My colleagues who teach missionary kids at Bucharest Christian Academy played an integral role in producing and directing the Seussical musical this past weekend with many of the kids at the school. They did a fabulous job. For such a small school, the production was quite impressive. They rented a small theater in a city park and put on a few perfomances after months of planning. I'm sure the kids had a blast. I especially loved the Seuss hair-do's :)
On April 4, 2010 (Easter Sunday), over 1,300 young people, members of Faith Church celebrated Resurrection Sunday in Budapest, Hungary. Our youth group here in Bucharest enjoyed this video. I have been to this square many times, but have yet to see this!
By now you probably have all heard about the volcanic eruption in Iceland that has disrupted air traffic across Europe. Today I read that the clouds will enter Romanian air space so Bucharest's two international airports have canceled flights. Romania has a very efficient code alert system and will monitor air quality and make announcements if it is code red, yellow, orange, etc. Many Romanians returning form Easter vacations have been stranded at airports across Europe. The volcano is still spewing out ash.
While in Târgu Mureş, I got to visit a salt mine with friends near the city of Turda. It was INCREDIBLE! You have to climb down lots of stairs and two large elevators to a huge cave complete with a small lake. I felt like I was in the Phantom of the Opera's laire. They have invested millions of euros in the project and it shows. Here are some pictures. All the more evidence that Romania is really a hidden treasure. SOOO many cool things to see.
Photos courtesy of ropedia.ro
This past weekend I participated in the national youth conference "Peniel" in my favorite city Târgu Mureş. The theme was "transformation." I went with several friends and helped a youth pastor put together a workshop on moving from spectator to participant. In addition, I helped find housing for youth that came from other regions of Romania, because I have many friends and contacts here in this beautiful city. Many Romanian youth have come to form a relationship with God through these conferences. May God continue to bring transformation to the lives of Romanian youth so that they would live each and every day for HIM!
Spring has certainly arrived in Bucureşti and I cannot tell you enough how excited I get to see foliage! Leaves on trees, flowers, I just love it! Hence, my favorite color is green!
Christ is Risen! Let us rejoice. 
Some things seen in Romanian households over Easter: handpainted eggs, and lots and lots of lamb
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!
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.
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.
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!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.
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.
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!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
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!
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! 
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!
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!
