Saturday, February 21, 2009

The Team

So I've made it through my first full week in Galati. There were some ups and downs, but overall I'd say it was a sucessful week. We're all getting more of a feel for our host families. (There are a few people on the team that have hilarious stories about their experiences every morning. I am not one of these people. I am thankful for this.) And I think most of us are a little frustrated with the language. The lessons are a little stressful and of course it is hard not being able to really communicate outside of our little community. But hopefully that will spur me on to be diligent in my studies.

Last weekend the team hung out and just got to know each other a little better. We all had a chance to share our stories, why we came here with Word Made Flesh, and what we hope to get out of this experience. And let me tell you, I am just so excited about the team God has assembled here. Each member of my team has a unique story, but it is so neat to see how a common thread is woven through each of our lives. We are the largest team the Romania field has ever accepted. I can't wait to see what God is going to to in each of us and how He is going to continue to bring us together as a group.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

It is Sunday morning in Galati and I amstarting my fourth full day here.
They trip here was fairly easy, if not a little tiring. We got into Bucharest a little before midnight on Tuesday morning and finally to bed about 2 am. Apparently shortly after we went to sleep about 40 cars drove by our (open) window blarring their horns and I just slept right through it. All of the other 7 people in the room woke up, but I was dead to the world.
Morning came and we caught a noon train from Bucharest to Galati and from there we took buses to meet our host families. I'm staying in the living room of my home, but it has a door I can close for privacy. I am sleeping on a pull out couch and I have a small cabinet to put my things in. It is not what I expected, but after a few days I think it will work. The home has a flushing toilet (that you can put toilet paper in) and warm water, so that is wonderful. My host mom has hosted several other girls, but she doesn't know any english so that can be challenging. I start language lessons tomorrow so that will help.
We've spent every day at the Community Center run by Word Made Flesh. The first day was a little overwhelming, but I think I will settle into it nicely. We've mostly been doing orientation/get to know you stuff, but we have eaten lunch with the kids as well as participated in play time. I'm curious to see what my role in the center will be as time progresses. There was talk today of me possibly teaching a ballet class with the girls once a week. No need to tell you that I would love that.
Next week, starting tomorrow, we are going to look at different places we could volunteer in the city outside of the center. I know working with special needs kids is one and helping at a nursing home is another, there may be one or two other options. My prayer request at this point would be guidance on which to choose. Part of me feels drawn just to stay at the center, but I also want to get involved in and see as much of the community as possible.
Today we are going over to our team leaders' home for lunch. I'm not sure what the day will hold after that.
Thank you for your prayers. Like I said I start language tomorrow and I anticipate that being a big challenge for me so please be praying about that too.

Let me know if you have any questions or if there is any other aspect of the trip you'd like to know about.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

I'm here!

I made it! I don't have a lot of time right now, but I just wanted to let you all know that I made it here with all my stuff :)

I'll try to get on a little later and give you a real post.

Thanks for the prayers!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Thank You.

I feel covered in prayer today.

Thank you friends.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

So I Lied

No post in 9 weeks. What can I say, I'm going out of the country...things have been a little busy.



Just to give everyone the briefest of updates...



I am leaving Monday!! I am pretty much a ball of emotion right now but I am really excited about going on this adventure. I have been communicating with my teammates (there are 6 of us total) and each of them seem really solid and awesome and I can't wait to meet them on Monday. I still feel like I have a lot to get done before I go, which at times seems overwhelming and at other times seems totally do-able. When I start to think about it too long is usually when I start to get sad because I just have 4 days to get it done which then makes me think I only have 4 days to see/talk to the people I love before moving several time zones away. But some sadness is to be expected and I try to keep it in check.



For those of you interested in the details of my travel I'll be flying from Nashville to Chicago to London to Bucharest then a 4 hour train ride to Galati, my final destination. After some quick math, that is 22 hours of travel (including layovers) from Nashville to Bucharest (we get in about midnight local time). I think/hope we will be staying in a hostel in Bucharest the night we get in and then going on to Galati in the morning. Lets hope the jet lag isn't too bad.



I was told a few weeks ago we will also be traveling into Moldova for two weeks. Word Made Flesh (the organization I am going to Romania through) is hoping to get a program started in Moldova so my team will be helping scout out what future teams could do there. I am excited about this opportunity.



If you think of me, I would love your prayers. Just that my last few days in Nashville would be blessed and fruitful and I would have good time with the people I love. That my team would click right away when we meet. For safe travel and that all of our luggage would arrive when we do. For my host family that I will be living with for 4 months. That I would adapt to the culture and that my tastebuds would like the food :) That the language would come quickly and I would not get easily discouraged with it. And of course for all the little children I will be meeting, that I would love them fully with the love of Christ. I honestly can not wait to see what God will do while I am there. He is so good.