Romanian Adventure in the kingdom

I’ve never blogged so I’ll proceed like a journal. I’ve never done many things on this trip, but the willingness is there and God has not failed us. The morning meal was our
first breakfast. I’m happy not to have cold cereal. Bread is served with every meal (păine), and it was accompanied with salami, Jam, “Margarine” cheese, and milk.
Our morning started with a brief american team meeting, and a quick all camp meeting, with closer intros to all the group members. Eight counselor,interpreter, bible
teachers, Most coming from university’s in Romania and a couple of interns from Sibiu, and one from Portland. After breakfast the kids began free play , while we tackled chores. some cleaning dishes, toilets, and floor areas. After free play, hours of frisbee , soccer, bumbling common greetings, and fishing numerous types of balls out of the stream, we began some constructive activity. Jilda, and Vanessa had the idea and creativity to make journals, that the kids could make and decorate, I also crafted one in my showing how. After journals and crafts we all split up into Bible study groups which were led by the Romanian team, and can also be attended by us if all cleaning, resting and settling in were taken care of. I sat through with a group who sang a song. It was written on poster boards, and all the kids knew it. I couldn’t understand but was able to coax some kid to be more involved. The message was hard to get the gist of, except one verse number I picked up on. Lunch was soon after everyone had collected from study time. It’s the largest of the days meals. Lunch is hot , and starts with soup, and bread. The second course had meat,noodles, and some kind of taste red tomato based sauce. We are blessed with two local cook ladies, and a live in man named Dani who is also a great cook, and interested in pursuing culinary school. We help set up serve and clean up at every meal. After lunch we had our first go at translated game time. We had some good fun with a parachute and some beach balls. After much discussion we figured out a way to reward points for the team competition. We finished up our two hour block with relay running races to try and tire the kids out a bit. We have a few minutes of cabin cleaning time, and the kids are being judged on the cleanest. Some bribing the judges or spicing them up with flowers on the pillows and open bibles on the made beds. Upon searching the top area all the clutter of the cabin was found, and the reality check was discovered, points for trying I guess. Usually once a week the cooks have a cold dinner evening, although tonight was exceptional with hot grilled ham, and mashed potatoes. I saw them mixing the potatoes earlier with a large industrial drill and a giant dry wall mud mixing tool. It was very creative. Frank our other returning group member has been leading the evening Bible teaching for our Group. His stories are aimed to recognize with the younger age group, and the groups testimonies have been strategically placed to coincide with the evenings stories. Tonight Vanessa gave her testimony for the first time ever in public. A very heart opening experience thats well worth it once you are finished and the Lord helps you along through it, and to say what is pertinent to the audience. Frank followed up with a story of a girl and a figurine her Dad gave her, and how special it was to her. The figurine was broken one night and the Dad said he would buy her a new one but she only wanted the one to be fixed. Moral was no matter how perfect or imperfect you are God loves you. After the kids were encouraged to write in their journals before bed, and lights out in bed by 20:30 hour. Some were more ambitious and stayed up for a regimen of squats and laps on the soccer field until they were tired enough to stay in their cabins. Daily routines seem to vary a bit and some surprises even to the staff shall keep the week interesting. Off to lunch I go and someone else will tell their side tomorrow.
Mitch