Today was a full and encouraging day of ministry as we wrapped up Week 1 here in Romania.
We began the day at Bethlehem Baptist Church in San Mihi, where Pastor Ruben Cristinoiu faithfully shepherds a growing body of believers. Our team participated in the morning service with a package of music and testimonies. Braxton shared how he came to know Christ, Faith Neds testified to how God led her back to Romania for another year of ministry, and Joy shared how the Lord worked in her life and led her to Pensacola Christian College. It was a joy to worship together and see the excitement of Pastor Ruben and the church about what God is doing among their people.
In the service, we connected our Bible club theme—“One God, One Way, One Truth, One Life”—with a message from Mark 1. We focused on how God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into this world and how Christ clearly testified that He is the Son of God: through miracles of healing, casting out demons, teaching with authority, cleansing a man with leprosy, and forgiving the sins of a lame man. While the adults were in the main service, the children went to another room where Josh Neds taught their lesson, helped them review their memory verse, and led them in a review game. The Word of God was front and center for all ages.
In the afternoon, we returned to the village of Santa Maria for our final Bible club there this week. We had told the boys and girls that club would start at 4 p.m., and that however many children were already waiting at the gate when we arrived, Coach and the guys would do that many push-ups. When we pulled up, 17 kids were lined up and ready—so 17 push-ups it was! The children loved watching the Americans keep their word. Braxton taught the lesson, and we finished with plenty of prizes for verses said and gifts for the kids. Attendance throughout the week was consistent, and we are praying that this momentum continues as Ruben and Jordan continue to minister in that village.
We ended the day back at our cabin with a teen get-together. Several teens from the church joined us for an evening of ice cream and soccer—Mango Coconut Gelato was the favorite of at least one member of our team! More importantly, our teens had the opportunity to share how they navigated their own teenage years and the difficult decisions they faced: whether to follow the world or to be transformed and follow Jesus Christ. Some of our team members shared deeply personal struggles that mirror what these Romanian teens are facing now. The honesty and openness created a sweet spirit of fellowship and encouragement.
It was truly a blessing to be in the house of the Lord, to fellowship and study God’s Word with fellow believers, and to close out the first week of ministry with hearts full and vision renewed for what God can continue to do here.