Hello again! Nine more days until my squad and I fly out to the Dominican Republic! The time has passed us by too quickly. The ministry, the memories, and the people here are all things I will hold onto forever. Christmas season is my absolute favorite time of year, and to have spent it while in Craiova, Romania has been the biggest blessing. Craiova decorates their city square with the most beautiful lights and is filled with lots of shops and foods. Walking home each night from ministry, surrounded by all of this, has been absolutely magical. To be here during this season meant giving Christmas gifts to local villages or on the local streets, it meant LOTS of caroling(If you know me, you know I loved every second of it), and most importantly, it meant sharing about the real reason for the season!!!
Our host family, who are also the owners of hope church, have been wonderful. They opened up their home to us, and continue to do so for the many groups of missionaries that venture here. To see and experience the way they all work so intentionally and so fiercely in all that they do is truly so inspiring to me. When working in ministry, it’s hard to feel like you’ve done anything when the fruition of what you’re doing isn’t clear…Raul and his family never let this get to them. In Romania as a whole I’ve learned many things…
1) God’s light shines brighter than any darkness.
2) To learn and grow the most is to face challenge.
3) It doesn’t take much to make someone feel loved:)
4) Community is hard, but important.
5) I can’t do anything on my own.
6) To walk boldly in all that God’s created me to be!
7) Rest is so valuable and important.
These things and SO much more are ones that I will remember and use for the rest of my life. I can’t thank the people of Hope Church and the city of Craiova, Romania enough for all that it’s done for me. It’s been a privilege to serve here, and to have loved and known so many of the people here!! We are headed to debrief on Thursday morning and will be staying in Brasov for about six days. We leave for the Dominican Republic on the 12th! I can’t wait to see and be apart of all that the Lord is doing there!! God bless <3
