This was actually the first blog recorded on our trip, but it was never uploaded due to technical issues. It's Pastor Ryan on our first morning in Bacau.

 

 

 

10 days in another country...it seems so long before you get there. 

10 days in another country...you forget to count the days when you are there. 

10 days in another country...you can't believe it’s over when you leave there. 

Each mission trip is not unlike the mountain top experience that Peter, James and John experienced in Matthew 17.  The three disciples are allowed to glimpse a moment of God's glory.  Peter's first response is to erect shelters so that they can continue to live in this experience.  Unfortunately, like our Romanian trip, the disciple’s mountain top experience has a beginning and an end.  Jesus tells Peter, James and John not to tell anyone of their experience until the Son of Man rises from the dead.  Thankfully we serve a risen Savior and we can tell everyone about our mountain top experiences.   

I believe that no one can walk away from our experiences unchanged.   Everything that you did will be with you for the rest of your lives.  The challenge is to take these life changing events and use them to deepen your relationship with Christ.  I have seen lives changed greatly following a missions trip, I have see others revert back to the relative comfort and security of their previous existence and still others have even turned their back on almost all of their friends and church teachings.  This is a choice that each of us is faced with.  God has made the experience a reality - He has done His part.  It is now up to you to take the experience and allow it to change us to live as He has call each of us to live. Go after each day with the attitude and willingness to serve that you displayed each day of this trip. 

To our Romanian hosts (too numerous to name individually) thank you for everything you have done for us and shared with us. I know from past experience that each time we return we pick up just as we were before. That is a lasting relationship. We come under the premise of helping your country but we leave with so much more than we bring.  

To the Leominster Assemblies of God group you were fantastic. Each of you has left an indelible mark with our friends in Romania – it was a privilege to serve with a remarkable group of young people and youth leaders. You have adopted a group of youth leaders and friends from North Reading that will be there for you anytime.  

To the Trinity group this was the smoothest trip ever. You were flexible and fluid with just about anything that was asked of you. You raised the standard on the measure of serving on a mission trip.  

To the Trinity (college age) leaders you were the highlight of my mission experience.  You guys were the best, keeping everything level and moving even when we were running on empty. I believe that Trinity’s youth ministry potential has never looked better when I see the committed, talented young people willing to serve the youth of our church family. 

To Ryan and Wendy your servant leadership is taken directly from the Bible itself. I can’t thank you enough for the way you serve and lead by example. It is obvious that God has great things to accomplish through your ministry in the future. I can’t wait to see it!

Below is a small clip from the Children's Festival during the final music time. These kids are too cute for words.

 

 

But the thing I am surprised by the most (so far... keeping my fingers crossed) is the attitude of the American teens. We did something completely new this time around... combined our youth group with another youth group: Leominster Assembly of God. Obviously everyone still enjoys hanging out with the people they are familiar with, but both youth groups are really starting to gel together. Whether we are ministering or eating or playing games, we are becoming more and more integrated with each other. To the Romanians, we appear as a unified team, which was our goal.

Unfortunately, history has shown that virtually 100% of the teens we take to Romania desire to return when the trip is over, but probably only about 5% ever do. As they return to regular life in the States, they forget the faces of the children on the farms and the love from our brothers and sisters in Christ. They get back into their lives with their friends, cars, video games, and big houses and forget the lessons they've learned here. I hope that this time it will be different.

Hey Everyone,

    I just want to let you guys know about what's going on here in Romania the past few days through my eyes. The orphanages have been so amazing and really touching. Im so touched over how happy they are to see us every time we walk in and its not like we do that much, I know that its the love of christ and not anything we do. Another thing that was truly amazing is worshiping today with the people of the church here in Bucau. We were singing the same songs in different languages and it felt like being in the church during the times of christ worshipping in different tounges pretty cool. Keep praying for us. Love you all

 

 Kadie

    Sound's like a funny name for a blog.  Does God even pray?  Tonight we were challenged with the reality that we are an answer to God's prayer over 2000 years ago.  In John 17 Jesus prayed that all believers would be one so that the world would see Jesus.  This week we are presented with the opportunity to see that prayer answered as two different churches with different traditions and even (dare I say it) theology come together under the shadow of the cross to share the love, life and hope of Jesus with the world.  How awesome is that?  God is challenging us to live in unity so that Romanian may see Jesus.  Our students have done fabulous adjusting to the the frustrations and challenges that we have faced.  Tonight we worshiped Jesus not as two churches, but as one people of faith sharing a common goal to see eternity affected.  I can not wait to see all that God has for us as we look to Him and His amazing power to redeem every situation for His Glory (Even lost luggage and shorts that don't fit!) 

   I am sitting now as quiet begins to fill our hallways.  I think we have a few crazy ones up playing some ridiculous card game, but stillness is settling.  As we approached the AIDS home today we were greeted with indescribable excitement before we even got off the bus.  I don't think I will ever forget the excitement as those kids ran to the fence to greet us.  It was so great to see our students making balloons, coloring, handing out candy, singing and passing out fruit.  God kept reminding that they are not forgotten!  He knows their names!  In a selfish way I am always at amazing how rewarding true religion can be......

I trust that everyone has been preparing not only their luggage but also their hearts for our mission's experience.  It seems we run around making sure that our luggage is filled with all the right stuff.  I want to challenge the team to make sure that our hearts are filled with the right stuff as we leave for what can be a life changing experience.  I am sure that if we open our lives up God will daily reveal something new  to each one of us.  Remember that true religion is taking care of orphans and widows!  Be ready, open, flexible and excited.

As you all are getting ready...nothing can prepare you mentally for Romania.  I remember two yrs ago when I was getting ready for my first trip, I was so nervous.  Little did I know that 10 days later I would be crying because I didn't want to leave.  I wanted Ryan to bring the kids back.  That's just how awesome it is.  It's the people.  They are one of a kind and the best I have ever met.  It is a pleasure to be with them.  I am very excited to be reunited with my friends and can't wait for all you to meet them!!

Wendy :-)

While we are in Romania, we will have the capability of posting video blogs for our friends and family back at home. Don't be shy! We need some brave volunteers to be willing to look the camera in the eye and share your experiences!

 

PLEASE NOTE: We will be using regular digital cameras to record the blogs, so while we're on the trip, anybody's camera that records video with sound can be used. You can create a video whenever you want! Turn your camera or memory card in to me and I will upload your video!

this is my first blog for this site

 

 

.....that's all i got right now

 

peace in the middle east!

 

I'm excited about this new site. With the assistance of David Sorrell, we were able to provide our team a place to meet and discuss with each other and with our families. I'm looing forward to using this while we're in Romania, being able to communicate back with my family.

 

I hope you all enjoy the site!