We got up this morning to a cloudy, cool day.  After so many hot days, it was refreshing to walk outside. There was a thick cloud cover and a forecast for rain.  We prayed for good weather and successful days at the clinic.

Our team was assigned to the small community church at Bodesti.  This was a small wooden structure sitting effectively in an old man’s yard behind his house and next to his livestock area.  As with the other clinics, people were already waiting in this small courtyard area.

In this location, the children’s workers had to walk through the livestock area to get to a part of the pasture where we were allowed to work.  We had very specific boundaries between the garden, a haystack and the livestock area.  We even improvised a shelter with the parachute in case it rained before we needed it for games.

In the afternoon, it began to rain.  The pharmacy needed a cover to prevent the medicines from getting wet so we lost our parachute.   So, we gathered the children together under a tree and sang, told them the story of Philip and went back over our earlier story about Jarius.

The coolest and most worshipful part of the day happened at the very end.

It was pouring down rain

We had huddled together in a group with about 5 children.  The others had left due to the rain.  Under two umbrellas, Irina was playing “How Great is Our God” while fighting a losing battle trying to keep rain out of the guitar.  We as leaders were singing in four part harmony while the children were huddled in the middle. Irina and Bettina were singing in Romanian and Miranda, my niece, and I were singing in English.  Stefan, a little boy that had been there most of the day, put his arm around me and just looked up at us while we sang.  It was a wonderful, worshipful moment.

Then the rain and thunder got heavier and the adults came to get the children.  Stefan started to leave with his umbrella but then he suddenly turned around and said that he wanted to pray. Just like the day before, it turned out that he didn’t know HOW to pray, so Irina led him in a prayer and then she helped a few other children to pray.

What an awesome way to end the day! I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Today was another tiring but great day!

Instead of working at one location, our team was split into two teams working in two different villages.  Our team went to Bicaz Ardelean, the same church we were at on Sunday.  The other team went to Damuc.  Between the two locations our teams saw 327 patients and had 18 professions of faith!  According to our Romanian counterparts, this is a new record for the number of people seen.

But, there is a downside to this many patients.  We have run out of several medicines. We are working on a method to resupply those medicines so that we can continue to meet the medical needs of those that come to the clinics.  Please pray that the monies and the supplies will come together.  The clinics are being overwhelmed by those needing to see a doctor and get help.

Initially, I was to work doing evangelism in the clinics.  But, our location was extremely busy so my translator was pulled off to do some coordination.  This actually ended up being great.  I helped with the children’s ministry. I was so blessed by working with those kids. They are so amazing and wonderful. Playing games with them, going through lessons and listening to them ask questions was so cool.

The most powerful thing for me today came from a little girl named Elena.  At the end of the day, we were going back over the story of Zacchaeus.  Irina, our Romanian counterpart with the children, was linking this story back to how we should be seeking Jesus. She then began using the rest of the volunteer leaders as examples.  She turned to me and asked me, “Greg, do you want to learn more about Jesus.”

I replied, “Yes, of course.”

She then turned to the kids and asked (in Romanian), “Who would like to pray for Greg to learn more about Jesus?”

This sweet little girl Emma quickly raised her hand.  Irina asked a few more questions and then asked Emma if she was ready to pray. Emma suddenly turned shy. After a short discussion, Irina was able to learn that Emma didn’t know HOW to pray.

She had never prayed by herself, much less out loud. She said she didn’t know what words to use.

So, Irina asked her if she would pray by repeating what Irina said.  She agreed but only if her brother would also pray.

Irina began praying and this sweet little voice began praying for me.  Tears came to my eyes as I realized that this little girl from Romania was praying her first prayer out loud and it was for me.  It was so humbling.

Memorial Day has become the unofficial starting holiday to the summer season.

The original purpose of the day was to stop and remember those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Please stop and pray for the families of those who have fought to defend freedom.

Sorry for not providing an update in quite a while.   Things have just been a whirlwind lately.

I’m busy at work trying to get some things in place before I head overseas.  Plus, we’re trying to finalize all the details related to the Romania trip.

That’s where the good news comes in!

The Yard Sale was a HUGE success.  Thankfully, the Yard Sale was the same day as a bake sale and car wash also being held at the church.  Each of our events drew traffic which benefited the other groups.  So how huge was the success of the Yard Sale?

We had people stopping by and buying things as we were setting up.  At then end of the day, we had earned enough to cover the remaining cost related to the trip!!

SO….a HUGE THANK YOU to those that donated materials, bought items or simply made financial donations!!  Your support means so much and I cannot wait to share with you about the trip and the lives that will be impacted.

Beyond the Yard Sale, a number of individuals have donated specifically for medical supplies.  The cost of the medical supplies is the single largest expense for the trip – and one of the most important.  Thank you to those that felt led to help with these expenses.  So many people will be helped in the medical clinics.

Now…we’re in the final countdown!

June 10 is just around the corner.

Now we’re packing, finalizing supplies, confirming travel plans and tying up loose ends.  As a side note, due to the continued activity of the Iceland volcano (which I will not even try to spell here), the leadership decided to purchase travel insurance for the team members.  This will cover travel disruptions and provide us with food, lodging and flight assistance if the volcano begins erupting and closes airports throughout Europe. Please pray that we’ll have safe travel to, during and back from Europe.

Thanks again for all your support and prayer.

This “trailer” was put together by North Point Community Church.  If you’re involved with the planning or technical parts of a Sunday service, it’s hilarious.

I think it’s convicting at the same time.

Have we created a blueprint for our worship / teaching experiences?

What do you think?