Good Place Spiritually

As far as planning for this trip, I have been working a lot and have also begun some more lengthy Bible studies so that I will be in a good place spiritually. Often with very important things, like this trip, it is hard for me to think about it until it is on the very near horizon. Most often this is a blessing because I tend to worry. In all honesty the extra work has helped me in keeping me calm and relaxed. 

The fact that this year's group is larger than last years is exciting and I am looking forward to seeing what God will do in and through the team on this year's trip!

Bonding Time

We had a great weekend preparing for the upcoming trip to Romania! The team talked, laughed, prayed, sang, and generally got to know each other. 

We are all truly excited to see what God will do this year. Each year is such a unique and special trip and we expect this year to be no exception.

Please continue to pray as the time draws near!

FEAR NOT!

Peyton Elkins

Hello Everyone! I am very excited to be joining this team for their next trip to Romania! I can hardly believe that I will have the chance to travel around the world to meet with believers and share the Gospel—it'll be a new experience for me! In my excitement, brand new luggage and a small stash of toiletries have already found their way into my house. my ticket is purchased, my passport has arrived, funds are being raised, and I am trying to get ahead on my schoolwork. however, as important as it is to have a passport and deodorant, nothing is more important than being spiritually prepared. You see, my excitement is definitely mixed with a lot of fear. I'll be sharing what God has done in my life with strangers who come from a different culture. My flesh keeps telling me that I simply cannot do it or that even if I do, nothing I say will really matter.

Combating this dangerous lie is perhaps the most important thing I can do before I leave. So, I have been looking through God's Word, searching for His commands to "fear not." Many of the verses I found go on to say why the person being addressed need not fear—because God is with them. Genesis 26:24, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 1:8, and many other verses call on specific people to take courage because God is with them and will not leave them. These words make me strong when I remember what Jesus said to his disciples, and to me, before He left the earth, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt 28:20). I know that the Lord will be with our team as we journey to Romania. I know that I need not be afraid because His Spirit will give me the words I need to say. I know that God does not want me to be afraid, "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Tim 1:7).

Please pray for our team as we ready ourselves, physically, mentally, and spiritually for our trip in the spring. Please pray that we will be fearless, not because of the strength and abilities we think we possess, but because God is with us. 

As the Time Draws Near

Mamie Edmonston

As the countdown until the trip to Romania gets shorter, I am asking the lord to prepare my heart for all that He has in store.

I've been on a mission trip once before, and out of the country many times, but I know this is going to be very different than those trips. Unknowns aren't my favorite, but this trip is not about me. 

I'm looking forward to meeting other believers who love the same Jesus but live thousands of miles away. Sometimes I wonder how on earth God can use me and my simple testimony to impact anyone, but He knows exactly which conversations I need to have  to share His light. Once again, it's NOT about me, it's only about Jesus and his unfailing love.

Please pray for us as the date to embark draws nearer. Pray for the words we will speak and the relationships that will be made and strengthened. To God be the glory forever and ever amen.

(You can learn more about Mamie by reading her Team bio.)

The 2019 Team is Set!

We are very excited to announce that the 2019 team is set and getting ready to go! We will be traveling about three weeks earlier this year than normal. We will leave at the end of April in stead of May. We have four new team members this year and three returning, in addition to the two team leaders. Please check out the pictures and bios on the TEAM page. We will be posting more updates as the time drawn near and then updates from Romania as the opportunities allow. Thanks for all your support and prayers!

Sunday Morning and Evening

What a nice way to finish off this marvelous trip! We worshipped in Firi Tiez in the morning. You can listen to Emily's testimony below. We were also blessed to hear some children sing and recite Bible verses and poems. 

Sunday night we were delighted to be at Bethel in Arad. It was a great time of worship! Our team sang with the youth and we also heard their youth and some children sing. There were some technical difficulties with the video but there are a few clips and they are well worth watching! 

After church we had dinner and a time of games and fellowship. What a great way to end our two week trip. Thanks to every one who has been praying. We have seen God at work!

Mountain Tops and Bran Castle

The team saw many beautiful sights while driving on the Transfagarasan, which is the highest road in Romania. It was sunny and beautiful, it rained, it hailed, but most of all it was an experience of God's handiwork. The following day they took a tour of the Bran Castle. This is such an interesting historical sight. The grand finale after lunch was papanache. This is a fried dough, similar to a doughnut covered in a sweet sour cream sauce and fruit preserves. The close-up photo of panache is served without the cream sauce. However, the apricot preserves were excellent as the sole accompaniment!