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2003 Team Chronicles
Days 9-10

Written By Team Member Ramona Lewis

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June 17, 2003 Continued and MORE!

There is no way this day could have been a better one for this team! The weather is as near perfect as we could ask, every effort is being made by the facilitators to enable us to do our tasks, the interpreters are fantastic, the team could not be more cooperative with each other and the participation of the village people exceeds all expectations!! It just goes to show that when we do our part by being obedient, and we let God do His part of being in control, it makes for a winning combination.

Unfortunately, my very little bit of knowledge about computers and online communication resulted in half of my last journal entry being lost somewhere over the Atlantic . So I’m picking up where it left off.

In Bistrita at First Baptist Church , [Team Member] Libby Wooten met with the ladies (sisters) for their Bible Study from 6:00 to 8:00 . To quote Libby, she says” It was a beautiful sight to see the ladies as they arrived, some faces familiar and some new to me. We had a total of 20 ladies, 2 translators and me. Also we were honored with the presence of the pastor.” Libby is on her seventh trip to Bistrita so this is kind of a homecoming for her. She is leading a study on the subject of God’s love and how it can change our lives. Libby adds, “I am so blessed to be here. Thank you to all who have supported me with your prayers.”

It is evident by the reception Libby received when we arrived that she is much loved. It is also evident why she is much loved. She loves much and is a good example of God’s love living in her.

REVIVAL

Worship services are happening every night this week at Sarata. We are meeting in the school. Alec preached tonight. Once again we heard the wonderful gypsy music. And once again they lifted their voices and hands in praise to God. I heard my name called out in a gypsy sister’s prayer, asking God to fill me with His Spirit so that I may teach them from His word. All I can add to that is AMEN!!

The American brothers and sisters were asked to sing and we sang “Amazing Grace.” While we may not have sounded like EFBC sanctuary choir, we weren’t half bad. The Romanians and the gypsies know all the old church hymns as well as we do. We sang “In the Sweet Bye & Bye” as a congregational hymn, they in their language and we in ours. It may have been a cacophony of sound to those in the vicinity, but I’ll bet it was music to God’s ears! [Team Member] David Wright gave his testimony tonight, sharing how God has moved and worked in his life. Then we were closed with prayer from an elderly, stooped Gypsy brother. And, beloved, you haven’t heard the Lord’s Prayer prayed the way Jesus intended until you have heard a gypsy pray it! There was nothing habitual about it. I was lifted and deposited at the very throne of God!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

P.S. We had a man come into the service just before the preaching started. He said that he had heard the singing and wanted to see what was going on. He was invited to stay but he declined, stating that he had his cow with him and he needed to take her on home. Alec told him that it was ok, the cow was welcome too.

Tuesday, June 18, 2003 ANOTHER DAY OF EXCITEMENT

THE SECOND DAY of Camp Joy went as smoothly as oiled machinery. Everyone agrees that the interpreters ARE that oil. Of course, the months of preparation and planning that [team member] Diane and her team put in before coming has to count for something! The number of children increased today to well over one hundred and some of the adults are coming to just observe what is happening. One thing that has surprised and delighted the children’s team members is how well-behaved the children are. They listen attentively to the stories. And just like children the world over, they love music, love to sing, love to get their faces painted and enjoy making their crafts. But more than anything else they respond to the love they feel from the workers. There is a little 7 year old girl named Ramona. She is blind. She was born with a little sight in one eye but when her father learned that they could get money from the government if she was totally blind, he totally blinded her. A little brother leads her around and takes care of her. She loves to sing the songs and loves Alec. They became friends last year when Alec was here so she clings to him everywhere he goes.

[Team Members] Janet Wright and Linda Batson were teaching the children signs and movement to a song, but of coarse, Ramona couldn’t see them, so Alec took her hands in his and moved them the way they should go and she was delighted. [Team Member] Patty Lawton laid Ramona’s hand on her face and she talked into her hand and let her feel her lips move, then she placed the little hand on Alec’s face and let her feel the shape of his face. When she felt his nose, she burst out laughing!

[Our] construction team is making progress. A local sheetrock hanger, who was disappointed when he was told by the gypsy brothers there was no (paid) work for him, has been hired by two of the team members. He works for fifteen dollars a day and has been a “God send,” according to [team member] Rod. Pastor Tico told Danni, our Romanian facilitator, that he was overwhelmed with our construction team. He did not expect people who wanted to work so hard! They have a story about a gypsy who was supposed to work in the field. When the boss came by his house and saw the gypsy sitting under the tree in the shade, he asked, “What is this? Why are you not working in the field? Why are you just sitting down?” The gypsy answered, “My shovel is broken.” So, these guys have an inside joke. If one of them sees another not working at the moment, they say “Is your shovel broken?” Much more than walls and ceiling is being constructed inside that building!

The [Ladies] Bible study sessions continue to be well received. The starting time for the Sarata meeting is 4:00 but the ladies do not get there until about 4:20 . I was wondering if we should change the time to 4:30 so I asked them about it. They answered no, that they would try harder to get there earlier. I learned that they have to come in out of the fields, put on their church clothes and come for Bible Study. Then they go back home, go back to the fields and finish their work. THEN they come back to revival service at 7:30 . Now if that is not sacrificial on their part and humbling on my part, I don’t know what is! PRAYER: Lord, that I may have the hunger for and the understanding of your word that I see in my gypsy sisters.

The services each night are well attended. We have new faces each night. The services last two hours, one hour is for singing, and one hour is for testimony, prayer and preaching. [Team Members] Rod Lewis and Patty Lawton gave their testimonies on Tuesday night and [Team Members] Allen Clark and Patrick Patterson on Wednesday night. Patrick said that when he leaves here he wants to be remembered as the man who had no broken shovel!

Doug Humphries had an opportunity given him unexpectedly today when a man’s donkey cart broke down in front of the church building. He was very upset but Doug assured him that he knew where to go to get help, which he did. He went to our men; the man was helped and sent on his way. But during the waiting time Doug told him about Jesus and how much He wants to help him and the man listened and prayed to repent and believe. We know that God is working. Just being Americans and coming to this village is a curiosity and gives us a chance to plant seeds of love. The time of harvest is not ours to determine. Please continue to pray that we will be faithful seed sowers.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

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