Timp petrecut in Bucuresti

Though our time in Bucharest was short, I think all would agree that we made some wonderful new friends, thoroughly enjoyed our homestays with our host families and loved spending time with Missio Dei, the new church plant. It was difficult to say goodbye to our host families when we left for Arad yesterday morning.

I spoke with Adiel, one of the pastors of Missio Dei and asked how we can be praying for the church as they grow and expand their ministry. Since Missio Dei is comprised entirely of youth, he said they really miss the presence of the older generation. They want to see the church filled not only with youth, but with older Christians who will be able to mentor and share wisdom with the younger. This progressive community also faces quite a bit of opposition from more traditional church communities. One young women we met often gets locked out of her home because her mother is upset at her attending the new church. They also need prayers for the spiritual health of their congregation so they can then go out into the community and carry out their missional vision.

We spent Friday and Saturday with the youth in three different seminar sessions for the women (talking about dating and relationships with Brenda) and the men (discussing apologetics with Rick). We also attended their Saturday evening church service (renting the building on a Sunday morning would be too costly), and Rick spoke about the proof of Jesus' death and resurrection.

The Bathroom Chronicles: Installment 1

Bathrooms in Romania have proved to be a breeding ground for bizarre experiences and good stories. Our first night in Bucharest Libby called down the hallway because the toilet wasn't flushing. Unlike western toilets, the tank was mounted close to the ceiling and flushes with a lever pulled by a cord. I walked down the hallway to help and promptly broke the cord off the lever! Libby hoisted me up on her shoulders and I braced myself between the wall and the window, Matrix/Spiderman-style and reattached the cord to the lever. Meanwhile, the still running water was spitting out from the tank into my face. Needless to say, Libby and I could not stop laughing.

Ciao for now!

- Megan