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| Team in Moscow |
Our trip to Romania went smoothly. We flew from Dulles International airport to Moscow, Russia and then flew on to Budapest, Hungary.
We were greeted upon arrival by Pastor John and Pastor Cristi and his wife Alina. It is wonderful to be back!
Check back regularly as we will be posting pictures and video from our various activities and church services.
You can learn more about our team members by going to the page: About the 2015 Team.
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| Brandt Edmonston |
I have been interested in going to Romania since I first heard about the opportunity . . . That was the spring of 2013. For whatever reason, when I wanted to go that year, God closed the door. The next year, Spring of 2014, I wanted to go as well. Apparently that wasn't the right time either. Now we come to this year.
I was sure that it wasn't going to work out this year. I had just gotten the full time job I was hoping for. The spring is an incredibly busy time of year for my work. I travel to conferences all over the country and run workshops for teens. I wasn't even going to ask for the time off. But apparently God had other plans.
If any of you know Daphne, you probably know that she can be . . . persistent. She pestered me until I asked my boss. Much to my surprise, he said that if I didn't have to help run a workshop at a conference those weekends (while I would need to be in Romania), He was fine with my taking the trip. Even more to my surprise, I had no conferences scheduled.
Now that might not seem that surprising to you, but wait until you hear about my schedule . . . There are sixty days in the months of April and May. In those sixty days, I will be out of town traveling to four different states and going to Romania. I will be out of the State for thirty seven days. Of those days, fourteen will be out of the country. I will have two weekends when I am at home with no work or mission related plans. I return to Virginia from a conference in Mississippi on Sunday the 17th, only to climb back on an airplane less than twenty four hours later and depart for Romania on the 18th.
This is going to be a marathon of a spring! But I can't think of a better one. And when God finally opens the door, well . . . You walk through it.
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| Rachel Heffington |
I hate to forget things. There is something so horrible to me about the idea that if I am not careful to remember, I could let some precious memory slip away forever. Of course, I can't keep hold of everything -- wouldn't my brain reach capacity far too soon? -- but when I knew I was headed to Romania in 2013, I promised myself I would keep a travel journal so that I would never forget. Into the journal went all the ups and downs, exhaustions and joys, and beautiful testimonies from the trip. I was able to remember, even after coming home, exactly how it felt to realize for the first time that those people an ocean apart were an irreplaceable part of my Christian family, or what we thought of a certain food, or where we discovered unexpected beauty.
I forced time, scribbling stories along the bumpy Romanian roads or sketching a street-corner from the topmost floor of Betel church while reckless rain beat on the heads of the people below. I carved out the time to write the words because they were important to me. I needed to remember. When I returned in 2014, I gladly did the same. And I did not forget. I could not.
There is a funny story that grew out out of those same words . . . hundreds of stories born form the fellowship of American Christians who trekked across the world and were richly received by their Romanian brothers and sisters. And I mean richly. My journal is stuffed with remembering their generosity and self-sacrifice. And it is this, perhaps more than any other, that keeps me eager to return to Romania as many times as God wills: that though our cultures and language and customs are literally worlds apart, we grow evermore in the same Grace, under the same Love, and are called by the same name: Christ-followers. So though I go, somehow I stay. I stay under the same Mercy in which we are called. Here's to a year of more memories.
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| Leah Heffington |
Hello everyone! I am the second youngest on the team and I am delighted to be part of this years Romanian missions trip! I've been wanting to go for several years. However, it wasn't until this past year that I really began praying about the possibility of traveling to Arad. God answered these prayers and has been faithful to fulfill His promises of peace and clarity in regards to this decision.
It's hard to believe that I will be sharing in the adventure of bringing Christ's reassuring love to His churches in Romania! It will be my first time out of the United States, and the first time, since I was five, to be on an airplane! I can't wait to witness Christ's body working together from two different sides of the world. (as a side note: I am super excited to taste European gelato.)
Thank you for all your prayers and support as our team ventures out on this journey again. It really means a lot to have people praying for us while we are absent from our own homes.
God has blessed our team! This year's Trinity Romanian Missions Trip is fully funded! Our tickets are purchased and we are counting the days to departure: 27!
We also had a great team building time a few weeks ago. We talked, sang, prayed, played, and of course, we ate. This is a group that know how to be serious and knows how to laugh and have fun.
We can't wait to see what God has planned for this 2015 trip. Follow our blog or check back regularly as we will have video and pictures from Romania as we travel (as long as we have internet).
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| Kate McKinney |
As I was praying a few months ago about this trip to Romania, I asked God to give me a verse that would be my theme or "battle cry" for this trip. It would also serve as a call to action as I charge ahead into the coming changes in my own life. Just like God always does He answered that prayer in His perfect way:
"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:5
The verse practically leaped off the page at me. Jesus is the Light referred to and that Light is in us. No matter where we go we spread that light around us, strengthening and encouraging others with that same light. Whether theirs is a spark that leaps into a flame in response to encouragement, or a resolute candle burning with unwavering courage in the gloom of this world. We, as Christians, are called to be an example and a beacon of hope for those in darkness. This is what I pray for this Romanian Missions Trip.
I pray we can be an example; in our travels, while speaking in churches, interacting with the Romanian people, singing praises to God, communicating with the youth. Preparing the way for the Lord by spreading His light, which is in us, everywhere we go.
Not only on this trip, but also in the next chapter of my life as a nurse, I will strive to exemplify His light, be His hands, His feet, and speak with His words.
So, it is with eager expectation that I look forward to this trip! I can't wait to see what the Lord does!
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| Matthew Walker |
Hello everyone! This will be my third trip to Romania with the Trinity Romanian Missions Team. Every year has been different and I don't expect any less from this year. It'll be a wonderful time of fellowship with the believers in Romania, but it will also serve as a time for the entire team to get to know each other in a way we never would have been able to outside of this trip.
Over the past two years, there is one thing that has stuck out in my mind: the youth (teenagers and young adults). The next generation. There are many who do not have a walk with the Lord, but many who do. Many of those who do walk with Christ are cast out from thier families or just looked down upon for their Christian beliefs.
One of our primary goals this year is to encourage the youth. Those whose relationship with our heavenly Father is young and new. Our team will strive to encourage them to do what is right in the Lord's eyes and stand for their beliefs and also simply to let them know that they are not alone.
As Americans, we take for granted the luxury of freedom of speech and religion. You see, within about the last twenty five years or so Romania has come out of a time of communist rule in the country. So, freedom of religion is not as much of a foundational idea for them.
We want to impress on young adults everywhere, but especially in Romania, that they (we) are the next generation of Christians and that it is up to us to pass along God's love, mercy and faithfulness. And that if we don't do it there won't be anyone to fall back on to do the talking for us! We have to be ready! Even if times get very tough we need to have steadfast trust in our God.
My prayer is that the Lord will bless our efforts to encouraging the church and the youth in Romania. And at the same time that He will also encourage us in our steadfast trust in Him. I also pray that we can bring that back to our brothers and sisters in this country when we return.
