Two Days Worth.

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I have to apologize for not keeping up with the journal this time. As you can imagine, we have been extremely busy and getting time to compose my thoughts is not easy.

Yesterday (Sunday) was our first “work” day. We met the drama team and the colstruction team at the Gypsy church in Nushfalau. It was a wonderful time for us all to be together again for a little while. The teen drama team sang a few songs and we participated in the service. It was a very special day for this church. About 7 people have completed their first year of Bible College and received certificates for their accomplishment. Two men were also ordained. Pastor Mike brought a message through our translator Danny. It was a wonderful time for us to meet with our Romanian Gypsy brothers and sisters and all worship our God together.

We got to eat at a traditional Romanian restaurant for lunch. They are usually not open on Sunday, but they made a special exception and opened for lunch so that our entire group could eat together. The food was excellent! We had grilled chicken, herbed potatoes and fried cheese. For dessert we had chocolate crepes. We were also able to go back to Tony’s house and rest for a couple of hours.

At 5 we left for the church at Nushfalau again. This time the women met for the first ever Gypsy woman’s conference and the men went to two villages to preach. The women’s conference was exceptional. The church was packed out with women and it was standing room only! I don’t think we got an official count, but it was well above 100 women and girls. We had a wonderful time of testimonies from Americans and Gypsies. We were all eager to share what God has done in our lives. Whether we were Gypsy, Romanian, American, El Salvadorian or any other nationality, we all shared the common attribute of God’s grace and his power in our lives. Miss Rhonda and Miss Karen spoke with the ladies about spiritual gifts and how we can use them in our service to God. Most importantly we saw 8 women come to Christ.

The men went out to two different villages. From what I heard these impromptu evangelistic meetings on the hillside were powerful tools of God. Pastor Mike and Mr. Tom both spoke soul-winning messages. I am unsure of the numbers but there were several who received Christ.

Today (Monday) was another big day. We left Tony’s house for the hour-long trip to the village of Ghida. (This is the village where we are trying to build houses.) There we were able to set up a medical clinic in the town meeting hall. At this point, I need to explain the dynamics of this village. The village of Ghida is actually two villages: the Romanian half and the Gypsy half. The Romanian side consists of many “regular” Romanian homes, an Orthodox church and roads that are maintained fairly well. The Gypsy part of the village is the half that burdens me. This village has 7 one-room houses and 11 families adding up to approximately 80 people. They live in such poverty. The government of the village will not maintain the roads down to the village so it is impossible to drive there. We had to park and walk about a quarter of a mile to get there.

Anyway, we set up the medical clinic in a building that the Romanian portion of the village let us use. We opened the clinic to everyone that needed to come. I believe that we were able to see and help about 130 people. We gave each one a small gift of toiletries and a copy of the gospel of John. While these people were waiting in line they were able to witness to them through a translator. Again, I am unsure of the numbers, but there were several that were saved.

While the clinic was going on, the Vacation Bible School team went down to the village and met with about 15 kids. We sang songs, colored, played games and we told them the story of the 7 days of creation. I have to interject here. As you know from previous journals, my flannel graph board was lost in transit. This was the centerpiece of my story. It was going to be very difficult to tell the story without it. The board had not made it by last night, so we had to improvise. Luckily (or by God’s design) I packed all of my extra flannel and craft supplies “just in case.” With some cardboard, a tee-shirt and a medical gown (thanks Teresa) we were able to construct a suitable substitute! It was amazing to see how God works in circumstances like theses. Back to the story. VBS was a hit and we were able to love on the kids. We also gave them each a wordless book and showed them how to use it to tell their friends about Christ. As in any culture, it is delicate work to tell kids about Christ and salvation. At the end of our time, we were able to give an invitation. All of the kids prayed for salvation, but we were unsure if they were just repeating the words or truly meant it. I believe most of these kids are already Christians. Either way, God’s word was shared, and it will not return void.

We completed one exhausting day today with a wonderful chicken dinner. Many are fighting illness. Please pray for them. Tomorrow we start again at Nushfalau with the clinic and VBS. They are expecting many, many, many people to be there. It will be another long and exhausting day, but we are all ready to go! Oh, I almost forgot. My flannel-graph board was waiting for me when we returned home this evening! It only took 5 days to fly a piece of cardboard 7,500 miles!!

Pace Domuloui (Peace of God),
Amy 😊


P.S. Best wishes to Tony and Kat on their special day. Everyone was thinking about them today.

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Comments

[Phyllis Bryant]

I guess you all are keeping my husband and son so busy they don't have time to call. Hope all is well and everything that was planned is getting accomplished. Kat and Tony's wedding was very nice. The only bad part was the rainstorm that happened as the wedding part was trying to get to the reception at OBC. The rest of us got there and began the feast at least an hour and a half before the bride and groom. All was well though. Things at the church are coming along nicely, repairs seem to be on schedule (Pastor Mike will like that)! Stay safe and share the love. See you all Saturday. P.S. Tell Kelly Collico Josh's AOL email does not work, that is why he can't respond to her emails. Matthew Adams is trying to get it fixed, but you know how priorty works, it's not one! See you all on Saturday, please don't lose my husband and son on the way home, I want them back. Love, kisses and hugs