Birth of an idea

     I have been asked numerous times how the decision to work and study in Romania this summer ever came about. It's a long story (at least a year's worth of details!), but I will try to answer it as clearly and concisely as I can.
     When I came to Sighisoara two years ago, I had just finished my sophomore year at Malone, and being in the Honors program, needed to choose a topic for my Honor thesis project. I saw the thesis as my opportunity to bring together everything I had been studying at Malone - cross cultural work, ministry, and special education. Some of the career options I was considering were working in an overseas orphanage or teaching in a foreign, impoverished community. I saw thesis as my opportunity to combine the missions, cross-cultural ministry and special education components in a practical work experience while still under an umbrella of support from the Malone community. These thoughts were in the background during my three weeks in Romania.

     I was watching a group of children play in the park just below the citadel one afternoon.  One little boy, dressed in a bight yellow jacket, caught my eye.  He was running and playing with the other children, but there was something different about him.  He had a physical disability which affected his gait when walking and running.  When he saw my camera, he was absolutely enthralled.  He came over and started taking picture after picture of everything around him.  We never did talk because of the language barrier;  I didn't even learn his name.  But for some reason, that encounter stuck with me.  God really laid him on my heart.

     During this same time, I was learning about special education in Romania, and more  specifically, what services are available for children around the Sighisoara area.  Though more is being done now, the government does not mandate free and appropriate education for all children in Romania.  If a child has a moderate or severe disability which greatly impairs educational performance, physical mobility, or social interaction, he or she may drop out of school early, never attend, or enroll in an institution.  It also seems that families who have children with disabilities are "on their own."  Many families do not have a support network, people who come alongside them with understanding, love, and encouagement. 

    Over the next six months this new knowledge coupled with old thoughts and my encounter with the boy in the park to become a growing burden on my heart.  There were times of doubt when I began to seriously question what I felt God had shown me while in Romania - maybe the heart I had for the children and the urge I felt to go back were just emotional responses to what I had seen and experienced.  Then I was brought back to Romans 11:29, "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."  I had to trust that the calling I felt God placed on me while in Romania would be brought to fruition in His time.
     I proceded with this mindset.  As I thought, prayed, and talked with others, an idea began to form in my mind.  Perhaps I could go back to Romania and work with Veritas to create a new program to meet the needs of children who have disabilities living in Sighisoara.  In January 2009, I began putting together a detailed proposal - a copy to be submitted to Veritas proposing the creation of a new program, and a copy to be submitted as my thesis proposal.  Veritas took my proposal seriously and began working through the details to determine whether or not this would be practical venture for their organization at this time.  The thesis proposal was readily accepted by my thesis committee. 
     By mid-August, I knew Veritas was willing to look into beginning a new program, but it wasn't until January 2010 that I received actual confirmation.  There was a valid need in the community, and Veritas felt it had the necessary space and staff to support a new program.  I would be responsible for securing the necessary funding, both through fundraising efforts and grant writing.  All of this being decided, I made the plans to come to Romania under the umbrella of the Romanian Summer Studies program and spend the summer (May 11 - August 2) volunteering with Veritas and working to establish a program for youth with disabilities.

Luggage

While it did not arrive the next day, my luggage has finally arrived. I've never been so thankful to see a suitcase in my life! If my understanding is correct, the handle to my bag was completely broken off, and the identifying tag came off in the process. My bag was just sitting in London waiting to be identified and claimed. British Airways flew it to Bucharest and then had a driver bring it up to Sighisoara. It finally arrived on Saturday night, battered and worn, but mostly intact. I don't normally enjoy unpacking a suitcase, but I did it quite joyfully Saturday night! The time of separation has certainly made me more grateful for every article of clothing and toiletry I own. I'm not taking any of it for granted!

Bake sale recap

The bake sale was a huge success! I made three snacks: Rice Krispie Treats, Chocolate Chip cookies, and Chocolate Reeses Pieces cookies. Cassie (my room mate) and I went door to door, dorm to dorm and raised a little over $100 in profit. The money is being used to help with the program costs this summer. Thank you for your help, Malone community!

Welcome back

It is so good to be back in Sighisoara again, and even better to be remembered by some of the Veritas staff. I have been trying to mentally prepare myself for all of the changes which might have occurred in the last two years; I knew I couldn't expect everyone and everything to be as I remembered it. I have to say, I have been pleasantly surprised.
Some volunteers and staff members have moved on, and others have come in their place. Old construction projects have been finished, and others have begun. There is a good mixture of the familiar and unfamiliar. It will be a good balance for me, I think. I like knowing my way around parts of the city and recognizing familiar faces. I have so much learning and growing to do, the familiarity is a comfort and confirmation that I am in the right place.
I don't believe it has truly sunk in that I will be living her for the next 3 months. Part of me is incredibly excited to learn the language, the culture, the history, etc... And yet, another part of me is anxious. I have the opportunity, and the challenge, to saturate myself in another culture, learning all I can; three months could be a long time to do that, not to mention a long time to be away from family and friends. But before you think I am starting to doubt myself and God's calling to be here, I am happy to say the adventurous side of me is winning. I am excited for all of the joys and challenges which lie ahead this summer. I know it won't all be easy, but it will be growing and rewarding. It's time to do it!

We're here!

After a long, complex journey, we're here! Exhausted and exhilarated, we're here. Yay! I left Toledo on Tuesday afternoon and finally made it to Sighisoara around 7 o'clock this evening (Thursday), noon in Ohio time. What a trip! There were some flight delays due to weather and volcanic ash, but British Airways was wonderful. They are still my favorite airline - good food, good movies, great service.
Chaille and I found out in Chicago that the delay would make us miss our next flight, so we took a later flight into Bucharest. We landed around eleven, and made it out of the airport at midnight. Out of our group that flew here, (4 women from Olivet University, and Chaille and I), I am the only one who lost a bag. I am so thankful I packed an entire outfit in my carry-on; I never do! My luggage should arrive tomorrow.
Since we landed so late last night, we spent the night with a missionary family in Bucharest. I was so happy to see a mattress! I started the trip with sleep deprivation, and I'm still trying to catch up. So far, jet lag has not been an issue. I'm just tired because there hasn't been time to sleep! We took our time driving to Sighisoara today. We stopped in Sinaia, up in the Carpathian mountains, to see the Peles castle. It was neat to go back, and this time take the indoor tour. The picture at the top of this blog entry came from there. It is such a beautiful place!
As I looked back through some of my older posts, I see there is much I need to bring you up to date on. I will try to work on that in the next few days. Blessings!