I have come to the end of my second mission’s trip of the summer and just like the trip to Romania, this trip to Poland is full of memories, stories, and a new awareness of just how awesome our God really is.  Prior to this second trip I wrote briefly about how it would be significantly different than the first trip.  As I wrote that last entry I thought I was simply trying to prepare the folks at home that the blogs from this team would not be like those from the first team.  In hindsight what I was really saying was, “don’t be disappointed if something big doesn’t happen in Poland because God only works in situations like we had in Romania.  Kid’s lives could only be changed if they were living with host families, fully immersed in the culture, and working with the less fortunate.”  Once again I was putting my God in a small box, and once again He responded by saying “oh yeah, watch this!”

We serve a HUGE God.  As I look back over this trip it is simply amazing to see God’s timing and orchestration.  As a team we worked together from Friday to Wednesday to set up camp, teach English and sports clinics.  We also worked to build relationships with the Polish students – specifically the students we each were drawn to personally.  All of that changed with the introduction of the Noro virus and the Polish hospital.  As roughly half the camp found themselves in the hospital from Wednesday until Friday God proved again that He is bigger than my plans and worthy of my trust.  Our teens in the hospital built relationships with Polish teens in the hospital, while the team still at camp also had to connect with a different set of kids.  There was real bonding and community happening in both locations.  When all 60 of us were finally reunited at camp it was as if we were all family.  We now knew all of the campers and amazingly the Polish students from the hospital wanted to go back to camp rather than home. 

God knew what he was doing.  Had we gotten sick earlier in the week, I think the relationships would not have been as strong or diverse and I believe camp would have been canceled.  Had we gotten sick later in the week, the Polish students would have simply been picked up at the hospital and camp would have ended.  Instead the Polish students pressed their parents to allow them to go back to camp; they wanted to finish out the week even after three days in the hospital.  The timing of God was incredible. 

It was such a blessing working with this team.  Hearing the way’s that God impacted them this week was nothing short of amazing.  To hear our kids share that they learned things like “when I am weak God is strong – He was with me even when I was scared,” or to hear them speak about gratitude, and compassion just proved to me that I have no reason to ever doubt that God can work in any situation. 

Over the past five weeks I have spent 28 days in Europe on teen mission trips.  It has been an incredibly impactful stretch of time for me.  I have learned so much about myself, my teens, and my God.  I believe it’s going to take at least another 28 days to truly process all that I have experienced, but one thing is for sure, I serve a big God, who, despite how often I try, does not allow me to put Him into a box.  I love that my God continues to say “oh yeah?  Watch this!”

  Pastor Mike

Snapshots

Honna and Jackie teaching English class.

Lynn and Alison in English class

Pearce girls at the lake for a time of morning devotions and prayer.

Reunions!

Bonding God’s Way

             People typically like to acknowledge that God is in control, and that His will is accomplished despite us and the circumstances we find ourselves in. But, on the other hand, I often wonder if they believe such a concrete statement that demands so much faith. Take, for example, the recent events during our Polish Young Life Camp. Roughly half the camp, including half the American teams contracted, to the best of our and doctor’s knowledge, the noro virus and ended up in the hospital. Yet, this experience produced a rapid bond between the camp leaders, Americans and Polish teens. Now, what is actually important to stress as to why this happened is not the drastic nature of the illness, that some people threw up anywhere from one to nine times. Neither is the fact that many were exhausted from being ill and going to the hospital, where they had very little sleep in an unfamiliar setting. Also of little actual importance is how tired many left at camp were from being up all night, transporting people back and forth from camp to hospital, and translating for and visiting those ill. Certainly, for those at camp, where I was, the day after the virus struck was quite a downer, as people were running on little energy and appetites were slim. Furthermore, it must have been extremely difficult for those in the hospital, while receiving multiple IV’s, sharing rooms with strangers and being given little information about when they would be released or what sickness they were infected with.

            Ultimately, what was so disheartening, yet of utmost importance, was the separation. The separation produced bonding that was evident and heartwarming. The members of the American team who were left behind were also able to take more of an upfront collaborative role in camp activities and planning, instead of just supporting the Poland Young Life leadership team, which was the original intention of our mission trip. Regardless, we all came together: with Kristy and her daughter Audrey, whose husband Dave, the camp speaker, was in the hospital; Marta, who was tireless in her efforts to be at the hospital with those sick!; Marietta; Michael; Jack; Jackie and Lynn—they all helped make camp as normal as possible. English classes even resumed, the day after the virus struck, with some changes of course; but, was still very successful also. I, especially, formed new relationships with people I had not taken the time to meet properly.

Ironically, I only came to realize this bond and the importance of the separation when those at the hospital started returning. Everyone was so glad to see normality return in the form of a familiar face, someone they’d actually only known for three or four days at best. It was like a reunion, as if we had left Poland for a year and returned the next to help out again at the 2^nd annual Polish Young Life camp and were reuniting with old friends. Groups ran to greet returnees and hearty embraces were exchanged. We heard stories of how supportive those at the hospital were towards each other, Polish and Americans, who were in the same room, or not, and how they bonded together from their common predicament. They did not feel so isolated, because they knew they were not alone.

            I believe the deepest longing of our hearts is to be in relationship, and the relationships we form with people around us reflect our need for relationship with our Heavenly Father. We are not alone when we have each other, and more importantly when we acknowledge that God is always near us. Then, to suggest that God is in control in the midst of seemingly chaotic situations is not such a stretch. He is the Creator, and He is creative, beyond our imaginations. Therefore, when things do not go as planned, we must acknowledge that God knew the course our lives would take and had a creative plan for us—for our betterment, for unity, for our bonds and relationships that point back to Him.

David Shewan

Going Out On a Limb

Wow, what an experience it has been so far! And I can honestly say that with a big smile on my face. I cannot begin to describe the joy and wonder that has come from this week. We have all built strong relationships with leaders and children alike, and I for one cannot wait to come back to Poland for another Young Life camp!!

And while there has been much joy to be had in the days that we have been here, it was also quite apparent that we would be stretched here as well. But being stretched is not always a bad thing. In fact, what once caused apprehension and even fear for me now is a source of the joy that I have experienced. Earlier in the week, Mike had told the group that whenever he went out on a limb for the Lord, he was greeted with lifelong experiences and memories, all while helping to further the kingdom. In these past few days, especially with our recent trip to the hospital, I have really taken it more to heart. In truth, this entire trip has been a gamble. This summer camp is Young Life's first attempt at creating a base in Poland. All of us who are from Pearce, don't know Polish, and so any form of communication, especially without a translator, is an even bigger gamble. But with great risks come great rewards. I have made so many wonderful memories here, all by taking those chances. And the more chances I take the more rewards I seem to reap. In many ways, we may be some of the first tangible examples of a Christ driven life, leading by example.

So it comes without fear when we are faced with different and difficult decisions, because we are reminded that God is in control, and as long as we continue to follow Him, He will make our paths straight. Earlier today, Mike and I snuck out of the hospital to go to the McDonalds across the way, in order to buy milkshakes for everyone in the hospital. I won't forget any of the faces that I saw as we handed them out, but especially the face of young Eva, the youngest girl at 10 in the camp. Her eyes lit up and she was grinning from ear to ear, and I knew that the risk had been worth it. This was why I was supposed to come to Poland. To get sick and go to the hospital, to buy milkshakes to hand out to the children. To show them love in as simple a gesture as that. 

As we wait to hear word for our release, and the latest rumors on when that could be, I think back to the very first night in the hospital. I can honestly only remember despair, and I mean that in the fullest sense of the word. No longer having hope, lying next to two men who only spoke Polish, and nurses who couldn't even pronounce my own name. Just this utter sorrow of being confined here for an unknown amount of time. But looking back now, it's nice to know that those moments were fleeting, and I have experienced much joy since then. Tonight, as we have all been reunited with our own team, as well as all of the Polish teens, we are having a festive banquet to celebrate. Until next time friends and family!!!!

In Christ,

Sean Hardy

Prayers Answered

Just a quick post this morning.  The Poland Team will blog sometime today but thought you would all want to know that the Pearce Team is all back together this morning at camp.  Thank you for your prayers.- Karen

A note from Allan

To everyone reading this back home, note that most of us are feeling much better today and we are going forward with the camp even though some of us are still in the hospital. The whole situation is a terrible and unfortunate thing but we cannot lose sight on what the Lord has planned for the kids at camp and the plans he has for each person on the team. When we were hit with the virus we were all sad because we thought that we would lose the momentum and excitement of camp and in a way we did lose some of it. It reminded me of John 10:10,

 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

 The enemy was certainly trying to steal our joy and trying to kill any motivation we had coming into camp and destroy any kind of spiritual relationships that were built during this week. What I love about God the most though is he takes bad situations and turns them into something wonderful. When I was at the hospital I got a chance to spend even more time with the teens that I had been spending the week with and I was able to spend even more time with other members of the team that I didn’t even know that well.

I praise God for the opportunities he has given me this week and all the other team members to show God’s love to the polish teens. We may not save any lives while we are here but we can certainly plant the seeds and let God continue to work in their hearts and continue to work in our own.

Allan

This past week has been such an experience. When I say experience I mean an adventure, it has been so much fun and I have been learning so much. God has really pushed me to be flexible this week and if something happened to just to go with the flow. Everything has been an adventure starting from the car ride to New York City to the airplane ride, and from missing our train as soon as we arrived at the train station in Warsaw.

I have had such a blast learning Polish with all of my new Polish friends I made at camp. They are all so nice and exciting to be around and they are excited to talk in English with our American team. Before the team was leaving for Poland I didn’t really know what was going to happen. Such as what God was going to do for me on this trip and what we were really going to do at the camp. Although we talked and planned about it I still was confused on how everything was going to lay out. The Lord really proved to me that He is the one that can really heal people and does everything for a reason.

When everyone started to get sick, like the movie Contagious I was really scared and kept praying to God that everything would be ok and that I would be one of the kids that wouldn’t get sick, and I was one of them that was healthy and never had to go to the hospital J. I realized then when it was just me and like fifteen other people still healthy that God truly is amazing and wanted me to stay healthy.

                 

Encouragement and Appreciation

Hi there, Liz here J (sorry- I started writing this on Tues but was finally able to get it on the blog ) 

     This has been an amazing week so far! Yesterday the kids arrived; as I told you then we all dressed up in silly costumes and gave them a big welcome! For lunch every day about three of us Americans sit with the Polish groups. Alexis, Elizabeth and I sit with Zuzia table. Yesterday all the girls were very shy, however today there is so much laughter and everyone is making friends! Today I went tubing with three of the girls from her group, it was so much fun. The teens here are so full of life, and so welcoming.

 Lately I have been very frustrated with my hearing here, and some people on the team have helping out so much! I think I am going to adopt Sean Hardy as my big brother! (Mrs. Hardy I hope you’re okay with me stealing him) Sean has signed for me so much, even though he only knows a little. Today we had a Water Olympics with the whole camp, and I was put on the red team. However since it was water…I could not have my hearing aid in =( which makes understanding Polish accents impossible! I was worried that I wouldn’t know what I would have to do so I asked Sean to help. So for the whole Olympics Sean was helping me and telling me what they were saying. Then even the Polish teens, and Zuzia started to help me, everyone became so aware! Charlie, who some of you may know, even asked me how to say “Good Job” in Sign Language and then clapped in sign for me. They made me feel so welcomed and good. It made me just think how can people from a different country who don’t even know me be so much better than even the people around me in America. Never once has any of them gotten irritated with me when I ask them to repeat, which may be because they are also having a Language barrier.  The people around me are surrounded with such amazing hearts!

                Anyways I guess my point is, that being in a different country and having to rely on the people that are here with us, has made me realize all the different traits we bring to the table. That even though we may have our differences we all have special things about us. Alison keeps us all laughing and when I am around her I am instantly full of energy! Megan helps keep things in order and keep us in line.  David is doing so amazing at explaining things to the Polish teens. Elizabeth, Alexis and Lynn are my family I go home to (the cabin) who relax, help and pray for me. Honna is my buddy I go to and chill with when I need to relax and talk. I think you get my point though; we make such a good team, even with our major differences.

  So I guess I leave you guys back home with a challenge, go and tell people what you appreciate about them! They always need to hear it and have someone to encourage them!

Liz

Faith and McDonald's Milkshakes

Sometimes we wonder what is God doing and why but it is in those times that faith carries us through.   Out of the 7 people who were in the hospital from the Pearce team for dehydration, 3 of them along with Al Anderson and several other campers are back enjoying Club at YoungLife camp even as I write this.   The 4 remaining expect to be discharged tomorrow around lunch when Pastor Mike rides in with his Power of Attorney to bust them out of the hospital.  

This is picture of Mike today sneaking out of the hospital gate with Sean Hardy to buy 30 McDonalds milkshakes and take them to all those still in the hospital from camp.  (Note that Mike is technically still in the hospital :)  

Although it may seem frustrating that some of the team couldn't come home (back to camp) today, I am absolutely certain that God has a plan for them remaining one more night.   They are able to still be with other YoungLife campers in the hospital and they can give comfort to others around them.   The hospital has balconies and from what Pastor Mike says a lot of good conversations are occuring on those balconies.   After Romania, I will never underestimate God's ability to use conversations on balconies to further His Kingdom.   God  has not abandoned them there but has ordained that they remain in that place to continue with His purposes.   So be in prayer for those 4 tonight that they will hear God's voice and listen to his promptings.  That they will draw strength from knowing that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose".  (Romans 8:28 NIV)

I spoke with Tyna (for those of you who don't know Tyna, she is from Czech Republic and she stayed with one of our church families a few years back.  Now she is moving to Poland to work with YoungLife) just a little while ago and she is staying at the hospital tonight with the Polish and American teens that are still there.    She is really being a comfort and support to them even when she is feeling tired herself.   Tyna also shared with me how great the families of the Polish teens have been.  Most of them who were able to pick their kids up today from the hospital drove them right back to camp.   That in itself a testament to how much fun the kids are having.  

Although it has been difficult for those in the hospital it has been equally hard for those remaining at camp.   Just imagine that you have it all planned out that you will be supporting the Czech and Polish leaders by leading classes and activities and then suddenly half your team in sick and away at a hospital along with a large contingent of campers and leaders.   Now the remainder of your team and one YoungLife leader are still at camp with 13 other Polish campers.   Camp needs to continue so all you can do is say "God- it's your camp, not ours, show us what to do and give us the strength to do it." 

Liz Sadler who was one of those remaining at camp shared this today on Facebook- "I am so amazed at Gods Healing Hands!! His ability to take a hard situation and turn it into something so beautiful!! I am with such amazing teens here who show me Gods love! As well as amazing leaders who help us and lead us in a time of need!! "

To end this blog I want to leave a few parting words I just received from Pastor Mike:

I know for many of you, this has been a scary, helpless few days.  We love these kids that God entrusts us with, but we have to remember ultimately they are his and he is in charge of them.  Thank you for trusting us with the care of your kids.  I pray that God has something for you all in the midst of this just as he did for our kids.  I will update you all again tomorrow when I have the remainder of our kids.  Blessings -Mike Kuhlkin

One last parting prayer requests are that the last day of camp tomorrow will be a special time of everyone being together again and that at the last big campfire tomorrow, the stories of God's love for these kids will shine brighter than the stars. Sweet Dreams Poland Team -Karen

For when I am weak, then I am strong

So what do you do when you have a roadmap for how the week is supposed to go, all the activities planned, ideas of how God might work.   Things are going along smoothly and then- bam!- Roadmap thrown away and you are in completely unfamiliar territory, feeling more than a little carsick and wondering when this ride might end.  

The Poland team is probably feeling this way right now.   Word got to us last night that many in the camp are sick with what appears to be food poisoning or some kind of Rotavirus.   Several have been sent to the hospital to get IV fluids while the rest are having to wait outside the camp for a professional cleaning company to clean the camp and an investigation to take place.   It is not just the Polish Team but kids who came to the YoungLife camp as well as other campers that were at the camp.  

Some of you may think, that is such a shame, to have their trip marred by illness.   We need to remember though that it is through these experiences we often see the hand of God most clearly and we discover what a BIG God we serve and who loves us.

 

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.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.     - 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 (NIV)

 

Please keep all these campers in your prayers, not just for speedy recoveries but that they will keep their hearts and minds open to God's perfection in the midst of their complete weakness.  

 

We will update more as we get more information.   Blessing and our Prayers on the Poland Team- Karen

 

Sometimes I have to remind myself I’m in Poland, on a mission’s trip, especially when the camp is quiet and I’m sitting out by the lake.  But in a matter of hours the camp will be filled with the sounds of 40 Polish students and leaders.  Many of the kids came to camp to get the opportunity to speak English with Americans, some came because their parents made them but all of them are experiencing a great week of camp and the love of Jesus. 

Have you ever had a proud parent moment?  Not proud because they got good grades or they ate their vegetables but that moment when they did or said something that showed you their heart and their love of Jesus.  I’m having proud parent moments here in Poland and these aren’t my kids.  They are yours!  I’m watching your kids go and sit with a Polish teen sitting all alone and offer them goldfish and help them feel included.  Your kids are taking the initiative to invite Polish teens to play volleyball or disc golf with them.  Your kids are deciding to learn Polish words to help understand their language (and they write it out phonetically so they don’t forget).

This camp isn’t just about teaching English or having fun, which we are doing.  It’s about living life with the teens, sharing meals, playing games, laughing with them, showing them unconditional love and pointing them towards Jesus.  When your kids come home and you hear that they went tubing, swimming, and did a high adventures rope course, you may wonder, what kind of missions trips was this? Know that your kids are being Jesus with skin on to these Polish teens.  They are pointing them towards Christ and doing a terrific job!  You can be proud!

Jackie

First Impressions

  This was the first thing the arriving Polish teens saw!

Trusting in God and the Cha Cha Slide

Hello everyone;

I hope everyone’s weekend is going well! It’s only been a couple of days since we reached Poland and all ready I hope I can come back on a mission trip again; the country is beautiful. God has shown me so much and I’m looking forward to how he will affect the lives of all the Poland teens and I pray that they will grow closer to Christ during this week. Today was the final preparations of camp and the arrival of the Polish teens. Before breakfast Sophie, Liz, Alexis, and I all had a chance to go out on the lake and read devotions. It was nice to catch our breath for a moment and read God’s word.

After breakfast, we prepared for the activities taking place such as the workshops (different classes the campers have an opportunity to go to, such as dance class that I was leading) and the night game. My excitement and anticipation only grew each passing hour, and finally after lunch the teens arrived on their bus. All the mission teens and leaders dressed up in crazy costumes and cheered for them as they ran off the bus; the teen's first view of Americans and we most likely looked crazy!

We were assigned to groups to carry suitcases then we returned for lunch and rules (Honza, a man helping us from the Czech Republic, and Sean did an excellent skit to explain the rules). During free time until workshop started, Liz, Hanna, Sarah, and I got together so I could teach them the dance for the workshop class. Originally it was to be in the club room but this seemed occupied at the moment so we moved to the dining hall, however that was being mopped, so after much stress and worry we moved to a small room near the leader’s office. Worried and stressed about the small size of the room, I forgot to trust in God.

Soon the six wonderful girls and their leader Tina came for the hour and fifteen minute class. At first teaching the dance was complicated and they didn’t fully understand the moves. I immediately got upset at myself for making the dance too hard and was humiliated. However after Liz helped explain the moves more, they began to understand and enjoyed the dance. After the dance was finished, MC (a very kind, energetic girl who absolutely loves dance and American culture) suggested we do American dances such as the Cha Cha Slide and Cupid Shuffle. At 4:15 the class was dance and I received many compliments and how much they enjoyed the dance class. I then realized that God was with my all that time and I only have to put all my fears and worries into his hands and he’ll take care of it. I believe God also provided/spoke through Liz with her helpful explanations and I never could have done it without her.

After a fifteen minute break, it was time for English class. Alexis and I were put with Jackie and Honna’s group which had a very good knowledge of English. We went around and told names, then played such games as about yourself, your family, hobbies, dislikes, school...etc. One of these games involves skittles and it was amusing to see how much the kids loved skittles; one teen, Matthew, kindly and in English, asked for “one more skittle please” after the game was over. I absolutely loved interacting with the kids and finding out all their interests.

At dinner I now knew the cabin at my table better and was able to initiate more of a conversation. Now as we wait for club and the night games to begin, I can’t help being excited to see how God works through these kids. I know this week will be an enjoyable one; learning new cultures and befriending the teens of Poland. Thanks so much for your support throughout this trip and consideration of wishing to know how our trip is. I doubly thank you, and apologize, that my blog is more of an essay or a long novel! I hope that everyone has a wonderful week.

God Bless:

                  Elizabeth Preston

The First Day According to Megan

Posted by Megan Christopher:

I don’t think its hit yet, I’m in a different country. Being at the camp we haven’t really experienced
the Polish culture, except for the food and the Polish people hanging out within the camp. Most of the people staying at the camp, don’t speak English so it’s not like we can really converse, some can, most can’t.

Last night everyone went on an adventure around the lake to an ice cream shop. Polish vanilla ice cream, according to David Shewan is made with actual vanilla, so it tasted like birthday cake frosting. Without our translators I don’t think we would’ve had ice cream though, so they are a big blessing to us all.

On our way to get ice cream we got to walk on a polish road and something I noticed about each house was that every single one had a fence around it. Not just a chain link fence some were metal some were fancy concrete others were gothic, it was really interesting to see what it’s like, there were also multiple dogs barking as we walked, and on most of the fences there was a sign with a dog head, like a beware of dog sign in the United States.

Yesterday was a little tough to get through; we were told not to take naps so we’ll be able to stay awake the rest of the week. We had a little down time to hang out together at the beach, and relax before the fast paced week goes by with the campers. Today has gone a lot better for me, and I’m excited to get to know these kids.

Overall it was a wonderful first day at the camp.

A team united in Christ

Hi friends and family!

I am so happy to be in Poland, God is already working!  I really feel like God is working through our team. Al gave a devotion yesterday about how everyday we are called by God to follow him. That has been something I have been thinking about. It hit me that as much as that's an everyday personal decision it's also so much about us as a whole team making the same decision each day.

Liz, Sarah, Sophie and I went to do devos yesterday morning and it was a great time to connect with God together. It showed me that opportunites like this can really help us bond as a team. When we were sitting there with open hearts each listening to each other I realized that as much as there are differences throughout the team we are all here to serve God and to serve others. Liz was saying how cool it was to sit there and read the bible with us because each of us had our own perspective.
 
Later in the day we had a meeting wth Al about cultural differences. One thing that was brought up was that in America we tend to make our lives revolve so much around ourselves. I think sometimes we treat our relationship with God the same way, but being here I've realized how wrong that is. Our faith is so much about other people. It's been so amazing to see how we all fit together and how even through our frustrations God can use our differences as gifts for his glory, so that as a team we can be united.

In Christ's love,
Alexis

Waiting

Megan Christopher

Waiting, there was a lot of waiting that happened with the beginning of this trip. Waiting to be able to go to church, waiting to get into the van, waiting to get going, waiting to get to the airport, waiting to check luggage, waiting for the plane to arrive, but we made it. The plane was a litle late so we had a little delay, by a couple minutes, there was dinner and then everything was quiet. It was like the whole plane was asleep. It was so easy to just fall asleep and dream of the events that were about to take place in Poland.

Getting off the plane everything went fine everyone got through customs and then the luggage took a little time to get to us, but everything and everyone made it safe and sound. We met Tyna and she tells us we have an hour to make our train to Poznan, so we get on a tran to get to the train station, and then we miss the first train, so we're all hanging out taking turns going to the big shopping center right next door, while another group watches all the lugagge, I'm currently on luggage duty.

I can't speak for everyone else but I know that my experience so far has been a ton of fun. The car ride was long, but it went by surprisingly fast, what with being in a car with Mike Kuhlkin and Alison Vanest. Everyone mostly slept in our van it was peaceful.

I guess I just can't comprehend that this is actually happening, all the planning and the countdowns on facebook, it's all happening we're here and ready and willing to do God's work within our lives and the lives of some gret Polish teens that I can't wait to meet, but for now, we wait.

Our Prayers for the Poland Team

So we just said goodbye and prayed for the Missions Team to Poland.   What an awesome bunch of people who are willing to step out of the boat and trust that God will carry them over the water.  

Dear Heavenly Father
You know each of these team members, you have know them since before they were born, you have known that the day would come when they would set out on this journey to Poland and you already have plans in store for them.   Our prayer is that each of them will have eyes to see your grace and mercy, ears to listen for your voice even in the littlest of things, hands that will always be willing to do whatever work that you set in front of them, and feet to walk the miles of this journey with you by their side.   We pray for a heart of patience, courage, understanding, and compassion.  We pray that each of them will be able to understand that different is just different and to embrace it.   We pray that they will understand that Poland does not need "America" but rather that Poland need You.  We know that in order to build this team up you may need to tear down walls within each of them.   Give compassion and patience to each member of the team so that as they face those moments of tearing down they will support each other through them. We pray for a spirit of joy and love so that they are willing to listen to each other through the stories of how Great You Are.     We pray for your traveling mercies today and for flexibility when things may not go accoring to our plans.   We thank you in advance for all that You will do with this team and we pray that each of us left behind will trust in you completely.   - Amen.

The team is in two vans on their way to JFK airport where they will catch a plan to Warsaw, Poland tonight at 11:00 PM and then a train to camp tomorrow afternoon.   Please be praying for the 4 men below as they have 16 hours of driving ahead of them. 

- Karen

A Big Enough God for Two Countries

Well after nearly 9 days of rest and processing our trip to Romania, we are now looking to our next trip to Poland.  16 students and adults from Pearce will leave from Rochester Friday morning, driving to JFK and will board a plane to Poland.  This trip will be vastly different than our trip to Romania.  In Poland we will be working with 30 Polish students at a week long summer camp.  Our role is to teach Conversational English as well as run seminars on various American Sports.  We will also be serving the campers and the Polish leaders in whatever way may be helpful to them. 

The element of the Romania trip that made it so unique was that we were so immersed in the culture.  We stayed with host families and moved freely throughout the village.  This of course had its positives and negatives, but the one undeniable thing was that it taught us to embrace the Romanian culture.  Our trip to Poland will be a very different experience.  We will be staying in dorms and at Polish camp.  We will be surrounded by English speaking teammates as well as English speaking Polish students.  I know God did great things in Romania and I believe he will do great things in Poland as well.  God knows exactly what ministry needs to be done and he knows exactly what our hearts need, and he will orchestrate this trip to achieve his purposes.  Please pray that we would have His eyes, that we would see where he is working, and that our hearts would break for what breaks His.

Pastor Mike

We're Back

So after 26 hours of straight travel we arrived in Rochester on Tuesday night around 10:30 safe and sound and more than a little tired.   Finally got some time today to upload many of the photos from Kid's Camp, Elderly Club and a video of Nolan being baptized in the church in Sighisoara.   Haven't had time to tag them all yet but will try to get to that soon.   Here is an idea of what we did that week so the pictures make sense.

Kid's Camp

Aaron taught the kids to play Wiffle Ball at the Children's Club as well as taking them to throwAmerican footballs in the middle of the Citadel and in front of the Mayor's Offices. 

Tim, Nolan, Liam, and Karen taught two different groups Karate with Joe and Victor as helpers.

Abby with the help of  Joe, Tim, Victor K and Aaron went out and let kids take photos of the churches, public market, cemetary, and around the Citadel.   We had the help of Romanian volunteers Carla, Lavenia, Victor and Anna.  On the last day the kids

Karen and Ramona helped kids  to upload their photos and modify them using Picassa  (see the album with all their work on the right).   They also printed off all the modified photos so the kids could mat them.

Anna Maria and several others had lunch with the kids and played games to burn off some excess energy.  

Beth and Becca helped the kids mat all the photos they did during the week so they could hang them up.

Everybody helped make duck tape bracelets, bow ties, and decorate wiffle ball bats with duck tape.

Victor was able to make CDs for each of the kids in camp of all the photos they took and make a great video for parents night.  He was also albe to take beautiful photos the whole week of all the smiles and laughter of the kids. 

Friday night parent's program included a video montage, photos from kids, a display from each kids of all the work they did this week and then Karate in the Citadel square where each participant was awarded a karate medal. 

Construction

Craig, Mike, Maurice and  Duane worked on construction at the church building alongside Romanian Mihai and his son Alex.   After kid's camp Aaron, Tim, Joe, Nolan and Liam joined them.   On Saturday Beth and Becca joined them as well along with Romona for cleanup.

Becca- also known as nurse Becca patched up cut fingers, scrapes and other various boo boos.

Elderly Clubs
There are three different elderly clubs- one at the church, one in the Baragon apartment, and one in the basement of Dorothy's house in the Citadel. 

Abby and Beth played the flute and harp for each of the clubs.

Becca, Joe, Aaron, Tim, Victor and Karen gave hand massages with BioFreeze

We were able to play some Rummikub as well.  

The best treat though was for Victor and Abby to be able to take each of their pictures and then Abby, Beth, Becca, and Karen beautifully matted them for each of the elderly.   

Tsigmandru
Beth and Abby played flute while the team sang.  Was great to just be their and sing with Hordu.   We got to present Magda Cini a quilt from the church and then go visit Hordu and Dorina's house and see Adina, Denisa and Larisa (boy they have grown up).  Joe and Tim sat on a street corner and made duck tape bracelets for passing children.

Still have more photos to upload tomorrow so check out the blog agian then.   - Karen  

Thankfulness

So it's Monday on the train to Sibiu, and we are getting ready to leave for the US tomorrow. This has been such an amazing trip, with such amazing people. So this post is to thank everybody.

Karen: I am so thankful that Karen was the leader of this trip. She helped us assimilate into the culture (or as much as one can assimilate into a new culture in 2 weeks!!). She led us in the activities at kids camp, helped keep the kids calm, kept things organized, and had to deal with all the stress of being a leader of a missions group in a country halfway across the world!! I am also so thankful for her for talking with me, sometimes it was just small talk, or relaying a funny story, or a deeper conversation about the missions trip or on spiritual matters. I loved our hour walk in the Citadel looking for supplies, working together on the elderly pictures when everyone else had gone to the construction site, and I can’t forget all of her help with the sunprint activity when it felt like everything was going crazy. She did so much for all of us, for the kids and for all of the people we came into contact with.

Maurice: Maurice was sick most of the week, but I think we can all say how thankful we are for all the work he did, even when he wasn’t feeling well. His sermon the first Sunday about preparing your heart was very, very good, and I think we were all able to apply it to our trip this week.

Beth: I am so thankful for Beth, she just went with the flow, and always had a smile on her face. Her laugh was contagious, and we all laughed a lot!!! I loved seeing God work in her and through her. I am so thankful for the talks we had, the prayers on the balcony, our inside jokes, and the ever positive attitude. She always just did whatever was needed of her, and I am so thankful that she was such a great leader and mentor to me, and I am so thankful that I was able to get to know her better.

Becca: I am so thankful for Becca and her personality. She always seemed to have the right words to say at the right time. She is such a great leader and she was so good with the kids. She was always willing to help, and again, I loved our talks, sharing the same experiences, smiles laughter, and our talks and prayers on the balcony. I am so thankful for both girls… I was originally supposed to be the only girl on this trip besides Karen, but I am so thankful that both Becca and Beth joined me on this trip, I definitely would not have had the same experience without them. God knew that in order for his plan to work, they needed to be on this trip with me. J

Mike: As much as Mike makes fun of me, it wouldn’t be the same if he didn’t (don’t tell him I said that though ;) ). I am so thankful for all of the work he did this week and the leader that he was on this trip. I am especially thankful for when he came over to me on Thursday night when he saw that I had some things on my mind, and asked me how I was doing. At first I didn’t know that I wanted to talk because I didn’t have words to say what I was thinking, but when I started talking, I realized that I needed to, and that I was really good to hear what Mike had to say.

Mr. Kovach: I am thankful for Mr. Kovach and his humor. He was another one who liked to make fun of me… but it makes the trip more fun!! J I am also thankful for helping me with the kids during photography and for all of the help and tips he gave me on taking pictures in different lights and on different settings.

Tim: I am thankful for Tim and all the help that he gave me during photography, and he just did whatever I needed him to, no questions asked. He handled the kids very well, and the ones that needed more attention, he gave them the perfect kind of attention at just the right amount, and it helped so much. I also loved his blog post!! J

Joe: I can’t thank Joe enough for all of the help he gave me this week. All I had to say was, “Hey Joe can you…” and before I could finish, his answer was, “Yeah sure, what do you need??” I remember on Tuesday when I was very stressed he asked me if I needed help and I said yes, I need your loud voice!! He just said, OK and went. He was always willing to do whatever was needed, no matter what it was, and he was always content to just do what was asked of him. I don’t think he realizes how helpful he really was.

Aaron: I am thankful for Aaron and the help he gave me during kids camp this week. He joined me just about every time for the photography sessions, and really helped with keeping the kids under control and keeping an eye on them since I couldn’t do it on my own. I am especially grateful for when he went all the way back to grab the cameras I forgot, I didn’t ask him to go back, just to take the cameras for me while I went myself, but he didn’t hesitate to say, no let me go back… that helped my stress level quite a bit. J

Craig: I am thankful for Craig and him always asking me how things were going, and he always wanted to know what was going on. I am also thankful for all of the work he put in this week, I was never at the construction site, but I know what got done couldn’t have gotten done without everyone who helped, so I know that he did a lot.

Mr. Eich: I am so thankful for Mr. Eich and his attitude. He always had a positive attitude and his eyes always seemed to light up whenever he talked about his day and what God had been doing… which that seemed to be pretty much all he talked about. His outlook was always so refreshing and so rejuvenating, and God was so incredibly evident in him. I am also thankful for the impact that he had on our host sister, Ramona, and for all the work he did keeping track of all the money.

Nolan and Liam: I am thankful for Nolan and Liam and how they made the trip so much fun and that they made my job easy during the kids camp. The trip definitely wouldn’t have been the same without them.

Ramona: I don’t think there are enough ways to say thank you to Ramona. She gave me so much more than I could have ever given her. This absolutely beautiful girl was my saving grace when it came to computers… which I am totally NOT savvy with at all, and she stepped in and used her computer genius to help me. But more importantly, she was the very hands, feet and voice of God. I saw God in her when she worked with the kids, when she smiled, when she laughed, when she stepped up to fill in any needs/gaps that needed to be filled, and she didn’t even need to be asked. And I saw God when she translated, especially when she translated our prayer so that her mom could understand. I literally heard the voice of God, and that is what struck and stabbed my heart to open it up to see him. It reminds me of the story in the bible when Moses sees God… I saw Him in His glory in her, and I will never be the same. She impacted me in more ways than even I know, and I thank her some much for that.

My whole host family: I am so thankful for our whole host family for opening up their home and their hearts. They let us into their home and made us a part of their family, they loved us so much and we loved them. They accepted and loved these strange American girls as their own daughters/sister, and I can never thank them enough.

The people back home: I am so incredibly thankful for all of the prayer and support that I know we had at home, and for all of the support I felt while we were here… I can’t thank everyone enough.

But most of all, I thank God for everything that He has done these two weeks. This entire trip was completely Him, and everything that happened was all His doing. He worked in my heart in a way that He never has before. He put us in the perfect host family, and He knew exactly where He knew we needed to be. I have seen Him in so many ways and I have seen a glimpse of just how incredibly huge He is. He has used so many people to show me just how incredible He is and I can’t thank Him enough for this opportunity. I don’t know what He is doing in my heart yet, but I am content in trusting that He has a plan for my life, and someday He will reveal it to me when the time is right. I know that it is going to be hard going home, and I would love to stay here longer, but I know that God put me on this trip for a reason, and I was here not one day too short and not one day too long. I have come to the conclusion that my home is wherever God puts me and wherever I’m supposed to serve Him, shine His light, and seek Him in my everyday life. These past two weeks, my home was here in Romania, and now I am going back to the home I came from to do His work there. He has a plan for me back in Churchville, NY and I am preparing my heart and my life to serve Him in whatever way He needs me to wherever I am and whatever I am doing. God is SO good, and I am so thankful for the awesome, amazing, incredible, indescribable, BIG God that I serve, and I feel like I have such a joy that I have never had before, and I have God to thank for that!!! J

With love in Christ,

~Abby

When God's Story Became Our Story

And the Lord said "I will cause all of my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence.  I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.  But, "he said, " you cannot see my face , for no one may see me and live. "...When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.   -  Exodus 33: 19-20, 34:29  NIV

These verses sum up this time in Romania for many of us have see God's goodness pass in front of us and have been rendered speakless by his awesomeness.   For those who have allowed their hearts to be touched by him, their is a radiance on their faces.   So when you ask them how their time here was you may not get an answer you expect, but if you look at their faces you will still see the radiance from being so aware of God's presence, from having clearly heard the voice of God, and from getting a glimpse at how BIG God is in even the smallest and seemingly insignificany moments.

 ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them...  ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?—¹¹ we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” - Acts 2: 4-8, 11-12 NIV

This week I these verses were so clearly evident for although most of the team did not speak Romanian it did not stop God. When needed he gave each of us the ability to communicate and be understood by Romanians.   There was such a clear moment this week when some of us met a very poor family outside the store by the hospital.  The husband/father was dying of terminal cancer in the hospital and the children did not have money to pay to bury him or food to feed the children.    When I came out of the store Pastor Mike and Craig were feeding these small children and taking the time to get to know the names of each child, man and woman.   When I came out Mike called me over to translate.  Although I am decent at Romanian I still have to think when I speak and only understand about a 1/4 of what is spoken to me.   But in that 1/2 hour of visiting with the family and going to the hospital to pray for the dying man and his son I was able to completely understand and speak rapidly back in Romanian.   I know that this was God giving me the ability in that moment because the next morning when I went back with Roberta I was back to understanding only a 1/4 of what was said and not being able to really communicate.  

Many on this team found themselves in situations where Romanians spoke almost no English yet God always provided.    Often times words are not necessary and the communication comes through our actions, smiles, and willingness to just stop and spend time rather than rushing off to our destination.  We found that if we just slowed down we could here the prompting of God in our lives and were blessed in the listening and responding in the moment.  

As I sit here on the morning of our leaving Sighisoara I am sad to be leaving but I am so excited to see how God has moved us (or pushed us) out of our comfort zones and into His comfort zone.   We may never know the rest of the stories we started to learn about here for these our not our stories to know, but we were blessed to be apart of God's story here in Romania.  Each of of truly has a new understanding of "When God's Story Became our Story" and as Abby and Tim have both said, we will never be the same.  

Thank you for sending each of us hear, for your prayers, and for your love.   Blessings - Karen

Relationships and Measly Duck Tape Bracelets

Hello again everyone. It is so hard to believe it is the second to last day we will be in Romania (all day) and God still continues to work his wonders in our lives!  I still am amazed how he can take the most particular circumstances and use them to teach us, and use us to help those in need.  Our time in Romania has been quite eventful, and I have seen a lot of growth in many people in our team in a wide variety of ways. Somewhat off topic though, if you thought my last post was long…….hehehehe………sorry about that =/.

Still, day in and day out, the Lord never fails to surprise and amaze me with his incredible plans. On Tuesday, one kid in the camp was brought to my attention when he punched another kid in the face (having been punched in the face at karate many, I probably had a better appreciation for what that means than my team members). As a result, I was angry that he did that, and I wanted something to be done. I know some of my team members were concerned about his actions, but I probably felt the strongest. I went to bed and had devotions. Before anything, I just felt I wanted to read the story where the children come to Jesus, and where he explains why they should be given the chance to. I don’t know why, but I had an overwhelming desire to read the story. After pondering a while, all I could come up with was that God wanted me to get over my anger and give him another chance.

So the next day, when it is time for the Photography session, Karen pulls some leaders aside, me included, and assigns us each a group to take around and watch taking pictures. So, as you probably have guessed, I was assigned to watch the kid who was causing the trouble (Joe went with me for that day though, and I don’t know how I would have gotten through it if he didn’t). So, while we discussed what we would do (as he still caused just as much trouble as the day before), we agreed that Abby would watch over him for the time being. However, after I prayed about it, I ended up telling Karen that I would take him alone. And so I did. We went out to a German School overlooking the citadel for that day. And I found the way to get him to behave. As we were alone in our group, we really got to chat a bit, and it turns out we could relate really well. Looking back, I suppose God had planned this. It turned out we had a bit in common; we both liked a computer game called Minecraft, and we both had a weakness for eating too much. Yes I was upset with his behavior, but with some effort, and a bit of a push from God, my day ended with us getting along very well. I can confidently say that God really was at work here.

Personally, my favorite part of the trip has definitely been working at the camp, and I can easily say that I got to know many of the kids better and better each day. When we came here Pastor Mike told me that this trip was not all about the acts we do, more so the relationships that we built on the trip. I didn’t understand what he meant; I mean, how can that be practical? What is the point of coming if we don’t perform our planned tasks? However, as the trip progressed, I started to get to know a lot of the kids, and most of the team who I hadn’t met before, or barely knew back in Rochester. I got to know quite a few kids pretty well and I felt that I was starting to become a bit more comfortable with others in conversation, and oddly enough, not using as many big words (for me that is a big thing, as a few of my friends sometimes used to call me a living, breathing SAT ) .

But anyways, as of now, the karate session have been an overall big success. Yesterday we did our performance for the parents, and my students did very well. I am very proud of them. But we did have a lot of fun along the way, we worked with self defense against a knife, against a sucker (hook) punch, and situations where someone bigger than them was trying to attack them. I may not be very good at reading people, but they seemed to be having fun. But it wasn’t just the karate; I really do have to thank some of the opportunities provided from the other sessions of the camp as well for these relationships. When I played with the kids during Aaron’s baseball/football time, I get a whole team of wonderful kids and leaders to hang out with, teach, and get to connect with. I also took some kids around town during Abby’s photography sessions as I mentioned earlier to take pictures, and I got to know two of the nicest little girls (in my opinion) I’ve ever met, but more on that part of the day later.

 Although I didn’t get at first what Pastor Mike meant when he said that the relationships we build on the trip are the most important part of the trip, I can gladly say I do now. While the work we do, teaching them sports, karate, photography, how to work pictures on computers, and building and repairing a church are all phenomenal, they all have a finite impact on our lives. The rules to our games will be probably forgotten over time, and the karate will be left as well. While pictures are very long lasting, they still can be lost or forgotten about. And while building/repairing the church was still a great thing to do (don’t get me wrong,  I am overjoyed that we can provide all of these services to the people of Romania), I see know that it doesn’t matter that we taught them some karate or how to use a bat and ball. The relationships that we make here are the strongest way to impact the people we meet, as they are will never become undone. You never know, maybe we changed someone’s life simply by getting to know them (actually we did, but that is a story for another time).

One of my favorite times God demonstrated to me how meaningful these relationships could be, was on Wednesday, when we headed off to a village called Tigmandru (pronounced, sigmandru). Tigmandru is a very simple and somewhat run down village near Sighisoara. We had gone to do a worship hour for the residents. At least once during the visit, Beth played the piano, Aaron was on a sketchy five string guitar (it was suppose to have 6), and Abby was on her flute.  However, after we (just the students and my father) got up in front of the townspeople and sang hymns, Aaron found a decent chord on his semi-functional guitar.  I know I mentioned I play the  Euphonium on my last blog post, well,  let’s just say there is a very good reason that I’m in my school Band/Marching Band and not any sort of school or church choir. So while that was nice and all, Aaron, Joe, Becca, and I went outside to play with the toddlers outside and make them bracelets out of Duck Tape. At first, there were only a few girls, but many more came, each asking for more and more. We almost ran out of a few colors.

Once me and Joe finished one last bracelet, we looked around and noticed that just about everyone but Roberta, Joe, my father, Bianca (a girl in the camp who is also one of the sisters of Relu’s wife) , and myself had left. So we set out to where we thought they had headed. After waiting awhile, we see a little girl dressed in dirty cloth walking by and waving. After exchanging glances, Joe and I left the van. We tried to ask if she wanted a bracelet, but she didn’t speak any English. However, sometimes the best things in life are smaller than you would expect. Bianca (12 years old), who was still with us, came as well, and she is very fluent in Romanian, and knew a bit of English as well. As we sat around on the curb of the road for a while, trying to make some bracelets for the little girl she goes and gets her brother, he too was just as excited to get some duck tape accessories. Back in America, toys such as colored bracelets are common on kids and no one really care about them anyway.  However, these kids here were different. There were some of who didn’t even have a full set of cloths to wear, or even a fully repaired house. But even though they didn’t have much, their eyes were full of joy each time we gave out a bracelet, and they kept coming back for more. Personally, and I may be wrong, but I think God put me through that to help me see how important relationships can be, and how even a small gift like a measly duck tape bracelet can mean what seems to be the world to someone (especially if you put time into getting to know them).

Well, if you have read this far, you are finally at the end =) (soon). Once again, I am sorry I wrote another textbook, but hey, this is a big trip, we have a big God, and that will lead to big stories (believe it or not, I still have a few I could have put, but I think it is best to leave this as it is). I am really glad to have been allowed the opportunity to travel to Romania, and I look forward to coming back, God permitting. I’m very thankful that we were able to serve, and hope we did affect the lives of the children, as well as those who we worked with in a positive way.

-Oh yea, I also have included a link to a video of some of the karate performance, just in case you wanted to see it, but as I don’t post videos very often, so I’m sorry if it doesn’t work.

Love in Christ,

            Timothy Kovach

Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord

So the last time that I blogged, it was Wednesday, and I ended my blog saying how much God had taught me, and how my day was so much better when I used what I learned. I thought that that must have been the "big message" so to speak, that God wanted to get across to me. I definately think that the lesson I learned was important... but little did I know what was going to happen that very same day, that I think will have a lasting impact on me forever.

Wednesday night most of the group headed out to Tigmandru, Romania, to sing for the people at the church and Beth and I played our harp and flute. It was so great to see the people in the church enjoying it so much, and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I thought about how these people live halfway around the world from where I do, yet we all worship and love the same God. I felt so alive in Christ when we walked out of the church, and I was so thankful to God for such an awsome day. Then Karen took me, Beth, Becca and Aaron to one of the church members homes, and I was not prepared for what I saw. I have never seen anyone have what most people would consider so little, yet be the richest people I have ever met. The family had three gorgeous children, and they all had so much joy, life, love, and such a heart for God. Their answer for everything was: Ï pray to God about it." Looking at this families faces, eyes and smiles was so overpowering, and I felt like I saw the face of God. I was trying to process everything the whole way back to Beregon... you can ask Joe how deep in thought I was, because I kind of slammed the door in his face without even realizing it!! :-) Tigmandru had such an impact on me, I really can't even describe it, but God knew that my day wasn't over yet.

Every night, Becca, Beth and I go out on the balcony to debrief about our day together, and then we take turns praying for the team, the individuals, and whatever else needs prayer. Ramona, our host sister, had been joining us the past 2 nights, but that night, Ramona's mom came out with us too. We sat on the balcony and prayed, but what got me was that Ramona translated our entire prayer in Romanian so that her mom could hear it too. When we were done, I thought that her mom was about to start crying. I stayed out by myself on the balcony for a little while, alone, trying to process what just happened. I was completely overwhelmed at what God just threw at me. In one night, He had shown Himself to me more than I have ever seen of Him in my entire life... and I had no clue what to make of it. My prayer for that day had been the song Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord, and God decided to rip them open. I had thoughts and feelings and emotions that I can't even express, because I don't even know what they are or were. My mind was racing, but I had no clue where it was going. I knew God was doing something in me, and I still don't know what, but I always thought that when God works in your life, and your life is pretty good already, that the feeling would be good. However, it felt like God had ripped my heart into shreds, and I had no clue why, or what I was/am supposed to do with it, where I am supposed to go with it, what I'm supposed to do when I go home, how I'm going to be changed by it... I had absolutely no clue what in the world God was doing to me... and I still don't know!! Gabby, as Mike likes to call me, was rendered speechless, in fact I feel like this whole blog post is just one big ramble, because I don't really know how to put what I am experiencing into words. All I can say is that the box that I put God in, completely burst at the seems that night, and God gave me a glimpse at just how incredibly BIG He is... and even though I know that God knows I am, I don't feel like I was ready for it... I certainly wasn't expecting it.

Well even though I've said that I don't know a lot of things, and I have a lot of questions, I think I have come to a few realizations... though knowing my thought process, they are subject to change. I realized that even though our God is such a big, awesome, overpowering, and incredible God, He loves me just as I am and no matter what I'm feeling, or whats going on in my life, He will always be there, walking right next to me, and will never leave me. He will use all of me, all of my strengths and all of my weaknesses for His glory and His work. Even if I don't know what He is doing, His plan is perfect and my life will be so much richer, sweeter, and full of life, joy and love, if I put my faith in the uncomfort of the unknown of my God, than if I take the comfortable, familiar road.

So I have no clue what God is doing in my heart or in my life. Whatever it is, it's powerful, real, a little scary, and like I said... BIG. We serve a big, big God. But my prayer now goes something more like this: Lord I give you my heart, I give you my soul. I live for you alone.  Every breath that I take, every moment I'm awake. Lord have your way in me.

In Christ's love,
~Abby

Joe's Second Thought this Trip

It's been a long week. But also one that has gone by way too fast. I have spent most of my time helping out at the kids camp up at the House On the Rock, filling in places that needed to be filled, doing what was asked of me to help, and building relationships, but also doing something more. Like Aaron said in an earlier post, there are just some things that you cannot express about a missions trip, and the relationships built thorough it. So many friendships, inside jokes, and stories are made that you have to bring a journal with about four pages for each day just to keep the events straight. And even then there are so many things that even though you may want to explain, or to record for a personal memory later, you just can't put into words, nor could words even come close to telling what happened.

And as for stories that we can tell, I'm not sure there is enough time in the world, or pages to write on to cover all of them. For a lot of people something along the lines of "This trip I got to know a bunch of kids and a few leaders as I helped with photography and karate, It was a really fun trip and I want to come back some time" will satisfy them. But to me that just sounds like a simple post for Facebook, but there is so much more to it. That 'bunch of kids,' happen to be fantastic, each and every one of them, and the same for the leaders, and my teammates as well. From Dorin who was loud and always asking if we could hang out for photography, to Paula, Sonia, and Adina, who kept asking about America and trading stories, and especially to all the younger ones whose faces lit up at even the sight of a roll of duct tape, or a wiffleball bat. They are what will draw me back here, to Romania, even if I never see them again. So I want to thank all the people who supported me, financially, spiritually, or even here in Romania, for everything that I have been blessed to experience, mots su mesk (multemesc), this really is a trip that is truly unforgettable.

Your only redheaded blogger
Joe Hunt

Aaron's Thoughts

     I came on this trip, not knowing what to expect. I have never been on a missions trip, and I simply wanted to build relationships with people who really just needed a friendly touch. I have slowly realized however, that these people would change me in a way i'm not sure I'll ever be able to explain.

     I think there is a time in peoples lives, where they experience something, and they simply just don't have the words for it. This feeling is exactly what I am experiencing. I think, something inside of us changes, and its completely from God. God has been known to take peoples breath away, and if, when I get home, I cannot explain what happened, it's because of the people and the relationships here.

     The people here, are pulling at my heart, and I know God wont let me shake them loose. I love the people here, and I desperately want to be able to come back to them. The relationships I've built here, will be forever. In America, I feel like relationships are merely surface feelings toward others sometimes. Here in Romania, if someone asks you how your day was, it means more than just the simple answer of good or bad. Its the extra step that people take, that effect your feelings and emotions, and make them friends forever.


     In Christ,
         Aaron Curtis

Duck Tape and a Bible

After this trip it is my firm belief that there are two things every missionary should carry.  Everyone knows that a bible would be on the packing list and is source of constant strength.   - But after this trip I also beleive that Duck Tape is indispensable.  This team has seen God's Hand at work through Duck Tape.

When we were making the list of things we needed donated I thought that colored and printed Duck tape would be a fun idea since Duck tape bracelets are so simple.   We got over 50 rolls donated and I wondered what we would do with all this tape but we threw every roll in our suitcases anyway. Little did I know how much fun we would have with this.

- The baptismal needed to be filled for Sunday but the water had been cut due to construction. We Duck taped the hose to the faucet in the sunday school room and them through the church window to the baptismal.

- We took a couple rolls out to Viscri on the weekend for the girls.  I showed Bianca how to make bracelets.  She had the greatest time and lots of bracelets by the time we left.

- We ran out of double sided tape photo matting class so Beth and Becca started using Duck Tape - it was awesome because the pictures now stood out a little.

- We were at Relu's house and a plastic outdoor chair was broken.  A piece of wood and Duck tape fixed it all up.

- We need to occupy the kids after photo matting till they could use the computer so Beth and Becca pulled out the Duck tape and showed them how to make bracelets.  All the kids left camp with no less that 4 bracelets and huge smiles.

- We are decorating 24 Wiffle Ball bats with Duck tape

- Bianca (Relu's daughter) went with us to Tsigmandru last night and we stopped at a restaraunt on the way for dinner.  We were all speaking in English and I thought she kind of looked left out. I made her a cute purse from the roll of Duck tape we brought with us.  What a smile.

- We got to Tsigmandru last night for a time of worship music.  We sent Joe, Bianca, Becca, Aaron and Tim outside with Duck tape.  Bianca made bracelets for all the kids at church.  Still more smiles.

Duck Tape has this incredible way of bringing smiles to kid's faces and fixing just about anything.   So thanks to everyone who donated the tape and know the joy it is bringing.  And don't forget - the next mission trip you go on - pack a roll of colored Duck tape right next to your bible.  :)   - Karen