The past two days

I haven't written since we arrived in Sinaia late on the 26th. It is now late on the 28th, and we are in Galati ("Galahts"), but the last two days have been indescribably fantastic. Our purpose in Sinaia was to bring two days of teaching at the youth camp run by Florin's church. We met many of the youth last year when we were in Bucharest. When we arrived on Wednesday night, they rushed up to us with big smiles and hugs, thanking us for being there and giving us the most wonderful welcome. We had dinner at the camp on Wednesday and then moved on up to our the Vila Camelia, the hotel in the mountains that was our base for the last two days. It was nice with in-room high-speed Internet access and spacious though dated rooms for $50. The highlight of the trip thus far, though, was the time we got to spend with the youth in Sinaia. They were so receptive, so eager to learn. Of course, the worship was so wonderful, as it was when were among them last year, and we also got to meet the pastor of the church for the first time. (He was visiting the States last time we were in Bucharest.) What a sweet, sweet man. He looks like a rugged guy but is so warm. When we arrived, he grabbed each of us one by one, called us by name, and gave us each a big bear hug! Just great.

There were two sessions on Thursday and one longer on today, Friday. Darin and Bruce brought some deep philosophical and theological worldview basics and comparative worldview teachings. Much of it was tough, deep stuff, but the kids soaked it up. They asked some really intelligent questions that showed that they really understood. God really showed Himself in the first sessions.

On Friday, we wanted to give them some real practical stuff to go along with the theoretical, so Darin, Bruce, and I took questions about their concerns and immediate issues that Romania is facing. Again, the kids really showed themselves as understanding and searching. They really grabbed what we were presenting, and, at the end, when Bruce exhorted them to be the transforming generation for Romania, there more than a few lumps in throats and tears. What a sweet time of the Holy Spirit's move!

Between the sessions and after meals we had the tremendous opportunity to hang out with the kids and just do things like talk and kick around the soccer ball. Of course, we always got out into the mountains a little bit. Florin, Bruce, Paul, and I took a cable car up near the top of the mountains (we're in the Carpathians) and then hiked back down. We walked from the cable care to the summit, and my GPS unit said we were out 6900'. Then we took only 35 minutes to walk, slide, roll, and tumble down to 4500' at the parking lot. Some of the way was so incredibly sheer, but it was beyond wonderful to be out in the fresh air of the mountains in the thick meadow grass. My legs are killing me today, and I sprained my wrist pretty badly, but it was just incredible!

After the last teaching session today, we took about eight of the youth with us to Pelisor a local castle/museum. We paid their admission and enjoyed seeing a slice of Romania's royal past. We went back to the camp for lunch and had a group picture with us and the youth. Hugs all around and then "hit the road not the lady" for Galati. We arrived around 8:00pm and are now safely ensconced in the Hotel Galati for the night after a dinner of pizza. Of course, this journal could never fully capture our experience of the last two days. They were truly indescribable. But God moved powerfully in and through us, and it was an honor to be among such zealous youth that want so desperately to be salt and light to their country. Wow! More to come...