for a while and then she and I did face masks that she made. We're running out of things to say since we only speak broken versions of the others language. After she left for work, I read and prayed for a bit. Then, I set off to try and find an internet cafe. I failed. Hopefully I'll find one tomorrow. (I obviously did, since this is posted.) But, I did get to explore a small part of Chisinau, which was fun. When they got home, I got to practice more Romanian. After dinner, we watched an Amanda Bynes movie with Romanian subtitles. Good times.

"Go confidentially in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

Friday March 11 2011
What a great first day in Moldova! This morning, I got to talk to Natasha about language, movies, and other things that make me realize that she is very open. I loved it! And, it is a great opportunity for me to practice Romanian. She went to work. So, I read and prayed by the icon of Jesus (traditional to an Eastern orthodox home) in my room until Annie came to pick me up at one. I got to meet the staff at the office. We played games and talked. Then, Annie took us around Chisinau a bit and I went home. At home, I got to look at pictures with Natasha.

"The best way to make your dream come true is to wake up"

Thursday March 10 2011
Today was crazy. We started off the day by going through bible passages that really spoke to us in these past three weeks. Mine was Acts 2:42-47
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.  And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Then we said goodbye to Abi and boarded a van to Chisinau. I met my host family and Annie couldn't stay at all. So, it was kind of awkward because I only speak a little Romanian and my host mom speaks no english. But, both her and her daughter are very sweet. They keep telling me that I am family. And, they make very tasty food. I am definitely coming back home 50 pounds heavier.

miercuri, 9 martie 2011

"He that will not retreat is a wounded man"

Wednesday March 9 2011
Today I had my first drink ever- by accident. We went to this tea shop with Abby, and with my limited Romanian I ordered what I thought was orange flavored coffee. In reality, it was coffee with orange flavored liquor. I was like "this is really strong" so someone else tried it and realized it was alcohol. So, Courtney and I mixed are drinks together to make mine not as strong. We ate lunch and read in the afternoon because are lessons were canceled. We went to the prayer meeting at church. It was good but I'm going to miss the people we met here.

"Strangers are just friends waiting to happen"

Tuesday March 8
La multi ani! (Happy Romanian Mother's day!)
This morning we had a discussion about Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger. It was extremely provoking, We can talk until we're blue in the face about acting as Christ followers. But, how much am I actually helping?
We spent the morning cleaning because Abby comes home tonight. It was alright but I was in a crappy mood. I've just been thinking about a lot. The Romanian lesson was fun because since today is women's day we got to give and receive gifts. We had pancakes and scrambled eggs for dinner. Then, Laurie, Lavina, and Diana took us to Capo, a park that pays tribute to Eminescu, a famous author. We also got to see the big university here in Iasi. It is so beautiful! Walking and talking with the girls and Abby is awesome. I'll be sad to leave.

"The only journey is the journey within"

Monday, March 7, 2011
I am SO awkward. That right there is the sentence that characterized today. Moving on...
This morning we went to Metropoli with money, flowers, and a Scooby Doo coloring book to bring to Mihiela and Simona. But, they were not there. I missed the opportunity God gave me to pray with her because I felt like I was supposed to the entire time we were with her, but I didn't. However, we were able to give the flowers, coloring book, and some of the money to a woman that had two children with her. The little boy's face lit up when he got the coloring book and we saw the mom buy food with the money we gave her later today. It is so encouraging to see her use the money for what she said she was going to. I guess my surprise at that shows my cynicism. We also got to pray for and give money to an older begger that is in a lot of pain. We had some people from the church over for dinner and games. It was fun.
On a side note, I need to be better at communicating with people. I don't want to loose my friends back home.

luni, 7 martie 2011

"What progress, you ask, have I made? I have begun to be a friend to myself."

Sunday March 6, 2011
I am so amazed by the people at La Rascruce church. I see Christ in them. The pastor had us over for lunch today and we all shared our stories. They have a beautiful family and I felt totally welcomed. Even the story of how they met is filled with God. Both of them didn't care about getting married, they just wanted to serve God, and then He told her that she was going to marry this pastor. Afterwards, we went to church. It was the first church service in the new building. We took communion and it was so powerful. I don't think I've ever taken the Lord's supper more seriously. These people really seem to act out their love for God. I pray that churches everywhere can have the community that they have. I just wish I could speak Romanian and not be so awkward so I could talk to more people. :)

duminică, 6 martie 2011

"Furry walls can take you on a magic carpet ride... Throw their arms around you 'til you got no place to hide... Let your furry fingers be your guide."

Saturday March 5, 2011
This morning, I practiced Romanian with Annie and it was really helpful to put into practice what I am learning. Afterwards, we went to the church. I got plaster literally all over me. But, it was still really fun and productive. The new church is ready for the first meeting in it tomorrow. Then came the highlight of the night. Diana, Lavina, and George took us up to a mountain around Iasi where you can see basically the whole city. We watched the sunset. I can't even believe how beautiful it was. Also, we got to take a lot of pictures. Annie and I made momaliga and chicken for dinner. Then, we made cookie dough. All in all, a good day.

"When I say 'I'm a Christian', I don't speak of this with pride, I'm confessing that I stumble, and I need Christ to be my guide"

Friday
I am tired, so this is going to be short. But... This day proved that God is so good. Today was pretty normal, we read in the morning, went for a walk, got scammed by a potato guy that knew we couldn't understand Romanian very well at Piata, and had a good Romanian lesson. Afterwards, however, God really opened my eyes, through some videos that we watched, about how lukewarm I am. I need to fully rely on God.

"Always be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle"

Thursday March 3, 2011
Today was good, but I think we are all starting to feel the tension of four girls living in a one bedroom apartment. For example, I am annoyed by everything one person does at this moment. But, I know that a good 90% of it is just me being tired. I think this is teaching me about true Christian community. I might not like this person right now, but I love her because Christ loved her enough to die for her.
Anyways, today was pretty good. I found a pair of jeans to replace the ones with a hole. It was good to walk around a lot. I spent the rest of the day reading and doing the Romanian lesson with Lavina. For dinner, we had Laurie, Diana, and Lavina over. It was so much fun!

miercuri, 2 martie 2011

"The greatest revenge is to accomplish what others say you cannot do"

Today was really good. This morning, we discussed Nouwan's book further. The discussion was very convicting for me because it discussed the idea of community and how we can not live in community while at the same time always having the desire  for recognition and to get ahead. That is one of the major things that separates Jesus' actions from ours. With the exception of when He was tempted,  He was never alone except when he was praying. I think that proves something about us. When we are alone, it is easy to let our minds wander, to become prideful, and ultimately to sin. But, together with others we are held accountable. I made lunch for us and it turned out alright, which I was happy about. The Romanian lesson went really well and was fun because it digressed into all of us playing Backstreet Boys songs and talking about what flavor dance biscuit we want to be. Lack of sleep will do that to you. Lavina stayed for dinner and we played black jack afterwards. All in all, a great day.

"best friends bring out the best in you"

March 1, 2011
We couldn't work at the church this morning because of the break in, so we finished our poverty in scripture discussion. I was getting annoyed at the cynicism of some, but I can be the same way through my actions, so I shouldn't judge. After that, I went to Kaufland and Piata with Annie. It was a long walk but good to get out. On a side note, a crowded Romanian supermarket is way stressful when you don't speak Romanian. When we got ack, I made cookies. Well, more of a cookie cake, but delicious none the less. I got so frustrated with myself during the Romanian lesson because I am not memorizing as well as I want to, but I think my expectations are too high. The prayer group was awkward at first, but good. I prayed out loud, which felt like a big deal to me. An afterwards Laurie, Alex, and us watched Youtube videos and talked about the Dance Biscuits, our band.

Happy Martisore

"Follow your honest convictions. And stay strong."

Monday February 28, 2011
Today we met Mihiela and her oldest daughter, Simona at Metropoli. We went out for tea and I played tic tac toe with Simona. She is hands down the most BEAUTIFUL seven year old girl. Afterwards, we went around the whole city getting them things that they needed. Simona kept hugging me :). I had a difficult time not judging Mihiela because she tried to manipulate us in a few different ways. But, Jesus said to love people, not only the people that are easy to love. Laurie was with us the whole day and came back to have dinner with us. We brought leftovers to George and found out that it had been broken into. So he is staying up all night with a bat. That sucks, but if any church can stay positive, La Recruce can.