Romania journal #8 & 9

Days 8 + 9 -

You know that it is probably time to start thinking about going home when you start hearing the cockerel saying your name...

We had our final fellowship morning with the local believers then a time of children's ministry for the last time...Tom shared with the older ones who listened to him with great interest. We had a relatively chilled afternoon, packing and preparing for tomorrow's return journey. I spent some time with Rafael debriefing on the week and planning tonight's fellowship time together. Fortunately there hasn't been anything arranged with the church folks tonight (the first night that's happened) so we will be able to spend time with the Romanian team of 5 young people who we've been working with all week, as well as the other Romanian OM workers, Rafael, Sylviu & Emma and Jacov from Finland.

We had a short time of worship, then Sylviu led a time of reflection on the week as a whole. What have we learned? What have we enjoyed? What have we found challenging? What next?

Rafael brought a short piece of teaching on Peter from Luke 22. Three don'ts. 1. Don't sleep. 2. Don't watch Jesus from afar. 3. Don't be warmed by other's fires.

We then washed each other's feet as a symbol of servanthood and brotherhood (and sisterhood!).

Sunday morning was our final chance to meet with the church folks and they had kindly agreed to end their service at 1130 so we could make our way to the airport. They handed over the service to us to lead; as Pastor Marian said, he wanted to squeeze every drop out of us! Sylviu introduced the service, Claire brought some thoughts from an OM perspective, Emma shared a report of the week and I spoke on the importance of mission, be it at home or further afield. It was good too to pray for the 5 Romanian young people and encourage them to rise up in the years to come and reach their land and others with the gospel.

Then it was a quick bite of lunch and team photos and into the cars for the airport.

Everyone is looking forward to getting home, but we are all leaving a little piece of ourselves here in Padureni. Who knows what the future holds for us, for them? But my prayer is that God will add a blessing to all that's been done in His name here over these last few days.

Finally, a word of thanks to all our loved ones for allowing us to have this experience. And to everyone who helped raise the finance. And to all who have been praying. Thank you all so much.

Same time next year?