Why? Because I could see lives being changed throughout the time we spent there in 2019 working with the missionary families and doing camp! My life was definitely one of them. I have been waiting and praying for over a year to return, and I know the kids have been waiting and hoping we would be able to return soon. The last year has been very hard for many of us, and especially for these kids. As most of the kids I worked with in 2019 grow into teenagers they are questioning many things in life, especially during this worldwide pandemic and the effects of it. I would be so excited to share with them the hope of salvation through the Global Encounters team. I am already getting messages on Instagram from my kids: “Are you coming back this year!? Am I going to see you at camp???” Lord willing, yes I will!
Why does Romania, the country often considered the most religious in Europe, need missions? Although 86% of the population claim to be Eastern Orthodox or Catholic, only 1-2% would be considered devout. Most just attend church on major holidays and consider that sufficient. Romania had a strong Protestant minority that survived intense persecution during the decades of communist rule, but sadly, many Protestant churches today are mired in the traditions of the past, spending more energy enforcing rules than reaching out to their communities. Very few Romanians have heard a clear gospel presentation even once in their lives.
Every summer a Global Encounters team spends three weeks leading camps and VBS programs for kids and young teens in Romania. Many of the kids who attend are from gypsy communities, the despised minority group in Romania. Many of these kids have received salvation over the years, and some former students have even become volunteers, teaching and leading at camp!
I will be in Romania July 3-25 with the Global Encounters team and I’m hoping to stay for a while afterwards to continue helping one of the missionary families and working with the kids. My cost for the trip will be about $3000-3500, including flights. Any donation that you can afford to give towards this mission would mean so much to me and to them!!
