Living Viata Abundent

2008-04-10T12:49:00.002+02:00

Debriefing vs. Processing

So, I'm back. I have been for about a week. And I've jumped right back into the LaVida world.

Last night in La Vida training,
we learned about the difference between debriefing and process (most of us didn't know there was a difference). Apparanetly, debriefing is the post- experience talking you do that addresses what exactly happened and sometimes, how you feel about it. Processing is when you talk about how you will transfer whatever you learned from the wilderness in the real world. This is valuable knowledge for me at this point because I can see that distinction in my thinking about the past year.

I am definitely still in the "debriefing" phase of my thought process. I'm trying to transition into the processing- to understand what my experiences in Romania will mean for my life here. But that process is overwhelming, so I only take little baby steps into the processing realm and then run back into my debriefing safemode.
And for now, I think that's ok.

2008-03-29T18:14:00.004+01:00

Travelin' Tunes

So, very soon I'll be leaving my home in Romania and taking the long trip to my real home. This is my going home mix. Some of the songs are here for obvious reasons. Some are hilarious. Some seem unrelated, but mean a lot to me. Some are cliche. Get over it.

1. Rosie Thomas//One More Day- as if I could make a mix without Rosie.
2. Beatles//In My Life- Because no matter where I go in the world, Romania will always be special.
3. Simon and Garfunkel// Homeward Bound- i.love.this.song. (and i love S&G)
4. Jake Armerding//Peace of Mind- this is a love song using all streets in Boston as lyrics. clever.
5. Matt Pond PA//New Hampshire- duh.
6. JT//Sweet Baby James- i have listened to this song everytime i have driven on the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston
7. Joni Mitchell//Chelsea Morning- everytime I drive into Boston i take a wrong turn and end up in Chelsea. oh yeah, and i love joni too.
8. Standells/Dity Water- oh. boston, you're my home.
9. Big D and the Kid's Table// New England- skatastic. seriously, google it.
10. Augustana//Boston- yep. cliche. i'm ok with that.
11. Michael Buble//I wanna go home- special because a dear friend sent it
12. Dar Williams//Closer to Me- another personal one.
13. Patty Griffin//Long Ride Home- i'm aware this is about a funeral, but i'll be thinking about a lot on that loooong ride home
14. Indigo Girls//Homeward Bound- yeah, it's on here twice. i couldn't decide between S&G and this brilliant cover
15. Wailin Jennys// Beautiful Dawn- another song very close to my heart at this time, for a lot of reasons...I feel like every line pertains to this trip in a different way

"take me where the ocean meets the sky and the land"...here i come.

2008-03-26T12:56:00.006+01:00

Just a few numbers to sum up my past year:
12 months spent 4583 miles from home, living with a total of 22 roommates from 4 countries. Hosted 21 American college students. 7 countries visited. 28 passport stamps. 278 hours on trains, 33 hours on planes, 25 minutes driving a car.

7,648 pages of 33 books read. 48 calls from home, and 1 from Hausman. 134 emails saved in my "keeping in touch" folder. 31 pieces of mail received including 2 Stillpoints, costing $4.04 in postage. 56 blog posts. 2,838 photos taken. 3 avocadoes discovered at the grocery store. 1 church service in my native tongue. 10 items checked off my list of things to do in my life. 7 days left.

2008-03-20T17:22:00.008+01:00

Thoughtful Thursday: Christian Conversation on Communism
*Disclaimer: I am not an expert on Communism, or Christianity for that matter. These thoughts are the scattered result of my experiences here. Please check my facts for yourself.*

BBC says that Romania is a "slower developer" than other Soviet Bloc countries, and I'm in the least developed area of Romania. For this reason, I have had the privilege to go back in time and see the results of Communism on these people. This place looks much as it did 20 years ago- concrete everything, smokestacks jutting into the sky...some days the oppression can be felt in the smog filled air. I have listened to the stories of my friends experiences in the mines, the Secret Police, watching their brilliant educated parents be forced to work manual labor. In Romania, Communism meant fear, and assimilation, and numbness.

I'm not saying I don't see the flaws of Capitalism. The wealth gap, in America especially, disgusts me. The idea of a classless society is heaven to me. Even my current hero, Dorothy Day, at one time found Communists to be more socially relevant than the Christians she encountered. And I too see much of American Christianity as "a world apart, a people within a people, making little impression on the tremendous (non-Christian) population of the country". I have encountered too many opiated conservatives, too many people who think the abundant life means a white fence, short commute and 2.5 bathrooms.

So what's wrong with communism? You ask. Didn't Jesus encourage it, and the early Church exemplify it?
my answer: not exactly. You probably know that community is one of my most fervent passions. You also probably know what a word freak i am, and the fact that Communism and community are so closely related etymologically is not lost on me.

I've studied the doctrine of the Trinity A LOT here, since my director is writing his Doctorate on it and its implications for community development. Here's my understanding in a nutshell: There are three distinctive and unique beings in one distinctive whole. They are fully and completely one and yet they still retain their individuality. Dana purports that this is the model for true Christian community- everyone is wholly and distinctively themselves, and yet one. Communism couldn't afford anyone to retain their individuality. The whole system rested on the ability of the comrades to become identical- without distinctive traits. Take a look at communist sculptures- it totally embues this ideal. Communism sought not to create a society of equal individuals, but faceless workers. And the effects I can see around me are heartbreaking.

The saddest Communist story I can remember hearing here was about a town in Transylvania, known for it's tremendous culture. Before the Communist regime, it was one of the few towns where ethnic Romanians and Hungarians lived in tranquility together. It did this not by ignoring the differences, but by celebrating the culture and traditions of each ethnicity. The Communist regime feared the individuality of the citizens and so they flooded the town. Seriously, the village was in a valley and they filled it with water. Nowadays one can go there and the only sign of the underwater village is the steeple of the church jutting out of the bog. This is such a metaphor in my mind of the methods of Communists here in Romania: flood all that is rich and unique with greyness and concrete.

I suppose that is where my thoughts end for now. If you have a different opinion/experience/take (or if you feel i have misrepresented facts) please continue the conversation by leaving me your email in the comments section.

2008-03-10T15:25:00.003+01:00

Isn't it ironic??
Like rain on your wedding day, is your favorite ice cream flavor on the first day of Lent. Yep, yesterday I went searching for Fruit of the Forest Ice Cream- what would have been my last taste of it. But it was nowhere to be found. I settled for a mediocre hazelnut milk shake. And then, today, right in my neighborhood Supermarket, enough FoF Ice Cream to make me ill. Oh well. What a cruel world.

That's right, today is my first day of Lent. This may confuse you since many of my readers will have been fasting for weeks by now. You see, this year, Orthodox Easter comes almost a month after Protestant Easter. So I realized a while ago that I will not be home in time for protestant Easter and I will leave before Orthodox (Romanian) Easter. Not wanting to miss out on the most important holiday of the church year, I decided that celebrating Orthodox Easter in America is preferable to celebrating Protestant Easter all by myself.

After that decision was made, there was the usual pre-Lent ponderings. What to give up? Why do I even fast? How to explain it all to my less traditional friends/family? Well, I decided if I'm going to celebrate with the Orthodox, I will prepare with the Orthodox. Which meeans 40 days of meatless, dairy free, non-alcoholic meditation. This is going to be tough, especially when I return to celebratory post-Easter America. But I am going to try. And aside from all things spiritual, I don't think it will be a bad thing to return to indulgent America in a spirit of self-denial and restraint. Just because so much more is available doesn't mean I should consume everything in sight. So the celebratory lattes and Long Trails will have to wait until April 28. I hope you'll understand.

2008-03-07T12:58:00.005+01:00

I like to make lists. and with my impending transition, I've been making lists of things I'm looking forward to, and things I'll miss sorely. Here are some examples: (by the way, friends and family are obvious in both categories)

Things I'm looking forward to: LIVE MUSIC. church in English. the Atlantic Ocean crashing against rocks. driving- window down, radio blasting, singing like an idiot. my house/bedroom/the woods behind it. anonymity- not being and Americani celebrity. dressing up. gordon ropes course. funny text messages and voicemails. running. return policies. going out for breakfast.
food: mexican, smoothies, salad, DD, fresh ice cream, dr pepper.

Things I'm going to miss: creativity (i started to really be more open to artisticness here- i write and paint often). mountains from my window. the slower pace. my church. poverty in my face. the language. wildflowers. the open market. folk traditions and dancing. the simplicity of relationships. the simplicity of faith. walking everywhere. sleeping in. reading. everyday being an adventure.
food: cheap, good WINE. apa minerala. good fresh bread. anything flavored Fruit of the Forest, especially ice cream. fresh mushrooms.

2008-03-04T16:37:00.004+01:00

The Joys and Miseries of Travel

This past week, I took a much needed vacation. I hopped on a train and, overnight, went to Pague where I met up with a friend from Gordon. Prague was as beautiful as I imagined, and the weather even better. It was so great to see my friend Dan again. He's also from New Hampshire and our common backgrounds as well as the fact that we are both living in Europe right now made for much animated conversation. I haven't laughed that much in a long time. In Prague we also hung out with a lovely British girl who complemented us perfectly. After three wonderful days in Prague it was off to Krakow, Poland. Dan and I arrived early after not sleeping all night and took naps. When we awoke, we were sharing a room with a really fun Quebecquois guy, who would join us on daytrips to amazing salt mines and sobering Auschwitz. Auschwitz was surreal, and gave me a few new insights that will frame my thoughts of the holocaust. I think anyone who wants to teach WW2 should see it.

The next day, Dan left and i spent a day wandering Krakow in the rain, and then hunkered down until my flight in the morning, which is where the real adventure begins. First off, my ticket said my airport was Krakow-Katovice...i assumed this was one place, like Boston-Logan. Nope. I went to the wrong one, an hour away. That was an expensive taxi, but couldve been worse, and i made my flight. But then my baggage took so long after the first flight that i missed the second one back to Bucharest, and the only flight i could change to with just the change fee was today at 6 am. I was stuck in Rome with no euros, over budget, and no place to stay. Janelle did some research and found a flight that left in 2 hours, but it was at Fiumincino and I was at Ciampino with no clue. I asked a few people how to get to Fiumincino and got a different answer everytime. By now, im exhausted, starving, and (im ashamed to stay) starting to cry. Then this girl, who i had asked earlier about Fiumincino, tells me to come with her now. No other choice, I race off with her, get on an empty bus with a sympathetic looking bus driver about my age. At this point the tears were just streaming. He drove us to a train station where the girl dashed off and i had to chase after her as fast as i could with my backpack. She put me on a train and said not to speak any Italian if a conductor came. This train took me to the main station where I got a train to Fiumincino, after calling Janelle to have her book the new flight.

I made it to Fiumincino with time to spare, and when I found my check in gate, it was obviously for Romania. There was no line, just clumps of pushing people holding crying babies and large plaid plastic bags. It was a comforting sight. I checked in and found out i was the only non Romanian on the flight. The flight was fine, although no one apparently understood the whole landing turbelance thing, since they would all get up and open the luggage hatches just as we were touching down, and things and people flew everywhere. Off the plane, to Passport Control. Two lanes for EU Citizens, one for me. Except the Romanians weren't about to pay attention to signs, so they pushed their way up to it, to get yelled at. I found my way to my lane and waited in front of the sign that says by law you must stay behind it (in Romanian). Everyone couldn't understand why i was waiting, so they all started collectively pushing me. After checking in (finally used my Alien card) I retrieved my backpack, which was mysteriously wet. At this point i didn't care. By now I had missed all the trains to Lupeni, so I had to stay with a stranger, a friend of a friend, who proved to be a great and helpful host.

My bus to Lupeni left at 8:30 am, and I had directions from my host. But I don't know where to get metro tickets in his section of town, and nothing opened in time for me to catch my bus anyways. So I crossed myself and got on a metro, hoping to pay when I got on (not unheard of) By the way, at this point, im on five hours of restless sleep and haven't had a meal in 24 hours. The second I get on the metro, a ticket controller pops up next to me. I ask if I can buy a ticket from her because I didn't know where to buy one. She doesn't believe me and a confused discussion goes on, with much repeating and frustration. It ends with her taking my alien card and telling me to sit down. I do, and then she pockets my card and tells me to get off to buy a ticket. I still don't know where and if she thinks this is a viable option for me, i don't see eye to eye. I'm not leaving my alien card, and if I lose any time, I'll miss my train home again. So again, the tears start to well up in my eyes. And of course every person on the bus is staring. And then this old man pushes his way through and gives me his ticket. I cry more now, out of exhaustion and gratitude. After that, the rest of the trip was fine, and my little city was the best sight for sore eyes today. I love how traveling makes Lupeni feel so much more like home!

2008-02-21T13:06:00.003+01:00

It's been hard around here lately. There is little work to do and the cold keeps us inside. There is no snow to play in and after reading over two thousand pages so far in 2008, even reading cannot stave off the boredom for long. I know I should be glad for the slow pace, but it wears on me. I have been fighting a bad attitude by looking forward to a trip to Prague and Krakow next week.

This morning however, was lovely. It was warm enough to have my tea on my tiny balcony as I watched our little city wake up. Looking down on all the fur hats and packs of stray dogs and mountains in the distance made me take a moment's pause and just be glad I'm here right now. All this time helps me to think and pray in preparedness to reenter American culture.

What a way to start the day :)

2008-02-13T13:23:00.027+01:00

Photosearch Survey
yeah...so I was bored today in between meetings and this is what I did.
1) Answer the questions below
2) Take each answer and type it into the google image search
3) Take any picture from the first page of results and post.

The age you will be on your next birthday

A place you’d like to travel

Your favorite food

Your favorite animal

The town in which you were born

Your favorite color

The town in which you live

The name of your pets

Your name

Your middle name

A bad habit of yours

Your first job

Your favorite kind of music

Your crush/ love

What car do you drive?

2008-02-09T16:09:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, I HATED Romania. I was so frustrated with a lot of things that I came home early, and wrote a journal entry of the top 8 things (i couldn't choose 5) that enfuriated me that day. Then I cried a bit, swore a bit, and went running for the first time in Romania. Running is dangerous here because of all th potentially rabid street dogs that chase you, but I did it anyways. It helped.

Today, I LOVED Romania. We went for a hike in the snowy mountains, and on an alpine ridge I belly flop/penguin sledded down a small snowblanketed ravine with Briana. As I write this, I am thinking about the soup I will make with my new roommate tonight and observe the vivid sunest on the mountains outside, setting the willow tree outside my window ablaze with sunlight.

Sometimes, I'm a touch bipolar.

2008-02-01T13:54:00.000+01:00

A section of the book Everything is Illuminated got me thinking:
In the book, a Rabbi is giving a (misinformed) sermon on heaven and hell- "IT WAS ON THE SECOND DAY THAT THE LORD OUR GOD CREATED THE OPOPSING REGIONS OF HEAVEN AND HELL...THE THIRD AND NEXT DAY, WHEN GOD SAW THAT HEAVEN WAS NOT AS MUCH LIKE HEAVEN AS HE PRAYED, AND HELL NOT AS MUCH LIKE HELL. AND SO, HE RAISED THE SHADE BETWEEN THE OPPOSING REGIONS, ALLOWING THE BLESSED AND THE CONDEMNED TO SEE ONE ANOTHER. AND AS WAS HIS HOPE, THE BLESSED REJOICED IN THE PAIN OF THE CONDEMNED, AND THEIR JOY BECAME THAT MUCH GREATER IN THE FACE OF SORROW. AND THE CONDEMNED SAW THE BLESSEDD, SAW THEIR LOBSTER TAILS AND PROSCIUTTO AND FELT THAT MUCH WORSE FOR THEMSELVES."

Although I believe this to be terrible theology, it is instructive nonetheless. It is easy for me, sitting in my freezing kitchen eating cabbage night after night, to log onto facebook and see the pictures of the lives of my friends all over the world, and think their lives are heaven compared to mine, and feel "THAT MUCH WORSE FOR" myself.

However, all circumstances are relative. I have become more aware lately of issues my friends in tropical and trendy places like New Zealand and San Francisco and the Nort Shore are struggling terribly, despite the ready availability of nachos mangos and Chaco wearing days. It is not sunshine or even friends that make things great, and it is not always sub zero temperatures and too many root vegetables thatmake days interminably long. Sometimes it is simply CHOOSING whether you are going to consider your life heaven or hell. I'm not saying depression can be simply decided away, I KNOW it can't. I'm saying that too often I assume that exotic and oppurtunity filled places, especially when observed through the narrow facebook telescope can be tempting. And right now, it is my CHOICE to love my life here until its over, and then love life back home.

2008-01-16T14:16:00.000+01:00

A quiet day in the apartments as the new set of students are on an outing has allowed me to get work done, but also to reflect once again. Going into the new year, and my last few months here brought on a lot of guilt. Every time I would think about coming home, this intense conviction that I am abadndoning my friends and my work here would wash over me. I haven't felt this kind of guilt in years and it is hard to wade through.

And then the Calvin Interim arrived- 13 students and two staff members. One of the staff members is an old friend of Brandi's and the other is a dear friend of D&J's. My eager expectancy of this group slowly turned into an even deeper sense of loneliness than i felt when I was actually alone. Seeing all these friends reunited only made me sorely miss my own dear friends, who are thousands of miles away. I found that a Davia was reappearing that I thought was dead- the Davia that seeks approval and validation from others, and that makes me so unauthentic. Thankfully I identified this early and have been thinking about it a lot.

My ideas on God and the Church have evolved so much in the past year, which is good. However, my attitude towards American Christianity has turned sour, which is bad. I saw this weekend clearly how cynical and negative I have become, and now I'm trying to integrate my critical mind with my sensitive, loving heart (which i somehow lost somewhere). That is my newest challenge.

I really like how this place makes me think about myself this way. I hope that continues when I go home. i don't necessarily like who I am in Romania, but I do like the way I think about myself and examine my thoughts, intentions and perceptions.

2008-01-08T15:16:00.001+01:00

I found this Chip Dip in the supermarket today. Let's dip Dracula.

2008-01-08T14:56:00.000+01:00

Often I talk about how our foundation is so quirky, they'd make a great sitcom, especially on the backs of Arrested Dev't and The Office. So today, during another meeting where everyone started arguing loudly in Romanian, too fast for me to understand, I described the cast list. I have tried not to exaggerate anything because these people are so funny on their own. All the characters are Romanian unless indicated. This is my life.
The Office: Fundatia Chapter. Cast:

Dana: (American..kind of)- started the Fundatia nine years ago. Is a scholar, a visionary, and an enormous exagerater. He loves telling stories- like the time we had a foreign volunteer support meeting where all we did was listen to Dana talk about his college roommate who could fart on command by breathing through his butt, and the time he pooped on Dana's floor...

Vali- the nicest guy you could ever meet but often makes explicit and inappropriate sex jokes

Moni- Vali's wife. Super sweet, kind of holds the Fundatia together. However spends half her time chasing around their daughter Bubu.

Bubu- two years old. Life objective is to have fun while creating havoc in the office. Send imaginary faxes, takes bites out of your lunch and puts it back, colors in Australia on the wall map, etc.

Alin- typical awkward computer guy. You know him.

Katie- American, the cute girl. All the guys have crushes on her, but she has no idea she’s cute.

Daniel and Janelle- they would be the center of my sitcom. They are an American Canadian couple who volunteers here- in charge of all the abroad programs here, taking care of bills, paperwork etc. In some ways, they along with moni and ilie hold the fundatia together. They are often the voice of reason in this crazy world.

Ilie- the hero, in a way. Whenever everything goes wrong, Ilie flies in, makes a few phone calls and solves everything. He is completely bicultural and often uses American phrases like “chillax” and “bling” He is the Michael from arrested development. Always trying to do the right thing and being frustrated by his surroundings.

Jamie- bitter Peace Corps volunteer. Finished his time here in July and until then told me about how depressing this place is. Isn’t around much.

Victor- volunteer from Germany, came here to avoid compulsory military participation. Wears lots of Hawaiian shirts. Is in charge of movie nights and likes to show African American comedies with sweaty sex scenes to elementary schoolers who have never seen a black person. Victor left in September when he ran away to live with one of our youth group kids.

And the newest addition: Tiberiu- Slightly chauvinist Seventh Day adventist whose goal seems to be to live out the gospel by obsessively cleaning every inch of space owned by the fundatia, and teaching Bubu "responsibility". Bubu isn't buying into this idea and responds by unwrapping all the candies in the bowl and strewing them in front of Tiberiu....

2007-12-29T11:07:00.000+01:00

Our abroad semester made the front page of the Alum magazine for Northwestern College!
The link is found below. Article starts on page 20, a picture of me leading trust falls in on p. 22 (im in the yellow jacket), and there's another article on page 36.
Exciting!
Northwestern Alum Magazine

2007-12-26T17:29:00.000+01:00

My christmas: Late in the afternoon on Christmas Eve, the Bates picked me up and we went to our Orthodox Chruch on a hill in our city. We sat in our long coats and hats (no heat)- the first time I've sat in the church. We rubbed our hands and stamped our feet to keep warm with a dozen others, waiting for the children to sing their carols. They all clamor up and sing three carols that are now familiar to me, thanks to Brandi's album. Father Ciocan arrived and after him, his son Felix dressed as Moș Craciun. The excited kids sang their carols again and formed a line to receive their gifts (afte, of course, reciting a poem to Moșu) Briana was summoned by the slightly scary santa, but didnt know any Romanian poems, so instead that sweet tiny girl sang the romanian happy birthday at the top of her tiny lungs. It certainly felt as if the multitude of saints looking down from the iconostasis smiled a bit more at this dear girls singing happy birthday in their church. During the adult carols, the church i love so much seemed to glow a bit more wondrously as Felix doled out adult goody bags as well. After chruch we were herded to father Ciocanțs house to pack into their kitchen with the choir, around the table full of clementines, țuica and cookies. After our mouths were sfficiently stuffed, our livers pickled, and our cheeks kissed, we headed home. But not empty handed- they handed us the romanian version of fruitcake: a jiggly bowl of ground up animal feet with slabs of fat suspended in garlic jello. yikes.

Bedtime was late and morning came quickly enough. I heard Briana clamoring down the stairs and joined her. We opened our stockings- I got a chocolate priest! With longstaying surprise visitors and a late breakfast, opening gifts took about six hours!! Briana is the perfect age- loves Christmas but takes her time with each gift, as if it were her only one. Ive never seen such an empty tree, but I've never felt so rich. We took a predinner hike and my family called. For the first time, i was on the receiving end of the pass-around-the-phone- call. I think this is the most content I've ever felt on December 26. Maybe it's because I had no expectations- no way to be let down. I hope I keep a piece of this Christmas in every one to follow

2007-12-21T16:49:00.000+01:00

So this is Christmas...

My first Christmas away from home and New England, and here's a taste of it. Yes, this year I have traded the sounds of salvation army bells and Elvis singing blue Christmas for the sounds of early morning pig slaughters and traditionally dressed carolers walking the streets of my city. It's true that at times I miss my family, close friends and beloved New England so very much. But at the same time I am so fascinated by the rich culture that comes out in its finest during this season. People are not afraid to cling to traditions and superstitions, and to show them off to anyone they encounter! Every city and village that you drive through is decked with out with lights, light arrangements that put my dear Boston to shame! There are cut open pigs hanging everywhere, and people on the bus carrying christmas trees in burlap sacks. The most fascinating sight for me has been the colindători: the carolers. I haven't yet seen the mobs of them that I am to expect on Christmas Eve and until Epiphany, but I have seen groups of two or three, dressed in traditional costume, carrying icon-flower arrangments and brightly decorated tambourines. They walk the streets singing (usually with help from a healthy amount of țuică) and people invite them in for wine or cakes...it's so cool.

This is definitely what I predict I will miss the most about Romania- the unashamed dedication to cultural traditions, linking themselves to the past, and to the land. I love that I can dance many different folk dances, knowing what they mean and where in Romania they are from. I can easily identify the folk costumes of my region. I know what foods come from what area, and why. I just love it. It definitely has given me a desire to know more American historical culture and keep it alive. At least I already love bluegrass and swing dancing :)

2007-12-12T18:02:00.000+01:00

Thoughts on Grammas gallbladders and guilt...

As I sit in my apartment in Romania, my gramma is in the operating room in Massachusetts having her gallbladder removed. The procedure is really complicated and kind od dangerous for her. When my aunt called me, I sobbed as she told me the details, and I've been ok since, worried but ok. It is strange though that the emotion i feel most intensely at a time like this is guilt. I suddenly feel like this need I had to be away and adventuorous is so trivial. I feel like I should be there with my family, with my grammy. This feeling is always here, but usually very faint. At times like this though, it becomes nearly unbearable. I wonder why I had to be so selfish and go so far away. But nonetheless I'm here. Praying and waiting.

2007-11-29T20:00:00.000+01:00

I got condoms today at IMPACT club- the Youth Club I lead. This boy did a presentation for World AIDS day on Saturday, and at the end he handed out a condom to each of us. Except me- he gave me three. When I asked why, he said it was because I'm American...hmm. Don't know what else to say.

2007-11-25T13:08:00.001+01:00

Steps to celebrating Thanksgiving in Romania

1. Contact "your guy" to get you a Turkey. Guy brings Turkey to your basement and ties its leg to his workbench. Briana names the Turkey Suzie. Brandi teaches Briana about sacrifices

2. Hold open Turkey's beak and pour rum down its throat. Let Turkey swallow, sway and stumble. Reapeat until Turkey falls over and passes out. Take Turkey outside and chop off its head. Drain blood and excess rum from out of the neck

4. Dip turkey in boliing water and pluck all its feathers off. Singe the bird over and open flame. Rub

with cornmeal to keep from smelling. Clean out the innards and feed to the cat. Stuff the bird and cook.

6. Bake enough desserts to enjoy with the entire Romanian staff at your workplace. This includes pumpkin pie (see earlier blog entry), Irish Cream Cheesecake, Jello salad, Snickers "salad", whipped cream, apple pie, mint brownies, etc.

5. Purchase fresh vegetables from the farmers market down the road. Explain to the man in Romanian why you need 7 pounds of carrots. For foods that cannot be found here (cranberries) find sufficent substitutes- be creative! Cook and mash vegetables all by hand.

6. Set the table with dried leaves and rose hip sprigs, and place settings colored by Briana.

7. Enjoy the main meal together. Take a walk into the foothills behind your house. Come back for dessert. Explain to Romanian guests why we show our thankfulness by eating fatty foods until we are ill.

8. Pack up leftovers and repeat steps 6 &7 again the next day.

9. Call you family and tell them you had one of the best Thanksgivings of your life.

2007-11-07T09:18:00.000+01:00

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

I write a lot about happy things, and it's not that life in genereal is not happy here, but those stories just aren't the whole picture. Yesterday was one of those days that I hated Romania.

I didn't sleep the night before, because I am burdened by some family things lately, and the day at the office was long and unfocused. As I sat in the class I TA for, all I could think of was going home, making dinner and working in front of the TV. As I walked home, my mind raced and my stomach growled. It's not uncommon for teenage boys to yell expletives in english at me as I walk by, but I always justify it by telling myself they don't really know what they are saying- they just learned it from movies. However, yesterday I walked by a group of boys and heard them asking each other in Romanian "how do you say suck my dick in english", once they found someone who knew, they proceeded to yell it at me. No justification here, I was at the edge by now...just waiting to get home and unwind.

I walk the six flights of stairs and unlock my apartment door. My hand instinctively feels for the kitchen lightswitch...nothing happens. This is not the first time that someone in my building has rewired the electrical current so they are stealing mine and I'm left in the dark, but it's the first time it has happened since I started living alone. I crumble in a miserable heap in the dark and just cry for awhile before I move the contents of my fridge to the balcony and go to the Bates' for dinner .

These types of things are even harder to deal with here because in a different culture and society you feel so powerless. Autonomous, independent Davia can do nothing but don a headlamp and thank God she has a gas stove. I can't call the cops because, after the medical system, the poilce department is the institution i am most terrifed of. And to go seek out the thief on my own is just foolish. It was a long, dark night.

So I awoke this morning, determined and revived by the sigh of a thin blanket of white zapada on the ground and the feel of warm coffee in my hand. Thankfully I had breakfast before the water cut out today. Here we go....

2007-10-30T10:59:00.000+01:00

I turned 24 yesterday, and it made me think so much about how I have changed this past year and all the gifts I have been given. This week also marked the halfway point of my time here in Romania, so that was cause for reflection as well. The time between my birthday last year and my move to Romania was marked by building challenging and strong friendships in the community around me. This was so valuable because it not only ensured friends that would continue to pray for and write to me, but also honed my skills in human interaction- I became a whole lot better at being a friend.
Then I moved to Lupeni Romania, and so much has changed in me in the past six months. I have grown to love this place and love these people even more. Last night, I sat in D&J’s apartment, sipping mulled wine and savoring the spicy sweet taste of Janelle’s magical carrot cake and looked around at the different people. College students from the flatland, a young family dedicated to Romania, and a young couple who invites me into their own little family at all times…and I thought to myself, this IS the abundant life Christ talks about. We go through each increasing grey day here, and add color to each other and hopefully to society. This place is hard, frustrating, and every effort is an uphill battle, but looking around that warm soviet bloc apartment showed me that thias battle is a blessing.
I returned home and looked over my few beaufiful unexpected gifts- a carrot cake all for myself and a watercolor to remind me of hope in the unseen, and a fingerpaint from Briana. These gifts show me how well these friends here know me, and desire to bless me with the very litle that we have. Then in bed i read a couple cards that were sent mysteriously through Brandi and thought of my friends back home, and I was overcome. My cup overfloweth. Thank you for walking and fighting up this hill next to me, even if you are reading this from Lupeni, Newton, Gordon, SVOTS, Newburyport, Beverly, Manchester, Haverhill, Cairo, Mankato, or anywhere you are.

2007-10-30T10:55:00.000+01:00

Italia!!!
I had the opportunity to travel to Rome, Florence and Venice this past week with students Ryan, Andrew and Ryan’s sister Lindsey. Italy was such an unbelievably beautiful place, it was hard to take in. The history major in me loved Rome, but it was almost too much to comprehend. My favorite part of Rome was Trevi fountain, the peaceful roar of water was a pleasant reprieve from this crazy city. Florence was my favorite of the three, and at times made me wonder why I came to the depressed Jiu Valley. I just loved the relaxed, complex feel of the city and its bridges and back alleys with acoustic street musicians. Venice was of course beautiful, and I loved it but it only emphasized my realization that traveling to all of these glamorous places is not actually glamorous when you do it. I have learned through my different journeys that travel does not excite me as much as the thought of it does, and no matter where I am, I am still just Davia. This is a good thing to realize.

ps pictures are posted here: http://picasaweb.google.com/daviarae

2007-10-11T16:16:00.000+02:00

Road trip!!! This weekend I went on a road trip with my roommate and her brother Greg. We drove to Sofia Bulgaria first which was so very beautiful..especially now that its the fall. It was nice to see such a beautiful eastern european country...it was also nice to drive through the romanian countryside and see a different side of romanian life- one not so marred by communism. Sofia, Bulgaria was beautiful, and we stayed with this nice couple we met through Couchsurfing they showed us these awesome little places- a cafe that doubled as an art gallery and a little bar/pub lit entirely with candles. On the walk home they talked to us about life under communism and they even showed us a piece of the Berlin wall. The wall was almost a spiritual experience for me. The first thing that struck me was how small it was- about 7' tall and about a foot thick. I stood on one side and ran my fingers over the gravelly cement and tried to enter into the miindset of someone touching that during communism- thinking of all the freedom that lay on the other side- canned beans and bluejeans and banned books to read. Then I walked to the other side and thought of how the free europeans felt...so crazy.

After Sofia we went on to Thessaloniki Greece, which wasnt as nice as Sofia. The driving was fun though. The highlight wasn't the ancient ruins, but this restaurant we happened upon. We went into this little pub-ish place and realize there is no menu in English and no one seems to speak english either...but we sit down. So this young man comes over, just another customer and reads us the menu in English...he realizes that we still seem a little bewildered and so he just asks us- you are new to greece (it's our first day" greg replies, so he says "you want to eat greek food?" yes, we say
so the cook comes out from the kitchen and starts scribbling on the order pad asking things like "you like eggplant"? "cheese from crete or the mainland?"

not long after, we have before us a spread of cretan cheese with capers entrees of eggplant and beef, greek salad with fresh feta and enough greek wine to makes our cheeks blush sufficiently. We figured it would be pricey, but it was worth it. However, when we went to check out with full stomachs and dancing tastebuds, the bill for four people came out to only 29 euro! The cook had given us discounts so that our first experience of Greek food was a postive one. Amazing. These are the things about traveling that I just love.

2007-10-04T14:00:00.001+02:00

Back from the wild, and what a wild trip it was! We actually arrived home about a week ago from a seven day backpacking trip into Retezat National Park, only 10 minutes from my Soviet Bloc Apartment. The nature that we encountered was absolutely breathtaking- the pastures with hay bales and shepherds and foliage touched by the bitter fall winds, reds oranges and yellows leaking into the trees surrounding us; the epic, craggy and jagged peaks puuting this feeling of lonely solidarity with the Creator into your soul. I dayhiked the third largest peak in Romania (only 12 feet from the highest point) and realized halfway into the hike that every step I took was higher than I had ever been in my life, and that was crazy! I am so glad that I had this opportunity, since the hiking and adventure of this area was an integral reason why I came to Romania. I don’t know when I’ll be out that far here again, so I tried to drink it all in.
Aside from the nature and beautifully short hiking days, this trip was very challenging. We had a very large leadership team of varied nationalities, ages, and previous experience and we didn’t organize that well enough beforehand. The tough thing about a small NGO in a foreign country is that your coworkers are your best friends, and now they were also co leaders. It put crazy strain on our relationships and more than a few tears were shed when things got hard (three participants with violent, 48 hour food poisoning). However, the most beautiful thing is that we pushed through those hard times together, talked about our struggles, and I realized how very much I had been focusing on myself. I was so focused on how alone I felt, that I wasn’t supporting Katie, Ilie or Janelle. Last but not least, although this trip was really tough on Katie (as the main point person), I will look back on it as one of our best times. It really reinforced our friendship- early morning laughter under our tarp, tears and hugs over chocolate pudding, and step after step in the Transylvanian Alps, carrying our burdens together. She was and is a favorite coleader- even if she isn’t a LaVida hermana.

2007-09-20T17:30:00.000+02:00

What's a girl gotta do to get a pumpkin around here??
So I have noticed Pumpkin vines with round orange balls of happiness hanging from them in everyone's backyards, but never for sale in the market. It has been frustrating- what's autumn without pumpkins?? So the other day, I was with the students out in the country, visint a very old church. In the driveway is an ancient Dacia (think VW Rabbit, but crappier) FULL of pumkins. This is it, I say to Janelle, we are getting one. So Janelle and I are determined to get our hands on those fruits of fall. We ask the boy who lives their and he laughs at us, no no, those are for pigs, he tells us in Romanian. Not looking good. So I go into the church and when I come out, Janelle has worked magic and the little boy is carrying five pumpkins to us. I flip out...in Romanian, I tell him he has made me very happy and this is the best day ever. He just laughs at me. We ask how much they cost, and they ignore us. Finally the caretaker tells us we can buy the boy a chocolate bar. Good deal I'd say. So I bought a bunch of pumpkins out of the back of a car at a 300 yr old church for a Chocolate bar. Good times.

2007-09-12T08:51:00.001+02:00

Big transitions these past two weeks. My last week at Viata was spent in between my group and the Northwestern students. I felt very torn, as I will miss Viata, and yet am looking forward to the newness of the Abroad Program. With Viata ending, I was forced to look at what I will miss about it- being outdoors and working my body, riding the chairlift over the valley every week, the sky and mountains and the cities as they look from up above, the mountain church and its beautiful icons and echoing hallways, the connections with Romanian children and opportunities to improve my Romanian.
But more than anything , I will miss having so many close Romanian friends. I will miss seeing and talking with Gaby, Andra, Daria, Roxana and Claudius. I fear losing my connection with real Romanian society. But I will always be grateful for their grace and encouragement for me this summer. I also hope I never forget the frustration I felt, especially when I meet people from a different culture.
Despite the grief of a season here ending, fall hit us like a brick wall, figuratively and literally. A recent cold snap has certainly aided in shifting my focus. The beginning of the semester here and building relationships and a community here is so invigorating to me. I hope to help create safe place for these American students to explore and discover, not just Romania but their own hearts and minds as well. The group consists of seven upperclassmen, all from the Midwest. I have never experienced Midwestern culture and it’s so interesting to get to know them. Sometimes I feel just as much of a foreigner among them as I do with Romanians. And I have seen more how much of a New Englander I really am. I miss the ocean and New England towns, especially during this most special time of the year.
So what is life like now? Well practically I am TA-ing the Orthodoxy class and guest lecturing for the Romanian History and Experiential Ed classes, as well as being a kind of RA to the students, working on my important Benchmark project, and everything else that comes with working for a grassroots NGO (which can include ANYTHING). I look forward to traveling with the students and also helping them to make home here. But while that is what my physical tasks are, I feel that in my heart there are tasks to work on as well. Right now the presenting issue is Church. I’m not sure yet what exactly I mean, but I have struggled with Church over the past two years, and what Church and corporate worship is to look like in my life. Orthodoxy is a big part of this, but not the whole story, so I appreciate prayers for discernment and conviction. More to come on that I’m sure. And as always, I am learning about love and community- how to be an agent of redemption, to make that which is ugly in me and my brethren beautiful in the light of Christ. Pray for solid, genuine friendships with my Romanian friends. And as always, that I would suck the marrow out of this period of my life.

2007-08-30T11:14:00.000+02:00

So, while preparing for my lecture on PreCommunist Romanian History, I have renewed my love for Stephen Speaks. Yeah, there's a sap side to me in here somewhere. Anyways, the following song is pretty representative of my feelings here, just waiting for revelations:

"What'll She Look Like"

what'll she look like when she opens her eyes

and sees what she wnats to see

instead of this cold mirror's lies

and all the pieces completeshe says with a sigh"I think I'm ready..."

what'll she sound like when she opens her mouth

and all the phrases sound right as they fall out

and she says "yes" and she's notscared of the sound when she says she's ready

will she be soft will she be strong

will she be ready to be wrong

will she move too fast or wait too long

will she look me in the eyes

what'll she feel like when she opens her heart and finds

that there just might be a small missing part

and whether with or without me she has to start getting ready

what'll she look like when she opens here eyes

will she see just what I see will it be a surprise

to find that she hasn't changed, her eyes are just a little wider now

she's getting ready

you can listen to this guy at www.stephenspeaks.com click it.

2007-08-24T10:05:00.000+02:00

There are some days here that seem right out of a dream, where I feel like I should be in some “your Adventurous Life” brochure or something. This week, the Viata leaders went on a mini retreat. This included a fun day together. We shared some of our favorite memories from the summer, and then we explored the gorge behind the cottage we stayed in. It was outstanding- a river winding through ragged and lush cliffs with wildflowers jutting out amongst the craggy rocks and under the limestone arches. We did a little swimming in holes made by the river. And laughed a whole lot- I have found fun friends here.

The most memorable picture, however, will be the vision of us all playing soccer in the early evening mist on a bumpy field in between haystacks as the monks from a nearby monastery lead their donkeys home for the night. So quaint and fun and utterly indelible. These are the moments that I am so glad I came here.

2007-08-20T11:55:00.000+02:00

I regret not having time to write lately: Viata has proved to be busier and more tiring than I ever expected. I don’t know if it is the schedule or the language or the homesickness but this has been far more exhausting than LaVida or Berea. I wish that at this time, I could say it is also more rewarding, but from my current perspective, I cannot. This summer has been by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done, for so many reasons. I’ve written many times during my time here about the distance. And it does not cease to be so wide. Even the joys here, which are growing more numerous by the week, are bittersweet because I know that I will only be able to share them with my loved ones over the internet. If I have learned one thing here, it is the value of an encouraging, challenging and supportive community and that is in the forefront of my mind when I consider plans for Post-Romania.

But back to the present. Although hard, I feel that I have found my place at Viata. The most difficult part is to understand where cultural expectations play a role in my interactions with people. I work with a staff of mostly high school aged Romanians. So I have to consider their maturity level, as well as being raised under completely different circumstances. I therefore find it so difficult to figure out when to call people on things and when to let go. I will give a typical example, which of all things has to do with food. At the cabin where I stay, I keep a stash of food because the food we eat at Camp tends to make me sick. Time after time, leaders will eat this food. This is because Romanians consider all food to be free reign. If you can find it, it’s yours. Kind of a throwback to Communism. Anyways, this has frustrated me to no end, since I’m on such a tight budget. It has also made me think a lot about how American culture is really built on the idea of private property, a concept so new to these people. So I muttered something rash to myself about adjusting to Romania once after something was taken, and another leader heard it. She then told the other Romanians and my American friends that I thought Romanians were thieves. So this is a hard situation… how do I express that although I don’t consider them thieves it’s hard because from my cultural framework, what they are doing is stealing of a sort?

People hurt or offend me, and I never know what to do, because I still don’t know the rules they are playing by, and regardless it is nearly impossible to change the rules my heart plays by. And of course, when I am the least sure of myself, old doubts come rushing back. I look around at my North American friends and perceive that life is all roses for them. Surely they don’t struggle. Surely I am inadequate in cultural sensitivity. It is a hard line to walk, and I suffer many frustrating defeats.

But despite this, there are victories. I have been hesitant to offer advice or corrections to their work here, although I’ve found the Adventure Education field here to be so young and underdeveloped. However, I offered a debriefing workshop, and it was encouraging to see that very week so much progress made in the ways leaders look at that aspect. If anything, these people are eager. My Romanian has improved so much in the past weeks- the kids and leaders are so enthusiastic about helping and encouraging me.

I have met new wonderful people at Viata and have been able to deepen my friendships with the New Horizons Staff. I’m especially close to Laura and Alex, a strong pair of siblings that I live with. Laura is an inspiration as she stands up for her dignity as a woman in this culture and also provides for herself and Alex while facing a dehibilitating illness. Alex has become like a brother to me, in all senses of the word. He makes me laugh and sometimes makes me furious, and sometimes he doesn’t know which is the most appropriate. He hangs out with me and likes to play games on my computer while making me listen to his death metal music.

I could write so much more, but this entry is already too long. I have two more weeks of Viata and then straight into the first ever Northwestern abroad semester. I’m excited for the fall, but really trying to suck the marrow out of the rest of the summer.

2007-07-22T10:21:00.000+02:00

Here is what I hastily wrote last night, after coming face to facewith more deep seated culture differences:

Tonight was Uricani Days, a summer festival just to hang out and stuff. We arrived as it was beginning to get dark, and the music began. I was surprised at how all these people, so different from each other (or at least looked that way) could come together and dance to the same music. With us were my roommates, Laura and Alex. I have loved getting to know both of them better over the past few weeks, and Alex has become like a brother here to me. He teases me, but I know he’s there in the end. Something you should know about Alex is that he’s a total rocker. He loves death metal and head banging and hes a great dancer. It’s fun to watch him at Viata disco nights because he different, and I think it’s great. So a series of different bands played, with different music. At the beginning there was a rock band and we all laughed as Alex and some of his friends head banged. As the night went on, our group of Viata people grew and it turned into a big party. We played “Roman Chairs” and had a huge congo circle. So fun. At one point Alex gave me a huge hug and I thought about how glad I am for he and Laura.
And then this girl came on to sing hip hop-ish songs. Alex and his friends began to dance provocatively with each other (boys dancing with each other- pretty unorthodox for Romania) and I guess some of them waved the middle fingers in the air instead of the rock on sign, though I did not see it. A little while later, the Politia Communitare descends on the crowd, and pulls Alex and other boys away. Laura tries to talk to them but they push her aside. I am nervous, and then just to my right a young boy is pulled by me, talking fervently, and the politia hits him in the face with his club, hard. Now I am taken aback. Everyone looks very nervous and Laura goes with Claudius to go find her brother. I am told that Alex will be taken to a van and beaten. At this statement, I feel ill and choke back a gag, suddenly realizing I’m not in America, the land of misfits and due process. We stood there feeling the taste of the music go sour in our mouths like overdue milk. The four of us aliens, suddenly feeling too alien, went for a walk on the outskirts of the concert, where politia are swarming. I look up and see one with two young scantily clad girls, touching their breasts and thighs. I just want to scream something in English…..anything, especially anything with four letters. We talk about our power as Americans and wonder if theres anything we can do. Finally we find the rest of our group, outside the makeshift police station next to the riot vans. Someone had said something about the boy who was struck, and they were told they surely didn’t see that happen. Everyone is standing around and I’m struck by the atmosphere. It is not outraged or frustrated, but just patient and curious…as if we were waiting for an iphone or the latest video game machine and not our friend. Again the urge to scream overcomes me. Finally Alex is released, safe, but with a fine of 200 lei for “obscene gestures”…you can see on Alex’s face, that he would have rather been beat up. This amount is almost twice our rent and utilities for one month. This is money his sister will need to sacrifice, money that needs to go to her doctors bills for her rare illness…
I’m left with my mind running in circles….we could file a complaint- this is so injust….but then what would it do? Romania can’t even keep Visas or immigration papers straight let alone a complaint…but I’m American- the press would listen to me…and yet I’m left with the question- why does my voice resound stronger because I hold a passport with a bald eagle on it? That is also injustice…
So tonight, I go to bed, frustrated, spoiled, and more mindful of the differences between the privileged life I lead. And I hope that at least I and others who read this may be more aware of our freedom in America. That although sometimes it is hard to see the justice we are privileged to, especially if we are adolescents, but tonight I thank God that people like my friends, Becca and Austin and Victor and Sara and Joe and all the others who are a little different can be free to be different in our country, where if we are really honest, it is not illegal to be a teenager. Rock on.

2007-07-16T18:43:00.000+02:00

So I'm reading this book, and please please please if you'd like to know what my Romania is like, go borrow/buy it: Cafe Europa It gives an amazing picture of my life here, despite its copyright date.

2007-07-15T11:35:00.000+02:00

I have finished my first week of Viata Camp! The first day was one of my hardest days in Romania. It was more frustrating than I could even have imagined. Being a leader semmed impossible to me with the language barrier, and it was so frustrating to be doing just what I’ve done for years- group games and ice breakers; but not really understand anything that’s going on because you don’t know what anyone is saying. One curious and terribly humbling thing about being someplace where you don’t speak the language well is that you seem REALLY stupid. And many people treat you as if you are. (PLEASE remember this next time you encounter an English Language Learner anywhere) I spent the entire day fighting tears.
The days to come improved greatly. I found it was easier to get become friends with (on some level) my kids- almost all orphans or street kids from a nearby shelter, than I originally felt. You can communicate a lot through rudimentary language and gestures, and really all my kids wanted most of the time was a listening ear, even if it was an un-understanding one.
What made the week really good was once we began the ropes course activities. It was so great to be doing something familiar and know what I was doing. It was great just to feel the rope in my hands, and as usual the forest had a soothing effect on my discouraged heart. I learned a whole lot more Romanian that week and find I understand more sentences now. I also had some really great times- teaching the entire camp how to make smores with gestures, a translator and imported marshmallows; dancing around the campfire singing words I don’t know and dancing at the disco.
Although my homesickness has waned only a little, I have found comfort and empathy in two significant books lately. The Hobbit was a gift to me from a friend, since Bilbo began his adventure rather reluctantly. This friend knew I had associate with that, but I hadn’t realized until reading on this week that Bilbo was not just reluctant at the beginning. He continued on during the entire adventure reluctantly, always dreaming of his hobbit hole, and meeting the challenges with only the necessary amount of courage. I feel much the same. I still dream of my home, but am certain that here is where my adventure lies for now, and I will take courage to face only today. The Psalms, also have meant more to me here than any other time in my life. I now understand better the way I which David can jump between sorrow and joy so quickly, as Romania is full of joy interlaced with pain and vice versa.
This weekend has been a reunion of sorts with Katie Daniel and Janelle, since it is the first time all four of the North American volunteers have been together in a month. That has made things seem a little brighter, and I have found that even drab Lupeni has felt a little more like home in the past few days.

2007-07-06T13:15:00.000+02:00

Buckle your seatbelts! I have returned to Romania for the long haul after three weeks in America. This included a week in Pennsylvania for Allison Moore’s wedding, a week at La Vida Basecamp; bookended by time at home with my crazy family. Time in Pennsylvania was wonderfully relaxing. Allie and I spent half the week preparing and trying to stay cool, and then once the wedding festivities began, I was able to spend good time with other wonderful friends as well. It was good to take some time off and to really renew my love for my friends. The wedding was absolutely beautiful. So simple and perfect. I cried a lot, thinking about changes and being so far away from them and other friends for the next nine months.

Base Camp was also a blessed week. I worked hard- facilitating the ropes course, belaying rock climbs, small construction jobs, and even scaring away bears. I was able to steal away some precious hours to really talk with many of my friends there. I really love all that La Vida is and it was so hard to drive away from that place.

Home was hectic but fun and comfortable. We forged many new memories and reminisced on old ones. The great part was that almost all of my family was home while I was there, a phenomenon that has not happened since I was in high school!
I learned a lot in reflecting on my time in America the last few days I was there. I was having a very hard time accepting the idea of coming back here. Romania is a place of much beauty and much hurt. Its gleam is covered by a thick layer of grime. How can I leave such a beautiful and deep life for this gloomy life where even ordering a loaf of read can involve flipping through a dictionary? However, through prayer and the graciousness of the Holy Spirit, I began to understand that my life has not always been beautiful. Even the things that shine like silver have had to be polished with hard work and God’s grace. If God can make such a beautiful, glory-filled life out of the ashes which I brought to him, how can I not believe that He can bring beauty to my heart in Romania as well?

So I return, looking at gloom and grime, but looking further for the bits of light to hold onto and cultivate. I turned to the Psalms last night and read David’s wrestlings- much lke my own. One second he could be praising God and the next, despairing. This is much how I feel in Romania and I will give that to God, in hopes that H3e may turn that into faithfulness. It is true; the next nine months loom before me, daunting and challenging. I already miss the people I love so much. I’m already mourning the times I will miss out on- thanksgiving, beautiful fall hiking days, Christmas, sledding, holding my cousin’s newborn baby, and more. But as I learned when I ran my half marathon, every hard thing must be done one step at a time. If I focus on all the strides that are to come, I will be overwhelmed and not enjoy the strength and beauty of the one I am taking now. So here’s to today.

2007-07-01T16:48:00.000+02:00

I'm still at home- the wedding pictures are posted so check them out!

2007-06-11T10:40:00.000+02:00

My little room

This is where I drink tea and read

My "wall of home"

2007-06-04T14:50:00.000+02:00

The honeymoon ended last week. I can’t put my finger on when, how or why, but it was pretty certain by the time we got to another Friday at the office. Despite the rockin good time I had at Briana’s birthday party (Romania sets the bar high for birthday parties, and Brandi certainly exceeded expectations- ball pit, cupcake decorating, etc) I had become irritable, and on the verge of tears at anyone’s comments. It is hard to start over anywhere- and in a cold foreign culture, it becomes daunting. I have been lonely, overwhelmed, frustrated and, the worst part- selfish. I have worried about what my fellow Aliens think of me, and what I can even give to this fundatia.

The weekend came with a bleak outlook. I envisioned holing myself up and praying fervently for a less worldly outlook on being here. Reluctantly, I joined Katie and Janelle for pizza. We began to talk a little about worries, which are shared by the others. In typical Romanian form, our grim situation was peppered with laughter and soon there was more laughter than sighs- especially after Katie got her heart shaped pizza from her Chef Admirer J We finished the night off with a movie and I thought perhaps things weren’t so bad after all.

I did hole up a bit Saturday morning, and read: a little Bible, a little Nouwen, and a few of the notes from LaVida friends. All of these proved to be immensely helpful. I had a renewed hope in my gifts, calling and my Father who has not left me after all. This changed my outlook as I entered back into our little community. Saturday afternoon was full of strawberries, sugar and laughter as we made 13 jars of jam from 20 pounds of strawberries. This should bring a little bit of color into our bleak midwinter meals. Satruday night was a fotball game with a Romanian family we love. They have a 2 year old that is adorable. It is helpful to see how Romanians do life in this hard hard place.

Sunday was quite the adventure. Katie and I went caving with three Romanians. Alin, the leader is friend from the fundatia and Bogdan and Claudius are students in his impact club. I have been caving once or twice before but never like this. My headlamp was dying and we climbed up and over things that sent me into serious panic. This is the first time I’ve really been freaked out on an expedition in a long time. (Perhaps this is how our participants feel while bushwhacking?) Romanians don’t give much thought to risk management or safety, and there were times that I would get up onto a ledge aided by a cotton rope, and thank God that I didn’t see the “knot” holding me until the end. This anxiety was multiplied by the language barrier- there is little explanation or encouragement that could be passed on between the two nationalities. Most of the time we were in the caves, I was NOT having fun…I was scared, anxious, and a little overwhelmed. As the Adventure Ed people would say, I was in my red zone. But when we finally saw the sunlight, and I took my first breaths of fresh, warm air, I was proud and had a renewed gratitude for open space.

The more I think and talk about the experience, I see how good these challenges are for me. Most of the time, we lead lives that are altogether too safe, too controlled, too liability free. Romania could be my cave- sometimes I will be unhappy, scared, even in danger. And perhaps it won’t be until I step out of the stale darkness into the light that I will understand what I can learn from it. Take that as you will.

So now I’m back in the office, overwhelmed with the work that must be done before my trip home. And I’m thinking about my next caving trip- perhaps I will grow braver and more used to the caves and be able to see their beauty. For now, I will enjoy the sunshine.

2007-05-30T13:04:00.000+02:00

Back from Hungary! My roommate and I traveled to Budapest this weekend, and it was such a refreshing trip. It is such a strange thing to be doing things one has imagined for so long- traveling across Europe, getting by with just Katie and I. It’s exciting, but less than I thought I would be. It doesn’t seem as glamorous- I just feel like regular old me. I suppose that is appropriate though. Transportation, however, is more exciting than I’d like, especially in Romania. Bribe requests and threats and passport seizures are still obstacles to get over, but we have learned how to play it just right and things turn out fine.

Budapest was the most beautiful city I have ever seen. The wars left Hungary more unscathed than its European neighbors, so and the architecture is beautiful. It is also a city that really appreciates art, there are sculptures everywhere, not just regular stone statues, but bronze figures or reflecting pools or marble abstracts. We rented bicycles: that is really the way one should see a city. It made every moment a little bit more exciting, and we got to see a whole lot more than we ever would have on foot. The bridges over the Danube were breathtaking as we whizzed over them. The pedestrian malls were so much more playful when you’re dodging tourists. So much fun.

Highlights of the trip were excellent dining, good conversations, Turkish baths, and the Terror Museum. We ate like queens at little cafes and outside terraces. The prices were so great and so we didn’t hesitate to have cappuccinos and cheesecake here and there. Katie and I not only contrasted our lives with her friend Matt’s- he is doing Outdoor Education in the Budapest schools; but we also talked with so many different people. A British architecture intern who was in love with a coworker, a neurologist from Austria who reflected on Europe over the past few decades and Europe’s view of our war, an Irishman who connected with me by comparing Gloucester with Nova Scotia (two places dear to me) with his home in Western Ireland. Budapest is known for its ancient Turkish baths, built on top of natural hot springs…it was like being in a giant historical hot tub in the middle of a palace.

We visited the Terror Museum, the house that was the headquarters of the Nazis, Arrow Cross Party, Socialists, and the Communists, all during their respective Hungarian occupations. I now understand better the plight of the smaller countries involved in the World and Cold Wars. I never realized how little a victory 1945 was for the countries that were handed over to socialists. It helps me to understand more the psyche of the Romanian people. The Hungarians had an easier time of it, the Nazis didn’t arrive until 1944, and they have a spirit in their society that kept their culture alive. They fought the regimes every time, led by students and youth. I feel like it is this sense of determination that helped them to come out in the nineties with their spirit intact. This helps me to see how important it is that the young people have a sense of dignity, responsibility, and awareness for their nation- an endeavor New Horizons is taking on.

Although the city and the apartment that we stayed in was amazing, I am glad to be home to Lupeni again. The city life is not one that suits me well, and I appreciate the slower pace and more organic life that we are blessed with here. I do wish we had a few cafes or a museum, but I’ll deal. I often miss home lately. I look at pictures of my friends going on with their lives, and I feel like I’m not as much a part of that. The distance is wider sometimes than others. But I know this is where I am to be, and it is not a sacrifice, really. My Jesus has given so much here, and so much to do.

2007-05-22T11:09:00.000+02:00

here is a poem I jotted down on the trainride, the first I have ever shared with anyone...

Bucharest to Petrosani on an Evening in May

Sultry afternoon turns to balmy dusk as ever expansive plains give way to ragged hillsides
As countryside flies by it is the images that are too fleeting for the camera to capture that are the most foreign and,yet, I wish to be most indelible

Neighborhoods of tents formed from wool blankets and salvaged tree limbs
A spring foal just discovering its running legs dashing around a horse cart loaded with scraps of metal
Campfires of burning refuse dot the rich brown fields
All of these individual images flash through my vision- blur together into an impression that these people live lives that I have only envisioned
Liives that have closer ties to the earth than I will ever feel
Lives painted with the rosu of poppies, galben of ripened corn, and portocalu of not quite ready tomatoes, against a canvas of cloudy alabastru sky

The question grows in my mind, how can I add these colors to my red white and blue life, one that I have outgrown, and yet in so many ways am homesick for
My heart will grow used to these colors, will wear them on its sleeves until they become worn in, like an old thrift store sweater…

2007-05-17T14:10:00.000+02:00

This past week was a vacation for the Americanskis and one of our directors, Diana. The five of us traveled to the historical city of Constanta, an ancient port on the Black Sea. We attended a Theater Forum on Discrimination where IMPACT clubs from all over the country came to perform skits against discrimination. The conference was interesting- to see Romanian youth and compare them with my experiences with American youth. It is surprising how similar they are. There was crazy energy at the conference and it made me realize how old I have become. It was also interesting to find out more about what kind of discrimination the youth think exists in Romania.

The conference included a trip into Constanta to see some of the sites. Constanta was where the epic poet Ovid was exiled and has many cultural and historical sites. We really only visited the port and the casino- surprisingly beautiful. Although these were amazing, I was pretty disappointed not to be able to visit any of the museums in the city. Of course everything is made more difficult with the language barrier. We did go to this amazing Turkish restaurant for coffee that I wish I could bring home with me.

After the conference ended we spent 3 days on the beach. The weather was beautiful and it was nice to relax. We swam in the black sea, played beach ball and I read three books. It was a really relaxing and bonding time for the Americans. I feel like the four of us really know each other now and are eager to embark on this adventure together. I cannot remember when I have laughed more in a matter of seven days for awhile. I became very antsy, though and I am so eager to really get work started on the benchmarks project. The 20 hours total on trains was something I surprisingly enjoyed. I have decided that this is my favorite form of transportation. You can watch the unbelievable European countryside fly by, and since we covered so many miles, it goes from plunging valleys and looming mountains near my village into endless plains in the east. It’s like going from the white mountains to the Midwest in a matter of hours. I love sanding by the window just taking it all in.

It was nice to be greeted at the train station by Ilie, a Romanian staff member. It was funny how comforting it was to hear him and Diana talk in Romanian the car ride back. Although I can still understand very little, a foreign language doesn’t sound foreign when spoken by a familiar voice. Now it’s back to the office and trying to make one of the hardest steps in this Benchmark development process- beginning. It is hard to know where to start, but I am eager.

2007-05-08T09:05:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I had a meeting with Dana that gave me a lot more direction here. IMPACT, the youth service-learning clubs, has needed an assessment system for years to determine if and what progress the students are actually making in the program. After creating about a million rubrics over my years at Gordon, I feel equipped to take on this task. I will take the research that the Sociology students did during their internships and continue creating benchmarks so that students know where they should be in regards to the aims of the program. (For you ed. friends, think Massachusetts Educational Frameworks- hello Bloom's taxonomy!) After that I will take those standards and create an IMPACT journal that walks students through assesing their own progress. Considering all the different expectations people have at the fundatia, this will take many revisions and drafts. This project could definitely take me all year if I do a good job with it.

My secondary project, and just as exciting, is that my roommate and I are going to design a training workshop for all IMPACT leaders in the valley. The leaders have the heart and the minds to do their jobs well, but not necessarily the education. With Katie's Outdoor Education degree and my psychology and education back ground, we will tag team a crash course in Youth education and management. Katie and I are excited about how we can complement each other and are also excited to give these amazing leaders more tools to become even better at what they already do so well.

This gives me a sense of direction, purpose and challenge. Please pray that attitude continues as I take on these tasks and that I don't do any of it halfheartedly.

2007-05-05T11:45:00.000+02:00

I have been in Lupeni for over a week, and am settling into the job and the apartment. It is strange to have a roommate again, after 3 years of having my own room. Katie and I seem quite similar though, and it is nice to have someone to talk to at the end of the day. It is cool to see the lessons God was teaching me in preparation for this time. Learning to have few specific expectations and to focus on others instead of worrying about whether or not people like me has helped my attitude immensely in this new place. I am still warming up to the people and place, but I feel hopeful and expectant.
Work is still vague. I have been reading a lot about social capital, experiential education, and the integration of the Orthodox Church with all of it. The way New Horizons has done all of this is so beautiful and revolutionary. I am eager to learn more from Dana, and in a way this time will serve as a study program of my own. I am observing the IMPACT clubs, but the language barrier is a complication. I am also helping around the office. My bigger job right now is to help Dana and the other Americanis fine tune the Northwestern semester that begins in August.
I am excited for the summer for so many reasons. I have missed the goofiness of a summer camp and am eager to see how Viata incorporates adventure and also to see how the orphanage children are blessed by this ministry. It will be nice to be doing something familiar in an unfamiliar place. Viata is also sure to improve my Romanian, which is frustrating and slow going.
We have leisure time in the evenings and the Americanis are already forming a close knit community. Dana and Brandi are very intentional about making us feel looked-out-for, and Briana (their 2 year old daughter) has already named me Dabba. We watch lots of movies, often accompanied by pizza and beer- go figure. We talk about places we would like to see while we are here- Greece, Turkey, Italy and others. I am glad to have possible travel companions and if anyone is reading this from Europe, let me know and I’ll add you to our list of destinations.
I will close with a story. Back when I was at Gordon I had a coping mechanism that, albeit prohibited, helped me to keep the big picture in mind. Whenever friends or classes or practicum seemed to close in on me, I would climb to the roof of one of the buildings, Frost or Macdonald, and sit there watching the stars. It’s cool to remember how very small Gordon is and, there are, as a favorite band sang: “So many cities and windows and lives And through each one there's a soul that strives to survive “ So one day this week I was feeling a little in over my head and went for a walk up this dirt road up a winding hill behind my building. I walked probably a half mile and then turned around, surprised to realize that in that short distance, the perspective completely changed. The town of Lupeni consists of one main road, and when you get higher, that road disappears in between the mountains. It was like suddenly I was whisked outside of the dirty concrete jungle the communists created and plopped down in God’s glory. Incredible. It is good to be reminded that the One who made all that is still with me, and cares for Lupeni and for me. Amen.

2007-04-29T14:09:00.000+02:00

Here is the website where I will be posting pictures http://picasaweb.google.com/DaviaRae/RomaniaApril

.If you need my user name , it is DaviaRae and the pw is Viata. peace.

2007-04-28T18:07:00.001+02:00

Well, I arrived in Lupeni on Thursday night at about 10:30. My plane rides were very long, but pleasantly uneventful, except that the flight attendant on the way from Munich to Bucharest had an awesome fauxhalk! When I arrived in Bucharest, I gathered my bags and went out to the international arrivals exit, and immediately I saw a guy smiling holding a sign that said “welcome Davia!” I couldn’t help but grin and wave. He said he knew me because our director had said to look for someone with a big backpack. The young man’s name is George Ionascu, as his last name will be pertinent later on. George and I hit it off immediately- joking and laughing. His English is foarte bine- very good, and he is very easy going. I expected someone in their early thirties, but he is 24, so this was a surprise. Our taxi driver was very crazy, but skilled. It was so exciting to watch this European countryside fly by.

We went to the hotel in Bucharest. Bucharest is not like any city I have ever seen. It is hard to describe, it feels so old and cultured…and rich, but not wealthy. Certainly not wealthy. George checked out every detail of the hotel and made me promise not to leave the hotel after he had left for his home in Bucharest. Soon I was alone in the small hotel room. It was weird at first, because it was still light out, and everything in me wants to explore anything new right away…I love walking and discovering. But it wouldn’t be right, so I sat down and thought about what to do, realizing this must be what participants on solo feel like. After some thinking I turned on the TV to find Law and Order in English! (But it turned out to be an episode I had already seen- gofigure) I fell asleep quickly, since I had been awake for about 30 hours at this point- ugh.

In the morning we went to the train station, bought tickets and had to wait about 4 hours at McDonalds until our train came. We got to talk and show each other pictures and it was fun. We caught the train and settled down for our 6 hour ride. This is probably the most humorous part. I have prepared myself for Romanians to be quite cold and closed. But the train compartment we were in must have been filled with the friendliest Romanians ever. There was myself and George, Mr. Metricul and a woman with an older woman. The all seemed very friendly, especially Mr. Metricul. Now at this point I had not spoken a word of Romanian to George, even though I know quite a bit of the simple stuff. I get nervous about speaking even languages that I know and love. I discovered quickly that if I pretended that I didn’t know any Romanian, I could listen to some of the things that were said in the traincar and no one would know. George translated a lot, but there were things I picked up on that I don’t think he realized I did.

The people in the car assumed that George was paying me to take him to the States to be my husband. George corrected them. (This part he translated) But then Mr. Metricul went on to say perhaps there was still hope. George laughed but did not protest. For the rest of the train ride, no one knew that I knew George’s last name or the word for Mrs, but they called me Mrs Ionascu. Very funny. Also, George asked the younger lady if she was pregnant. I was shocked and old him in America, you never ever ever ever ask THAT question. (So how’s the baaaaaaaby…panda) Hahaha

Dana drove us the last 20 minutes to Lupeni. My apartment is small and I have 5 roommates right now. Katie, Carity and I are the Americani girls, and we share a room, but Charity is only here a week longer. Diana and Andreea are Romanians. And Andrew is Americani, but leaving in June. The apartment is quite messy, though I think that is on account of the Americanis, because Diana and Andreea’s rooms are neat. I hope our organization improves because it is trying on me right now. One issue is that there is nowhere to put anything- no shelves or closets or anything. I hope to build something VERY soon- my brain is too disorganized for my things not to be.

Yesterday was my first day at the office for the Fundatia (foundation). It is a quick walk down the street. Dana said I could chill, but I was bored so I started reading the enormous manual for the Impact clubs. I really wish I could express all that I have thought today while reading the introduction. Their theories and models are really mind-blowing. Their theology is so sound and the outworking of it is amazing. I cannot wait to delve into this. There will definitely be more thoughts on this later.

Today all the Americanis went to the Piata- open air market and bought food and lilacs for the kitchen. Lilacs remind me of home, so the fragrance everywhere is a blessing. The piata was fun. All the old ladys with skirts and kerchiefs like to grab my arms and smile saying: Romaneste? (I reply nu, with a smile, and before I can go on…) Italiano? Hungari? (nu nu, Americani) They smile at Americani and ask me how I like Romania- is it beautiful? Da, I say, frumoasa. They are delighted with my approval. I look more Romanian than the other girls, so they grab me more J.

I want to describe the town and surrounding area, because it is SO unique, for now I will be vague because I think I will be able to describe it more clearly when I have experienced it more. For now I will tell you that it is a blast from the past. Picture the opening scenes of Beauty and the Beast, but dirtier. There are markets everywhere and abandoned run down buildings, but if look just beyond the farms and dirty children, foothills loom, still a bit snowcapped and just accessible enough that they make you want to climb them RIGHT NOW. I am excited to start really learning Romanian, and Dana is going to get me a tutor for it. I am catching on quickly with the basics, and the people at the Fundatia are very encouraging.

Tmorrow is the Orthodox Chrismation for the Bates, so we and the Romanians are going to party like its 1999 (except in Romania, it really is like its 1999)

I have moments of missing you all like crazy, but I have been able to distract myself from them for now., though it does not diminish my love.

2007-04-21T06:11:00.000+02:00

These pictures are for those of you who can't picture what it is that I do in the woods for hours. They were taken recently while I was training new LaVida leaders . During the summer, this is part of what I will do in Romania

2007-04-16T03:52:00.000+02:00

I am down to about one more week here in the states and it will be occupied by the three P's: packing, people, and prayer.

Please think of and pray for me as I have been struggling with feeling so overwhelmed with this time of in preparation and in betweens. I will miss my friends so.

2007-03-30T20:12:00.000+02:00

Closing time...
Yes, I have entered into the beginning of the end at BCA. Today was my last Biology class and I have 2 more weeks with the middle schoolers. Fridays are strange days for me, especially when I have to work at night. I have suddenly become so pensive...thinking about so many things. In recent years I begun to steer away from goodbyes...I feel like they are so anticlimactic. Everyone feels like it should be so significant, but I have really come to think that if you feel like there is something you need to say in your goodbye- then your friendship was lacking all along.

I remember a goodbye after graduation last may where my friend and I stood in front of one another, knowing how much we meant to one another but also having the bittersweet reality in the pits of our stomachs that we would not be sustaining opur relationship any longer. And so we stared at each other, and smiled a little and then nodded and walked away. And that is a goodbye among friends. We did not say I love you because we realized we already knew that, and if it needed to be sid then in a way it was a lie- love is something that can't be stated, it just is.

And so I find myself struggling with these last few weeks. These drawn out goodbyes that feel so, well drawn out. I find myself slacking off as a teacher and then justifying it and then feeling so guilty...and yet my mind and heart are in limbo. Neither here nor there quite yet. My mind reels between the anticipation of leaving and the desire to suck the marrow out of these last moments here. So that is where I am. I am grateful for those praying and reading this now. I can't believe it is actually happening.

2007-03-10T16:28:00.000+01:00

"She's got her ticket, I think she's gonna use it- thinks she's gonna fly away.
No one should try and stop her persuade her with their power she says that her mind is made"

Well, as Tracy says, I have my ticket! I fly out from Logan April 24. Two international airports and 15 hours later, I will arrive in Bucharest. After that, the Lord really only knows!

Prayer right now is more for the present than for what lies ahead: there is much to do! Logistically and emotionally. Please pray for visa applications and loan deferrals, and paking. It is dificult for me to imagine packing everything I need in one 30 kg suitcase- since I've always been a car ride from home.

Also pray for closure here- friendships, family, and especially my two jobs. It's hard to think about leaving the kids, and I will miss my Starbucks friends. More lyrics: every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...but closing time can still be hard. More thoughts to come.

2007-02-23T17:37:00.000+01:00

A replacement has been found! About two weeks ago the headmaster hired a teacher to take over the high school classes and she is able to eventually take all my classes. I am still working on details, but within the next couple weeks, I will be solidifying dates, buying plane tickets, and raising the last of my funding. So excited, but more news to come.

2007-01-29T01:56:00.000+01:00

I have now been teaching at Bradford Christian Academy for about a month, and Thanks be to God that I now have almost all the money I need to live in Romania for a year! No replacement teacher has been found yet, but my desire to go only grows as the days go on. Please pray for the search process and for my own attitude. I often struggle with restlessness and patience in this situation, so I hope to learn to simply enjoy being at home and around loved ones for now.

I am so grateful for the incredible people the Lord has put in my life- who remind me of what I love and that I am loved. The pictures are from a recent retreat with the Center for Outdoor Ed.

2006-12-24T21:14:00.000+01:00

Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train...Who would have guessed that Cat Stevens would have written my favorite Christmas Carol this season and renew my desire to work for Viata??

I have found tears in my eyes much more easily during this advent season. Darfur, Iraq, Lupeni, New Orleans...so many places and hearts so full of hurt and so little peace- The World goes not well.
Anytime anyone speaks of peace, I find my cheeks wet and my mind frustrated- what can I do? How do I jump on the peace train?

Christmas is about hope- ridiculous, unlikely hope. Hope that was realized in an illegitimate baby, by a rejected couple, three eclectic astrologists, and a handful of dirty hermits. Typical. I've always been surprised at how magical Christmas eve seems, and I don't think it has anything to do with the calendar date. I think the magic comes from people being more open to God's love in their lives. They put down their swords and their walls for one day and believe in peace and hope. As in World War I, they climb out of their trenches to sing Silent Night, and for that moment, all is calm and bright.

Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too Cause it's getting nearer, it soon will be with you
Now come and join the living, it's not so far from you And it's getting nearer, soon it will all be true...So how do I keep that moment alive? reading the Viata research makes me more hopeful than ever- this stuff actually works! Lives are being changed, people are joining the living! it may take me time to get there, but if God would deem me worthy, I WILL be an instrument of peace and hope to others- I will ride that peace train all the way to Romania and back again. The world goes not well, but the kingdom comes. May it be so in my heart.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead nor does he sleep the wrong shall fail the right prevail with peace on earth goodwill to men. Amen.

2006-12-24T01:48:00.001+01:00

Ms. Moore returns. Well, as cliche as it is, two roads diverged once again, with me having to decide which one to walk upon. After visiting friends at a Christian school near my Starbucks, I found myself in a whirlwind of interviews and decisions. To make a long story short, I was offered an indefinite interim teaching position. The teaching position would provide more than enough money to embark on my adventure, while leaving my departure date contingent on finding a permanent teacher. On the other hand, I could set myself a date, continuing to try save and raise the rest of the money in the meantime.

I had 48 hours to make this decision and in the end I took the job- I will start teaching my 6th-11th grade SCIENCE classes on January 3rd. Among many other factors, it was that while I could somehow find the money and then possibly attribute it to myself, while finding a teacher to replace me will have to be completely up to the Lord.

This leaves me in need of your prayers more than ever, and financial support is still important as well, since Viata can always use more funding, and I could lose this job just as quickly as I got it. Please pray for energy, ingenuity, focus and perfect timing.

2006-11-30T16:34:00.000+01:00

Good News! I received an email from Dana (the director and co-founder of New Horizons) this week telling me that he wanted to change his estimate of how much I would need. In addition to plane tickets, he said to figure $300 a month plus $500 on top of that. That brings the total way down to $4500! So I am about a third of the way there. I am hoping now to leave in February, and it seems so much more doable. As we say at La Vida: PTL (Praise the Lord).

I have also been reading more about Service Learning and Social Capital theories- New Horizons bases its programs on these ideas. They are both phenomenally refreshing and give so much hope for today's youth. My excitement for this endeavor and my opportunities over there grow with every article I read. You all must be praying! Thank you.

Please Check out these Adobe files- they load quickly
Article on Youth Service and its efficacy around the world
Booklet on Effective Youth Programs in the Balkans (Viata starts on p.23)

2006-11-14T01:06:00.000+01:00

Two more checks in my mailbox this week! That brings me $100 closer to Romania. I talked with my friend Jenn this weekend about her experiences with Viata a few years ago and it only made me more excited. She was describing the interesting dichotomy between the natural beauty that surrounds the Jiu Valley and the undeniably visible devastation and poverty that is found in the villages. I keep praying that God will provide and will keep me patient and perseverant.

2006-10-24T00:43:00.000+02:00

When I came back from my precarious adventure on Mt. Kinsman (ask me!) yesterday, I found a check in my mail pile. My first donation! Yay! It was a surprise that my first contribution was from a fellow '06 graduate, but definitely cool that one of my friends believes in my dream as well. Between that and my savings, I have about $1600 currently. That is a quarter of what I need to make my January departure date, so please keep praying and considering helping me!

2006-09-18T21:06:00.000+02:00

I created this online journal for two purposes. While I am still at home in the states, I can let people know where I am in the process of fundraising and getting paperwork in order to make the move to Romania. I have wanted to volunteeer in Romania in since God laid the country and its children on my heart through a video we watched at youth group. I discovered my passion for outdoor education and its ministry potential while I was at Gordon College, and became more involved with La Vida, Gordon's outdoor education center. How excited was I when I discovered Viata: a program begun by Gordon alumni, Dana and Brandi Bates!? I am now hoping to move to Lupeni Romania in January to work with Dana and Brandi at the New Horizons Foundation. Please visit their website (especially about us and the Viata links) because it explains what I will be doing and why. Romanian culture and economy has been left devastated by the fallout from the Communist regime. New Horizons uses outdoor education to minister to Romanian youth and instill in them values that can rebuild Romanian culture. Once I arrive in Romania, I will use this journal to let you all know how and what I am doing and how God is working in and through me in Romania. Please pray for me as I prepare my heart, mind and paperwork to begin this new adventure.