Selina Unabridged

New BLOG!

2010-03-26T21:27:00.003+02:00

While I will keep this blog up, I have started another blog called "One Week Challenge!"

Since I have been home, i have found myself lacking in the area of self discipline- so I started this blog in hopes that it will keep me accountable!

Check it out! http://oneweekchallenge.wordpress.com

New things!

2009-11-15T04:57:00.004+02:00

I am sitting in my warm house in Minneapolis, MN, finally summing up the energy to write! In case you didn't know, I moved to Minneapolis in September so that I can be closer to Bethel University where I will start classes in Feb. 2010.

It has been another transition that I wish could have done without, but a transition regardless. I have been working part time and am praying for a 2nd job- life in the Cities is expensive! I have had a lot of time to reflect and think, which I don't know if its been good or bad. But I am slowly getting settled in, have found an amazing church (www.beingsubstance.com), and am surprisingly excited for classes to start in a few months!

My brother's wife, Tana, just had a baby at the end of September- Addison Karie Padilla! I was able to go and see them for a few days last month. I, along with everyone else, am captivated by this beautiful baby!

Its been hard adjusting, but I am learning so many things from God. Hard things but good things. I know that in the end things will be great so I am holding onto to His faithfulness to provide financially and to provide friendships that will be life long! Thanks for your prayers.

3 months later

2009-07-01T06:08:00.005+03:00

I have been back in the States, living in Iowa for three months now. The first 2 months were filled with the joy and comforts of being back in a familiar place and understanding what is happening around you. I enjoyed eating goodies I hadn't eaten for months, and the ease of living in a 1st world nation.

But if I were to be honest with you, I would have to say that I am not without my struggles. Loneliness and disillusionment seem to be a part of my daily life. Friendships have changed, people have moved on, and I am someone else. I try not to get sucked into the routine that seems to plague 9-5 life, just so that I don't lose focus on things that are really important to me. But just as my first few months in Romania were, life here has come at a surprising price of effort on my behalf. Its an effort make friends and keep them, an effort to shop, an effort to go out of the house.

But the future looks bright, and I hold onto the hope and knowledge that there is more to life than this. I am happy that I was able to find a small job working at a coffee house. Though the pay isn't very good, its something I enjoy doing for now, and its paying for my small needs. I have enrolled at Bethel University in Minnesota where I will start classes, God willing, in January next year. My brother is also going to have his first child in September. So there are many things to look forward to.

I just have to remind myself, just like I did when I first arrived in Romania, that the hard part is the beginning. I must hold on to my faith and live these next few months like they are the last few months of a great season. Because, who knows, life might never be this easy again. :)

My last week in Romania

2009-02-23T16:05:00.002+02:00

This my last week here in Romania before my detour home. I am hoping that it won't be too depressing as I say my goodbyes to the many dear friends I have made in the last 2 years. Last week I had a goodbye party, and about 33 people came. There was fun, food, dancing, and it was a great way to celebrate my life here in Romania.

I think I am getting used to saying goodbye to people (you get a lot of practice with this in YWAM), but that doesn't mean its easy. I hold onto the hope that I will be able to come back at least to visit all my good Romanian friends. Thank you for your prayers for me during this challenging transition period

Singing at Youth group Coffee house

2009-02-23T15:46:00.003+02:00

I was invited to perform at a local church's "youth night" which takes place every week at the YWAM base. It was fun to play and sing in a coffee house setting. I enjoyed sharing some original song, but what really got the crowd excited was when I sang some upbeat Spanish praise songs. I was accompanied by my African colleage, Isaac, who played the hand drum. This added an extra special touch!

Done

2009-02-15T00:08:00.007+02:00

Making Sarmale (traditional Romanian cabbage rolls) with Vera
Celebrating New Year's with Romanian friends
Playing at a concert at a church in Medias, Romania

Friday was my last official day working with YWAM Targu Mures. As I walked home from a "de-briefing" meeting with the base leaders (where we talked about my experience here with YWAM), it started snowing. I felt the light snow flakes on my face as I walked the dirt path from a busy road to my cement block apartment building, and I had to fight back tears that seemed to have been provoked by the snow... I was surprised at the hollow feeling I suddenly had. I am relieved that my work here has ended well, but to walk away from something that I've been spending the last 2 years developing is especially tough.

It has been an honor being part of many things happening with YWAM Tg Mures. A list of things I have been involved in:

- worship band, playing at conferences and seminars
- communications and office work
- staffing and developing a DTS
- staffing and developing the 1st School of Worship in Romania
- pioneering the organization here in Tg Mures.
- helping organize 2 worship seminars
- orphans
- other things that I can't see or remember

Its been an amazing journey.. I would never take back any of it, not that I could... but I wouldn't even if I could. Not even the hard parts like the physical sicknesses that seemed to plague me almost the entire time I was in Romania, the suffering, the homesickness, the conflicts, the loneliness, the life-changing friendships... none of it. God is amazing, and I look forward to the road up ahead.

Christmas story.

2009-01-23T10:25:00.003+02:00

Christmas was a busy time here in Romania. I have discovered that there is no such thing as a "quiet and relaxing" Christmas in Romania! Christmas is a time to party, stay up late, eat lots of food, and carol with all your friends! The party starts Christmas eve and lasts until New Years Day. At 11:35 om on Christmas day, I heard a knock on my apartment door. I rushed to my door, and soon as the door swung open, there were about 50 young people (from a local church I attend) crowded into the stairwell of my gray cement building. They sang a beautiful song in 3 part harmony, about praising the God who was born in Bethlehem...of course my eyes welled up with tears of gratitude. It was a beautiful and a profound moment of how blessed I am here in Romania!

I discovered that caroling in Romania is a major part of their Christmas tradition. You carol all night for 3 nights... some of my friends went caroling until 5 am for 3 days! I was invited to go with the group that caroled for me, and since I was so impressed with them, I went. Even though I didn't really know most of the songs and they were in Romanian, I had a blat and it will be a Christmas I will never forget!

Orphan home 2008 Christmas

2008-12-21T12:14:00.001+02:00

Thanks to Samaritan's purse, we were able to take gifts and throw a little Christmas party at the orphan home where my friend, Feri, grew up. It was a lot of fun! The kids there are really nice and I had lots of fun playing cards with them!

Something you probably wouldn't see in the States

2008-12-16T17:27:00.001+02:00

"Thank God its Christmas" etched acrossed the window of a clothing store in the new Mall in Targu Mures.. I took this picture with my camera phone it cause its not everyday you see the words THANK GOD written in a public place. Thank God indeed!

Thought for the day

2008-12-03T15:25:00.005+02:00

I read on the internet the other day that the face of christianity is changing.

"Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah spoke on the topic of 'The Next Evangelicalism,' focusing on the account of Acts 15 in which the Church experiences a dynamic shift from Jew to Gentile-centered faith. Rah began his address with statistics on the increasing racial diversity of Christianity and American evangelicalism, indicating that the typical face of 1950s Christianity--a middle-aged, white, North American male--has now shifted to individuals from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

In 2005, Rah said, 40 percent of Christians in the world were white, while 60 percent were non-white. By 2050, it is predicted that 20 percent of Christians will be white North Americans and Europeans, while 71 percent of Christians will be African, Asian or Latino."

Click here for the full article- http://www.bethel.edu/bethel-news/inter/2008/oct-2008/10-09-08reconciliation-week

I have noticed even here, at my YWAM base, the people from Africa and Asia are very "hard core" and passionate people. I would actually say that in comparison to their Western counterparts, those who have come as missionaries from Asia, Africa, and South/Latin America have often shown dedication and lengths of faith that I haven't seen before. One of my very best friends, Prya, is from India and she is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She has unshakable faith, and is known for her joy and transparency. Also, I have been working with 2 guys from Nigeria whose faith is impacting to watch as they walk it out in ways that I, as a westerner (with the need to be entertained, secure, and seen) don't understand or couldn't do. I am trying to take a page from thier books!

If you ever here of a single Christian woman in the States complaining that there are no good Christian men, maybe you should suggest to her that she might be looking in the wrong continent, cause I bet there are plenty of Christian men in Africa, Asia, and South America!

"We are looking at American evangelicalism through the lens and framework of Western white Christianity,'said Rah.

Rah left the congregation with two challenges: that Americans address racism as sin, and that they also recognize the changing world and engage in relationships with those different from themselves.'The challenge I have for you,' said Rah, 'is to be mentored by someone of a difference race, because you are going to see the major shift towards a global, non-white church."

Happy Birthday to me!

2008-11-23T16:20:00.003+02:00

Here are some pictures of my birthday party at the YWAM base. It was an eclectic production filled with Spanish worship songs from the DTS team that just came back from a 8 week outreach in Spain, followed by African singing by Moses and Isaac from Nigeria who have recently joined staff at out base. The end was topped of with cake and impromtu Irish dancing by Rachel, my Irish roommate. It was one of the funniest and funnest birthday parties yet!

Back in the saddle again

2008-11-11T11:49:00.002+02:00

I have been back in Romania for 2 weeks now. My first 2 weeks were spent mostly alone since everyone else at the base was either on vacation or on outreach. But this week has been fun and exciting with everyone returning, including the DTS students, who we will be saying good bye to at the end of the week.

In other news, our 2 new staff members from Nigeria FINALLY arrived, which I am SUPER excited about! We have been waiting for them for MONTHS!!! Like whenever new people some, they bring a special joy and excitment to the YWAM base. I am looking forward to working with them.

Once this week is over I will write more about what we are doing for the next few winter months.

Home at last, home at last, thank God Almighty I am home at last!

2008-10-01T01:11:00.005+03:00

I have been horrible with communication ever since I arrived back in the States exactly 2 weeks ago. What can I say, there has been much to do and see and eat.

Being home is so natural for me, and I admit that I somewhat fear going back to Romania, cause life is a little harder there.. But nonetheless I will be returning, God willing, October 23rd.

Since being home I have been keeping busy with things like seeing my friends, spent my dad's birthday with him, went to a good friend's wedding (I was originally supposed to be a bridesmaid, but I wasn't sure whether I was going to be home), and I bought some new clothes. I have also been working a temp job to bring in some extra cash. Life is full wherever I am!

Sunday afternoon- Raindrops keep fallin' on my head.

2008-08-24T17:20:00.005+03:00

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon.. I was in my bedroom, enjoying the relaxing afternoon and trying not to give into my urge to take a nap. My window was open and I could hear (and feel) the loud techno music the apartment below was playing. The sound of my roomates' occasional giggle or comment to each other coming from the other room was a friendly reminder that I wasn't alone here.

Eventually i gave into my sleepiness. I laid my head on my soft pillow and tried to forget that I had makeup on from the morning and that it would probably be all over my clean pillow case when I woke up.. I don't know how long I slept, but I don't think it was too long before I heard the sound of heavy winds. I opened my sleepy eyes and rolled over to see that my window had blown all the way opened and there were heavy dark clouds looming in the sky.. I quickly closed my windows and went out to warn my roommates that there was going to be a storm. In no more than a minute the wind was blowing so badly that when I looked out my closed window I that I was seeing a tornado! Soon the rain came, a rain that now resembled a hurricane and my roommates and I rushed around the apartment, making sure all the windows were securely closed. I am frequently shocked by the rainstorms here!

I thought we were all out of the clear when I heard a dripping sound in my room... The floor was quickly filling up with water. I moved the rug on my floor to a safe position away from the window where the water was coming in from. There was really no way to stop the water from coming in, since the windows were shut as tight as they could be shut and a bucket wasn't going to stop it from running down my wall.
"What do I do?!" I cried out to my roommate COrina.
"Nothing.. you have to wait it out. But I think the storm will stop soon," she said indifferently.
I didn't know what I wanted at that moment, cause I was enjoying the storm and the chaos it was bringing, but I really didn't want to stand there with a mop the whole time. But Corina was right, and the storm ended in the next 5 minutes. I resolved to leave a towel in the window seal to complete the job I was doing.

Now we are going to open the windows again, cause its too hot to leave them closed. That was my interesting Sunday afternoon.

Root Canal Therapy

2008-08-20T14:43:00.002+03:00

For the last month I have been to my new best friend, the dentist, 5 times with a 6th time luming this Thursday. My tooth started hurting last month, and the dentist did a root canal, and had me come in about 3 days in one week. SHe performed the root canal without any novacaine. It was so painful! I wasn't looking forward to this monday, 2 weeks after the initial beginning of this root canal process, when the dentist was supposedly going to be putting a cap on my tooth and ending my torment. I walked in the dentist's office with a dull pain that had been nagging me for 3 days.

To make a long story short (so I don't have to relive it), the first root canal wasn't deep enough so over the next few days I will be going in again so she can digg depper... once again without novacaine. I was trembling in horror yesterday when she told me that she has her eye on a cavity that might be starting and would like to fix it...

Seriously, though... This has been a very painful process... please pray that God will heal me and save me from any more pain!

Pro-Misiune Festival

2008-08-10T23:01:00.002+03:00

Last weekend, the YWAMers of Targu Mures trekked over to Medias, Romania for a missions conference. Our worship team was priviledged to lead worship for the conference, which was in Romanian. I was excited to get to lead a song myself in Romanian! I was really blessed to be a part of this conference, and pray that God will continue to put "sending out" on Romanian's hearts as my church has done for me!

Visit from Mark and Kari Anderson

2008-07-26T11:49:00.005+03:00

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I was so blessed last week when Mark and Kari were here in Targu Mures to teach at the DTS! It was so nice to see some familiar faces from home and to hear how things are going back in Muscatine. It was fun to show them the base and my apartment and let them be a part of what I am doing here- Mark and Kari fit in nicely and were a big blessing to the YWAM group and to me!

DTS and SOW

2008-07-11T15:25:00.003+03:00

The schools for the summer are now in full swing! I am currently staffing the School of Worship (SOW), which includes leading a band and being a small group leader along with my regular base duties for both of the schools running right now. With both the DTS and SOW running we have 9 students this summer, which with our housing is all we could take! Not having enough space is a great "problem" to have! Our YWAM base has become very international, with students and staff from USA, Holland, Philippines, Romania, Finland, Ireland, and Canada. We are expecting 2 more staff to join us who are from Nigeria!

THe School of Worship students will be learning how to lead worship and what worship really means. Worship as a lifestyle.

Our vision during this school is "To grow in the awareness of God's Glory."

For me personally, I want to understand the meaning of God's Glory, God's invisible nature being made visible- it changes nations!

After these messages we'll be right back...

2008-07-01T21:41:00.002+03:00

Sorry, have been so busy the last 2-3 weeks with the School of Worship. It began last week and me and my co-workers have been working some crazy amount of hours making sure things are getting done around the base. Hopefully next week I will have time and some pictures to share with you about all the fun things happening at the YWAM base! Stay tuned!

Vacation

2008-06-09T17:04:00.006+03:00

Last week I returned from a 2 week trip in Europe, where I spent some time visiting Family, friends,and going to a YWAM conference.

My first stop was Paris, where I spent 2 nights with my brother Ricky and his wife Tana. It was really refreshing to see them, talk with them, and spend time with them in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

After Paris, I flew to London where i visited my dear friend Sheniz and her family. I was very blessed by their hospitality and words of encouragement! I love London, its a beautiful classy city!

When I left London, I headed for Bratislava where there was a YWAM Central Europe Conference. There I met many other YWAMers in Central Europe, and it was a good and refreshing time.

Finally, I ended my trip in Budapest, Hungary where I spent a whole day with a Japanese Missionary who works in kosovo. It was a really good time, and I HIGHLY recommend Budapest, because it is really beautiful!

My first Romanian Wedding!

2008-05-19T01:29:00.003+03:00

Today I went to my first Romanian wedding- not only did I go but I was a big part of the wedding because I WAS A BRIDESMAID, too! My friend Hadasa's wedding to place in the ancient fortress (the citadel) in Targu Mures. It was a nice service in an old high ceiling Hungarian church followed by a beautiful reception filled with roses and happy faces. My roommate, Corina, was also a bridesmaid. It was such a beautiful day,and there is nothing like seeing your good friend marry the man that they have been waiting for!

Story from a year ago

2008-05-15T22:30:00.003+03:00

I was looking at another blog I had and I found this funny story that happened to me about a year ago when I had only been in Romania 3 months.. enjoy!

Waterleaks and Undies

My conversation with my parents was interupted this evening when I heard water flooding into my bathroom. This had happened earlier this week, water from the above apartment came splashing in from an opening in the wall where the water meters are located. Like last time, I immediately unscrewed the panel covering the meters and put a bucket to catch the water. I ended my conversation with my parents, and mopped up the water that was now covering my recently washed bathroom floor (I had just mopped about 2 hours earlier). I realized that this water leakage habit was becoming a threat to me. To put an end to it I was going to have to go upstairs and communicate to the neighbors, as best I could, that their water was leaking into my bathroom. So I marched up the stairs and knocked on the door. You can imagine my surprise, when a tall man opened the door standing only in his white T-shirt and underwear. He stared at me in surprise as I tried to avoid making eye contact and said “APA! WHOOOSH!” (WATER! WHOOOSH!) and made hand gestures of water falling. He looked confused, but then realized what I was saying… He said something and immediatly shut the door. I was still recovering from the sight of him in his undies, when the door opened again and his wife was looking back at me with an interested smile on her face. Not knowing what else to say I repeated “APA.. Whoosh.” She smiled and nodded and said “Multumim” (We thank you) and shut the door and I was left standing there somewhat disturbed.

So I hope the water leaks stop. I don’t want to make anymore visits to the man in his undies.

Peniel Youth Conference

2008-05-07T18:49:00.003+03:00

Last week a co-worker (Prya) and I traveled 6 hours down to Bucharest, Romania, for a big 2 day youth conference. There we met up with another Romanian YWAM base and advertised together for YWAM and the training schools we are running this summer. The conference was really interesting for me to see and even though I only saw part of it, I was encouraged. It was great to see the 3000 kids from all over Romania gathering together despite affiliations (Pentecostal, Baptist,etc.), which is something not too common yet in Romania. After the main speaker of the night, Tony Anthony (who wrote "Taming the Tiger," he has an awesome testimony!), there was an alter call and many people gave or re-dedicated their lives to Christ. I left the conference with a bigger picture in my mind of the possibilities there are in this country!

Call2Worship seminar day 4

2008-04-17T23:46:00.000+03:00

Here in Romania, most of the songs sung in church are songs translated from English. I rarely hear worship songs written in Romanian by Romanians. They depend on the West to write songs for them, and then they translate them. THere is a GREAT need of Romanian worship songs and for the Romanian church to accept songs written originally in Romanian.

Here is a video of a song a few girls and I wrote tonight during the songwriting session of the Call2Worship seminar. Sunny from Vitamina C gave the students a few tips and I told them a little bit of how the process is for me. Then we split up into 2 groups, so here is the video of the song my group wrote.. in ROMANIAN.

Call2Worship seminar day 3

2008-04-16T23:00:00.000+03:00

Our C2W seminar began this week, and so far its been really fun and intense.

Check out the video of one of our speakers this week, Sunny. He is the lead singer of a band called Vitamina C, which is a popular Romanian Christian band. God has really been using Sunny this week, and its so cool to work with him and hear his heart!

This makes me really want to support good Christian bands in Romania because they are NEEDED!

Oasis

2008-04-05T22:53:00.000+03:00

I have just arrived home from a city wide English worship night. Once a month YWAM and some other mission organizations in Targu Mures gather for an evening of prayer and worship.

The original idea was to fill up the cups of missionaries who are always giving, but as missionaries we all have a heart for the lost so its now also becoming an evening to bring non-christian friends who are interested in English and to see how "westerners" have church.

Honestly, I feel so blessed to be a part of leading worship at this event- I just get so excited when I am worshipping. I am realising more and more that I hear God's voice best when I am singing. This evening I felt, for the first time in a long time, the longing to just toss myself into God's arms. I wanted so bad that He would come as a physical being so I could just squeeze Him!

I am very grateful for what God is doing in the body of Christ here in Targu Mures, not just the Romanian church, but also in those who have left their home to serve and seek Him.

Psalm of Selina

2008-03-26T22:23:00.000+02:00

Every Monday and Wednesday morning we have worship at the YWAM base. Today was my turn to lead worship, but I was not really in the mood to sing. I felt like doing something different, so instead I decided that we should read some psalms and then write our own.

Here is one I wrote.

A Psalm of Selina

Like clouds covering the sun are my desires over Yours.
Like a song that hasn't been completed are my thoughts compared to Yours.
My heart is smitten but the Lord has gathered His strength within me.
He shows me His righteousness and His path which is good.
He shows the enemy's lies and reveals the prison my adversary has built within me.
But God is full of love and peace and truth and righteousness
Lord, You are the reason I have any good in me.
My soul is blessed, my heart is born again.
May Your glory be reflected in this human soul forever and ever.
Amen.

Mama Coca

2008-03-22T22:55:00.000+02:00

Mama Coca, as I call her in fear of mispronouncing her name, has been visiting her homeland of Romania for about 3 weeks. She resides in Muscatine, Iowa with her son Ioan, his wife Marivel, and their children. Thier family and my family are good friends. I met Mama Coca about 2 years ago when I found out that Marivel (who my family has know for years) had married a Romanian and I was thinking of working here. I was keen on getting to know them to see what advise they might give me about Romania and hope to get a glimpse of Romanian culture, and to use the 3 words I knew in Romanian.

If anyone would have told me then that 2 years later I would be in Romania, sitting with her in her niece's blue tiled kitchen ,while the rest of the family was out side cooking lamb over a fire, I would have never believed it. But that is God for you!

Lists and communication

2008-03-12T12:05:00.000+02:00

One thing that I am learning about myself, is that the best way for me to organize my thoughts is to make lists. To-do lists, Wish lists, lists of things I have finished doing, its the best way to sort through the chaos that is in my mind. If I can go to bed and see things marked off of my to-do list, I feel like it was a good day. Here is a sample list taken from events last week.

List 1, titled "Overwhelmed", purpose: to figure out why I always feel overwhelmed, what is over whelming me.
1. Computer's power cord has not arrived from the states, 3 weeks have past since its been ordered. Cannot get work done since computer does not function without powercord.
2. Since can't finished certain work without my computer, to-do list is filling up at an alarming rate.
3. Space feels limited with always borrowing other people's computer. Have realized my unheathly dependence on my computer.
4. Haven't communicated with my leaders my hesitations for leading a ministry with YWAM.
5. Haven't figured out what my hesitations are for not wanting to lead this ministry.
6. Next few months look very full.
7. Feel like there is always something that has to be done ASAP.
8. New ideas but nowhere or time or people to go with them. Plus, haven't finished last ideas.
9. Am currently involved with every ministy at the base (also the only one involved with everything). Feel stretched across everything and only have my fingertips in each thing, unable to jump in entirely.

Since then, I have been able to communication my hesitations and my feelings of being overwhelmed with my leaders and team members. It was really cool, because I was very afraid of admitting my struggle cause I thought people would think less of me or think i was just being lazy. But after communicating my working style ( such as making lists) we as a team realized that we all work differently, and for someone like me, its easier to consentrate on one thing at a time. So I was released from the expectation of leading a ministry (English Classes) for awhile so that I could concentrate on some basic needs at the YWAM base and help with the other things that have already been started.

I am learned last week just how nessisary it is to communicate my thoughts, ideas, and needs to the people around me and not to expect them to read my mind especially in a "team" setting. I have to learn to work with other and to vocalize my thougts more. As a true introvert, this has always been a struggle for me. But now I am realizing that if I don't put up some boundries, it can becoming overwhelming for me and confusing to others.

Praise report: I now have my computer cord so one less thing to stress about! But am now working on getting the wireless box to work in our apartment. That is the next thing on the list titled "Things to get done dealing with malfunctioning electronics."
Thanks for your prayers.

A brief digression

2008-02-27T16:49:00.000+02:00

"There is a wondrous open-mindedness about children and an insatiable desire to learn from life. An open attitude is like an open door- a welcoming disposition toward the fellow travelers who knock on our door during the middle of a day, the middle of the week, or the middle of a lifetime. Some are dirtballs, grungy, dishevled, and bedraggled. The sophisticated adult within me shudders and is reluctant to offer them hospitality. They may be carrying precious gifts under their shabby crags, but I still prefer clean-shaven Christians who are neatly attired, properly pedigreed, and who affirm my vision, echo my thoughts, stroke me, and make me feel good. Yet my inner child protests, 'I want new friends, not old mirriors.'
When our inner child is not nurtured and nourished, our minds gradually close to new ideas, unprofitable commitments, and the surprises of the Spirit. Evangelical faith is bartered for cosy comfortable piety. A failure of nerve and an unwillingness to risk distorts God into a Bookkeeper, and the gospel of grace is swapped for the security of religious bondage."

-The Raggamuffinn Gospel by Brennan Manning

The gospel of grace is really the only thing I have to offer here... it is the only truth that will set me apart from the world. Jesus is God of Grace.

Team building

2008-02-18T12:13:00.000+02:00

About a week ago we had 4 full days of staff training and team building with an American lady from Holland. Here are somethings I learned from our team building excersies, personality tests, and time in prayer.

1. Conflict is: when my desires conflict with someone elses.
Reasons to aproach conflict: It destroys God's reputation, hurts people, spiritually/physically dangerous, and can damage relationships long term

2. Unity in a team is not necissarily the goal, but putting others before ourselves; "unity" grows out of "one anothering"

3. According to the Meyers-Briggs personality test I am an INFJ- Introvert, Intuition, Feeler, and Judgement. For explainations go to:

http://www.myersbriggs.org/my%2Dmbti%2Dpersonality%2Dtype/mbti%2Dbasics/

*Warning: though this is not a test built by christians, it is a good way of understanding our personality prefernces to certain situations. This is just a guide and shouldn't be used to put people in a box.

4. Its ok to be ME! If I withold my opinion, which is something I tend to do, the the person(s)loses out. Everyone is different and its ok, we are each part of the body and important.

5. Forgiveness (I always need teaching on this, cause when I am angry I never remember any of it!): we must forgive in order to take away our seperation from others, the distance we hold them at when we don't forgive them. We do this just like JESUS took away our sepertation from GOD.

6. Good Team Characteristics: adaptibility, be teachable, emotionally secure, creative, servant minded, BE DEPENDABLE, COMMUNICATIVE.

All in all, it was a great time of learning about myself as well as others on my team! But most of all it was a time when God taught us how to honor Him as we honor each other.

YWAM worship band

2008-02-07T23:36:00.001+02:00

When I came back from the States a few weeks ago, I was invited to sing in a band that Carmen Busch put together to lead worship at YWAM events and local church events. THere are 6 of us in the band, 4 YWAMers and 2 youth from a local church. Its a really cool thing to be working with people from a local church, especially since our vision is to empower the local Romanian church.

TOday we had our first "gig" leading worship at a YWAM gathering with 3 other YWAM bases in Transylvania who got together for a day of prayer. It was really exciting and is a whole other story in itself.

The band will be leading worship again this Saturday night at an English Worship night. I really enjoy being part of a worship band, especially when all I have to do is sing, which is one of my favorite things to do!

Lost luggage=blessing?

2008-01-29T22:37:00.000+02:00

I was so dissapointed on Saturday when I arrived in Budapest, Hungary to find that none of my luggage arrived with me. I was supposed to change airlines to go to Romania and recheck all my luggage again with this second airline, yet there was no luggage.. not either of the 2 large pieces I brought. So when I went to the counter to report my luggage I couldn't help but become emotional. I was ashamed when my lack of sleep hightened my emotions to the point of tears as I explained that I neither had my luggage nor the luggage tag.

"Well, I can't do anything unless you have the luggage tag," responded the somewhat irritated counter lady with forced compassion. *here came the tears filling my eyes, and flashes in my mind of never ever seeing my luggage again. My greatest fear that my luggage would be lost forever was becoming more of a reality every second... keep in mind I hadn't slept in over 30 hours.

After gathering all that was left of my dignity and emotions and the information I needed, I quickly excused myself and found the nearest restroom, where I let go of all my frustration and tiredness with loud sobs aimed towards God. In my somewhat silly despair, I really felt God saying "Selina, its ok to grieve for your luggage, but believe me, this is for the best."

"What does that mean?! How can something like losing all the gifts I brought for my friends and the children be a blessing?!" I said forcefully, the faces of happy orphan children receiving cool gifts from America slowly dissolving in my mind.

"Just have peace and know that I am faithful, no matter what happens." God said reassuringly.

I resistantly began to praise God in that bathroom, and knew He was going to do as He promised and be faithful no matter what the outcome was- if my luggage was lost forever.

*Fast Forward to few hours later...

Now in my apartment in Romania

My roomate Prya: You know, I don't think Malev (second airline I flew into Romania with) allows you to bring more than 20 kilos (44 pounds) on board with you- i think they charge like 10 Euros a kilo after that.

Me: Well I had like 50 kilos so maybe its a good thing they lost my luggage cause now Delta (the first airline) has to bring it to me wherever I am for free!

Nest day: airport delivered all of my luggage free of charge, and everything was in perfect condition with nothing missing... miracle.

I probably would have had to pay over 200 dollars if I had all my luggage with me and checked it with the 2nd airline... 200$... God's way of taking care of me... my luggage was lost, now is found and I didn't pay a thing.

Prayer team

2008-01-25T06:24:00.000+02:00

So in a few hours I leave for another year of service in Romania. I have many hopes and fears- hopes of making new friends and sharing the gospel in new creative ways, and fears of not achieving anything or being pressed to thin.

I would like to invite you in something new that I am doing this year, which is forming a prayer team. I would like to send out prayer requests to this specific team of people dedicated to praying for me, YMWA Targu Mures, and the country of Romania.

If ou are interested in being a part of this team and recieving (maybe weekly) e-mails, please send me an e-mail to lifetraveling@gmail.com, so I can add you to my list! Thank you for all your love and kind words.. It was so nice to see most of you during my time in the States, and sorry to those who I missed. Maybe I will see you next year!

*Selina

Evening with Selina

2008-01-13T05:36:00.000+02:00

Come join me in an evening of stories and pictures of my time in Romania

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20TH,
4-5PM at CHURCH OF THE LIVING WATER in Muscatine, Iowa!

email me if you have any questions or would like to help with snacks!
lifetraveling@gmail.com

I am HOME!

2007-12-18T05:18:00.000+02:00

I AM HOME I AM HOME I AM HOOOOOOMMEEE! I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE! I am taking this time to be with my family and friends. I am so happy! I will be home for 6 weeks, returning to ROmania on jan. 25. I hope my time here doesn't fly by!

YWAM Denver shooting

2007-12-10T12:02:00.000+02:00

There was a shooting last night at the base where I did my DTS. This is such a shock to me, that something like that could happen there, a place where I often found peace, joy, and some of the best friends I have ever had. Please keep this base in your prayers- if it wasn't for what they do I wouldn't be here in Romania.

YWAMs official press release:

A lone gunman entered a Youth With A Mission training center in the Denver,
Colorado suburb of Arvada early Sunday morning, opening fire and hitting
four members of the staff. All were taken to local hospitals and two later
died of their injuries.

The two wounded remain in serious condition. The gunman has not yet been
apprehended, and police are continuing their search for him.

The deceased have been identified as Tiffany Johnson, 26, from Minnesota,
and Philip Crouse, 24, from Alaska. Both served as staff members at the
Youth With A Mission Arvada campus. The third victim, Dan Griebenow, 24, has
a bullet in his neck and is listed in critical but stable condition. The
fourth victim Charlie Blanch, 22, suffered gunshot wounds to his legs.

Peter Warren, the Director of Youth with a Mission Denver says they had just
finished a Christmas banquet when the suspect arrived and asked a
22-year-old woman from Minnesota if he could be housed for the evening. When
she told him they could not house him, that's when, Warren says, the suspect
opened fired with an automatic handgun, hitting four people. Police say they
do not know whether the shooting was random or if there was a motive.

Warren says, "The young man - I don't know who he is; I don't think [the
victims] knew him - but he must be going through a lot personally in his own
life to do something like this. Our belief is that only God is the judge and
our place is to forgive and that's a difficult thing to do, but really, I
think it's the right thing to do," said Warren.

There are about 80 people living on the Arvada campus and they have been
transported to the group's mountain campus near Golden, Colorado where they
will stay while the murder investigation is processed at their residence.
Warren says they are trying to deal with this situation as best as they can.

"There's no blueprint for this," said Warren. "You know, we're just going to
be honest, we're going to pray with one another and cry with one another.
These kids were like our kids, you know. It's just such a tragedy, but who
knows what's going on in this young man's life."

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is an international and interdenominational
Christian movement with operating locations in 171 nations. Launched in 1960
as a means for young people to get involved in short-term missionary
service, it now has over 16 000 staff working in 1180 centers and trains
over 25 000 people each year to be involved in the organization's primary
goal - to know God and make Him known. YWAM is hugely varied in its
approach, operating such ministries as drop-in centers for street children
in South America; hospice care for AIDs victims in Africa; literacy and job
creation programs throughout Asia; and is well known for its quick response
and long-term commitment to global disasters, such as the 2006 tsunami.

YWAM International Chairman Lynn Green released this statement: "We feel a
deep sense of loss today and we grieve with the families and those who were
very close friends of the victims. Our surviving students and staff are
being well cared for and we have total confidence in those who are
responsible for the training program in Arvada to care for those who have
been subjected to this assault.

"Those who lost their lives had dedicated themselves to serve and we feel
the sorrow of their absence. Yet we take comfort from the assurance of
everlasting life for those who follow Christ in loving service to others.

"It is a great tragedy that our culture seems to produce so many deeply
troubled people who express their frustration in violence. We forgive the
assailant and we rededicate ourselves to serving young people in the hope
that we might bring healing to other needy youth."

I'll be Home for Christmas

2007-12-04T17:18:00.000+02:00

NEXT WEEK!!! Next Thursday, I leave for Budapest, Hungary where I will spend 2 nights before flying into Chicago on Saturday! I CAN"T WAIT!!!

Thanksgiving with English Class.

2007-11-19T17:54:00.001+02:00

Hmmm.. so I told my Conversational English students that we would be having a great big Thanksgiving dinner with them on the last night of their english classes, which is this Thursday. They are VERY excited about celebrating an American holiday. So I have bought the Turkey, but to be honest with you, I hae never made a Thanksgiving meal in my entire life.

So does anyone have any good recipes or ideas? It must be something that is fairly easy and without exotic spices (like pumpkin spice or cranberry juice) cause it probably doesn't exist here. Let me know, and my students will be grateful!

Europe: the prodigal continent

2007-11-10T00:30:00.000+02:00

This is a clip from an article from www.ywam.eu. It speaks about how Europe is in danger spiritually.

"Upheavals in Europe's politics and society over the past decade have created large new social "tribes" alienated from the gospel. New strategies and paradigms are needed for the mission field of 21st century Europe. "

YWAMers are working among four social groupings in Europe:

Post-Christian Europeans -- reject the Christian worldview and its values as old-fashioned, irrelevant and inhibiting. Modernity (the summation of those forces shaping today's society like urbanisation, science, technology and industrialistion) has marginalised faith in many European minds. Traditional churches are losing members rapidly in both Catholic and Protestant lands.

Initiatives from renewed traditional churches, like the Alpha Course are proving to be effective tools for introducing post-Christian Europeans to the gospel message.

Post-Communist Europeans -- have rejected the Marxist gospel that science and the state are the saviours of the human race. Communism's collapse left a great spiritual, psychological and ideological vacuum. From gun-toting Albanian rebels to Moscow's nouveau-rich, post-Communists share a common mistrust for authority figures, an aversion to accepting responsibility or to think for oneself, and a generally hopeless outlook on the future.

Openings abound for ministry among the millions of Post-Communist Europeans, but strategies need to be long-term and impacting the whole person. See: YWAM Central Europe and YWAM Eastern Europe.

Post-Modern Europeans -- mainly under 30 years -- reject the Modern (scientific, rationalist) worldview and all '-isms' and rational attempts to create a better future, in favour of hopelessness, cynicism and nihilism. Post-modernity is a chaos of irrational and contradictory beliefs in which there is no ultimate meaning or direction. The goal of this Generation X is simply survival -- and fun -- in a godless, mindless universe.

Post-modern Europeans are open to spirituality and even to the Spirit. They reject the materialism of their post-Christian parents, and are in search of authentic community.

Post-Migrant Europeans -- are the children of (mainly Muslim) immigrants to Europe's cities, who reject their parents' national identity and faith in favour of European youth culture. They comprise a significant proportion of many urban populations. In Amsterdam [link to YWAM Amsterdam], 60% of those under 20 years are post-migrants. They have no Christian heritage, but will greatly influence the city's future for better or for worse.

A new breed of missionary is needed to engage in friendship evangelism among post-migrants, with such strategies as street sports, social centres and job creation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO:

http://www.ywam.eu/resources/introduction.htm

Birthday Flowers

2007-11-07T20:10:00.001+02:00

Thank you to all who sent me cards, e-mails, and messages wishing me a Happy Birthday! I REALLY appreciated it! last Friday night, after visiting the Sin Crai kids, I meet up with some of my friends (Hadasa, Prya, Andrea, Corina, Florin and Florina= 4 Romanians, 1 Indian, and 1 Canadian) at the best pizza place in town. We ate a lot and laughed a lot, and I got some of the prettiest flowers I have ever recieved- flowers are a big thing in Romania and they are well known for having beautiful flowers! I was sung the Romanian birthday song, which was beautiful and then the pizza place gave me an ice cream sundae thingy for free! WOW! After pizza, my group moved onto a cafe where we got coffee for afters.

Then on my actual birthday, Sunday, I opted out of church (I'm naughty) and went to the sparkling brand new and ONLY mall that just opened up. It felt so strange to be in a Mall, especially one with a food court (okay, well, a cafe and a kabaab place). I felt like I had a little piece of home, and then in the middle of my perusing my cellphone rang and it was my parents calling me and wishing me birthday blessing... *sigh, so nice. Anywyays, at a nice WalMart type store (but not as icky as walmart) I was able to buy 3 cheap stools for my kitchen (we only had 1 stool for the entire table and I could never invite people over for dinner because I had no where for them to sit), so that was pretty exciting. Then when I came home, some friends (an Irish friend and 2 Romanians, very international party once again) came over for coffee and cake, and I received MORE beautiful flowers!

All in all, it was an exciting birthday and I believe that age 27 is going to be the year where God gives me the "desires of my heart!" Please pray that over me!

Babies!

2007-10-25T15:17:00.000+03:00

Today was my second time visiting a baby hospital that is in Ludus (about 1 hour away from the city I live in.) The babies in this hospital have either been abandoned from birth or their parents left them at the hospital because they couldn't take care of the child or the child was too sick. The first time I went, I was fighting back tears the whole time, but this time was much more enjoyable because I decided to simply have fun and not dwell on these babies' circumstances. Each one has his own personality and smile, and I just love holding them, singing songs to them, and kissing thier little faces- sometimes I think I am the one starved for human affection because I just can't stand putting them down!

Pic 1 - this is "Brad Pitt", that is what the nurses call him because he is super cute.... (and also very chubby)
Pic 2 - Ioan is a tease, I call him "coqueto" in spanish which means "flirt"
Pic 3- Liviu and I.
Pic 4- Liviu, he never does any facial experssions.. always has a blank look on his face, unless you try to clean it, then he becomes very aggitated!

Return to Adolescence and English Class recruitment..

2007-10-14T12:44:00.000+03:00

Last week I was supposed to begin my 6 week conversational English Classes. Unfortunatly, I had been unable to get more than 1 person to sign up. So, at the suggestion of my leaders, me and 2 other YWAMers headed into the local lion's den of High Schools. We had tried to do this before, but honestly I didn't really want to so we just handed out flyers and asked the teachers to hand some out. But this time I needed a different plan. So we set up tables in the schools' cafeteria and waited for people to come to us... when the students walked in, they only eyes us suspiciously. So we had to resort to going up to them and talking to them, which is something I dislike doing.

The highest and most embarrasing point of this experience, was when we went to a high school near my apartment that started class at 2pm (instead of 8am). I got desperate and asked if I could speak in some of the classes and was allowed to go to the English class and make an announcement. So I stood up in front of a class of 20 some Romanian High Schoolers and made the announcement of who I was, were I was from, and why I was there in their class.

I said, "My name is Selina, I am from the United States, blah-blah blah.... We will be having conversational English Classes every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8:30, and-"

"WE can't come," a voice shouted from the back of the room.. Thinking he was just being abnoxious, I looked around for the source and said in a playful voice,"Well, why not?!"

"We have class at that time. We don't get out until 8:30 every night," All the eyes in the room stared at me... oh, yeah... of course they did, why didn't I think of that before. If they started school at 2 then they probably don't get out until late... silly me.

With a very red face and fake smile in place, I said, "Well, I will pass around the sign up sheet, if you are interested and we can call you the next time we have the classes," knowing very well that at this point there probably won't be a next time.

I had 5 people sign up which is the most I have had so far.

So my strategy for next week- go to the English classes in High Schools, if I can. And make sure they don't have school when I am giving my classes.

2007-10-09T23:15:00.000+03:00

"The opposite of love is not hate... it is indifference." -Elie Wiesel, Romanian Holocaust Survivor

San Crai

2007-10-08T17:33:00.000+03:00

Every other week Prya, Lumi, and I go to San Crai to spend time with children in the orphan homes. In summer of 2006 my church came to Romania and worked with these kids. It has been really amazing to go back there a year later and see the kids slightly older but still hungry for attention and affection. We visit and play with 2 different houses of children. Casa 1 has about 7 children from the ages of 4-12, and Casa 3 has boys in their teens. It's super fun yet there are times when I come home and simply feel sad because of thier situation. Especially for the boys in Casa 3 because most of them are mentally handicapped, so you can imagine what thier future looks like. Its hard enough fo orphans to integrate normally into society, but as a handicapped person its even worse. It breaks my heart, and I just want to adopt them and bring them home to my family! But realistically I can give them my attention and Christ's love while I am here. Please keep these children in your prayers, they are very special to me.

Hands in the air.

2007-10-01T10:47:00.000+03:00

The past few weeks have been hard for me for several reasons, some that I can name, others I can't. I always knew that being in missions was going to be hard, but it isn't hard in the way I expected.

The most obvious thing that I have been struggling with is homesickness. I really miss my family, and also my many friends. Here, I have no family, and a handful of friends. But the friends that I do have here are God sent and I love them very much!

I also have been struggling with just living in Romania. I am surprised that I haven't be able to adjust as quickly as I thought I would. I am now taking Romanian lessons 2 a week so hopefully learning the language will help me deal with some of the things I am struggling with. But I think that hardest thing is no longer the language but more the society. A society that has thousands of abandoned children and only the brave or greedy care. The gypsy (Roma) society that steals and cheats and lies and doesn't want help. I sometimes just feel overwhelmed. What can I do to help, and do I really want to help? I don't know how to, and I don't usually want to.

Being here in Romania, I feel less and less spiritual. I have only recently found a church that I like, and wouldn't be embarrassed to take unbelievers to it, so it hasn't been this "spiritual awakening time." But its been a time where God is showing me that He is real in logic and is practical, and how if a society is built on what His word actually says, the better it works. Now is when I sincerely have to depend on God to be who He says He. If I don't have Him on my side, I might as well go home. But He is for me, not against me.

I guess this is where I turn to God. I have to just say, "God I don't know how and I don't want to. You have put me here, I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe that. So now You have to help me." I put my hands in the air... and wait.

A day in September.

2007-09-18T14:22:00.000+03:00

It is a sunny morning here in Targu Mures, and I have woken up with a cold, so I decide to go to the YWAM base a little later than usual hoping to sleep off syptoms of what seems to be a sinus infection. I decide that even though there is a small pain in the front of my head, I am hungry so I meander to the kitchen to see what I can find to eat. I choose something simple to eat, a breakfast consisting of buttered toast and black tea, which I don't normally drink but hope that it will help the soreness in my throat. Priya, my roomate walks out of the bathroom and is surprised to find I haven't left yet since I was supposed to be at the YWAM base at 9 am. I enjoy a small morning chat her and then return to my bed where I appreciate the softness of my pillow and warm blankets. No sooner have I closed my eyes when my nose begins to run, and I can feel one side of my head draining liquids to the side that I am laying on. I walk blindly to the bathroom and unroll some toliet paper. I complain loudly to Priya that now my throat hurts as well and she encourages me to gargle salt water, which I reluctantly do out of desperation. Today is supposed to be a busy day for me, full of meetings, 3 to be exact. I come to the conclusion that I should not go to my first meeting in hope that I will feel better for the other 2. I get back into bed, and from there grab my cell phone and send an apologetic text message to Fery, who is my first meeting of the day. I put the phone down next to me so it will be handy if he writes back and begin to make a mental list of other things I need to do today or should do .. write a letter for this reason, get things ready for the staff meeting this afternoon, remember to call that other person, check my bank account, check my e-mail, which then reminds me that I have to go to the YWAM base to check my e-mail since my computer is not functioning at this time (burn out power cord and am currently waiting for my new one to arrive by mail, which here in Romania could arrive sometime next year), which then leads me into a small depression about my luck with computers and electronic equipment. Priya calls out goodbye and I hear her lock the front door behind her. I turn over in my bed, trying to ignore my thoughts and the dull pain in my head, when I begin to hear the low and hard thudding bass beats of techno music coming from the apartment below me. Now that I am aware of the bass beats, can feel my bed moving slightly to the beats and become increasingly more aggitated. I mentally picture myself pounding on the door of my neighbor demanding in English that they turn thier crap music down. Hmm... no, I dont' think that would work so well. So, I to pray to God that they would turn thier music down, and after about 5 more minutes I realize that this wasn't going to happen. I pull out a book in hopes that it will make me drowsy enough to fall asleep without being aware of the thudding beats which have now come to a level where I can hear the words being pronounced in the song. Eventually I fall asleep only to be awakened by the ringing of our phone, which I choose to ignore. I drift in and out of sleep for the next 15 minutes, and then my cell phone rings... Irritated, I answer it and then realize that I should give up any hope I have of sleeping off my new cold. So I get up and slowly go through my morning routine of brushing my teeth, fluffing my hair, and throwing on clothes that I wore the day before to save me the effort of thinking more than I need to. A half an hour later, I am sitting in our YWAM staff meeting, talking about schedules and visits for the month of October. The three of us; Priya, Lumi, and I, find ourselves pleasantly distracted from the meeting when we begin to talk about some of the trips we will be taking in October, and I begin to talk excitedly about going to Buchurest just to visit the Ikea store http://www.ikea.com/us/en/which then begins a whole new conversation about how great Ikea is. The meeting goes on for another hour and I feel any remaining energy I have being slowly drained out of me. We end the meeting and get ready to leave together to our next meeting which is at an orphanage, where we want to go and visit 2 times a month. I need to catch up on some work that I vainlessly didn't get done this morning, so I ask the girls if they wouldn't mind going on without me. They tease me a bit, but then tell me to get some rest. After they have left, I sit at the computer and begin systematically checking my e-mail, bank account, and facebook/myspace accounts. Then I remember I haven't actually written on my blog for weeks, and everyone has probably forgotton about me since I don't kept it updated. So I wrote this blog, occasionally removing my hands from the computer to rub them together and warm up my fingers. Now I plan on going home and eating some soup and making another mental list of things I can do when I get home without my computer that would count as work.

That was my day today, I don't know what else it holds, but I hope it doesn't include developing a cough or bad headache.

Staff interview

2007-09-13T14:59:00.001+03:00

Here is a clip that the base took of me a few months ago for our promotional video.

Back in Romania

2007-08-27T23:33:00.000+03:00

It doesn't feel like I have been out of Greece for almost 2 weeks- it feels like so much longer than that. We came back on August 18, and have already said our goodbyes to the DTS students who I have invested so much time in.

This is my week off here in Romania, since I went on outreach I don't even have to use my vacation. I plan on spending time with friends, playing computer games, and getting my hair dyed. I am in need of the break, not because I am tired, but I need time to process some things I learned this summer, plus pray about what God is wanting me to do in this next season.

The base leaders, Carmen and Jerry Busch, have left for 3 months to give birth in the States, and have left yours truly in charge of the base. It won't be too hard, but more responsibility than I am used to. Also, we as a base have decided that these next few months should be a time to develop ministries for our base, which is something we haven't had time to do because of the DTS.

Some ministries we hope to start are:

-Regular visits to orphanages, to play with the kids and teach English
-Youth Ministry, having youth nights at the base (this is called the Coffee House, but there will not be any actual coffee or drinks sold... I don't know why we are calling it this) and involving the youth groups from the local church "Betania"
-Further development with the International House of Prayer (IHOP), spending more time in coorporate prayer.

and last but not least

-English Classes. This is the ministry I will be heading up, so please pray for me that God will show me how exactly to do this. The point of the English Classes is not only give to the community, but for me to meet people and develop personal relationships.

I have spent some time praying about this, and I feel like the English Classes should be for High School age people, and I am praying that God will put the right people in my class to whom I can disciple.

So, we have our hands full for the next few months!

YWAM Targu Mures, Romania

2007-08-09T21:13:00.001+03:00

Check out our new promotional video with information of what we are doing in YWAM Targu Mures.

Idolatry in Greece

2007-08-05T00:04:00.000+03:00

What is Greece known for other than olive oil and pita bread? What first comes to your mind when you think of Greece? If you are like me, you would probably picture Greece's ancient ruins - temples to the gods. When you see pictures of Greece, you will more than likely be looking at a picture of ancient white columns with detailed carvings of half men/half horses engraved on them.

Since being in Greece, I haven't had too much contact with actual Greeks, mostly because there aren't very many open doors with them. The Greek people, from what I have been told and what I see, are very hard to reach out to, since they are so deep into "Greek thinking"- morality is a product of our reason rather than revelation, Socrates taught this.

Before I came to Greece I thought that these ancient ruins where simply cool historical sites. But what does God see these temples as? Now, I am not one to say or write things that are full of "hail and fire", but one thing I have seen here in Greece is injustice to God and His heart for us- His jealousy, and the spiritual adultary that idolatry really is.

Greeks have a lot of pride in their ancient temples, like the Parthenon, and the temples of Zeus and other gods. I don't think that God sees these temples as something to be proud of, being that He is a jealous God and that terrible acts against humanity and God Himself happened in these temples. Yet, people from all over the world come to see them and gaze in wonder at them.

Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Me"
Exodus 20:23 "Do not make any gods to be alongside Me"
Isaiah 42:8 " I am the Lord, that is My name! I will not give My glory to another or My praise to idols"

The missionary who we are working with here in Greece has worked here for over 9 years and has lead 1 Greek person to Christ the whole time. They just aren't interested in it. Greece is an "Orthodox" country, but what they have done is simply taken names of their pagan gods and put the word Saint in front of them. You can buy these saints/idols to protect you or to bless you for a few Euros outside of the churches. And Greeks KNOW this. You can point out that the saints that they pray to and kiss when they walk into the church are names of pagan gods with the word saint in front of them and they KNOW it. They don't really care. (for more information go to: http://www.in2greece.com/english/saints/saints.htm)

I believe that there are strongholds over this country because of the pride in un-godly things and un- godly lifestyles. This might be why none of them are coming to Christ.

Jeremiah 7:16-20 "So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with Me, for I will not listen to you. Do you not see what they are doing in the towns of Judah and in the streets of jerusalem? The children gather wood, the fathers light fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes of bread for the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger. But am I the one they are provoking? declares the Lord. Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: My anger and My wrath will be poured out on this place, on man and beast, on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground, and it will burn and not be quenched."

The rituals in this passage are not evil and satanic sounding, they are just baking cakes as a family- but this ritual is so offensive to God that He will not hear prayers of mercy.

Its not about what we think or feel, but how God feels. When God is against you, you have no hope. In scripture God says, i will not hear your prayers or intercession for them, because of their idolatry (Ezekail 20:31, Jeremiah 7:16, Amos 8:11)

"Idolatry cuts to the very heart of what it means to love our God. It touches the very core of man's relationship with his Creator. The Jewish sages who studied the scriptures said that the law is summed up in love. Converesly, they concluded that idolatry is the total negation of the law. Idolatry is hatred of God; it is a relationship breaker. It is spiritual adultery, and a betrayal of a lover whohas done everything for us. As we study idolatry , we can actually begin to understand the love language of our God. As such, He has explained to his people how He wants to be loved and served. God wants us to be holy so He can dwell with us and not be far from us. Our prayer is that we will humbly love our God and lead others into the blessing of obeying Him, particularly in the area of idolatry" - Randal Weidenaar, missionary in Greece.

Feeding nights at Samaria

2007-08-03T14:20:00.000+03:00

Every Sunday and Wednesday night Samaria Refugee Center has a free dinner for the city's refugees. It is the same meal every night; consisting of chicken, rice, and vegetables. There are at least 150 people from all over th worldthat show up for this dinner. Also, there is some sort of performance from a visiting Korean team, or my team or the other DTS team from England who is working with us. I enjoy feeding nights, but I have to admit it gets very crowded and hot and super busy! And I enjoy getting a cooked meal 2 nights a week, too!

Ali

2007-07-18T00:34:00.000+03:00

There is so much going on right nw, but its late and for now I don't have time to write much explaining everything.

Here is a tidbit from an e-mail I wrote to my brother about what's going on at the refugee center, Samaria, that I am working at.

"I absolutely love it here in Greece- its always sunny and happy outside, but mostly I love it here because of the work I am doing. I love the refugees, they are so wonderful and appreciative of us. I feel like I am doing something worthwhile by using my abilities and knowledge to teach them English. It is interesting, too, to hear their stories from their countries. The men in my class are mostly from Iran and Afghanistan and have fled for political reasons or because their countries suck. They are teaching me Farsi (Persian) which is spoken in both countries. They are mostly Muslims but I know that God is calling them right now in this time while they are foreigners to come to Jesus Christ in a country where they will not be killed for opening a bible. The other day I was talking to one of my students from Afghanistan, Ali, and he was telling me that Maria is a popular name in his country. When I asked him why, he said "Because they are named after the virgin mother of Jesus. Jesus is one of our prophets, that is why she is important, plus she was a virgin when she had him." So then I asked him if he believed that Jesus was the son of God, (if Mary was a virgin and had concieved a child from God then that should make jesus the son of God therefore unequal with other prophets). He kind of smiled and said that he would have to do more research and see what he could find. It is VERY hard for Muslims to "convert". He could be killed if he went back to Afghanistan and they found out he was a christian. So I am praying that God would intervene and speak where I cannot. I have some influence because I am his teacher and they regard that as a high position, but I will leave all the big work up to God!"

*Please pray for Ali, that he will respond to God's call to come to Jesus Christ.
*Ali's leg was broken when he was thrown out of a vehicle by the police as he was trying to escape Greece into Italy. Pray that God would heal his leg so that he can find work.
*Pray that God would speak to him about Jesus Christ through a dream or vision.
*Pray for me as I speak with him everyday, that God would guide our conversation and that it would bring honor to Jesus as the only way to God.

On the way to Greece

2007-07-04T21:44:00.001+03:00

I have spent the past 48 hours on a train.... but thats what it took to be where I am- in Athens, Greece! It was a beautiful train trip from Bucharest Romania through Bulgaria and then Greece. THe highlight for all of us, was when we rode through the Rhodope mountains in Bulgaria- the site was beautiful, the sun was just starting to set, and the cool air was flooding our cart as we gazed at the tall dark Baltic mountains of Bulgaria. We were all so excited and awed to be there at that moment.

Last week of DTS (lecture phase)

2007-06-27T17:17:00.001+03:00

This week is the DTS' last week of teaching. It has been an interesting DTS, not exactly what I expected it to be, but it was amazing to watch as God moved in each one of the students' (and staff!) hearts! The teachings and prayer and worship was very intense, but I glad I got to be a part of it. And next week, the 3 DTSers and I will be leaving for their outreach portion of the school. GREECE, here we COME! Please keep me in your prayers, I have a lot of errands to run, and some organising left to do before I leave. We are having some problems with visas, and finances, so please keep those in your prayers as well.

More good news- I have a roomate! Priya, who recently joined staff, will be moving in with me while I am on outreach in Greece. When I get back it will be nice to have someone to share all my space with!

From my meditation of the word

2007-06-20T23:26:00.000+03:00

I have been doing a study on world view and how our cultures shape the way we think. Here is some insight on what I have discovered:

Knowledge and philospphy-
Colossians 2:8 speaks about false knowledge, what the world thinks
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the TRADITION OF MEN, according to the BASIC PRINCIPLES of the world, and not according to Christ"

could tthe tradition of men be speaking about our cultures and socitey? are our basic principles Christ's principles and not our cultures?

- philosophy can be used to cheat
- philosophy can be from the tradition of men
- philosophy can be the basic principles of te world
- philosophy can be not according to Christ

We should beware not only of false teachers, but of false traditions and false principles that our cultures have taught us, ways to be like- we need to make sure they line up with Christ..

So what does that look like?
I, being an American, tend to be very independent. I like doing projects on my own and working on my own. Tell me what to do and I will go away and do it. Americans in Romania are notorious for being very independent and coming in and doing things their way without seeking the counsel of those who live here or have been here for several years.

Independence, I believe, is an example of a "principle" of my country. I don't believe its a necessarily a bad thing, but is it a biblical thing to be so self relient and independent? Do my principles line up with Christ's and His word?

I will continue my research on what the bible says about independence and also about the "traditions of men"

ALSO

God has been speaking to me this week about spiritual gifts, especially the gift of wisdom. I believe that this is one of my giftings that God has given me and wants me to develop more. So I meditated on the following verses:

Proverbs 2:6, the lord gives wisdom, from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 3:13, happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.

Wisdom is from God, not me. What I know is because He has given it to me.
His wisdom and understanding can make me happy.

YWAM Family day

2007-06-11T22:24:00.000+03:00

Last saturday we had an extra day of class for the DTS students but then took the rest of the day off to hang out with each other and watch the men build a sandbox in our courtyard for the kids. It was really nice to spend some time with everyone when we aren't stressed about work or chores. Plus we welcomed a new staff person from India, her name is Priya and I think we are going to be great friends!

Festival of the Nations

2007-05-30T10:13:00.001+03:00

I just got back last night at 12 am from Germany, where I was for 3 days at a YWAM conference for Europe. It was so great to see what other people in YWAM are doing all over Europe and network with them. I saw old friends, and met some new ones, and spent some quality time with people from other YWAM bases here in Romania.

The theme of this conference was "Rising to the challenge"- there is so much that we can do, but we need to rise to the challenges that are ahead of us. Seeking God, His will, His strength, His heart, living out those things will help us to rise to the challenges that make ministry hard.

One thing that God spoke to me was that to look at Romania as a station/platform from which I will continue to go out into other parts of the world. My work will not just be in Romania, because we all work together to try to benefit the good of the world, and show God's hope. I will be doing that this summer in Greece! This has helped me see that there is a bigger picture- there is a whole world out there that needs help, and we need to work together- not just several ministries here and there, working alone, but working as a unit being God's hands and feet, providing the nations with practical ways of seeing God's love. THere is so much that can be done, we just need to keep plowing and pray that God will reap the harvest!

The only complaint I have, was that it rained everynight while I was in Germany, and sleeping in a tent didn't make it much better!

Going to Germany

2007-05-23T21:42:00.000+03:00

Tomorrow I leave for a 6 day trip to Germany for a YWAM conference called Festival of the Nations. I am really looking forward to the break and visiting some more countries, but most of all I am looking forward to meeting more people. There will be YWAMers from all over Europe, and I will get to see some old friends. I am riding with the Busch family and we will be stopping in Vienna, Austria to sleep tomorrow night. Please pray for our journey, that we will arrive there and back safely.

For more information about the Festival of the Nations, go to: http://www.ywam.eu/festival/

Haircut

2007-05-20T22:18:00.000+03:00

Now that my eye is back to its normal size, I decided to improve myself, by getting a haircut. It not exactly spiritual, but I feel a little bit better about my hair and the way I look..

Quasimodo

2007-05-17T08:38:00.000+03:00

This morning I woke up to find that my right eye was swollen so much that I couldn't barely open it. Yesterday evening I had noticed there was some slight swelling around my lashes, but didnt' pay much attention to it. At this point, I am not sure what is wrong with my eye other than I must have gotten bitten by something. I missed work today, so that I could stay home and no one would have to look at my new Quasimodo face. But you are special, so I took some photos so that you can partake of my pain! Hopefully it will go away after my friend, Teo, brings me some eyes drops and Claritin.

Waiting in lines

2007-05-15T17:53:00.000+03:00

Here in Romania, you have to wait in line for everything. To pay each of the five bills that I get, I have to go to five different places and wait inline at each place. There is no such thing as writing a check and putting it in the mail box. Nope, you have to go to each place and wait with all the other people who decided to do the same thing as you. To make matters worse, there are no defined lines, there are only crowds of people. I usually look for the crowd that is the smallest. You basically have to shove your way to the front and if there is a foot of space between you in the person in front of you- that means you are not waiting in line. This is also the case in the grocery store. Be grateful for self checkout.

Melanie!

2007-05-10T23:13:00.000+03:00

Carmen and Jerry Busch's first born child, Melanie, currently loves dancing, biting or throwing things, and testing her vocal chords by how loud she can sing/scream. Every Wednesday morning, I have lots of fun with Melanie, and I get the chance to read funny children's books and dance around the Busch's apartment as crazily as I want! I knew I had achieved an important moment of life a few weeks ago when she saw me walk into the room and said "NINA!" She says my name!!!! I am one of the few people. besides her mom and dad, whose name she says.. She also fulfills my need for human touch with her big hugs!

As you can tell from the photos, Melanie also loves to eat whatever she can get her hands on.

It's May!/ Freedom from fear

2007-05-07T12:32:00.000+03:00

This is the view near my apartment.

I can't believe it is May... I have been here over 2 months and I still can't believe it! May is going to be a very busy month for me: I have just started teaching conversationa English at the base, I am in charge of weekly outreaches for the DTS, I am planning the 2 month outreach to Greece (we leave next month!), plus I will be going to a conference in Germany at the end of May! Not to mention, the DTS is running and I am with the students everyday. I am keeping busy! Even though it can be stressful, I like where I am and what I am doing. I don't always feel like I know what I am doing, but its all a learning process. God has been speaking to me on not being afraid.

When I first got to Romania, I had a lot of fear- fear to go on the buses, to talk to people in English, to walk down the street alone. I even had fear of using my own shower, that I would break something. But God has given me revelation through this verse from Romans 8: "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'"

Fear can make you a slave. I have experienced this here in my own life. I never truly understood this verse until recently, when I understood how fear can control your descions, big or small. But, I don't have to be a slave to my fear, whether it be fear of man, fear of rejection, fear of being alone. I don't have to accept it. GOD IS WITH ME. He know what is happening aroun me better than I do. I want to have trust that God is like my father. who would cross oceans to save me. Even if something bad where to happen, I hope that I can take faith in "all things work together for good to those who love the Lord."

Christ came for freedom of mankind. For my freedom.

My apartment in Romania

2007-04-29T18:03:00.001+03:00

Here is a short video of my apartment in Romania- thanks for the idea, Bethany!

Trip to Bucharest

2007-04-28T23:14:00.000+03:00

This week I had went on a last minute trip to Bucharest. Those of us who went to the YWAM Leadership Conference in Timisoara last month were invited to go visit the founder of YWAM, Loren Cunningham. His son is directing a major film (The Dark is Rising) here in Romania and Loren is visiting him.

About 23 of us from various YWAM bases gathered in the house where David Cunningham is staying. We talked and ate pizza and listened to wisdom the Loren had to offer us. He is a very down to earth and normal man. I was encouraged by some things he said. We were then invited to visit the locations where his son is filming. So the next day we drove out to the countryside of Romania and watched from a far as they filmed a viking war scene, complete with the animals and fires. It was the funniest thing to watch these great big realistic vikings sitting down to eat a sandwich during their lunch break.

What I enjoyed about this trip, was the fellowship with the other YWAMers. I rode in a van full of people (which is normal in YWAM) for 6 hours there and back and got to know people and hear about what other bases are doing. I am glad to be part of the new unity that is forming in YWAM Romania. This was my first real trip to Bucharest and it was very fun!

Hard day for Romania

2007-04-20T15:27:00.000+03:00

Yesterday was a hard day for the country of Romania. Romania's parliament voted Thursday to suspend President Traian Basescu. He was a "people's president" so many Romanian's are not happy with this decision.

From ABC International News:

"BUCHAREST, Romania Apr 19, 2007 (AP)— Romania's parliament voted Thursday to suspend the popular president who ushered in economic and social reforms to help the country join the European Union, accusing him of abusing his constitutional powers.

President Traian Basescu had earlier vowed to resign "within five minutes" if lawmakers voted to suspend him. His resignation would prompt a new election within three months, and he has said he would run again for office.

Under the law, parliament can suspend the president for 30 days and organize a referendum to remove him from office. More than half of voting-age Romanians would have to approve a referendum for it to pass, which would be virtually impossible, given Basescu's popularity and the usually low turnout in Romanian ballots.

Lawmakers have accused Basescu of 19 counts of constitutional abuses such as usurping the Cabinet from the prime minister, criticizing judges and ordering the tapping of minister's telephone calls. The Constitutional Court, however, ruled there was no evidence to back the charges and dismissed the lawmakers' accusations.

"It's a bad solution for a bad situation," said Deputies' Chamber speaker Bogdan Olteanu, adding that Basescu should be impeached because he fueled political conflicts that threatened Romania's development.

Basescu, who has denied any wrongdoing, is Romania's most popular politician and polls indicate he would win a new term in office in a new election.

He is credited with helping to implement reforms after he came to office in 2004 which helped Romania join the EU on Jan. 1. However, he has been at odds with both the left wing opposition and with Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, with whom he recently clashed in a public argument on national television.

Dozens of Basescu supporters gathered in the capital for a rally, and the president was expected to join them later in the day.

On Wednesday, the president warned that a vote to suspend him could have serious consequences for Romania, including a decrease in the country's rating by credit agencies and weakening its position in the EU because of political instability.

According to the law, the chairman of the Senate, Nicolae Vacaroiu, is to assume the president's duties during his suspension, or until a new election can be held if Basescu resigns or is impeached in a referendum."

By ALEXANDRU ALEXE

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Visa: Day 3

2007-04-19T22:38:00.000+03:00

After a looong wait at the state insurance company, a somewhat embarassing doctor's visit, running around town to make copies several times, I have offically completed the neccesary paperwork for my visa. I now am on my way to becoming a legal Romanian resident! Praise God... I am still in one piece.

Visa: Day 1

2007-04-17T18:51:00.000+03:00

Today I went to the police station to see about getting my visa extended. I have found out that this will probably tak a few days in order to gather all the information I will need. In the meantime, here were some highlights of my first day:

1. Finding a doctor- in order to get a visa, you have to be checked by a doctor who will write you off as healthy. I was told that I should try to find a doctor who I can simply tell that I am healthy and have them sign a paper saying this was true. This sounded too easy, so when I went to the hospital (with no insurance, I might add) I was told that this was illegal and I had to go to the Center of the CIty and register for Romanian health insurance. I decided to see what other options there were.

2. Making copies- there are several "Xerox" places that you can go to so that you can make xerox'es. My helper and friend, Lumi, and I walked around the Center looking for one that seemed most convenient. We saw a sign that said Xerox that pointed to tunneled ally. We walked into several places that looked like they could be xerox places, but all turned out to be computer cafes. Finally, at the end of the ally, behind a door with no sign, we saw a xerox machine. I went in and made several copies of my degrees, passport, birth certificate, but ended up not needing most of the copies I made.

3. The Visa place- You walk up a narrow spiral cement staircase, through some wooden doors, into a small room that looks like a nice living room, not an office. I was told to be very smiley and nice, and not to be pushy when I take my things for my visa. The man working looked slightly bored and annoyed that we were there, but I showed him my things, and he gave me another list of things I needed before they could even register me into the system.. "Come back tomorrow with these things and I will register you into the computer, and then I will give you a number to take to the doctor's instead of you registering for insurance," he said.. Good. One thing less I have to do and pay for.

4. Paying the fees- I am applying for a Humanitarian worker visa. I was told that I may not have to pay the hefty fee of 394 Ron (about $160.00) for a visa because I am here to help... Once again, this sounded too good to be true, and the man at the visa place confirmed that this was, in fact not true. But I was exempt from a religious workers fee, which would have been an extra 60Ron on top of what I was already paying. To pay this fee, you have to go to the state bank (which during communissum was the only bank in town) and put money into the visa account. They give you a little reciept saying that you have paid, which you then give to the visa office. ... *sigh... so much to remember.

1st Easter in Romania

2007-04-08T18:09:00.000+03:00

For my very first Easter Sunday in Romania, my friend Luminitsa invited me and Amanda (a DTS student) to her flat for lunch. She and her sister, Carmen, and another friend all made a special dinner of mashed potatoes, lamb, chicken, stuffed mushrooms, salad, and some other things.

In Romania, instead of saying "Happy Easter" they say "Cristos Anviat!" which means "Christ has risen!" When you say "Cristos Anviat" to someone they reply "Adeverat ca anviat!" which means "Truly, He has risen!" I found that this was much more meaningful and truthful to say than Happy Easter.

Also, there is a tradition of craking eggs, where you and someone else each have a colorfully decorated easter egg and say to each other: "Cristos Anviat!" and "Adeverat ca anviat!" and then you tap each others egg to see whose breaks first. The point is to have the egg that doesn't crack... if your doesn't crack, than you are special or you win or something like that.

Cristos Anviat!

2007-04-08T18:00:00.000+03:00

Today is Easter.... At this time every year, we usually hear the about the story of Jesus and how He was crucified... I have always found this somewhat tedious and repeatitve.. yeah, I know He died, it was horrible and gory, and it was for me. Good, I am glad. But this year, my first Easter ever away from my family, I am focusing on His faithfulness in this story... He said He would rise again, and HE DID. How many times did he tell the disciples He would come back again, yet they still didn't get it. How many times does He remind me that He is with me and knows me, yet I still don't get it.. that He is faithful! Faithful to complete the works He has begun. Wow. I am thankful, Jesus, for your faithfulness...

Getting ready for 1st DTS!

2007-03-31T23:22:00.000+03:00

This week we have been preparing for out very first DTS ever which will start April 11th. One of the last things Jesus said before leaving the earth was "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of age." Matthew 28:19-20. That is what DTS is all about, making disciples and teaching them. I am so excited about this, I can't tell you blessed I am to be a part of this. I know how much it changed my life, and now I get to be a part of that change in someone else's life. Our first DTS student arrived this week, her name is Amanda and she is from my motherland- the USA! Keep her in your prayers as she gets adjusted to the new culture and is preparing for her DTS. We hope to have about 4-5 students for the DTS, which is good for the size of our base. We have some people from Romania interested but please pray for them, because the fincancial part of the school can hold them back from attending. If you would like to help one of the potential Romanian students financially, please e-mail me at lifetraveling@gmail.com and we can communicate further.

Here is their story taken from an e-mail that went out from the base leaders:

We wanted to present to you the story of two Romanian boys who want to join this
upcoming DTS but are fearfull because of the financial
situation.

Boy #1 isfull of life, always smiling, very friendly and with a
heart for pursuing God and worship. Yet he's not
without flaws. He grew up orphan, he was more than likely
very abused in orphanages and as hard as he is trying,
he gets very easily offended, not trusting people too
easily but feels it's time to go deeper in his walk
with God. That's why when the opportunity for the DTS
presented itself he was first to want to join. For
that he will have to quit his job and step out in
faith. The $800 for the lecture phase plus another
$800 for outreach it's not easy for him to believe God
for.

Boy #2 contacted us about a week ago, he's from a city
about five hours away but heard about us during a
Missions Conference in his town. God spoke to him then
and there to join our mission organization and the DTS
is his first step. Now he doesn't have a lot of time
to raise the support since it's so last minute but
wants to believe God for the money. I spoke with him
on the phone and I was quite impressed. I promised him
I'll try to help by presenting his story.

Both of them are waiting now on finances. If you or
anyone you know hears from God about sponsoring one of
them fully or just with a small amount (anything
helps) please let me know. Feel free to pass this on
to other Churches, Bible study groups etc.
We in YWAM believe many times God confirms (or not)
our next steps through finances.

Making new friends

2007-03-26T22:05:00.000+03:00

I spent this weekend with some new friends that I have made. Pictured from left to right is Chriss, me, Meg, and Adela (D.D.). There was another guy named Rogban who was with us, but since he was taking the photo, he couldn't be in it! I meet Chriss and DD at the Call2 Worship seminar that was held at the YWAM base a few weeks ago. We took a train to a city named Brasov, where this photos was taken, even though it was slightly rainy and cold. In Brasov, we met up with DD's friend Meg, who is from the States and will be returning in a few weeks after doing some short term mission work in ROmania. It was so nice to spend time with friends and getting to know them better. God is answering my prayers!

Timisoara

2007-03-23T19:52:00.000+02:00

This week I was in Timisoara, which is a beautiful city about an hour away from the border of Hungry. It was for a YWAM Romania leadership conferenc, and I met other leaders from YWAM bases in Romania. It was an encouraging time to met other people who where doing the same thing as me, and pray with them about Romania. We had a speaker from Argentina and guess what? I had to translate into English, because Alejandro (the speaker) spoke in Spanish and they had a translator who translated into Romanian but not into English and since half the people there were English speakers, I was the one who translated! It was such a strange thing to be translating from Spanish into English in Romania! God is like that though!

While at the conference, God really spoke to me about hope. There is so much to do here, sometimes it is overwhelming- can we ever get anything done? But because of that, there is so much hope. God can do so much, He has much to accomplish, and He already is doing it. He is moving in Romania, in my life. Thank you for your prayers for this nation.

The first photo is me in Timisoara, the 2nd is me with Alejandro and Marta Rodriguez, the speakers from Argentina.

Call 2 Worship!

2007-03-16T14:09:00.000+02:00

This week has been an amazing week! We had our first seminar, the Call 2 Worship, in our new building. We had some teachers come from Holland to teach about worship and being in a worship team. There are usually about 15 students (mostly Romanians) and they have been really fun to get to know. Also, the teachers have been a blessing to us as a YWAM base, encouraging us and praying for us.

The photos are of the students in the Call 2 Worship seminar
The bottom photo is of the C2W staff and teachers

Today at McDOnalds

2007-03-10T19:26:00.000+02:00

Today was my "day off" so I decided to talk a walk around the center of the city and do some sightseeing and shopping. I was excited to walk around the center- it was the first time really, since I hurt my foot, that I could go to the City's busy center and enjoy the business of the people around me. After some light shopping, I realized I was hungry and decided to go to McDonalds. Mcdonald's in Romania is much healthier than in the states and it taste much better too. SO I ordered my food in ENglish and conversed a little with the person taking my order and then sat down to eat my meal. I ate most of my Cheeseburger Royal and most of my fries but then was full. As I sat back, rubbing my full belly, 2 little girls came up to me and started speaking to me in Romanian. One was probably about 11, the other 7. I didn't know what they were saying to me., so I politely told them in Romanian, that I didn't understand Romanian very well and do they understand English. THey just kept talking and started pointing at my food. I didn't know what they were trying to say, and before i knew it one of the girls grabbed the leftover sandwhich and put in her mouth then walked away with my fries... I was so shocked, I didn't know what to do or say! I just sat there watching them go up to another table and talk to them and be ignored. By the time I realized what just happened they were gone.

I am praying that as these things continue to happen to me, that God would show me what to do.. I am never sure how to react or what to say, especially since i feel like I never know what is happening. Please pray that in these strange situations God can use me in some weird way to love these kids and people whether its to buy them a real meal, or I don't know what.

Out of Commission

2007-03-05T14:48:00.000+02:00

So I was able to manage a hospital visit my first week in Romania! Not to worry, nothing to serious. What happened was, I walked home to my apartment last week on Wednesday and my left foot felt really sore. The whole night it bothered me and I couldn't sleep. The next day, after about 2 hours of sleep, I realized I wasn't going to be able to walk on it. It was all swollen and still really hurt. For the next 3 days I coudn't leave my apartment because I was in too much pain. Finally on Saturday night, my fellow YWAMer Hadassah, convinced me to let her take me to the hospital. It was late, there would be no one there, and maybe I wouldn't even have to pay for the visit if things were slow.

So Hadassah drove me to the Hospital, and told me that the doctors at this hospital had been trained help during war. The whole hospital kinda looked like it was set up for war, with no rooms, and mint green crumbling walls. I was wheeled right away to a separte wing where an X-ray was taken of my foot. A tough Romanian doctor with a scar on his face felt my foot, pushing and poking in different spots. He asked me how I hurt my foot and when I told him I couldn't remember, he laughed to himself and asked if I had been drunk at the time. I laughed too and said that it was probably hurt because I wasn't used to walking on it so much. He poked my heel again, and when I winced, he took a closer look at the X-Ray. He pointed out to me that on the bottom of my foot there is a little bone like a hook. He said everyone has it, but mine is bigger than normal. This bone was poking into my tissue and that was why I couldn't walk on my foot. He gave me a prescription and told me to buy cusions for all of my shoes to prevent further damage and my other foot is probably the same.

So where was God in all of this? Well, I did NOT have to pay for the doctor's visit, they didn't feel like doing all the paper work so they just let me go, which is a big deal for me since I currently do not have insurance. Plus, my prescriptions were CHEAP. I also saw God through the compassion of my friend Hadassah, who went out of her way to help me. His timing was great, and now I am slowly able to walk again, a week before I am needed most (next week we start running the Call 2 Worship seminar) Plus, on those lonely nights of pain, I knew He was listening and was protecting me.

He is faithful.

YWAM staff begins

2007-02-26T14:54:00.000+02:00

Today was my first "offical" day of staff. I meet with the base leader, Jerry and he gave me an idea of what some of my responsibilities are. I will probably be in charge of Communication with people (Westerners) who are interested in YWAM and the schools, or those wanting to work with us, registration and visas for Westerners, etc. March is going to be a busy month for me because of staff training March 4-6, then the Call 2 Worship seminar we are having, then I am going to a conference in Timisoara, and at the end of the month the first DTS begins which is a big thing. Also, I will be co-leading the School of Worship in Jan 08 so we have to start planning for that! Not to mention, in between everything there will be the Mercy Ministries with the kids, and English classes but it looks like I won't have time to start that for a while.

YWAM Tg Mures Prayer requests:
1. Base building- we have found some suitable buildings to house future students and staff but are in need of funds to start it.
2. Staff - we currently have 3 full time staff people (myself included) and there is more work than people.
- pray for great relationships and communication with all current staff.
3. God First- pray that we as a YWAM can remember to put our relationships with God first, before work. It is hard to make time when you feel like there is so much to do, but it is essential that HE is above all things, the reason for being.

Selina's prayer requests:
1. Romanian language- Though it has been somewhat easy to get around for me, I still want to learn Romanian so I don't have to have a translator go with me everywhere or point and make shapes with my hands everytime I want to but something!
2. Love for Romania- I want to feel very at home here, so pray that God will continue giving me a love for where I am.
3. Motivation- Though its not a problem now, please pray that I will not get discouraged or tired with what I am doing. I want to love what I am doing and not forget who I am doing it for (GOD!)

I will share more stories and photos as life happens for me in ROMANIA!

I am here!

2007-02-24T07:16:00.000+02:00

Good morning from Tg Mures Romania! I made here on Thursday afternoon after about 20 hours of traveling. I am suffering from jetlag and neckaches but other than that I am doing pretty well! Carmen and I went shopping yesterday to pick up stuff from my apartment which I will be moving into today, hopefully! Luckily, I have the weekend off, so I get to spend this time getting adjusted. This morning I will be having breakfast with the rest of the YWAM staff- which include 3 full times (myself included) and 3 part time staffers. I will be keeping you informed as I find out when I start working ans what i will be doing! Thanks for your prayers!

Prayers of His people

2007-02-19T15:59:00.000+02:00

Yesterday was my last day at my church..it was a hard time for me, saying good bye to my true family and some of my favorite people in the world. I was surprised how hard it was for me.. before the church service started everyone came up and laid hands on me and "sent" me out. I was really blessed to hear everyone's prayers for me and what God was telling them. I want to thank each one of you for your prayers of courage, I know that God hears the prayers of His people and will take good care of me as I turn to Him!

WDLM prays for Romania

2007-02-09T06:20:00.000+02:00

This morning, on my way to work, I heard the local radio station WDLM praying for Targu Mures, Romania. They prayed for the city and the mayor and the missionaries there. It was so exciting to hear them praying for the place and the people I will be working with! WDLM has adopted Romania to keep in thier prayers. I am so encouraged by this, and I know God is answering their prayers!

Check out thier website at: www.wdlm.mbn.org and visit "shoes for orphan souls"

A Successful Evening

2007-02-05T16:38:00.000+02:00

The concert went very well, except fr the part where I dropped my guitar pick in the middle of a song, then had to play with my thumb so no one would notice. And after the song was finished I tried to start the next one and before I sang the first word I dropped the pick 3 more times- I figured my hands must be really sweaty, then I looked down at the pick and it had this huge tear in it.... hmmm "Does anyone have an extra pick?!" But other than that I had a lot of fun! Tessa sang and played great, she is so unique. Thanks to all the people who helped by setting up and bringing goodies. Hopefully there will be more concerts in the fututre!

Concert Tomorrow Night!

2007-02-03T23:24:00.000+02:00

Don't forget, my concert is tomorrow night! Come for some warm coffee and a relaxing evening! I am very excited!

6:00pm - 7:00pm (You'll still have time to watch the Super Bowl!)
Church of the Living Water (3120 Park Ave. W)
Muscatine IA

I leave in a little less than 3 weeks, so this is my goodbye and thank you Concert!

FEB 21!

2007-02-01T02:45:00.000+02:00

I have finally boughten my ticket to Romania! I leave exactly 3 weeks from today! I bought a one way ticket with the airline Alitalia departing February 21st from Chicago with a layover in Milan, Italy then onto Cluj Romania! Wow, I can't believe the time has almost come...

Felicidades a Robert y Lisa!

2007-01-28T00:49:00.000+02:00

Today, one of my very good friends Lisa Anderson married Robert Babbit at Lisa's home here in Muscatine. It was a beautiful small and intimate wedding with family (and me). Lisa is a person very dear to my heart and has been influencial in my life. I pray her and her new husband, Robert, will be very blessed in the oncoming years!

Selina in concert!

2007-01-24T06:23:00.000+02:00

I will be having a concert
Feb 4th @ 6:00 PM
at Church of the Living Water (3120 Park Ave W. Muscatine, IA)

I will be singing and sharing a few songs that I have written over the years. This concert is a "thank-you" and "good-bye" to all the friends and family in the area and people who have supported me in my missionary adventures. There will also be information about my current adventure to Romania with YWAM. Bring your friends for a relaxing night!

Tessa Lange will be opening the program with original music on the harp. There will be free coffee, and some speakers from the CLW short term team that went to Romania. Hope you can come!

A short note..

2007-01-21T07:46:00.000+02:00

I just wanted to tell you how excited I am getting about going to Romania! Wooo-WHOO! I might be there in a MONTH! I can't believe it. I hope to buy my plane ticket within the next two weeks, so pray that I can find some great prices! I am CAN"T WAIT!! AAHHHH! :P

God's Smuggler

2007-01-18T04:39:00.000+02:00

I have been reading this book called "God's Smuggler" about Brother Andrew, a Dutch missionary who went to the Iron Curtin of Europe and smuggled Bibles into the Communist countries. It has been so inspiring to read about how God provided for this one man. His famous quote from the book is "GOd, in the bible You made blind eyes see. Now I ask that you make seeing eyes blind" This is referring to soldiers and govenment officals who would search him for illegal materials such as Bibles.... and never found anything!

WHat stands out to me is how much faith Brother Andrew had in God. He did things that were not only illegal, but dangerous, just to get the Word of God to people who didn't have it. He knew that GOd would never abandon him and simply obeyed. I want faith like that... faith that will not only cause me to obey God but faith that can change the lives of others and the world. But I have to be careful what I ask for, cause GOd answers prayers and who know what He might do!

1 month plan

2007-01-11T04:38:00.000+02:00

January
1. Work for the rest of January at West Liberty Foods for some extra cash
2. Finish raising monthly support
3. Buy one way ticket to Romania- set date of departure
4. Continue studying Romanian

February
1. Have Concert (Feb 3rd-more info to come later)
2. Start packing
3. My friend Melinda, is coming for a visit
4. Avoid Valentine's day
5. Spend quality time with quality people
6. Send out one last newsletter before I leave
7. Move to ROMANIA!
8. Start English Class ministry

More to come later!

A New Year of surprises and adventure.

2007-01-04T05:13:00.000+02:00

This year I made the usual New Year's resolutions: eat less junk food, excersise more, go to bed earlier, remember to brush my teeth 2x a day, you know the usual. But my resolutions weren't the only thing on my mind as the ball dropped in Times Square. This year will be different than most.. I will be leaving home for the longest period of time I ever been gone. I will be meeting people I have never meet and loving people I don't even know at this moment. So much can happen in one year. Last year my brother and many of my friends got married or engaged. I did things I never thought I would do, went places I never knew I would go. What does this year hold for me? I can't begin to imagine- GOD suprises me all the time. He has so much planned for us, we can't begin to understand. I can't wait! I hope I am ready.

YWAM Tg Mures website

2006-12-26T08:35:00.000+02:00

Guess who is now on the YWAM Targu Mures website? ME!
To see yours truly on the web or for information about YWAM Tg Mures:

click on "YWAM Tg Mures" under LINKS to the right of this page (then go to Current Staff to see me!)

or

go to www.ywam-targumures.com/currentstaff.html

Christmas, hurrah!

2006-12-26T08:06:00.000+02:00

Hurrah for Christmas! Though it came fast this year, Christmas was very jolly. My family was reunited once again with me back from Mexico and my brother and his wife Tana back from Montana for the Holidays. When I was in Mexico, I daydreamed about turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy. Christmas was not a let down. Even though I caught a severe cold where I lost my voice and was so congested I thought that I wouldn't be able taste anything, God answered the small prayer that I would be able to taste my food! Praise God for the small prayers He answers, He delights in us! I stuffed myself with turkey and rolls and yams and mashed potatoes and pumkin pie. I know it sounds wierd. but I believe that God loves us so much, He wants to show us how loving He is even in small things. Try it sometime, pray for something that might seem insignificant and He just might surprise you! By the way, I am quickly regaining my health!

Back home

2006-12-19T09:31:00.000+02:00

I arrived back in the great state of Iowa sunday. It is nice to be finished with school, but I miss the warm weather and the beach. I now look forward to spending the week with my family, espeacially my brother and his wife who are back in town for Christmas. I will keep you posted as my plans for Romania continue to progress!

Almost free!

2006-12-15T10:20:00.000+02:00

Only one more day left of the CELTA course, so we had to celebrate! This is a photo of my tutor, Edna, and some other CELTA survivors! We had our last assesed teaching practice tonight and decided to go to a little Cuban resturaunt called La Bodeguita where there was salsa dancing and a live band. What a nice way to celebrate!

Christmas time

2006-12-14T08:08:00.000+02:00

It is very strange to see Christmas trees near the beach, but that is what you see walking down Playa del Carmen's busy 5th Ave. The other Americans and I get a kick out of the giant blown up snowmen that people have in their shop or on their roof... I am sure the last time it snowed enough here to make a snowman was during the ice ages.

End of week 3 (almost)

2006-12-08T06:57:00.000+02:00

Well, I only came close to an emotional break down once, so that was pretty good! My classmates were all stressed so emotions were running high. I found myself being more sensitive than usual. But praise God that everything (so far) has been going well. i've gotten done verything I have needed to so far. I think last week was harder for me than this week, but this week there was more work. I can't wait until the weekend when I can take my time doing my assignments!

My Mexican Boyfriend!

2006-12-06T08:12:00.000+02:00

HAHAHA! Just kidding, I knew it would get your attention. This is Daniel, one of my students, who is always telling me I should get a Mexican boyfriend. Don't worry, its not on my ever growing "to do" list

The Beach & Entering 3rd week of CELTA

2006-12-04T04:40:00.000+02:00

I finally got a chance to got to the beach yesterday morning.. its was beautiful! The water and temperture was perfect! It was so nice to get away and stare at the turquise water of the ocean. But not all is a day at the beach! Please continue praying for me, I am starting to feel tired because of the work load and classes. I start teaching an intermediate class this week so teaching will get harder. Pray that I can continue to have the motivation to keep going, pray for protection against anything that the devil is trying to do. Thank-you!

Interesting Fact: Dengue Fever

2006-12-02T08:09:00.000+02:00

If you look closely at this picture you will see that I currently have at least 12 mosquito bites on my ankles and feet only. In Mexico, we are told that mosquitos carry a disease called "Dengue Fever." It is very common here, my tutor had it and several people who work at the Language school I atttend have had it. Don't worry, as far as I know I don't have it...yet. But loooking at my mosquito bites and how many I have, it has occured to me how blessed I am not to have it!

"Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are viral diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, usually Ae. aegypti. The four dengue viruses (DEN-1 through DEN-4) are immunologically related, but do not provide cross-protective immunity against each other."- Center for Disease Control and Prevention

2006-11-30T00:04:00.000+02:00

The view from my class