I’m in Romania!! What is this life 🙂
It’s been two weeks since I left Knoxville and one week since I arrived in Romania. It’s been a blur of packing, traveling, launching, ministering, and attempting to sleep (we can thank the jet lag for that one). Life in Romania is chilly (average of 31ºF), full of laughter, sweet community, and most importantly – full of bread, both sweet and savory!!
Since it is an all-squad month (meaning all four teams are serving in the same location), we are all sharing a house. I have learned that when it comes to twenty-five people sharing two bathrooms, timing is KING! Also, you can’t flush the toilet paper here, so we take turns emptying the trash can…
Living with different personalities definitely has its own unique challenges. While I do feel like coming from a large family helps aid in these situations, it has by no means been completely seamless. We are all still learning each other, our strengths and weaknesses, and how we can love each other better. We also get to serve each other daily by rotating who makes dinner, who does the dishes, etc. It is honestly so fun – at least for me and my fellow extroverts. It feels like living with twenty-five of your best friends
Our squad will be here for the next several weeks serving with Hope Church in Craiova. Craiova is in the southern half of Romania, where it is estimated that less than 0.5% of people are evangelical Christians. Coming from Tennessee where over 81% of adults profess Christianity, it is a stark contrast. In fact, the area that we are in is considered a “graveyard for missionaries”; this is because of the spiritual darkness that envelops the city. At times, it is almost palpable. It has caused me to be extra thankful for the family the Lord blessed me with. To grow up in a Christian family, with so many positive influences over the years is something that is easy to take for granted. I am thankful to be exposed so directly to those who desperately need to hear of the joy and light that can be found in Christ.
This month, I am serving in a different capacity than the majority of my squad. I was one of three people on the squad asked to be a personal assistant for the missionaries that live here. My day-to-day activities look a little different, but it’s been fulfilling as I get to tap into some of my administrative giftings. While my squad is faithfully evangelizing and ministering to the people of Craiova, I get to minister directly to those the ministry partners at Hope Church. I’m working most directly for the personal assistant of the lead pastor; her name is Cristina. Cristiana was actually a racer a few years ago and felt called to Romania to serve full time with this church.
Being the PA to the PA is unlike anything I have done to date. Because this is a growing ministry, the workload on each person is extensive, but they all carry it with grace, love, and strength, and it is evident that the Lord has lit a fire in them for this community. I love that I get to remove a portion of Cristina’s workload from her plate, taking on some of the more menial tasks, which then allows her to better invest her time and energy. It will be a sweet month of going with the flow, growing in flexibility, and learning to serve.
The Lord has been sweet to me too. I’ve been reading mostly in Ephesians over the past two weeks, and time after time the things I am experiencing and learning line up with what I am reading. I am excited to continue this journey and start this next week rested and ready.
Thank you to all who have supported me getting here, those who have been praying for me, and for being patient as I look for pockets of time to write down and process through all that I am experiencing. I hope to update everyone again soon!
With love,
Corban
Prayer Requests:
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For the ministry here in Craiova, specifically for the youth programs and worship nights we host. When we are evangelizing each day, we get to invite people to these events. Pray for willingness and open hearts for the gospel.
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For the ministry partners, specifically for financial funding to continue, for stamina and perseverance.
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For our squad, specifically for further bonding and for true community to continue to grow. For relational tension that is not uncommon in a group so large, for wisdom in different situations, and for rest!
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For our two teammates in the USA who are still testing positive for covid.
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For me, specifically for rest, grace, and humility as I walk in what the Lord has for me this month. And for my relationship with the Lord to deepen as I continue to experience new things and seek him more.
