Pork Anyone?

In Romania it is common for many people in rural areas to skin pork, or roast it on the fire. Here is a pic of some people cutting up the pork right in the bloc parking lot :)

Sweaters, Caroling, and Good Cheer!

On Friday I helped my friends deliver potato-sacks full of food and gifts to extremely disadvantaged families living in Bucharest and the children that were with us in camp last summer. We greeted the families with carols and delivered the beautiful hand-knit sweaters made by the people at Immanuel Church. It was perfect timing, as the weather has turned cold here and the warm clothing is much appreciated. Here are some pictures with the kids, who too would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all those who helped make their Christmas special.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

The lights are up across Bucharest, adding a lot of Christmas Cheer!

Fagaras Fortress

Fagaras Fortress and Castle were wholly built in brick. At present, the castle has 80 rooms, and the fortress is still surrounded by a moat which is deep and wide. At times of war or social unrest in the area, the moat could easily fill with water from a mountain brook nearby, whose course had been specially deviated to this purpose. The citadel was ranked among the strongest in Transylvania, standing in the way of Turkish and Tartar invasions. Its massive walls, towers and tall roofs are arranged in the shape of a trapezium with four corners provided with four large bastions. Access is made through a bridge over the defence moat. At the centre of the citadel stands the castle. It has three levels, i.e. basement, ground floor, first floor and five towers, i.e. the Red Tower, the Black Tower, the Prison's Tower, Tomori Tower and the Motley Tower.The exterior wall of the castle was erected in the first half of the 15th century. The castle was first mentioned in 1455, when Transylvania’s prince, Iancu de Hunedoara, appointed two lords to administer it.

As regards its style of construction, Fagaras Fortress belongs to the western system of fortifications used in the 15th century, and brought along to Transylvania as early as the 14th century. In 1539, Transylvania’s prince Stephen Mailath (1528-1541) partially rebuilt the fortress. Gaspar Bekes (1567-1573) had the moat made,strengthened the earthen exterior walls and resumed works in the northern wing of the castle. Stephen Bathóry (1575-1586) and Balthazar Bathóry (1589-1594) finished the second level of the northern wing, the third level of the southern wing and the loggia on the south side. It was Gabriel Bethlen (1613-1629) who brought along major architectural changes he built Italian style bastions and casemates, repaired the inner walls and reshaped the loggia on the south side in the Renaissance style.He turned the edifice into a fortified castle, with much the same its present-day aspect. Strongly influenced by the Italian Renaissance, Bethlen brought along architects and glass-makers from Italy, bestowing elegance and beauty to a construction formerly designed for merely military and utilitarian purposes. For a year (1599-1600), Fagaras Fortress was the residence home of Michael the Brave's family his wife, lady Stanca and their children. During the rule of Georg Rákóczi (1630-1649), the fortification of the castle was doubled and the moat was enlarged. Ráckózi had the bastions bridged and covered, the moat paved with stones, the bridge and the casemates repaired and a guard house built.The fortress had 33 commanders-in-chief between 1507-1848. During the Austrian-Hungarian rule, under the rule of Michael Apáfi, Diets were held there. After 1699, the fortress fell under Hapsburg sway; it was functional as a castle under Maria Theresa's reign (1740-1780); by the end of the 18th century, it was turned into military headquarters and barracks. The only changes that were made by that time were of a strictly military or utilitarian nature. As the castle and its fortress had fallen into disrepair, restoration works were carried out between 1965-1977. Since 1954, the castle has housed the Museum of Fagaras Country; it comprises sections of archaelogy, which render the evolution of the Fagaras borough; sections of history, which display Roman artifacts and a collection of medieval weapons, etnographic sections, which focus on artistic and folk crafts in the area. The museum hosts also a beautiful collection of glass painted icons made by Ioan Pop, Savu Moga, Matei Simfonea alongside recent ones, made by archimandrite Timotei Tohaneanu from Sambata de Sus monastery.

Romanian National Day

The first of December is Romanian National Day, celebrating the unification of the Romanian regions in 1918 in the city of Alba Iulia. Each year they have big parades and celebrations throughout the country and this year was no different with the annual military parade through the Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest. It was a cold day with freezing rain, but we all celebrate our great country. Long live Romania! I hope you celebrated :)

Discovery Bible Studies

This fall I was able to participate in a conference about building small groups concentrated on Bible Study and building a Christlike DNA. I had never been at a conference that was SO biblical. Every day we sat in small groups and studied God's word. Nothing more, nothing less. In each session, we were given several Bible passages and then asked to take a piece of paper and divide it into four columns. In the first column, we would write out the ENTIRE Bible passage we were studying. Tedious? Yes. But the idea is that once you have to copy and write something out, you tend to concentrate and process that much more. So, in the first column we would write out the entire passage. In the second passage, we would then REWRITE the passage in our own words as if we had to tell someone else exactly what happened in the story/passage. This is NOT interpretation, but rather, a retelling of the story in different words. In the small group one guy wrote in column two (a very theological pastor) that, "salvation comes only through God." As a group we responded that we agreed, but where did he get this from the passage. Hence, the idea is to re-tell the story and not interpret it. In the third column we would write two to three "I will" statements with the idea of obedience. For instance, "after reading this material, I will do a), b) or c). In the fourth column, you would write what the passage teaches about leadership, or note if there was any promise given. After completing this process, we would discuss as a group what we wrote, what we learned, etc. It is a very SIMPLE process that includes community action questions and Biblical DNA principles. We will be piloting this approach in small groups in Romania. Already in areas like India, this form of study has already produced over 30,000 groups! Please pray for God to raise up a new generation of people hungry for His Word.

Us Crazy Romanians

Apparently a Romanian working in Rome recently got fined 160 Euros for diving "spectaculousy" several times from the famous Fontana di Trevi. The Romanian was showing off his acrobatic gymnastic skills and wowing the crowds of turists, but I guess it had a hefty price. I would have at least loved to have seen his dives :)

Kairos Course

My colleagues and I have been busy teaching a course to Romanian youth that gives an introduction to the global missions movement and God's heart to see all peoples from every tongue, tribe and nation worship and glorify His name. The course covers such things as missions history, the Abrahamic covenant of Genesis 12 (where God promises Abraham that He will make his name great and that his descendants will outnumber the grains of sand), missions strategies, and cultural adaptation among other things. This particular group of youth are on fire for the Lord and we have been encouraged to see the participants process the material and seek ways that they can greater partner to see the Great Commission fulfilled.

Political Tensions

There has been much political turmoil in Bucharest these days as the minority parties in Parliament recently tried profusely to pass several "no-confidence" motions against the Prime Minister Emil Boc (pictured left) and President Traian Basescu, both of the ruling PDL (Liberal Democrat) party. Romanians are growing increasingly restless with the government's inability to tackle pressing issues, and much like in the US, the ruling party is being pummeled in the polls. Just a few years ago, the Parliament impeached current President Traian Basescu, but he was reinstated on a national referendum and then re-elected last year. Romania is in a major crisis, as prices continue to rise, but salaries are being slashed. The government has asked those on their pension to accept a significant reduction of almost 50 percent--and many have claimed that the pension salaries were already "scandalous." All of this led to over 30,000 protestors, mainly union employees to march upon the Parliament last week in massive protest demonstrations. Please pray that the government of Romania would address the needs of the people and for stability in this turbulent time.

Sheep on the Interstate

Gotta love the sheep in the passing lane on the Bucharest-Pitesti autostrada! :)

Roma Deportations

In August, the French government decided to aggressively deport it's Roma (gypsy) population mostly to Romania and Bulgaria. Thousands of Roma people are being rounded up, put on buses or planes and sent back to Bucharest--many uncertain about their futures. The Romanian government has called the deportations a violation of the European Union Human Rights laws. Sarkozy and the French responded by saying that any independent country has the right to deport someone without proper documents. It's a complicated mess--since many of the Roma don't even have proper Romanian documents--many children without birth certificates. Traditionally a nomadic people, the Roma themselves immigrated to Romania and today Romania has the largest Roma populaton in Europe. They are much maligned and discriminated against in Romania--many Romanians frustrated by the image the Roma people have created of Romania abroad. Thus, it will be interesting to see how these deportations play out.

New Insights

I was really challenged at a recent conference to think about the CHURCH. Here are some thoughts to consider:

• A definition of "ministry": God's people answering the prayers of the nations.
• A church that is not "replicating" is not a church, but rather a Christian "club".
• How much of our traditions is hindering people from discovering Christ?
• If you have never forgiven someone for a DEEP wound; if you have never RECEIVED forgiveness when you might not have deserved it; if you have never experienced what it is to LIVE on grace, and grace alone....do you really UNDERSTAND the GOSPEL???
• Why do we stop at bringing someone TO Christ and not disciple him/her into really KNOWING Christ?
• The local church is the hope of the world
• Grace is undeserved, that's why it's called "grace"
• In the year 2010, almost EVERYTHING depends on RELATIONSHIPS
• There's ALWAYS something you don't know
• Our faith journeys are just that--journeys--we walk along the path, we go the wrong way, we get lost--but Christ helps us pick up the pieces.
• If life were perfect and we never failed or stumbled---how would we ever grow wiser--how would we ever learn or grow??
• Friends are precious---if you want to receive their ALL you must give your ALL

Just some things I'm thinking about!

Discipleship Making conference

Just got back from a great conference on looking at how we can reach non-christians and post-modernists for Christ through small groups. I enjoyed studying God's Word with my colleagues and was challenged by a new approach to to study the Bible and to make true disciples of Christ, not just "converts." The basis is KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid). In the world we live in today, it is still all about relationships---being genuine, authentic, and investing in the lives of others. Here I am with my colleague Jorge from Brazil.

Beautiful Weather

We are enjoying somewhat of an indian summer here in Bucharest, so it has been nice to get out and spend time with the Lord in nature. One of my favorite things is to go rowing in the parks and sing. Thank you Lord for the beautiful weather!

Absurd Priorities

It's happening! Here is a picture of the President of the International Olympic Committee meeting with officials in Bucharest to look at plans for new facilities being built in the city for athletics (a good thing and much needed in this city). YET, this is just the next step in the process of Bucharest's overly outrageous bid to host the 2020 summer olympics. Believe me folks, our country has much more pressing issues to worry about than spending lots of money we don't have on hosting an event we are not ready for...but this is to me a classic example of the ineptitude of some of our politicians here--schools, pensioniers, roads, the general economy all are in crisis, but we want to bid on the 2020 summer olympics??? Unbelievable, but it's happening. To be fair, they say it would bring attention and much needed investment into Romania. In addition, Romania will also be bidding for the 2022 winter olympic games to be held in the Prahova Valley (Sinaia, Busteni, Predeal, Brasov). Apparently, the IOC is very interested in seeing the olympics being awarded to developing countries, and areas of the world that have not hosted the games...hmmm. I still champion the Minneapolis/St. Paul bid!

Fellowship in Targu Mures

Had a great time reconnecting with friends, contacts, and spiritual advisers in the city of Targu Mures, Romania. I am always blessed and encouraged by these people of the faith. Here is a shot of me playing volleyball with the youth of Betel Pentecostal Church at a fall picnic. We had a great time, and even better weather.

Camp Reunion

We had a reunion party for the kids who were in camp this past June, where we looked at pictures, played games, sang camp songs, shared favorite memories, and ate snacks. It was a good time to see the kids again. This camp was truly the "experience of a lifetime" for them. Many asked us, "when are we going back to camp??" My friend Luminita and I also visit the families, distributing supplies and talking to the families quite often. It was a great party. Here are some pictures!

Three brothers

Another group of brothers, who need a lot of prayer!

Singing songs

I'm Salivating!

This photo is courtesy of my friend Ruth Hutchins who recently went to the Minnesota State Fair. If you know anything about me, you know that this in my eyes is HEAVEN! Yummmmmy. I am a quintessential hotdish kid---I am SO jealous I didn't get to try this. Minnesota ROCKS! New Romania updates coming soon.

Stadium controversies in Bucharest

These are pictures of the old national stadium in Bucharest that was torn down over a year ago in order to build a new, retractable-roof stadium up to Western European standards. The old stadium used to house former communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's elaborate propaganda displays and several matches of the Romanian national fotbal (soccer) team. Romania is scheduled to host the European championships, and many other international games once the stadium is done. The mayor of Bucharest, Sorin Oprescu, would like Bucharest to bid for the summer olympics in 2020, or later. If you have ever seen the conditions of athletic facilities in Bucharest and around Romania, you would realize how ridiculous this effort is by mayor Oprescu. Any olympic bid would require arguably the most aggressive building and athletic facility overall of any other olympic city in history. (Another city likely to bid on the 2020 olympics: Minneapolis/St. Paul., MN. I think they have a real shot). Regardless, many Romanians are excited about the new stadium. It is actually across the street from where I live in Bucharest--so I'm sure match nights will be crazy. I only hope they will build adequate parking---a definite crisis in this buzzling metropolis!

Artist renditions of the new stadium