7.17.10
Hi America -
This is Kim reporting on the happenings in Romania.
As you know, last week we worked with the village children. These are children that live in extreme poverty...and after camp was over last Saturday, we were blessed with an invitation to come visit some of these children in their homes. Last Sunday, we pulled up to their village and many of the children were already waiting for us. As we toured their homes (which these families were so proud to have us see) other children showed up. We got to tour their homes and gardens and in one home, there was a picture of me and a boy that was taken last year displayed. In another home, a picture of Dave Jones and a boy from last year was also displayed. It just showed us how much our camp and their experiences mean to them.
On a fun side note, on Sunday we all got to go to Dracula's castle. I mean, really, you can't go to Romania - Transylvania specifically - and not go see Vlad the Impailer's castle!
This week we have been working with the boys from the placement center. It has been a special week - and the boys couldn't be more fun. It has been a busy, but relatively calm week.
We have learned this trip to trust in God. It was hard at first - I mean, we have a really small team and I think we were all a little freaked out by that - but you know what...we didn't need anymore than five. Both weeks have run smoothly. One of our suitcases full of crafts and supplies was left behind in Washington...and you know what - we didn't need it! On Wednesday night, we lost all power...it came on just in time for evening worship and then once we finished, the power went back off for the night. So far, God has given us what we need and had provided an amazing camp experience.
Romania is a truly special place. God's hand is here...His blessings are evident. There is sooooooooooooo much we are learning and taking home with us...experiences, knowledge, wisdom...it has just been an inspiring time.
Sherelle and Kenny have been stretched and have grown in their experiences. They have both fit right in and have just jumped in to loving the kids. Tony, Crystal, and I have been having a blast reconnecting with kids both weeks. We are are blessed by two amazing Romanian leaders Petry and Marchel. It has been wonderful getting to know these leaders better and their teams.
I can't wait to come back next year. I have always wondered...why come to Romania? Can't I do the same thing (camp and working with kids) in America? This trip has really shown me why I am here. You just have to see it. The seeds that have been planted in past years are not only growing, but blossoming. This place is going to explode with Christ's love. There is NO WAY I'm going to miss watching the revival that is taking place here. These kids and these people are so special I couldn't imagine not coming back for years to come.
Kim
7.13.10
What a blessing this trip has been. There is so much good going on that it is almost hard to imagine.
Kim gave her testimony tonight, and what a message. It was a blessing to all those present.
Tony has a very special touch with kids and he is able to connect on a level that will impact them for the rest of there lives. I have grown to appreciate him immensely.
Sherrelle has been absolutely wonderful. Working through her fatigue and impacting many lives in the process.
Crystal has been amazing. I have been impacted on many levels by her amazing faith in what the Lord can and will do in these kids lives.
This has been a life changing experience for me. I am believing that this team has a special touch, one that is ordained by the lord. The Lord continues to be faithful in all things.
May Gods Love impact you at home in a special way.
From Romania
7.10.10
WOW!! What an AMAZING first week at camp with the village kids. Crystal reporting here to tell you the ins and outs of the end of our camp week.
All I can say is I am awe struck at the faithfulness of the Lord at this place. Last year when we were here I came to care deeply about the kids from the villages but this year I have fell deeply in love with them. At least half of the kids that came were returning from last year, some of them relationships had already been started to be built upon. There was one boy in particular that really stuck out to me last year. His name is BuBu and he is 15. Last year he was just too cool for all of us, but this year he had changed. You could see it in his face and he completely wanted to be around where we were.
I am going to try and keep this short but there is a bit to tell you so please be patient with me because I want to be sure to express to you the amazing gift that the Lord bestowed upon us this week. We found out that it had been raining everywhere in Romania except the area where we meet for camp this past week. That in itself was a blessing from God because without good weather it really puts a damper on our games and activities we have planned.
Every single one of us shared our testimony this week and it was powerful. Sherelle went around the room that we meet in and prayed over every single chair in the room. And here is the beginning of what the Holy Spirit really set out to do at camp. Thursday night, there was a group of about ten kids that met with the Romanian team that had decided they wanted to give their life to Christ. They talked to the Romanian team about the challenges in doing so. By Friday evening I am telling you for lack of better words, there was like a spiritual revival that took place upon the children. By the time the evening worship service was over, I looked over and one of the teenage boys was sobbing. Petry and I took him into the back room and prayed over him. He stated that he could not remember the last time he cried and really felt that God must be doing something in his heart because it felt like something was taking place in his heart that he couldn't understand. The Romanian team had been working with him that week, he had been raised Orthodox and never had understood the love of Jesus Christ the way that we had explained it. And asked for all of our team to continue praying for him. I adore this kid.
Upon leaving the room, there was a group of girls sobbing and Petry came over and comforted them by praying over them. Once we had them calmed down, we left the main room and there was just a row of girls crying over the hurts in their lives and we continued to pray over them. The Lord was at work you guys, that is all I can say. And it is in response to everyone's faithfulness. Please be praying that the Lord continues in His faithfulness as we anticipate the arrival of the boys from the orphanages this week. I am trusting in the Lord for great things.
We have an awesome team and I am blessed to be serving with every single one of them. They are all committed to bringing the Lord to everyone around this camp, and I cannot complain about any of their willingness to help. It is continuous, and I can say that this whole week, working along side the Romanian team, was in harmony. The Lord is good.
7.8.10
Sherelle here to give you an update on Camp of the Good Shepherd....
The children here are amazing and beautiful! The Romanian and American teams are working very well together.
I just finished sharing my testimony and pray God’s work in my life touched them. They kids did some great skits tonight and we had a blast playing water balloon volleyball. We have started to understand more and speak a little Romanian.
Ken and I where appointed name tag punchers, therefore are continuously surrounded by kids wanting to get their hole punch for the day. Ken shared last night and it was very powerful. He is enjoying getting to know them better and a helpful part of the team. I especially appreciate the espresso he makes for us.
Yesterday we had a great hike to get ice cream. It was fun to hold their hands and skip, run, and walk in this peaceful place.
Tony is having such a goodtime playing soccer, capture the flag, and cabin awards. He is so involved playing with the children and they adore him. He also did a "bad hair day" art project using the children's names as hair.
Kim is the camp first aid person and has been very busy getting ban aids and loving on the children. She also did a photo frame declapage project that turned out great.
Crystal is totally in her element! She has such a passion for these kids and has reconnected with kids she started relationships with last year.
Crystal and Tony are great team leaders. I am encouraged how our team can communicate and how well we all work together.
Thank you for making this trip possible and praying for us.
Blessing from the Romanian Go Team
7.6.10
This is Tony reporting on the "goings-on" here in Romania. Kim just finished giving her testimony--it was great. She shared about her walk with Christ and how she has come to love Him more and more. I gave my testimony last night and Ken is up tomorrow. We all are nervous before our testimonies, however we believe that it lets the children get to know us and hopefully they see the power of the Lord in each of our lives.
The weather has been a bit funny--lots of rain. We encountered such a fierce hail storm on the way to camp the other day we had to pull over. Because of the weather we have been very flexible with the games and crafts. We made the shirts today--though it was crazy with 60 kids at one time, I believe they loved it. Many of their designs are amazing, though we did have to rescue the drying shirts from the rain. We have been playing soccer, relay races, ping-pong and other games. I will be very sore tomorrow.
Ken and Sherelle are doing wonderfully. Ken is really working on his Romanian and bonding with the children. Sherelle is also bonding with the children and having a great time. They are both doing very well with all their tasks and bringing the love of the Lord to Romania. Last, Crystal is doing a great job leading the group. We are a fine-tuned oiled machine ready to change tasks, do devotion, or pray for diner at a moments notice. It was wonderful to see Crystal shine like she is. I believe she is at her element.
Before I go, I must tell you that the children are wonderful. Their smiles are heart warming and their enthusiasm for life is amazing given their circumstances. Also, I must give props the the Romanian team. What they are doing in this country with these children can only be inspired by the word of the Lord.
It is late, and my whole body hurts. God Bless all those who helped us get here, who prayed for us, and who continue to pray for us. We all look forward to the rest of camp. And you can be sure that each team member here loves and misses their families. Everyone is doing well and we are in great spirits.
On behalf of the group I bid farewell, much love, and the word of the Lord,
Tony
7.4.10
All of our flights went smoothly and we arrived in Bucharest around 1:30pm yesterday, arriving at camp around 8 pm. We are getting settled in and getting everything ready for crafts and games for this week. Had a bit of a problem on Friday, I forgot one of my pieces of luggage at home and we do not have it here in Romania. A very humbling experience. However, God is in contol and fortunatly, the bag I forgot had items that are easily replaced. Have a feeling that this is what camp is going to be about this week, letting God take charge of our schedule. ;) Not much more than that to report. Everyone is feeling well and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the village kids tomorrow morning. Love you all and will be in touch soon.
6.30.10
Tonight we commissioned the Romania GO Team. They are off to Romania to serve at the Good Shepherd Camp with Heart of Hope Ministries. Before they leave for Romania on Friday I wanted to introduce you to the team.
Crystal is leading the team of 5 to Romania this year. This is her second time on this trip and is looking forward to being reuniting with the kids she got to know so well last year. Crystal has a passion for missions and enjoys working with children. Therefore she feels God has called her to Romania for this season of life. She asks that we pray for strength for her mother who will be taking care of her three children (ages 3, 9, and 12) and for her kids. Please also pray that she and Tony will lead this team the Lord’s way.
Tony is co-leading this trip with Crystal. Going on this trip last year was a life altering experience for Tony. He hopes that by returning he would be an example of God’s love for the children, “I hope the children realize that God’s love does exist and people do care—even if they have to come half way around the world to prove it.” Please pray for his and Kim’s ability to connect with the children in a way that they make a connection or at least plant a seed of hope and love for our King, and that their return would mean something to the children.
Kim went on this trip last year and couldn’t imagine not returning. She thinks about the children “ALL of the time” and is excited to see how much they’ve grown over the past year. This year Kim will be stepping out of her comfort zone and sharing her testimony, no longer being able to stay under the radar like she did last year. Please pray for Kim as she shares her testimony as she has a fear of sharing things about herself. “I absolutely love Jesus and I will talk about Him constantly, but I NEVER tell people about what kind of personal relationship I have with Him or how He even came into my life”.
Sherelle is going to Romania for the first time. Ever since she heard Debbie Marshall from Heart of Hope share about Romania she knew God wanted her to be part of what He is doing with the Romanian children. Sherelle is looking forward to loving and serving the children and the fellowship she will have with the team. Please pray for her family while she is away (husband Monty and children Quinton & Serena, Marilyn & Chris, Gavin, and Alysa). Pray that she will be an effective tool, sharing Christ’s love and good news!
Ken is looking forward to stepping out of his comfort zone and learning more about himself. Please pray that he can share the love of God with the children.
Please pray for safe travels and health for the entire team.
