Like a Really Good Movie Sequel

 Well guys, it has been a good two weeks! So many ministry opportunities have happened and already things are bigger, better, stronger, faster than last year. Don't get me wrong, last year was great, but it's good to see that MCR is always growing!
 
 First off, let me introduce you guys to the MCR class of 2012 on the picture to the left!


The six at the top are the MCR first year students. From left to right, top to bottom, are Marius Polozache, Bogdan Nitescu, Ionut Baboi, Naomi Nicolae, Esthera Nicolae, and Lidia Petre.


The three on the left are the MCR seconder year students. From left to right they are Oana Neacsu, David Petre, and Autumn Marcell.


The four on the right are the MCR staff and directors. From left to right we are Bianca Doll (staff), Pastor Florin Cucu (Director), Liz Cucu (Co-Director), Niki Nica (Staff), and me (staff). 
 
 
 
 A few days after the students arrived, they were taken to a mountain side for a retreat called "Face to Face." This retreat is where the students sign their First year and Second year commitments and covenants, where they are oriented on the year's academic schedule, and debriefed on MCR's code of conduct. It is at this retreat also that we spend time getting to know one another and build that family and team atmosphere.
 
 Many of these students had amazing moments with God and found themselves weeping. It had only been just a few days into the year and already these students were being challenged in the presence of God! It was clear that after Face to Face these students were ready to start the year!
 
 Since then the students have been applying themselves to their academics as well as being given the opportunity to discover the gifts, talents, and abilities they've been given.

 Stomp team tryouts were just a few days ago, and were lead by Autumn Marcell. Out of the first years, three made it on to the stomp team! The team is comprised of Bogdan, Marius, Naomi, Oana, Autumn, and me. 
 
 What has been truly awesome about this stomp team is that it has given the students chances to face insecurities, find Identity, and build confidence! Many of them have been very vocal about how God is using this one event to challenge them in all areas of their life!
 
 Two days after stomp tryouts the students had drama tryouts. As MCR's Fine Arts Coordinator I lead these tryouts. The students had a blast as well as an opportunity to find their gifts. They had opportunities to tell stories, act, be encouraged, and simply be creative.
 
 Right now I'm in the works with developing a writing team, and getting a core group together for this part of the MCR ministry. Along with this I'm also working on a few projects like MCR tour, dramas for our director, Pastor Florin Cucu, and a short film of one person touched by the ministry of MCR last year.
 
 This last project I'm really excited about! To make a long story short, last year Pastor Florin and his wife, Liz, felt the need to help a homeless man out by donating MCR's used plastic bottles to him. Seems simple enough; however, a few months later this man would become a Christian, attend Church, have a home, and have his most basic needs taken care of. I must say that I'm very impressed by how the church body of Speranta Vietii has taken care of him. Especially in a world where no one trusts the homeless guy.
 
 I'm also thoroughly enjoying my apartment and Micro (number 6) that I live in. It has been full of adventure. From almost being jumped to being surrounded by a pack of wild dogs, it is evident that my God is my protector. No one is this lucky, only blessed. I'm also learning that there are some alleyways one should just not take, especially when there are a group of territorial dogs.
 
 Anyway, I miss y'all and wish y'all the best! God bless, and thank you for your time!    

A New Year with Old Friends

Well, it has been a full week since I arrived here in Romania. It's so good to be back in these stomping grounds. It's refreshing to hear a language other than my own being spoken. And It's been fun speaking back, trying my best to form words and sentences. 
 
On my to Romania I actually sat by a couple who didn't speak english and I had to translate everything they said to the stewardess. Of course, at this point they all thought I was super fluent and the couple began to ask me all sorts of questions about my stay.
 
I couldn't remember how to say I was a missionary and so I told them I had friends. The way I told them this was a bit strange. I said, "Eu am prieten si prietena." What that translates to is, "I have guy friend and girl friend." 
 
Of course, they hear that I have a girl friend and get supper excited. The wife next to me begins to ask me all sorts of questions about her. Let me just say this, Romanians are very proud of their women.
 
The wife next to me then asks if my "prietena" is very beautiful. At this it finally dawns on me that they think I have a Romanian girl friend. So i reply, "No, no, no!"
 
To this she looks confused and says in Romanian, "She's not beautiful?!" Shock was obvious in her face. Not knowing how to explain it all I sighed and said, "Yes my girlfriend is very beautiful." To this she excitedly began to whisper to her husband and then gave me a thumbs up.
 
New Years Eve was like nothing else! I bounced around from an all-nighter at Efraim Church, a concert with fireworks in the park, and a get together with Sorin Arsene, a first year graduate from last year. He's doing very well by the way.
 
One of the best things that I've seen, though, since I've been back has been the rewards of last years work. When you leave your mission field you always hope that the candles you lit don't go out and your mission go back to darkness. However, the areas we ministered in have not gone back to darkness but are actually burning brighter! People that had come to Christ last year are still serving him! The MCR first years graduates continued their ministries and in many ways did more! From hospitals to the streets of Targoviste these students are lighting new candles and redeeming this world with Christ! One person at a time!
 
So, in just a few days the new MCR first year students will arrive. We've been in meetings this week, getting everyone on the same page for the arrival of these new students. The MCR second year students, David, Oana, and Autumn will be the room leaders, being an example of what it means to "Know God and make him known." These guys are going to do awesome!


If you would like to be more up to date with the different things we do throughout the year, MCR has a facebook: M.c.Romania; and a twitter: MCR_Go. Come check us out and all of the things we do. Come be more apart of what we are doing!
 
Please keep this upcoming year in your prayers. Thank you so much for all of your involvement so far! Let's continue to reach this world for Christ!