Youth involved in Missions

Youth at our church have taken the initiative to reach out and help families in need throughout Bucureşti. Each week various groups of youth (and a few people a bit up there in age as well) have been visiting families with all sorts of needs, handing out food, baby supplies, clothing, blankets, etc. The families identified are all people that our church has connections with--be it neighbors, colleagues, etc. We have been able to sit down and talk with the families about their struggles, needs, hopes, and fears. In addition, it has been a great opportunity for our church to be a presence in community in reaching out a helping hand. We have invited people to our church and some have even had the opportunity to pray with and for the specific families, ultimately sharing their faith. I am so proud of the youth at our church who have really initiated this outreach and do it with such passion and dedication. It is neat to see the ongoing effort to find and meet needs and to be a witness in this dark and lost city. Please pray that through our visits and material gifts, the love of Christ would be proclaimed.

Spring at Last!

We finally turned the corner and spring has arrived in Bucharest. Have already been in shorts too :) Everyone and their brother was out and about in the parks this past weekend. I am eager for foliage, flowers, and the beautful crab-apple trees that are all over the city to start blossoming. I love spring!
One of the parks in Bucharest has a bubble-ball that you can roll down the hill in--it's fun! They are also going to begin construction soon in building one of the largest waterparks in Europe in Bucharest. We'll see how it turns out!

Bible Club Outreach

This past fall and winter I helped out in a Saturday morning Bible club in a village about an hour-and-a-half north of Bucharest in Baicoi. The club consists of Bible lessons, songs, games, crafts, etc. Here are some pictures. Please pray for these kids, that they will grow to know and love the Lord.

Writing Bible Lessons

I have been quite busy as of late writing numerous Bible lessons suited for adolescents. Several churches in the city of Iaşi that I partner with have asked me to help them with their curriculum. It is a lot of work, but something I enjoy and I am glad to help. Pray that the lessons will draw the youth to a greater knowledge of who God is and ultimately a greater love for God.

What was that about Global Warming?

Winter just won't go away in Bucharest this year and people's patience is waning. Last week we thought spring had arrived, only to be bombarded with more snow and high temperatures below freezing. The weather experts say Bucharest has not had a winter like this in over 10-15 years. Usually we only have 2-3 days of snow, but this year winter has truly reared its ugly head. Come on spring!

Moving Ceiling in Metrou

Recently the city of Bucharest has been sprucing up metrou stops. This is the newly remodeled passageway between two major metrou lines in the center of the city in Piaţa Unirii. It certainly grabs your attention.

Bible Study with the Guys

On Saturday mornings, I have been leading a Bible Study with teenage orphan boys at a foundation in northern Bucharest. There are 30 guys all -together. They are quite sharp for their age and ask profound questions about truth, morality, the early church, etc. Recently we looked at some of the Nooma videos by Rob Bell. Please pray for me as I interact with this group of boys and try to lead them to a deep relationship with Christ.

Still One Big Slushy Mess

It continues to snow, melt, snow, freeze....and well, you get the picture of this winter in Bucureşti. It is pretty hard to walk around and the streets look like the street above--unplowed, making for a lot of slidding. We are all eager for spring!

DECEAN - Mă Închin

Here is a song I have been listening to lately from one of my favorite groups and thought I would share. A quick translation: I worship in your presence, where the angels sing, where power flows, where the Holy Spirit is shown and brings hope...yes for us it brings hope

Seară de Tineret (Youth Meeting-Night)

We have been having an excellent turnout for our youth meetings at church this semester. We are currently studying the book of proverbs--breaking the book up by topics. We started at looking at the difference between wisdom and craziness and last Saturday discussed what makes a wise man. Some conclusions: 1) A wise man is one who fears the Lord 2) The wisdom and ways of the world are craziness--and those who seek craziness will only live a life of craziness 3) A wise man who seeks the Lord receives divine advice through the Holy Spirit and God's Word 4) A wise man runs as far away from evil and worldly pleasures as possible and 5) A wise man lets God drive the car--gives up himself, and surrenders to God's control. Deep stuff! After our youth meeting we play games (phase 10, rummikub, Settlers of Catan, Risk) until we have to catch the last train on the metro system at night. It has proven to be an excellent mode to further deepen relationships and integrate new youth into our church and family. Please pray for our youth group as we study the book of Proverbs, that we would all seek God's face and the wisdom that only HE can provide!

As Seen in RO

Here is a sample of what many of our roads in Romania will look like this spring after a rough winter, lots of salt, and simple ware and tare. The European Union is pressuring Romania to improve its roads and quickly. Much transport gets clogged down passsing through Romania because of poor roads and few autostradas.
Would not want to live here!

Anca & Ionel's Wedding

On Saturday I sang several songs at Anca & Ionel's wedding together with my church music director, Slavic. It went well! We pray that God will bless Anca and Ionel. Anca is a social assistant who works at a Bucharest foundation working with orphan children. Ionel works in evangelistic ministries to areas in Romania that are yet unreached with the Gospel. Congratulations Anca and Ionel!

Blanketed in Snow

It has been snowing continuously in Bucureşti since Monday, making quite the mess. Now, I like winter and snow, but in Romania I much prefer the snow when I am out in the countryside or in the mountains. In Bucureşti? I hate snow. It is such a mess. Just yesterday my best friend and I had to shovel the car out of 5 different parking spaces (in Bucureşti you shovel yourself out and bury the person next to you. And since we park on sidewalks, there is absolutely no room to put the snow, so people bury their neighbor or throw snow in the middle of the road). People are falling down on sidewalks because the city does not shovel snow. I cannot wait for spring!

Louie Giglio - Laminin

This is part of a video that was shown in my church in Bucureşti on Sunday. Pretty incredibile! Please take a look. We truly are upheld, delivered, and saved at the cross.

A Little Sprucing Up!

The city of Bucureşti has been busy sprucing up the 10's of thousands of grey concrete bloc apartment buildings (built under the communist regime) that dominate the city's archetecture by giving them new coats of paint and resurfucing the exteriors. Believe me, it makes a world of difference and adds a little color to the grey jungle. Just check out the before and after shots.

Prayer Of The Children, David Archuleta

I stumbled upon this variation of one of my favorite songs that I sang in choir when I was in high school. It is a beautiful song and this rendition by David Archuleta (American Idol runner-up) honestly put me to tears. Bravo David!!! It made me think of the many children around the world living on a prayer. I hope you enjoy it.

Winter Retreat at Vatra Dornei

We had a great time on our winter retreat up at Vatra Dornei, skiing, sledding, playing games, and spending time in fellowship with the Lord and with one another. I led the lessons and small group discussion times on being authentic Christians and finding a place of service in the Church and in the community. We had 30 youth on this retreat. It was a blessed time and I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know some fresh faces a little better.

La Multi Ani Tuturor (Happy New Year Everybody)

I hope all of you have a very blessed 2010. I celebrated New Year's Eve with about 50 youth from my church where we prayed, reflected on the blessings of 2009, sang songs, and played a lot of fun games. The other night we also went ice skating...here are some shots. We have a lot planned for 2010, so please continue to hold me and my youth ministry team in your prayers.

A Blessed Time in Onești

This Christmas I was blessed to spend time with my friend Simon and his family. On Christmas Eve we went caroling all day from house to house and on Christmas Day I gave the Christmas message. I had a great time with the Costisanu family and thank them so much for their hospitality and friendship. Merry Christmas everyone!

Craciun Fericit!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around Bucuresti and Romania. The lights are on, the parks are full of carolers, treats, and the snow is falling daily. This Christmas I will be with my friend and his family in Onesti. I wish all of you a very blessed Christmas.
May Jesus be the reason for our rejoicing!

In Parcul Titan near my apartment