Romania. It’s been a month now since we’ve been back from our adventure, and I’m still struggling to wrap my heart and head around my experience there. I suppose that is always the case, but this trip, this team, like every other I’ve lead, was unique in it’s own right. 

Last Fall I shared with The Return my passion for the work that Forget Me Not Ministries is doing in Tinca, Romania to care for, bring direction, guidance, and overwhelming love to the Roma people. Then I invited everyone to come with me on an adventure that I was certain carried the potential to completely change the trajectory of their life. I’ve had the privilege of seeing that happen before…multiple times.

As the team formed this time around, like always, tough decisions had to be made as we didn’t have room for everyone, but as we all have different roles in this community, we pushed through and held to a going/sending mindset. Either way, The Return was returning to Romania.

Over the last several months though, I’ve watched a group of college age young people, some friends, some strangers actually, find a way to become family. As you tackle details in meetings and such it’s hard to see why you need each other, but when you embark on a journey and everything you’ve planned for the past 6 months is thrown into complete confusion by the friendly folks flying planes, well, those become defining moments. And those moments turn teams into families.

Our entire flight itinerary was in disarray as soon as we arrived at the airport. It was like training day minus trainers. Everyone was nice, but no one knew what they were doing, especially with us. Through countless contradictory instructions, missed flights, seemingly lax security (thankfully so), and lost luggage………we made it…to Budapest, Hungary where we then drove the 4.5 hours to Tinca, Romania.

Everyone rolled with everything. They trusted me and they trusted each other. They looked to lift up and encourage one another and intentionally know one another. And so the overwhelming experience of just getting to Romania set the stage for one of the most unified teams I have led, to hit the ground running.

Our task was to work hard and love big and so that is what we did.

To go and serve a ministry on the other side of the planet that I love and care deeply for is impactful enough on one’s soul…but to share that experience alongside students that I care for deeply from the ministry that I have the privilege of leading on this side of the planet, it leaves my heart full of joy.

Completely full.

Yes, we did dig 233 post holes with flat shovels and kitchen bowls.

Yes, we set those posts and enclosed that fence.

We worked to protect a garden that would provide jobs and food for families in need.

We worked long hours and slept little.

We loved on kiddos starving for affection.

We ate good Romanian food and laughed much.

We drank liter after liter of Tutti Frutti Frutti Fresh.

We saw first hand, light in darkness.

We sang songs around campfires and told stories of life change.

We prayed together.

We saw friends become family.

We saw God move.

And once again…I am humbled by the front row seat that God gives me in the lives of these young people. God is at work here and there and everywhere in between…

To learn more about the trip, watch videos, and see pictures from the team’s perspective, check out The Return.