How Great is Our God

Many of you have asked me to post some Romanian Christian songs. This is one many of you will recognize: "How Great is Our God" by Chris Tomlin. This is sung by a Romanian group called "Ekklesia" and in Romanian is called "Ce mare eşti Tu". The translation is below:
The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

How's that for a moving truck?

It never ceases to amaze me what some of my fellow Romanians are able to pack onto their Dacia cars! Who said you need an SUV to carry the cargo :)!

Bucharest: In Need of a Revival

The city of Bucharest is divided into six legislative sectors, each with its own governing body. In a city of over 2 million people, there are just around 80 evangelical churches, or simply put, less than 1 percent of the population is evangelical Christian. Compare that to the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area in Minnesota, with over 3000 evangelical churches, and one of the best population to church ratios in the United States and you will see why Bucharest is in such need of a spiritual revival.

Ask anyone who works in Romania, and they will tell you that NOTHING happens either quickly or easily in Bucharest. The bureacracy is extensive and certainly has played a part in limiting church growth throughout the city. Some sectors, such as sector 6 above, have well over 100,000 people per evangelical church. That is simply not acceptable! It is extremely difficult in these European Union days for a church to obtain a building permit in Bucharest, and the price of land per meter is absolutely skyrocketing. All this has contributed to making Bucharest an extrememly dark city spiritually.

Yet I am convinced that better days are ahead for this city that was once called the "Paris of the East". This year I hope to be involved in some city-wide projects with youth pastors and church leaders to specifically pray over our city and to begin revolutionizing the evangelical churches in Bucharest to be not just a building or a group of people, but rather, a real PRESENCE in the community. Please join me in praying for a spiritual revival in Bucharest, for barriers to be knocked down, and for the light of God's grace to shine through.

Fulfilling a Lifelong Wish

This past week I was invited to speak at a camp near the city of Oneşti, Romania for a day to youth from a church I have a connection with in Târgu Mureş. I spoke on the role Romanian youth can play today in world missions, especially in Europe. The youth were an energetic bunch who seem to have a desire to be a part of church growth both in and outside of Romania. I had a great time sharing my testimony with the youth and listening to their stories. The campfire, complete with smores, was an added bonus.

Yet the real treat for me was visiting the city of Oneşti and the gymnastics training facility there. This city was home to Nadia Comăneci, the first woman to ever score a perfect ten in gymnastics, and who many (no, not just me) consider to be perhaps the best athlete the world has ever known. She was simply dominating at a time when gymnastics was at its prime--and well, she was perfect! It had always been a goal of mine to see for myself where she trained (although it has since been remodeled) and lived. I'm a huge Romanian gymnastics fan, and Nadia Comăneci was always one of my athletic heros. Today, the gym that Nadia, and her coaches, Bela and Marta Karolyi, made famous is now home to the Romanian National Junior Gymnastics Team. Watching 6-7-year-olds tumble and do all sorts of difficult moves was stunning. I was told that the girls who train here were chosen by the toughest and strictest of qualifications. These are said to be the next Romanian medalists. They are a very close community and train 5-7 hours each day. Their progress is evident and their workouts quite intense! Glad I don't have to do it. Anyway, here are some pictures of the camp campfire and of the gymnastics training facility.

A welcome campfire
A mosaic of Nadia is on the wall of the training facility

The outside of the facility, with a Nadia memorial

Romania: Where we Stand Today

Romania stands at a unique place in world evangelization. Currently, about 2.4% of Romania's population is evangelical Christian, with about 89-90% of the population identifying themselves as Eastern Orthodox Christians. This is an extremely "nominal" Christian population, of people who honestly never step foot in a church other than Easter or Christmas, while indulging themselves in every sort of sin imaginable the rest of the year. Still, Romania ranks in the top three countries (including Ukraine and England) in terms of European countries with the most evangelicals. Personally, I consider that both positive and depressing. To rank in the top three in Europe with only 2.4% of the population being evangelical Christian is pathetic and more a testament of the secularism and the fall of Europe. THERE ARE STILL OVER 10,000 COMMUNITIES IN ROMANIA WITHOUT AN EVANGELICAL CHURCH. Christianity has really shifted to the global south (Africa, Latin/South America). The LEAST evangelized continent in the world today is Europe. How times have changed!

This is why the country of Romania is so strategic in the world evangelism movement. Some of the largest churches in Europe are in Romania. For example, I am told, but have yet to confirm, that the largest Baptist church in Europe is in Oradea, Romania. Also, some of the largest evangelical churches in western Europe are Romanian churches (in Rome, Paris, Dublin, Barcelona, Vienna, etc.). Thus, other countries in Europe look to Romania with the hope that Romanian Christians will offer help.

Some Romanians have a vision for missions and are already involved in cross-cultural missions and church planting in neighboring countries. Praise the Lord! It is my belief that in Europe today, Romania is that city on a hill that cannot be hidden. God has prepared Romania for such a time as this to be salt and light to the people of Europe with the message of hope and eternal life in Jesus' name. What a contrast? A country so utterly oppressed and persecuted just 17 years ago under the ruthless regime of Nicolae Ceauşescu is now looked at as the evangelical Christian example and hope of Europe today!

Considering the current mobilization of the Romanian Church and the emerging missions movement, we here at OC International Romania feel the time is now to add kindling to the fire and promote Romania's role in furthering the cause of the Great Commission around Europe.

What are we doing:

• OC International has helped network the organizations that are promoting missions in Romania
• OC International has taught, trained and equipped Romanians for missions and taught in numerous evangelical churches throughout the country on the importance of missions. We are working to mobilize the troops here in Romania.
• OC International has written articles promoting missions and assisting in the broader Romanian missions movement.
• OC International distributes resources on missions used by local churches here
• OC International has mentored Romanian missionaries going out on the field

As you can see, there remains a lot of unfinished work! Please pray that God would send more people to attend the fields here in Romania and that Romanians will continue to respond to the call of the Great Commission!

A Taste of Romania

#1 The majestic watersThe Black Sea coast near Mamaia

King Decebal sculpted in rock along the Danube
Danube River

Fertile Valleys

Baraj pass on the Argeş river

#2 Medieval Castles & Fortresses

Hunedoara Castle

Peleş Castle in Sinaia home of Romania's King Carol

Bran Castle, legendary home of Vlad Ţepeş (Dracula)

Biertan Fortress near Sibiu

Rupea Fortress

#3 The Danube Delta

#4 Historic traditions, times gone by

Sheep herding

Interior of a traditional peasant home

The Merry Cemetary

In traditional folk costume

#5 ManasteriesBuilt into rock

Out of stone

Detailed paintings even on the outsideSuceviţa manastery

CODE RED!

The following article was found on http://www.hotnews.ro/ about the heatwave we've been under here in Romania recently. Today a Code Red was issued, making almost everything in the city shut down, with the government of Bucharest saying frankly, don't even bother going outside between the hours of noon to 6 p.m.--it's that hot! And the big cool down will mean we will DROP to 95 degrees Friday (woohoo) before rising to 105 and higher again next week. This is the most unbelievable heat I have ever experienced. And if you know me, you know I am already the most warm-blooded guy on the planet. We're just in survival mode here. So here's the article:

Romania sees over 50 degrees Centigrade in heat wave yet far from climaxRomania is hit by the second heat wave this year with official temperatures over 36 degrees Centigrade, meaning some 50 degrees in real terms on the streets of Bucharest. Two people died because of the heat on Tuesday in the Eastern region of Galati, taking the toll to 34 victims since the first heat wave in June."36 degrees is something one may be pleased with only if working in statistics or meteorology. For the people in the street, the reality differs... by some 14 degrees", Hotnews.ro reads.Covering a story about the heat wave, the reporters found over 50 degrees Centigrade in front of the Government's Palace and 43 degrees in the shadow across the street. Bus ticket booths, where employees get only 2 liter of water per day (which boils after the first hour), are at a mere 42 degrees.The weather continues to worsen, even higher temperatures being expected during the following days. A red code warning is possible, news say, but for the moment only the orange code was instated in 21 counties (roughly half of Romania).

A Great Day!

Saturday was an extremely special day, as I was privileged to participate in the wedding of my Romanian brother, Florin, and the love of his life, Ana. It was a beautiful ceremony, held at a Christian camp a few hours northeast of Bucureşti, with the lush, green rolling Romanian hills in the background. Despite the heatwave (was literally about 110 degrees outside), the ceremony was very nice and the reception too, because my best friend Cat and his band provided the music. I also sang some special dedication songs at the reception. By the end of the night, my very near and dear Romanian family and I were exhausted, having been involved in all the set-up, decorating, and tear-down. Please pray that Florin and Ana would have a marriage full of love, faith, and happiness, with Christ at the center. Here are some pics from the big day: Mr. and Mrs. Florin Tamaş

Best friends

With my Romanian family

The altar with the rolling Romanian hills in the backdrop

The chairs

Sharing their vows

In Romania, we don't mess around with wimpy candles!

I sang a few songs at the reception

We're Having a Heat Wave, Tropical Heat Wave...

Well, got back from the hills around camp back to the flaming furnace that is Bucureşti! We have had nothing but 100 degree weather for days now and next week will be even hotter--some are estimating over 115 degrees by Sunday. Yup, 115 degrees!!!!! About every 5 seconds I dump a water bottle over my head. This is quite the oven. It's hot, very, very hot! Even 90 degrees would feel like a cool down! I'm headed to the pool tonight! Everyone and their brother is either at the pool or headed to the seaside!

A map of the counties in Romania. The areas in orange are under the severest of heat index warnings--which happens to include where I live. Translation: don't even attempt to go outside!

Tabăra, Tabăra, Tabăra!

Well I returned from a successful few weeks at camp, full of Bible lessons, application, prayer, games, excursions, singing, campfires, and lots and lots of good, deep conversations. I am extremely honored to have prayed with several young adolescent boys to receive Christ in their hearts. And since we are all from Bucharest, I will be following up with them to walk them through the next steps (I've decided to surrender my life to Christ, now what??). One of the things I will be doing is talking to their pastors about the potential of starting a men's Bible Study with these boys and seeing when they can be baptized---exciting times! I always have a lot of fun at camp, but have to admit that it's exhausting. A lot of very long days and very little sleep. But the privilege of sharing Christ with kids at such a deep and intimate level is so rewarding. Based on the number of messages and phone calls I have been getting from the boys, I would say that we definitely made a lasting impression. Lives were touched for Christ and for that, eternity will never be the same. Praise be to God our Father who gives us all good things! Here are some pictures from the hoopla: It's always fun working with my buddy Cornelia. She leads the youth at a Baptist church in Bucuresti and we team up often to work in youth missions projects around Bucharest

Opening up the Word of God together with the kids, in addition to Raluca blowing her nose (hehe)

One of the girls' groups after re-inacting the story of the woman at the well

Everyone in the phone booth

One of our recreation activities was a video scavenger hunt between teams. This is my team's (the Nerds) attempt to take a picture with everyone in the air at the same time.

Me driving the bus in a drama

Off to Camp!

It's the summer time, so for me, that means it is summer camp season. It is always a privilege to work with youth, orphans, and young adults in Christian camps in Romania. My favorite times are simply the conversations I get to have with youth around a campfire or at meal times. Please pray that God will work through us to touch lives for Christ this camp season. I will be working at several different camps this summer. Please pray that God would also give me super-natural strength for the day to day activities. I'm already wiped out, so I will definitely have to really on the Lord's strength. Thanks for your prayers!

Unbearable Heat!

For the past several weeks, Bucharest has been nothing short of an oven and there have been numerous incidents of heat stroke. Just take a look at the weather map up above and look closely at Bucharest....106!!!!! And we are told this is nothing compared to what temperatures are likely to be in July. I think I'll move my desk to the sea side :)...And just to let you know an update on the heat, it actually reached 112 degrees! Wow!

Viaţa la Maximum

This week I will be working in a city-wide youth evangelism event called "Life at the Maximum" with several churches throughout Bucuresti. There will be a Vacation Bible School for kids in the parks every morning, teams who will be sitting down and talking to the elderly in the parks, sports evangelism events/tournaments, dramas,in addition to testimony sharing and concerts. I was a part of this event last year and was blown away by the ability of Romanian youth to sit and share Christ with those around them so openly and authentically. I cannot wait to see what God has in store this time around. I will be working on the teams who will be sitting down and sharing Christ with people in the park. In addition, I am volleyball captain :) As many of you know, you can never have enough time to play volleyball in your life :) Please pray that lives would be impacted eternally for Christ in this week and that through these activities, churches will be motivated to work together for God's kingdom more often in Bucuresti. Our theme for the event is quite simple: Jesus loves you and wants to have fellowship with you. A life lived to the maximum is a life in communion with Christ shared with those around you, your friends, colleagues and family.