Romania Missions
May 26 to June 7, 2005
A team of 35 representing 7 churches departed for Romania May 26, 2005 on a short-term mission trip. The goal of this trip was to minister in 3 primary areas: Medical, Education and Music. Along with these goals, the team ministered in a number of mission churches in the area. These churches represent a large number of congregations in the Transylvania area that have a long and special relationship with There Is Hope.
The team traveled for the better part of two days to arrive in Bistrita, home of our sister church and the base of operations while in Romania. All connections went smoothly and there were no issues crossing the border from Hungary into Romania.
The first Sunday was a “marathon”. The team participated in a 4-hour service in the morning, had a quick lunch and then drove an hour to a little town where a pastor was being ordained in one of the mission churches started by our sister church in Bistrita. After a two-hour ordination service, the team returned to First Baptist Bistrita for their evening service that lasted right at 3 hours. Our choir sang in each service.
During the week, the team had opportunities to visit in several of the mission churches located in the countryside outside of Bistrita. Many of the churches were in very remote villages. These church buildings were humble yet beautiful places of worship and most were built by the villagers themselves. The woodwork in the ceilings of these churches was magnificent and testified to their desire to give God their very best. The team experienced many sweet times of worship in these churches as we shared testimonies and messages. We also had the opportunity to sing shared hymns of the faith. Team members were thrilled to hear familiar hymns sung in two languages.
Many of the team members were part of a 25-voice choir that shared 4 concerts during the week. Three of these were in the cultural hall in Bistrita and the other was in a mission church in Nasaud. Between 1,000 and 1,200 people attended the concerts which were a blend of patriotic and sacred music. A PowerPoint presentation was used to show pictures and Romanian words to the songs sung by the choir. This allowed us to share the gospel with everyone who attended. The concerts were our largest field of “seed-planting” and we trust the Lord will water these as He sees fit.
A portion of the team was made up of medical professionals who went into the local hospital to explore ways of developing relationships with the Romanian medical providers and resources in the US. One of the doctors on the trip helped install an ultrasound machine donated by his practice. This piece of equipment will greatly enhance the hospital’s obstetrics care. The medical team assessed that the medical capabilities in Romania appear to be about 50 years behind America. They feel, however, this is a gap that can be closed quickly through collaborative efforts in both countries.
During the days, members of the team visited a number of schools and orphanages. One team member had the opportunity to teach two classes in one of the high schools. The kids were full of questions about “American things”. Several team members visited a music school and had the opportunity to hear from several students who played the piano, violin and guitar. Children attending the music school are evaluated in the first grade and chosen to participate based on God-given capabilities they have. They treasure their instruments and the opportunity they have to play them. One of the teachers shared that they practice 4 hours a day at school on their instrument and several more hours at home. The amount of practice was obvious in their performances. One of the most touching moments of the trip was walking up the driveway to the school and seeing where the children had used chalk to draw greetings on the ground for the team. “We love America” was written over and over along with drawings of the American flag.
At breakfast one morning, one of the pastors shared his experiences during the days of communist rule. He described interrogations by the secret police and times when he said what he thought was his final “goodbye” to his family as they came to get him. He described the pain of seeing government soldiers come in and tear down their place of worship, a place built with their own hands. He also shared of God’s grace and protection during these difficult times and how God actually used this cruel government in one particular instance to unknowingly help the church with a need. Romanian Christians have known persecution and pressures such as we have never imagined in America.
At the end of the trip, the team packed for the long trip home. While exhausted from the long week, team members hugged their Romanian brothers and sisters and went through the difficult process of saying “goodbye”. Team members returned with many new things. New friends, new experiences and a new appreciation for the Romanian people God loves so dearly.