Service next week

Hi all

We are really looking forward to sharing in the Service next week (12th Sept) at Cosham

Romania Service and Thanksgiving

Greetings all

Make sure you come along at 10:30am on Sunday 12th September to hear and see more of what the Romania Team got up to in July

Home and emotional

Sunday was a great day... service in the morning, when all the team spoke of how God had made an impact on them over the 2 weeks... then a BBQ and time for rest and tidying before some great devotionals in the evening.

Before this though we became a team of 13 as Paula left with her family to go back to their home in northern Romania. Paula has best such an amazing contributor to the team, we immediately missed her too.

Later into the evening the team gathered to consider how we can make the best of conversations once home. We also thought about own 'next steps' and the future possibilities for Cosham and Teliu. Then after midnight Sami arrived and talked to us about the tough nature of mission, although encouraging us to continue in our enthusiasm. Plenty of prayer took place and then at 2:50am (00:50 UK time) the mini-bus arrived.

Amazingly Gigi also arrived at this time to wave us off (what an absolute star!) and once we had 'found' Amy and Katrine we began our homeward journey, and a last good-bye to the village, the horses, the river... We were blessed to have Sami come to the airport with us too.

6:20am arrive at airport, just get through checking in and customs before plane takes off, almost on time... then at Luton, the 13 became 11 as Matt and Steve left us.

Chris, having left Portsmouth before we had left Romania picked us up and drove the remainder of the team home. Arriving at 12:30pm (UK time) - 11.5 hours after getting on the mini-bus in Teliu, we have time for one final 'jelly roll' and some more good-byes.

The end of our mission, but we are sure the beginning of a future relationship between the two churches.

The church has much to consider... and many many photos will be posted over the coming months.

As I said to the team as we waited for our baggage and finished our final prayer time... "I am struggling to find a single prayer that God did not answer". Mulţumesc Father

Day 14 - July 16it

Katherine: Can’t believe the kid’s club is finished and it’s nearly time to leave! L Said an emotional farewell to Simon B this morning...although he is having a curry tonight! Seriously love the children of Teliu although it’s been hard work! By the way, I’m staying here for another few months J

Lisa: This week has gone so quickly! Playing, praying and learning alongside all the beautiful children has been such a blessing. We had a massive bonfire tonight and had an English style bbq which we were sooo thankful for J Simon (or SB, pumba, vanilla bear or baldy) it has been weird without you today, a true testament to the vital team member you are. Also, thankyou for our kinder suprises! Looking forward to coming home, but excited for the next two days! J

Tara: What can I say? These two weeks have flown by but I still feel that I’ve been here for much longer.

Hannah: Hello England! *Sigh* ... what a week! Great fun, great kidz and great camp! We played a little game of football at the end - what a way to end a great week! We (Roger and Tazza) cooked an english meal tonight for the Romanians which was a BBQ. I cannot imagine being at home. It’s going to be very very strange. 2 weeks we’ve been here and its literally felt like at least 2 months. I rode a horse today at the speed of 5mph – it was interesting but a lot of fun! It was Paul’s horse and he rides it whenever around the village! ....Mummy and Daddy.... J The night fire camp turned into a bonfire today with Gigi’s skills of destroying random materials and unwanted wood – I still don’t understand what he’s saying, but never mind J a small smile and nod does the trick. Amin!

Rachel: Almost the end i can’t believe how fast it has gone, have had a brilliant time & totally enjoyed it.  Last day of the Childrens camp & lots of farewells to the brilliant kids we met that still continue to talk to us as if we can understand just about remember Thank you.  Plus a realisation of it almost being time to come home when SB left today.  Love to Callum & Rhys miss you both soo much.xx 

Amy: Can’t believe the children’s camp is already over! I loved being able to work with the children and knowing that we could bring Gods message to them. It was horrible having to say goodbye to them all! And still so cute to see how they never truly understood that we really couldn’t understand them. Definitely don’t feel ready to leave! I want to take everyone we’ve met home with us, which is quite a lot of people! WE MISS YOU SIMON!!! Appreciate the little notes left for us J And just for you I used the windmill of terror on Steve during dinner J.  

Simon: Vali and Sami both want us to come back to Romania next year! We think it may be best to get Sami over to us next year... and I'm hoping that my family will come to Romania some time soon too! A great place, a great camp and a great team all serving a great God... blessings all.

Thursday July 14 - camp grows and meeting Mayor - Day 13

Simon: Another great day here in Romania. 60 kids came to the camp, although it started all a bit strange as Sami had had complaints from some Gypsy families about their children coming to an activity they had not known about. But after permission had been gained from all parents (in homes near and far) we began our session on the ‘Great Samaritan’. Totally appropriate as we had Romanians not wanting to play on the parachute with the other kids, and then on the two tables we had two distinct people groups. But Bible story, acting, discussions and craft etc all went really well and we taught about how everyone is your neighbour and how we can and should show love... the day was cut a bit short by the traditional afternoon thunderstorm, but all in all a great day...

Then this evening... well what can we say? The Mayor invites us to an event at the Town Hall. The local college Romanian Dancers entertain us for an hour, then we have a chance to perform some of our sketches and songs. We could comment on some interesting moments during the evening but we would rather focus on a great evening of proclaiming the Gospel. The Mayor was genuinely delighted and spoke of the challenge of being a Christian. (Then he told everyone I looked like John Terry!) We were then invited to the Mayor’s office to sign the special book and receive a commemorative plaque! We wrote a special message then all 16 of us signed it (the 15 on the team and JT)

And tonight we said a sad farewell to Simon who is leaving us in the morning. Please continue to pray for the team and the programme tomorrow (Two builders and Sower) followed by an evangelistic family ‘fire-camp’ in the evening and the final service on Sunday where I will once more be preaching and the team will be doing many other parts of the programme.

p.s. we had hoped to be with Murder by now, and be able to use her internet connection to update the blog with more photos, but we are yet to see her or her brother.

Day 12, July 14th

Nick:  Woke up early with the rest of the roof gang, is tiring work running/passing tiles, wood and tools to Roger and the boys. Have been informed by Simon B that I must hire his band for my wedding...Is someone not telling me something? The kids were great today for the most part; though they have discovered the old "mob a leader and take them to the river" game. Something that will have to be nipped in the bud tomorrow

 

We had our first rain during a camp session forcing us into the barn. To be honest partly glad of the rain and therefore lack of sun, over the last few days I've developed on glaring tan line on the neck/body. The afternoon work session on the roof went less well as the job continues to grow more complicated as the days go by. Please pray for Roger to have strength, wisdom and patience in his work.

 

Hannah:  Double the number of kidz (near enough) and still the small rain shower didn't stop us.  A 14 yr old lad called Paul touched my heart today, he's been every day but today he was a little down because of stuff at home.  He's an absolute gem.  I fell asleep in the afternoon – I feel I've nothing left to give, however I do trust God to provide for all I need to keep me going and I am certainly not going to let Satan win!  It just seems every high point brings a down point.

Day 11 – June 13

Lisa:  Today was slamming! The kids were energetic and the sun was out! We played water games too oh yesssss J A few of us went on a random walk to the top of a hill overlooking the town and then sat in on a Romanian group of teenagers doing traditional dancing...they are coming to dance for us on Thursday when we have a bonfire, it should be good! Also, Simon, Hannah and I quite possibly spent the best part of 2 hours playing the lying down game... to the amusement and confusion of Gigi the church handyman/bear protector/surrogate grandfather to the team/actual legend/awesome man of God! What a great day!

 

Hannah: Morning, afternoon, evening! Great day – as always! I woke up without being woken up by someone – good times. Met a lovely lady who looked a lot like Sarah Thomas – yes you Sarah! AND she even went to Moorlands! Our kidz group had a big dance session to high school musical and mamma mia. Went for a walk looking for bears, but we didn't succeed (bad times – I will see one!) but I did see three cows, about four goats and lots of chickens (and stray dogs, but that's everyday). I laid on a train track, a tractor, a stage wall and through a telephone pylon playing the laying down game – we have proof. Had a great shower, fantastic chicken and potatoes for lunch, simply fabulous! Have been reminded how great the Bible is – I recommend it ;) Oh and mummy, I thought a couple of days was meant to mean 2 days... please ring me ;) Miss you all x

 

Amy: Apart from waking up this morning with no vision in my right eye it has been a great day J Not a good place to find out you're really allergic to mosquitoes! Weather has been such a blessing again and the children continue to keep us laughing and on our toes. Already realising how difficult it is going to be saying goodbye to them all! Team remains strong with great friendships between everyone. Have seen how there is such a huge difference between all the rules we constantly think about in England compared to the freedom here in Romania- especially with the roads! Another brilliant day with a brilliant God.

 

Katherine: The sun has got his hat on :D Huzzah! Kids are amazing...although a little wild! And many of them are depressingly good at English, which makes communicating a lot less difficult than you'd imagine! Basically, loving life in Teliu but I do miss English food!

 

Ioana: Today I read out the wrong Bible story! But nevermind, it meant we read the correct one out again after lunch! Both stories in Luke 18 so it was understandable. Overall, I'm enjoying being back in Romania, although some have told me that when I read in Romanian I speak with an English accent! So looking forward to my family coming here on Friday... especially they all now follow Jesus as their Lord! The other day, I found out my brother and 3 of his ex drug addict friends got baptised together... it's amazing!

 

Roger: got up early to continue correcting the roof... it rained! So instead I prepped the sandwiches for the kids, and later on prepared an appreciated English meal for the team. This was finished off by Tara whilst me and the boys were on the roof this afternoon as soon as the kids left. Up early tomorrow and on the roof again before they arrive (hopefully)

 

Simon: a great team and a great day... thank you for all your prayers. So sorry we haven't blogged many photos but we will have a great display once we get home. Please pray for us tomorrow, a day about forgiveness! Bless you all. And if you have time, please start praying for the kids' holiday and youth holiday starting in 10 days!