Hello!

We are back safely from Romania. It was an incredible trip. I think all of us walked away deeply touched by the people there and the needs. It the first time any of the staff or the students had been to Eastern Europe so it was neat we go to experience it together. I think all of us were impressed how much easier it is to share the gospel there than in France. First off, most people believe in God, where in France that is not true. The Orthodox church is big there so most people think that since they go to church they are Christians. After explaining the gospel to one girl (in the 2nd picture with glasses) she said "I think I am starting to understand the purpose of life." I was blown away by her comment. It was a spiritual breath of fresh air to be in a country not as hardened as France. One girl involved in ministry there said they have about 1-3 people a month accept Christ, if not every week. What a difference from France. I thought about staying there because it seemed so much easier, but I know God doesn't value easy and He wants everyone to hear about Him, including the French.

Then we spent some time in the orphanages there. It was sad and eye-opening to see all the poverty there. So many kids without parents! Very sad! One orphanage we were at I saw 4 bunk beds in a room. Eight beds in one room with girls about 10 years old. A little different from how I grew up. The group we were with, Children to Love, ministers in the government run orphanages. Some of them were better than others. We brought socks and other gifts for the kids, but the CTL staff said to not give it in some of the orphanages because the staff there just steal it from the kids. Can you imagine stealing from a 5 year old orphan!?!

It definitely reminded us of how blessed we are to have what we have. Keith and I kept wondering why wasn't that us, why weren't we born there. The only answer we came to, was that we were born with what we have to be a blessing to others not to serve ourselves. After all we have a God who emptied Himself out for us and made Himself nothing on our behalf.

The gray haired man is actually Josh McDowell. He was in Romania doing an outreach related to sex and than at church on Sunday he spoke about the historical validity of the Bible. We were all excited to see him (the Americans in our group, the French didn't really know who he was, but the enjoyed his talk). Then the students I met on campus and then doing collages with the orphans. If you look closely you may be able to see LeBron James on the green paper, thanks to Keith.