Be Anxious For Nothing

Be anxious for nothing my son, the battle's already won
My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you

Shouldn't take anything for your journey, I'll meet your every need
Don't worry about evil men now, I can always keep your mind in perfect peace

Be anxious for nothing my son, the battle's already won
My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you

Don't worry about tomorrow, go tell the good news today
Seek me, the kingdom of God now and all these things will be added unto you

Be anxious for nothing my son, the battle's already won
My peace I leave for you, my peace I give to you

Pray in my name and it will be done, seek and you will find
Give me your first fruits in everything and you will find the joy of this life

Be anxious for nothing my son, the battle's already won
My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you

de patru saptamani

pre shower scrub

Gabriella &I

Alannah & Gabriella

Naome

Melody & I

Timisoara

Ghita at the futbal game

It's certainly been a wonderful week. Updates to come later.

Hooverville Redux

I'm going to start with the two humping lesbian cows and end with the constant, pouring rain. The chronological order of our camping trip with the Day Center doesn't really matter because it was all ridiculous, and it all had the same result. I quickly realized that God's lesson for me last week was about my attitude - that's not to say I've been surrounded by perfection when it comes to the general attitude we have going on here, but more that in my desire to be realistic about a given situation, I often lose my ability to be encouraging. 

Pre Hooverville

I was immediately immersed in the up-to-date situation regarding the camping trip when I got picked up from the airport Sunday night. I returned to our apartment feeling overwhelmed instead of at peace with the situation, which, to my irritation, had crumbled during my absence. I spent the night unpacking and repacking, trying to wrap my mind around leaving for a camping trip I wasn't comfortable going on. Monday morning came too soon but Alannah and I felt ready for the week ahead and we embarked on what is easily the most bizarre week I have ever had.

Before we even got outside Timisoara city limits we had to make two store stops, switch vans, hit the market and check the Day Center for the missing pork grinds (go figure). Turns out, the rest of the guys were camping outside Iabalcea. Just the mention of Iosif's camp made me feel more at ease about the week ahead... until we pulled up outside. As I walked through the gate at Iosif's camp I was flooded with memories of summers passed - I stood to cry while looking at the handprints the kids made three years ago with the Pouncey's. My sense of peace crumbled while I stood there composing myself in the rain. We reassembled the troops and drove to a new campsite just outside of a town called Anina and were greeted by several grazing cows humping each other... all female. Later in the week, these same cows tried to bum rush our tents.

cow herd

The trip started on a low note. Maybe two hours in and Paul, the 25-year-old psychologist who works with the people at the Day Center came to find me while I was venturing to make my first drop off in the woods to tell me that Alannah and I were dressed inappropriately. "You may stimulate the men this way, do not misunderstand me," apparently in our offended facial expressions Paul thought he would explain to us how we're from a different culture and while in the States four layers of sweats and gym shorts are appropriate, in Romania this type of clothing is sure to give homeless men their jollies. I wanted to tell this guy that I'm not sure what world he's living in, but in the real world, guys who live on the streets have seen a lot worse than the small of an American girls' back between a hoodie and sweatpants while camping. Besides, I figured we owed these guys some credit. Anyway, turns out Paul was one giant chauvinist and we had many similar occurrences during our stay in the cow pasture.

Alannah babushka

It poured most of Monday, all through the night and in to Tuesday. Alannah and I quickly discovered that despite the size of our tent, it leaked from the bottom up. I know, it doesn't make sense, but you try waking up to puddles underneath your backpack, sleeping bag, clothes etc and explain it better.

It rained most of Tuesday, and I was really beginning to feel useless until the rain stopped and thanks to Paul's prodding, we sang for the guys. Tuesday night felt like a blessing next to the rain-soaked tent and uneventful afternoon spent staring blankly inside the tent. We were able to hear Ghita's story - at 26-years-old, he's a violent alcoholic with deep cut marks all over his body. But, like so many of the people I've had the opportunity to meet in this country, Ghita is a jack of all trades. There wasn't one moment during our week where I sensed any kind of withdrawal or anger on his part, it was as if he had no addiction problem at all.

cascada

Wednesday we were lucky enough to have a rain free afternoon, so we decided to hike to a "waterfall". The waterfall turned out to be a giant mushroom-shaped, moss-covered rock with water trickling down it, but we couldn't get mad at Zoli for trying to get us out of the tent. Zoli is easily the reason we were able to make it through the week relatively unscathed - he is a true man of God. We spent the afternoon at the waterfall, discovered a cave and then embarked on our seven kilometer walk back to the camp site just in time for the heavens to open up and again pour down on us. What a treat.

Despite what I would say were a lot of obstacles, each evening really made me feel like God had us on the trip for a reason. It was almost as if each night by the camp fire washed away the frustration of the day. By the end of the week I felt like even though I'd started with a bad attitude I at least had lent the men on the trip my voice - a gift that I'm too often afraid to share with others. 

everyone on the last day

The camping trip, which started out as a disaster, ended up being easily the most memorable time I've spent since we arrived in July. I always think it's funny the way we fight against things we don't want to do, but God just always seems to know what's best even when we think we know better. This week was certainly an unexpected surprise.

we no speak americano.

Saint Pierre

Looking down on Saint Pierre

I went to Italy last weekend to visit Lisa and her family.. Saint Pierre is a small village nestled in Valle D'Aoste in the Alps. The weekend was, in one word, a whirlwind. I wish that I had had more time to.. adjust. I felt like I was consistently faced with the question of, "Are you okay?" I must have looked pretty wide eyed the entire time I was visiting, which I'm not sure translated into gratefulness.

I was in awe the entire four days. As the plane flew over the Alps on my way in to Turin I found myself reading one of my favorite verses in the bible and tearing up over how blessed I am to have been able to travel as much as I have in the passed few years.

Italian Alps

I was lucky enough to spend my first afternoon zooming around on Lisa's new moped with her - She's still deciding on a name for the silver beauty. After landing midday Lisa and I took to the streets and I got to see the local color. A couple hours on the moped and I was feeling a bit loopy so we stopped by La Chateau for an aperitif with Ciccio (Lisa's dad).

Friday we spent most of the afternoon on a white water rafting trip down a river that goes through the entire valley. No pictures yet, but there is a disc of rather unflattering moments captured during our journey. We went to Rhemes Notre-Dame for the evening and made a delicious meal of mushroom ravioli and cheese!

Toma cheese is my new favorite.

Halfway up.

Saturday was by far the best day I spent in Italy. Lisa insisted we hike to Rifugio Benevolo which is a summit in the Alps. We headed out from their chalet in Rhemes to climb to the top and despite a woozy head from the lack of oxygen I'm proud to say I made it all the way up! Rifugio houses hiking enthusiasts during their excursions in the Italian part of the Alps - my treat was easily the best lasagna I have ever consumed for lunch.

The Rockies don't compare to the tiny hamlets stuffed in every nook and cranny in the Alps. Even though I loved Colorado and would gladly go back, there was something magical about walking around villages that have been around since before the United States became a union. I was lucky enough to have Ciccio there telling me all sorts of interesting historical facts about the area too.

At the summit

My last day was kind of a blur. We spent most of the day at a family reunion for Ciccio's aunt and all his cousins, but my mind was focused on making it back to Timisoara safely. I did get to try some new cheese and grappa before we left for the airport which was cool though. I think a good time was had by all. Ming told me it was nice to have a fresh face around for a bit, and while Morphin frightened me in his stupor and I probably didn't say thank you enough, it was a necessary break and a blessing to be able to visit a place that has been so near to Lisa's heart her entire life. I'm really glad she was able to share a little bit of that with me.

Ianova

This is the barn at Caleb where Cerbu and Nadine are building the boys home. I spent yesterday with Andrea, Cerbu and Zoli doing work inside the partially finished house. It was really the first day that I felt a sense of accomplishment by the end of the day.

I spent the majority of my time in one hallway spackling and sanding door frames, but the time to myself was a welcome blessing. Every so often Cerbu would come to check up on me and see how I was doing but other than that the day was spent jamming to his tunes while getting work done.

The land is absolutely gorgeous and the tour I got helped me to visualize what this place will someday be for a group of young men and their host parents. Cerbu and Nadine have created an incredible place for some very lucky young people here in Romania.

I'm coming to see how different it is to spend an extended amount of time here on missions. The focus isn't primarily on children for all the missionaries here because there are so many people who need help - but what I've discovered is how much I would rather be spending my time with children. Even though I'm thrilled to help in any way that I can, at the end of it all, I feel my efforts are best spent with kids.

I'm praying that the upcoming weeks will bring with them new experiences and be as full of learning as these first two have been. Tomorrow it's off to Italy for me and then when I get back we're going camping with the Day Center on a lake in an unknown [to us] location.