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!