IHG News Page

2003 Team Chronicles
Days 7-8

Written By Team Member Ramona Lewis

View Other Days: 1-2 | 3-6 | 7-8 | 9-10 | 11-12 | 13-14 | Other Pictures

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

MONDAY, June 17, 2003

This was our first “work day”….and we hit the ground running! And we hit it EARLY!! I don’t know what time the sun rises in Romania , but it’s already up and shining at 5:30 . It was still daylight at 9:30 tonight. And at the days end, my adrenaline was pumping to the extent that I suggested someone tie an anvil to my feet just to keep me on the ground. (smile)

After breakfast here at the Hotel Bistrita, the construction guys headed out to Sarata . They were chomping at the bit, ready to begin their work project. The church building still has a long way to go before completion but I can promise you that when they pack up their tools to leave they will have made a significant inroad toward that end. Much of the morning was given to assessing the needs, and deciding how and where to begin with the materials at hand. By the end of the work day at 5:30 , a big portion of the framing on which to hang sheetrock was in place and insulation was stapled between studs and rafters. Working along side our 5 guys are Pastor Tico, Demitri and Victor (the accordion player). Demitri and Victor are gypsy Christians.

BIBLE SCHOOL BEGINS

Much publicity was given to the village about us coming and the Bible School for the children was promoted in particular. Permission to use the school building was granted. This is an excellent facility (considering the choices) and the response on the first day was approximately 100 children ranging from age 2 to 14. One mother brought her baby in arms and one 16 year old boy and one 18 year old boy came. The children were divided by age groups.

[Team Members] Linda Batson, Janet Wright and Romanian interpreter Ioana [Joann in English] worked with the 2-6 year olds. [Team Member] Diane Buie was assisted by two beautiful young ladies named Ligia and Daria and they worked with 7-9 year olds. The 11-14 year old group was led by [Team Members] Patty Lawton, Alec Williams and their interpreter, Adela, who is Pastor Tica’s daughter. Another Romanian interpreter who is absolutely an essential is Manny, short for Emanuel. [Manny] was a clown and he floated between the groups and was loved by all of them. [Team Member] Shay Felknor is directing the games and doing photography.

At 10:00 this morning we held a dedication/kick-off ceremony. The principal from the school came and welcomed us and expressed her appreciation for our coming to work with the children. The mayor had promised to come but he was a no-show. However, the newspaper of Bistrita sent a reporter to cover the story . It will be interesting to see how he presents it. [Team Member] Alec dressed up as a clown. We all agreed it was a vast improvement. {just kidding, Alec!}

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

At four o’clock the Sarata women met for Bible study. I was told to expect from eight to ten women to come. I was praying for twelve. Eighteen came. The time frame set aside for the study was from 4:00 to 5:30 . I had to excuse myself at 5:45 because my ride back into town was waiting. I can’t tell you with words what that experience with those gypsy ladies means to me. WE COMMUNICATED!!! Some do not read nor write, but their desire to learn is fuel to my fire. We began our study together on the Name of Jesus. They were so attentive and receptive, both to me and to what I had to say. I made 18 new friends. They each in turn told me their names and I repeated the name. You should have heard my slow southern tongue trying to say words with vowels that are nonexistent in the English language. It was a HOOT!! But they were forgiving and encouraging and laughed at me a lot. The gypsies have a language of their own, beside Romanian. [They are not truly Romanian, their roots are in India .] Life has not been kind to the gypsies. They are not use to people embracing them, not physically nor emotionally. Many Christian groups have come to minister to the Romanian people but the few who have ministered to the gypsies have done it at a distance. The only response I can make to that is they surely have missed a blessing. I just hope and pray that these ladies see as much Jesus in me as I see in them. At the mention of His name, their faces radiate. The desire of their heart is for the gypsy people to know Jesus. Being a Christian is not easy in this village. The resident priest intimidates the people and encourages them to shun the Christians.

View Other Days: 1-2 | 3-6 | 7-8 | 9-10 | 11-12 | 13-14 | Other Pictures

...Go Back to Team Missions...