FiRST, AN OVERVIEW OF PROJECT LUMINA IN MEDGIDIA, ROMANIA...then scroll further down for updates, beginning with the most recent one, May/June 2011:
The initial challenge: One thing I learned about serving in Medgidia, Romania, is that ministry to the Roma requires more than one could possibly have within him/herself: more love, more patience, more kindness, more faith, more perseverance, more gentleness, more of all of the fruits of the Spirit. I truly experienced the Lord as the Abundant Provider like never before in my walk with Him as I served full-time in Medgidia, Romania from November 2003 to May of 2004. I continue to return there several weeks each year to support project Lumina and other ministries reaching the Roma.
How project LUMINA began: As with most marginalized people groups, the Roma are often last. Yet, the Lord says he who is last shall be first and first shall be last (Matt 20:14). Part of my desire in serving there was to create a safe place---a place where the Romani children would be first. I partnered with Beti, a local Romanian missionary who had been loving and serving the Roma of Medgidia for several years before I arrived. We drew in others from several local churches and Lumina was born. Later, Beti married Hardi and they began a foundation, Fundatia Portii Deschise, through which they lead Lumina and many other projects that reach the Roma.
What is LUMINA? Lumina is a weekly gathering that serves as an exciting, fun, and accepting refuge for kids to receive the love of Christ through a program that lasts several hours and ends with a meal. It is a lot like a "children's church" and provides spiritual and physical food to Romani children. Lumina is open to street children and the Roma from any neighborhood. Kids experience a safe place to learn there. They learn about God's unconditional love, about each other's cultures and families, and simple life skills such as manners and how to treat your neighbor. Many have never sat in a chair, used indoor plumbing, or heard about Jesus until they join us at Lumina. We also serve lunch, usually a healthy sandwich. Even Muslim parents send their children to Lumina, as they see that they are cared for and loved there. Change takes time, but after six years of investing in these children, nobody can deny that they have changed and have made an impact in their homes and communities! They learn how to pray and how to play! They learn bible stories through skits and reading, as well as worship and praise songs, and games and poems.
While I served full-time in Romania, the Lord protected me in the face of persecution, threats, and adversity; I return once or twice each year to invest in Lumina and serve the servers who need your prayer coverage. We are so thankful that God is at work and has poured about his grace to also reach those who reject the Roma. We have testimonies among our team from people who were taught to hate the Roma and now serve them with loving kindness!
This website is established to share what God is doing and to encourage you to come alongside those of us with a passion to see God at work among the Roma. I periodically post updates below from returning visits to Medgidia and post new images from these visit on the "photos!" page of this site. If you feel God is leading you to be part of what He is doing in Romania, I would love to hear from you. Or let me know if you want to be added to an email list for updates (about twice a year, no spam I promise, no selling your email or anything else you or I wouldn't want). Your support, especially in prayer commitment, is needed and appreciated! Are you a sender or a go-er?
Iubire si lumina (Love and light), Annie
__________________________________________________________________ May/June 2011 Update: A repeating theme throughout this trip was “Get up!” “Arise!” It was as if God was blowing the trumpet of hope and people were responding to His spiritual wake-up call. We witnessed God turn sorrow to joy and distress to hope! God IS compassion---the place where love meets suffering---what an honor to witness His loving touch on so many and His stirring of hearts to surrender to Him. Truly, I thank you for your prayer coverage and generosity as God multiplied it! · Lumina - “The Light”– We continued to partner with Beti and Hardi of · Party for the Lumina servers – We had a dinner p-a-r-t-y for 28 folks---some of those who have poured out their time and talents as a love offering by serving at Lumina. It was a night marked by fun, laughter and thanksgiving. · Abandoned children –The abandoned babies were released from quarantine at the hospital (thank you for praying), but sadly, the staff would not allow our visit. May God hold every single one and rejoice over them with singing! · Casa Chara Girls Home – We had a pizza party at Casa Chara, the Project Romanian Rescue (PRR) Girls Home. Zeina, one of the kids we know from Medgidia who was recently placed in Casa Chara, was really touched when we filled her empty family photo album with pictures taken over the years of her family. I was especially moved by seeing how Seigian, a young lady whose life was transformed through being raised at Casa Chara, serves there and is a living example of God’s grace. She was taken from the rubble and now shines like a ruby! · Stepping Stones Kids Program - We partnered with Cindy (along with Monica) of Stepping Stones Missions in serving the kids in the baracii ("shacks") neighborhood who spend much of their time in the streets. Many of them have been coming to Lumina on Saturdays; this outreach provides TLC Tuesday through Thursday where the children feel welcomed and fed. We joined her in bringing about 40 kids to a special program with a puppet show on National Childrens Day. Actually, we started with 17 kids when we left our meeting place and picked up another 20 or so along the way! Why wouldn’t we? Cindy also has a kids program at the Turkish church. · House-to-house visits at Baracii, Siloz and Casa Alba – We joined some of our servers from Lumina to go house-to-house (or shack-to-shack) in these three neighborhoods. God went ahead of us and prepared hearts for salvation! At our first stop in Siloz, Budaca, an elderly woman lying on a mat in the dirt, received Christ and a spirit of joy! How beautiful! Elena, who worked with us for years at Lumina making sandwiches, has a heart to serve the elderly and had prayed as we walked to Siloz for God to show her an elderly person to add to her list of house visits. She now makes extra food each day and visits Budaca. I am not sure who was the most joyful about this answer to prayer! What a gift! · Mamut Bei and Ciabanului neighborhoods – We joined Beti and Hardi for visits at these two remote neighborhoods to feed, encourage and pray for the families there. They rarely get visitors and at Mamut Bei the kids ran to us in excitement! One partially paralyzed woman, Sagriei, received a special touch from the Lord. · Widow visits –Although we dedicated a specific day to visit widows --- equipped with love, hugs, and teapots – God reminded us that, in His sight, every day is set apart for widows. Many widows were moved to tears that God had remembered them and sent someone to demonstrate his love. One widow, Maria, had just been released from the hospital. Another Maria we visited later in the week was just giddy to have visitors. We sponsored her eye surgery last year – she can now see and has so much joy! Remember, that “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” There is so much more between the lines, where God’s loving kindness and compassion for the suffering rose up and blessed those who cried out to Him! It is miraculous to witness life changing joy and hope arise among the broken. July 2010 Update: LUMINA KIDS PARTY – By now, you know about Lumina, our kids program. The Lumina party for the kids was a blast! Beti and Hardi of Fundatia Portii Deschise arranged for a team of 18 youth from NW Romania to join us for the celebration. They led us in worship and had a subset of their team praying throughout Lumina. They also came equipped with crafts...and joy! We had a bible study on “The Light” and gave each child a little flashlight keychain – a very handy gift when living in some very dark areas. Of course we had balloons, refreshments, songs and laughter. Abel, a visiting missionary from another area of Romania, gave his testimony. He had cancer in his eye when he was 6 years old, and during the operation to save his eye, the doctors made a mistake. Ultimately, they removed his eyeball. He began to seek God’s joy and received it in abundance. He truly exudes joy and has such a playful spirit. He turned 21 that week and we had a little party for him. He wept as he shared how he was told he would die and fifteen years later, he is really living life to the fullest! GIRLS HOME VISIT – More party time! We had a pizza party for the girls at Project Romania Rescue’s (PRR’s) girls home, Casa Chara. They were pretty excited to have visitors and loved their new flip flops! I really enjoyed their massive hug attack and their new ping pong table! Of course we had a photo shoot! One of the girls, Seigean was raised in the girls home and later returned to work there. I first met her in 2003, and it was great to see the product of what the years of PRR’s investment into her life – she is a beautiful, well-balanced young lady with a huge heart. HOUSE-TO-HOUSE VISITS! Yay! After seven years of serving the Roma, I had the privilege of leading a woman in the baracii (“shacks”) neighborhood to accept Jesus Christ! Aurica found Jesus and joy! Pray for her physical healing, as she needs an operation for a serious condition. But---her “heart condition” is healed now that she received Jesus! Salvation rang up in the Siloz neighborhood as well. Cristina, who had been undecided about accepting Jesus jumped on in and said yes! God arranged the exact times and places! We made house-to-house visits in three neighborhoods: Baracii, Siloz, and Casa Alba. Two Romani missionaries from northwest Romania accompanied Abel and made many of our house-to-house visits with us. God worked it out that our itinerary coincided with theirs. They brought a guitar along and led worship with the kids each day. It was a great blessing to see Romani missionaries serving their people group, the Roma, as that is a dream we have for Medgidia. FREE HOME – REALLY – Okay, talk about a miracle...The mayor of Medgidia had a community of ten new homes built as a development to integrate the Roma into other areas of town. So, Cornel and Mariana, who serve with us at Lumina and with Cindy of Stepping Stones, were given a home. Not just a home, but a very nice one, including a wood-fired hot water heater, indoor plumbing, an adorable front porch and other luxuries that Cornel and Mariana have never had…ever. I visited their new home only to find another one of the Roma, Cerasula (who had helped us when we began Lumina in 2003), lived next door in her new home! It’s beyond comprehension, true, but that is the God we serve. Wow. VLADUTI’S MOM - We paid a special visit to Sylvia whose son, Vladuti, passed away right after our visit last year. While she misses him and her other son who died years prior, she was thankful he accepted Christ beforehand, and they will meet again in heaven! Yay! WIDOW VISITS - We spent one evening and one day visiting women who are widows. Most were elderly, but one widow, Claudia, 41, lost her husband in an accident five years ago and is raising four kids. Some of the ladies broke out their finest glasses and poured us a soda. All the widows were thrilled to have company---and TLC. So were we. AH, YES…REPAIRS - We arranged electrical and other repairs for my studio apartment in Constanta, which serves as a retreat house for those who serve the Roma. Now it won’t rain inside and more than one appliance can be used at a time! Things are looking up! We also bought a narrow tall dresser from across the street for use in the tiny kitchen which otherwise doesn’t have drawers. We got some interesting looks crossing the street carry a dresser!_______________________________________________________________ August/September 2009 Update LUMINA KIDS PARTY – We celebrated our sixth year of Lumina, a kids project to reach the Roma (“Gypsies”) for Christ. About 70 came to our party marked by worship, games, balloons, prayer, and a healthy lunch. Visiting servers from Germany and a missionary from the US joined us and created a powerful drama about the parable of the lost sheep. The message was that God loves you so much He will chase after you until He finds you and takes you home with Him. Thank you sponsors! HOUSE VISITS – A group of us from Lumina went house-to-house visiting homes of kids who attend. We spent time with each family, reminisced, and prayed with the families. Anytime I take a photograph during a house visit, when I return again I give the family (almost all of whom had never received a photograph before except from me) a copy of the shot. HOUSE VISITS TO SILOZ – Some of the Lumina kids come from a neighborhood called Siloz. I went house to house with Mariana and Cornel, a couple who have served at Lumina since its inception. Over the past six years I’ve been house to house among the shacks in Siloz, I’ve gradually seen the darkness decrease and God increase! We sensed a spirit of hope and joy---a huge breakthrough as God is preparing hearts there. HOUSE VISITS TO THE BARACII – Some Lumina kids live in a small wooden shed known as a “baraca”. The baracii means "the sheds": the neighborhood of sheds that form a community. We visited this community and had a beautiful time loving on and praying for families. Cindy from Stepping Stone Missions and her visiting German friends joined us for some of our baracii visits. HOUSE VISITS TO CASA ALBA - I spent one afternoon with Mariana, a server from Lumina, making house visits at Casa Alba, a five-story ghetto housing building where some of the kids at Lumina live. We joined our ministry partners, Beti and Hardi from Fundatia Portii Deschise for their kids programs there. THE GIFT OF SIGHT – One of our Lumina servers who prepares sandwiches at Lumina, Elena, also cares for nearby elderly ladies who are blind and alone. We were once again able to sponsor cataract surgery for one of these ladies. RETREAT FOR LUMINA SERVERS – We had a beautiful overnight retreat for nine Lumina servers at a hotel by the sea. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, fellowship, a game, a season of prayer, and time for personal reflection. Only two of our servers had ever stayed in a hotel before so this was truly luxurious! Beforehand, Cindy and I prepared each room with gifts and prayer. The look on the faces of the servers at first glance of their rooms overlooking the Black Sea was absolutely priceless! I am so thankful for sponsors who covered each part of this blessing for our workers. I also was able to spend time individually with most servers that week to encourage them, pray over them, and share our hearts. A GRANTED WISH – Taking more time to be filled and directed by the Lord this trip postured me for God’s direction to bless others. One such blessing was a visit alongside Nita (who serves at Lumina), to the home of Sylvia and her sons Vladuti and Cosmin. We brought along joy---and prayed for a miraculous healing for Vladuti who is not expected to live much longer. His "last wish" was to see the nearby Black Sea for the first time. We were able to sponsor the journey and picnic two days later! We’ll meet Valduti again in Medgidia, or in heaven---as he has decided to give his heart to Jesus! __________________________________________________________________ November 2008 Update: FIVE YEARS OF PROJECT LUMINA! THANK YOU FOR STAYING, PRAYING, AND GIVING! THIS TRIP WAS UNUSUAL AND A TURNING POINT IN MANY WAYS. GOD IS SO GOOD! HE RESPONDS WHEN HIS PEOPLE PRAY! THIS IS GOOD NEWS! Here's prayer requests followed by answers to prayers: DIRECTION AND GODS WILL FOR PROJECT LUMINA - WE AGREED TO TAKE A MUCH-NEEDED TEN WEEK SABBATICAL AFTER FIVE YEARS (THAT EQUATES TO 260 WEEKS OF LUMINA EACH SATURDAY). SOME WORKERS WERE APPROACHING BURNOUT AND WERE DOING DOUBLE DUTY AS WE HAVE NO TEACHERS COMMITTED TO SERVING EACH WEEK. THIS HAS LEFT US VULNERABLE TO DISSENSION AND FRUSTRATION. HOWEVER, WE REJOICED OVER WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR AND THROUGH THE LUMINA KIDS AND HUMBLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE CREDIT IS HIS! WE ARE COMMITTING THIS SEASON OF LUMINA SABBATICAL TO PRAYER FOR FUTURE DIRECTION. WE ARE PRAYING FOR WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, OBEDIENCE, AND PROVISION TO RE-LAUNCH LUMINA FEBRUARY 7 WITH REFRESHED (AND ADDITIONAL) SERVERS. WE WILL BE HAVING A CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 20, THEN BACK ON SABBATICAL. FINANCIAL SPONSORSHIP - YES! WE ALREADY HAVE A NEW SPONSOR FOR THE MEAL WE SERVE AT LUMINA! THANK YOU LORD! WE ARE AWAITING ANOTHER SPONSOR TO BLESS THE WORKERS AT LUMINA, BE IT WITH SALARY OR AN OCCASIONAL MEAL OUT TOGETHER OR DAY TRIP. WE CAN NOW WORK OUT TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIVING. THANKFULLY, WE REALLY SENSED THE INCREASE OF PRAYER SPONSORSHIP ALREADY. GENTLENESS AND GRACE - GOD MOVED AMONG OUR MINISTRY TEAM. WE PUT CONCERNS ON THE TABLE AND ASKED GOD TO MOVE US, DIRECT US, AND MAKE US INSTRUMENTS OF HIS GENTLENESS AND GRACE. HOUSE TO HOUSE MINISTRY - WE DID A BIT LESS HOUSE-TO-HOUSE THAN IN PREVIOUS TRIPS AS OUR FOCUS WAS ON PROCESSING FIVE YEARS OF LUMINA AND PREPARING FOR WHAT IS NEXT, BUT WE FOUND THAT ENTIRE COMMUNITIES HAVE CHANGED AND HAVE BECOME FAR LESS VIOLENT. MANY OF THE KIDS WHO WERE SAVAGE-LIKE FIVE YEARS AGO ARE NOW COMPASSIONATE AND GENTLE AND THEY INFLUENCE OTHER CHILDREN AS WELL AS THEIR PARENTS AND NEIGHBORS. THE OUTWARD AND INWARD "LOOK" OF THE KIDS HAS A SWEETNESS AND PURITY THAT COMES FROM CHRIST. MOST PRAYERS HOUSE TO HOUSE WERE FOR HEALTH ISSUES. WHILE WE DID NOT WITNESS ANY IMMEDIATE HEALINGS, WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE MANIFESTATION OF MIRACLES. ONE WOMAN WHO USED TO BE VERY ANGRY AND VIOLENT AND USUALLY SCREAMS AT US PRAISED GOD FOR HEALING HER CHILD WHO WAS IN A COMA FOR 6 WEEKS (ILL ATTACH A PHOTO). I WAS SO ENCOURAGED BY HER HEART CHANGE AND INFLUENCE IN HER COMMUNITY. THERE SEEMED TO BE A SPIRIT OF HOPE UNFELT BEFORE! RELATIONSHIPS IN MINISTRY - I ARRIVED OPEN TO SURRENDERING MY CO-LEADERSHIP AT LUMINA, THOUGH ENTIRELY COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE PROJECT. I HAD CONCERNS THAT BY NO LONGER BEING THERE FULL-TIME IT MAY BE A HINDRANCE AND CREATE DISUNITY. MY CO-LEADERS AS WELL AS ALL WHO WORK WITH US ADAMANTLY ASKED ME TO REMAIN IN LEADERSHIP AND GAVE ME INSIGHT INTO MY CONTRIBUTIONS AND INFLUENCE THAT I HAD NOT BEFORE REALIZED. I SAY IT NOT TO BOAST BUT TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE ONE GOD HIMSELF WHO MAKES THINGS POSSIBLE. GLORY TO GOD THAT HE WOULD USE ME IN SUCH A WAY - IT WAS QUITE HUMBLING. I AGREED TO CONTINUE AND FELT THAT OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM IS STRONGER NOW THAN BEFORE. I FELT THAT OUR ENTIRE TEAM (INCLUDING ME) WAS REFRESHED, ENCOURAGED, AND MORE UNIFIED. CELEBRATIONS - WE HAD A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR LUMINA WITH 80 KIDS AT A SPECIAL LOCATION, THE CITY'S CULTURE HOUSE---WHICH WAS PROVIDED RENT FREE! FOR THE ADULTS WHO SERVE AT LUMINA, WE HAD A VERY SWEET AND FUN PIZZA PARTY WITH GIFTS, PRAYERS, AND UNITY IN DECISION MAKING. BOTH EVENTS WERE GENEROUSLY SPONSORED.THANKS FOR GIVING! OTHER MINISTRY HELPS - I WAS ABLE TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS THROUGH SOME OTHERS PROJECTS: GRADINITA (A "SECOND CHANCE" KINDERGARTEN - WE HAD A LITTLE PARTY FOR 33 KIDS), PROJECT ROMANIAN RESCUE (A PROJECT TO RAISE STREET CHILDREN WITH HOPES OF REUNITING THEM WITH THEIR FAMILIES I SPENT AN AFTERNOON AT THE GIRLS HOME), CASA ALBA (A ROMANY GHETTO HOUSING PROJECT WHERE MY MINISTRY PARTNERS FROM FUNDATIA PORTII DESCHISE HAVE A WEEKLY EVENING OF MINISTRY WITH SEVERAL AGE GROUPS I JOINED THEM AND ALSO VISITED SOME FAMILIES OF LUMINA KIDS WHO LIVE THERE). I ALSO VISITED THREE LOCAL CHURCHES TO ENCOURAGE THEM. SPECIFIC ADDITIONAL OR CONTINUED PRAYER REQUESTS: __________________________________________________________________November 2007 Update: Thank you for partnering with us in prayer for what God is doing among the Roma in Romania! Our November 1-17 journey with original prayer requests is below. RESPONSE TO PRAYER IS ADDED IN CAPITAL LETTERS. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR PRAYER COVERAGE THAT KEPT US SAFE IN THE ARMS OF CHRIST AMIDST PERILOUS TRAVEL AND SPIRITUALLY DARK CONDITIONS. WE MANAGED TO OVERCOME EVERYTHING FROM LOST BAGS TO A TREE BRANCH FALLING ON OUR CAR AFTER A SNOWSTORM! Lumina continues to serve as an environment to love and serve the Roma ("Gypsies") in Romania. Our desire is to bring light to the darkness to the Romani kids through this fun program that offers the hope of Jesus, along with a Bible study, songs of worship, practical teaching, a nutritious lunch, and good ole fun! The enemy claimed that the project wouldn't last and the kids couldn't change. Well, it has and they have, thanks to folks like you here who serve by praying and those who serve the children directly in Romania. We are celebrating our fourth birthday at Lumina! H-AL-L-E-L-U-J-A-H! We pray that we can serve others and continue relationship building for the Kingdom of God by: Serving our Servers - There are about fifteen people who are committed to serving at Lumina. They are the hands and feet of Jesus at Lumina who: provide leadership, teach Bible lessons, round up the kids in their communities to bring them to Lumina, make and serve sandwiches, and even wipe their noses and tears. We are asking the Lord that we will a blessing to each one of our servers. Many are suffering from illness, poverty, and other afflictions, but they are amazing in their faithfulness to serve sacrificially. We pray that we are able to serve them sacrificially, and that each one would feel appreciated and honored. We ask for ability to make time to take time to visit each of our servers at their homes this trip, as this is one of the greatest ways in their culture to show that they matter---a personal visit with love and fellowship. Please consider taking the time to pray for each one by name: Beti, Hardi, Elena, Nita, Musever, Niliser, Mariana, Cornel, Valentina, Nuta, Nita, Dana, Roxana, and Ghuilshen. Also, please pray for Petrica and Norica who periodically give bread to Lumina and Pastor Corneliu who needs wisdom and strength to overcome and obstacle. Also, please pray that our servers would have a supernatural ability to release the myths of leadership that were formulated during Communism, and to adopt a healthy view of leadership. We are asking that God would develop more Godly leaders. WE WERE BLESSED TO SPEND FOCUSED PERSONAL TIME INDIVIDUALLY WITH ALL BUT ONE OF OUR SERVERS, TO ENCOURAGE THEM AS WELL AS LISTEN TO THEIR TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS. MANY SERVE IN SPITE OF SERIOUS ILLNESSES (AND ILL CHILDREN) AND POVERTY. TWO WERE GRIEVING OVER LOSS OF FAMILY MEMBERS. OUR MINISTRY PARTY FOR THE SERVERS WAS THANKFULLY A FUN AND LIGHT-HEARTED NIGHT AT A RESTAURANT (A RARE OCCASION)! PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR SERVERS (WHICH NOW INCLUDE GEORGIANA AND MOISE) FOR THEIR ABILITY TO CONTINUE SERVING IF CALLED AND FREEDOM TO MOVE ON WHEN THE LORD ENDS THEIR SEASON AT LUMINA. PRAY THEY WOULD EXPERIENCE REST! Serving our Children - The children who come to Lumina need your prayers for freedom. We ask that you pray for breakthroughs in their communities, among their families, and in their hearts. We are asking that each one would know that he or she is known completely and loved unconditionally by our Lord. We are asking that the teenage group will begin to step into The Truth and accept the authority of Christ. We ask that the teenagers will be empowered to take a stand in their homes and communities to represent Christ and influence others. We ask that each of the children experiences the joy of being a child. WE ENJOYED CELEBRATING OUR FOURTH YEAR OF MINISTRY WITH SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR EACH AGE GROUP AT LUMINA. THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF THE CHILDREN WAS AMAZING, AND WE FOUND THAT KIDS IN THE YOUNGEST GROUP WERE ABLE TO TEACH THE OLDER GROUP SOME SCRIPTURE! Serving the Childrens' Families - Each trip we aim at building a bridge to Christ through our relationships as we go house to house to love, pray, and spend time with families of the Lumina kids. We are asking that the chains of poverty and despair be broken and captives be set free. We are asking for an end to violence, abuse, and addictions. We are asking that children be reconciled to their fathers and fathers to their children. We are asking for abundant provision. And we are asking for open doors as we move house to house and deeper and deeper into communities of darkness. We pray that we can pour out hope and set captives free. WE SPENT SEVERAL DAYS GOING HOUSE-TO-HOUSE TO LOVE ON, PRAY FOR, AND ENCOURAGE FAMILIES. WE WENT A LITTLE DEEPER THAN PREVIOUS VISITS AND WERE INVITED TO JOIN ONE FAMILY AS THEY GROUND UP THEIR MULE THEY JUST SLAUGHTERED. WE WERE BLESSED WITH MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER AMONG MUSLIM PEOPLE, AND AT A FEW HOMES WE WERE ABLE TO SPEAK OPENLY ABOUT THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL AND THAT EVEN THOUGH WE TRY, WE CANNOT ACCURATELY REPRESENT THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND COMPASSION OF CHRIST. WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO SPEND TIME AT A CO-MINISTRY (VESTE BUNA AT CASA ALBA, REACHING MUSLIMS IN A SLUM HOUSING PROJECT) AND AT PROJECT ROMANIA RESCUE (CASA CHARA, A GIRLS HOME). For all of the Roma, we are asking that they begin to see themselves as God sees them. We pray that we may be an instrument of reconciliation among people groups. KEEP PRAYING! ________________________________________________________________ THANKS FOR STAYING AND PRAYING! YOUR TIME, LOVE, PRAYERS, AND HEARTS IMPACT THE WORLD FOR CHRIST AND WE THANK YOU. BRIEF RESPONSES TO PRAYER REQUESTS ARE BELOW IN CAPITAL LETTERS AFTER THE ORIGINAL REQUEST: Pray that we honor and encourage those who serve at project Lumina Conditions are not easy in this ministry. Please pray over the names of the following who serve with us, that the Lord would abundantly meet and exceed their emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual needs as their Jehovah Raffe and Jehovah Jireh, providing healing and refreshment may they be remembered in prayer: Beti, Hardi, Loredana, Elena, Cornel, Mariana, Valentina, Mioara, Roxana, Dana, Radu, Ghuilsen, Niliser, and Musever. (Hebrews 6:10) Pray for unity among our servers (Psalm 133:1). WE ASK FOR CONTINUED PRAYER FOR UNITY IN OUR PROJECT AND FOR GOD TO PROVIDE FOR EACH ONES NEEDS PARTICULARLY EMOTIONALLY, AS MANY SUFFER FROM THE SAME STRONGHOLDS AS THE CHILDREN WHOM THEY SACRIFICIALLY SERVE. THANKS TO GODS PLAN AND OUR SERVERS HEARTS, THE CHILDREN ARE GROWING AND MATURING FOR CHRIST, BRINGING LIGHT TO THE DARKNESS! Pray for effectiveness given our very limited time We ask for discernment to have intentionality in all that we do as representatives of Christ. May we not deviate to the left or the right, walking undistracted only in the will of God with strength and courage. (Joshua 1) (Psalm 43:3) WE WERE PARTICULARLY MOVED BY THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD ONE OF THE TEENAGERS, SUNITA, TO CHRIST AFTER A TREMENDOUS RELEASE OF THE ENEMY'S HOLD ON HER LIFE. WE ASK FOR CONTINUED PRAYERS THAT THE STRONGHOLDS OF POVERTY, REJECTION, AND PROSTITUTION BE BROKEN IN THE NAME OF JESUS. Pray for the children at Lumina As we go house-to-house visiting the families of the children who come to Lumina, we seek to go further and deeper into the darkness bringing Love and Light to those without. We are asking God for favor and protection for our Lumina kids who endure more than we know and more than we can print. They are growing in their faith and are amazing witnesses of the evidence of salvation: changed lives through a relationship with Christ! (Psalm 9:18 and 10:17). WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE TIME HOUSE-TO-HOUSE AND ON THE STREETS LOVING ON THE LUMINA KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES. SLOWLY THE GRIP OF THE ENEMY IS WEAKENED AND GOD IS GAINING GROUND. WE HAVE SEEN MANY KIDS PROGRESS FROM BEING HOSTILE AND COMBATIVE TO BEING LOVING, CARING, AND WELL-BEHAVED. EVEN THE PARENTS ARE AMAZED AND WE KNOW THE CHILDRENS' CHANGED HEARTS FOR CHRIST PRECEDED THEIR CHANGED BEHAVIOR! Pray for the fathers of the children We have outreach to the moms, but ask that you pray for Gods opportunities to reach out in love to the Lumina kids fathers, many of whom are lost, angry, hurting fathers who are attempting to heal their loneliness in hatred and alcohol. We sense that the earthly fathers will begin healing when they, being children of God themselves, are reconciled to their Heavenly Father through His love and salvation. (Malachi 4:6) WE WERE BLESSED WITH TIME TO REACH DEEPER AND FURTHER AND SPEND MORE TIME WITH THE UNREACHED MEN. AFTER INITIAL SKEPTICISM BY UNTRUSTING MEN, ANDY WAS RECEIVED BY MANY WHO ACCEPTED HIS PRAYERS AND OFFER OF FRIENDSHIP. DOORS ARE OPENING AS THE MEN USED TO FLEE AS WE WENT HOUSE-TO-HOUSE, AND NOW THEY STAY OUT OF CURIOSITY AND ARE BLESSED. We also have a very specific unspoken burden. Please pray that we receive wisdom, discernment, and divine timing. (2 John 1:3) THANK YOU AS WE RECEIVED IN THIS AREA AND ASK FOR MORE FROM OUR LORD. Please look at the photos page on this site, and remember that each child represents many other who need your prayers. We continue to ask for life conditions to change, those with many obstacles and unspeakable conditions. These kids are strong willed and heart melting. We can only go because you faithfully send us in love and prayer. We thank you. __________________________________________________________________ November 3-18, 2006 - Back to Romania to celebrate project Lumina's 3rd birthday! - includes prayer requests and answers we received, back to back... Once again, I sincerely thank you for your encouragement and prayer support. Our prayer needs for Lumina and associated projects God is using to reach the Roma ("Gypsies") in Medgidia, Romania, continue long after my return trips, so please keep us in mind as you pray for missionaries and Gods work in many nations. You can make a difference, whether you join us in Romania or stay and pray! Pray for our ministry team based in Romania - Please pray that those who serve at Lumina and other projects we work together with will be encouraged and honored. Please pray for abundant provision for their needs, both physically and spiritually. Some live without indoor plumbing and limited heat in the winter. Most are serving with little encouragement or support. It is not "popular" to serve in this ministry and our servants do so with much opposition and little gratitude. We want them to know that they are loved and prayer for. We would also like to add to our team of local Romanians who are serving, so please pray for God to add to our team of dedicated servants. I am pleased that we have 15 committed servers in Lumina now and about a dozen others who serve periodically. Their commitment has enabled us to split the children among age group and focus on their needs more easily. We had some issues among servers as the enemy tried to divide us, but the Lord ushered in welcomed reconciliation. Our Lumina party for those who serve was fantastic---all were honored and were fed a hot meal at a nice restaurant---quite an event there. We were able to give gifts and a financial blessing to each server as well as those workers at the restaurant with whom we are developing a relationship. Two of the 3 local evangelical pastors came and were able to hear the powerful testimonies of triumphs through trials of serving at Lumina. We were also able to fund building a chimney so one pastor (who suffers with a back issue and whose wife is enduring a high risk pregnancy) can have heat this winter. Pray for "our" children We have seen these children grow spiritually over the past 3 years, and ask prayers for increased faith. We pray that they will see themselves as the Lord sees them. Please pray that the children will be spiritually and physically protected from the dangers of their households and communities, and that their faith will influence others. Pray for breakthroughs among the children and their families! I am thrilled with our kids spiritual growth, thanks to Gods grace and the investment of those who serve them and those who pray for them! The kids faith and changed behavior is making a huge difference among their families. House-to-house we saw how many of the parents are slowly changing and are very open to our visits and thankful for project Lumina. We were able to fund upcoming Christmas parties for Casa Alba, a kindergarten, and Lumina. Please keep our children covered in prayer as they live in difficult circumstances and are exposed to many dangers and violence last week one of our kids was brutally raped by 2 men over a 5-hour period then dumped on her doorstep afterward. Surprisingly, the police got involved and arrested the men, but the damage has been done pray that she receives full healing and restoration in every way. She is only ten, has a sweet disposition, and has a smile that lights up the sky. Personal prayer request Please pray that I will provide leadership excellence despite my downfalls. Pray for balance that I will be able to joyfully reach for ministry objectives without compromising opportunities and that I would not focus on tasks but on people instead. I want to count on the Lord to get done what He chooses and when - not my own agenda but His. Please pray for safety and protection as well and that my friend joining me would be blessed beyond measure. Though it was a bit hectic and sometimes frustrating, the Lord was gracious and compassionate, and helped me immensely in this area. We basically made it without incident from start to finish, except for some minor issues: fleas, lice, a cold, electrical/water issues, and getting bumped off of our outbound flight. We were safe and blessed; I thank you for covering us in prayer. Please pray for a spirit of joy and celebration among our workers and kids! We've been growing together for three years! Yeah, God! Some of our goals: (here are goals that trip along with follow up response to goals) Project Lumina Celebrating 3 years of what God has done! A party for the kids! Done! We all had paper crowns to celebrate and the kids shared about what God has done! Lumina party for the servers Celebrate what God has done at a party for the adults who serve. Fantastic party that honored servers as noted above! House-to-house visits Visiting and praying house-to-house of Lumina kids, building relationships with parents, providing some minor medical care, and getting to know them more. Done! Most of our time was spent house-to-house building relationships and trust: getting to know the families, praying with the families, administering minor medical care (and getting one family to a doctor), encouraging kids to consider going to school, etc. Visit 3 Romani Schools providing some supplies and encouragement to "ABC" schools that teach the Roma who are otherwise not in school. Done! We had a little party at each school and spent time praying over those who serve there. Visit and encourage folks in the local churches less than 1% of people in Medgidia know the Lord as Savior and friend. We were able to visit 2 of the 4 local evangelical churches (one pastor covers 2 of the churches). The word of encouragement God gave us for them was Jeremiah 29:11-14, that the Lords plans of hope and a future for them will be realized as they press into seeking Him through prayer, calling upon Him, and desiring Him with all their hearts. Assist with other ministries Lumina is just one project that is part of Fundatia Portii Deschise, a Romanian foundation, so we spent time co-laboring with other projects within this ministry. This included a visit to Mamet Bei, two visits to Casa Alba, and several visits to a kindergarten project ("Gradinita") and feeding program geared toward getting kids in a position to attend public school. Misc We visiting the home of a child in a neighboring city who was hit by a car during our last trip and miraculously recovered. We visited the home of a child who has a brain tumor and just returned home from the hospital. We also visited the homes of most people who serve at Lumina. Thank you for praying it opens doors and changes eternity! __________________________________________________________________ June 2006 Update Thanks to those who stayed and prayed while others of us went back to Romania in May and June. Primarily we wanted to extend the love and light of Jesus to those who attend and those who serve at project Lumina. We had many specific answered prayers and here are a few PRAYER FOR UNITY: Unity among our group and on the local Lumina serving team including reconciliation needed among three servers. Prayer for unity of evangelical Christians in Medgidia, that we may operate as one family. There are only about 300 believers among 55,000 residents, about half of 1 percent of the population. ANSWER: Prayers of reconciliation were answered and those who were previously at odds spent much time with us in fellowship and house-to-house prayer! Our staff are from five ethnicities and four churches---we were so pleased to see how God is knitting us closer together in every way. PRAYER FOR LEADERSHIP That we can provide Godly guidance and vision to local leadership. Pray that I would lean on the Lord and not my own strength, so that I won't be distracted or overwhelmed. Pray for favor with those who oppose us. ANSWER: I was admittedly overwhelmed at times, especially driving a huge van (and driving for the first time after 3 years going to Romania), but the Lord proved faithful and gave me a team of encouraging, grace-giving people with the same vision. We endured difficult spiritual opposition, but found favor among man! PRAYER FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND JOY - That a spirit of encouragement and joy would fall upon the oppressed, distressed, and weary! Pray that we are able to build up others and enable them to reach their goals. ANSWER: We were able to encourage many through various outreaches: our ministry party, house-to-house ministry, street and basic medical ministry, and more. We had FUN! PRAYER FOR EFFICIENCY AND BALANCE That we would be efficient and not frustrated. As a westerner, often my expectations are too high, given the pace at which "third-world/former communist bloc" countries operate. We do have some time crunches, but don't want to value "getting things done" over "stopping for the one". ANSWER: We received much favor in this area, even given major setbacks that included sickness and a car accident. As for stopping for the one, God guided our steps time after time, including an opportunity to pray over and minister to Laorita, a beautiful child who had just been hit by a van and was lying lifeless in the road in the town of Poarta Alba when we arrived. We were led to return two days afterward and to find and minister to the girl's family; the Lord opened the doors to the heart of the child's mother. We wept together and later dried our tears and even shared some laughter and a few fresh strawberries. PRAY FOR BREAKTHROUGHS - Especially during our house-to-house visits of the families of kids who come to Lumina, pray for miraculous breakthroughs including physical healing for many without health care who suffer from various physical afflictions. Pray for spiritual walls to fall down and God's comfort and love to rush in. ANSWER: We were blessed with the opportunity to love on and pray for many along the way, in the streets, and in remote ghetto housing areas. We ministered to one young woman who survived being electrocuted at the train station the week before. Another community suffered from many afflictions, skin disorders and had an infant with measles. We saw one man we had prayed over and ministered to a year ago whose severely infected leg has since been healed. GOALS THIS TRIP and how they were accomplished: Lumina! YES! As usual, Lumina was phenomenal; our initial dream of splitting it into age groups has now been met thanks to those dedicated servers and God's grace! One of the teenage girls, Anamaria, gave her heart to the Lord this trip! We had our games outside afterwards and several onlookers joined in! Conduct house-to-house visits and prayer for Lumina kids' families As noted above, our house-to-house ministry gave us many opportunities to comfort, pray over, and love on a multitude of families. We also had a sweet time of prayer in a meeting with mothers we invited as we had been house-to-house during the week. Launch a Lumina "super sports day" evangelistic outreach to all Romani kids. We had our Lumina Super Sports Day on June 1, which is Romania's National Children's Day! About 150 kids came and we had a blast playing games and sports, followed by prayer, singing and a snack. Have a celebration evening to honor the adults who serve at Lumina. We had a fun celebration and honored both consistent and intermittent servers at Lumina as well as others who support us, such as a local bakery that has donated bread and pastries many times. Assist other ministries we partner with - We spent two evenings with children from Project Romanian Rescue in Constanta, visited Memut Bei (a Tatar Romani community) for two short visits, and Opens Doors' White House Ministry for one day. We also visited one "ABC" alphabetization school for Romani children we also reach through Lumina, and dropped off supplies for two others. Transform a bloc apartment into a retreat home for those serving the Roma - Incredible transformation in record time; truly shocking given the pace at which things happen there! We even got a kitchen sink- literally! Attempt to have running water installed at one of our servers' homes - This goal was not met, as it turned out that it is was a rented home and another alternative may be better. ______________________________________________________________
Check out some of our partnering sites: www.open-doors- foundation.com (Fundatia Porti Deschise) www.SteppingStonesMissions.org http://www.eurovangelism.org.uk/prrministry.htm (PRR)
My little disclaimer: I am not an expert on anything---including the Romani people; I can only share images and my perspective from experience serving the Roma of Medgidia, Romania. If you have a desire to learn more about the history of the Roma, Ian Hancock's book "We are the Romani People" is a good resource. The Roma are a phenomenal people rich in culture and have taught me much more and given me much more in many ways than I have ever given them. To love them is to be loved. _______________________________________________
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Lumina Kids Party - We joined Fundatia Portii Deschise (Open Doors Foundation) in serving the Romany children through our kids project, Lumina, dedicated to providing spiritual and physical food to the Roma. We had two giant picnics for about 100 kids in celebration of National Children’s Day on June 1. We had games and races, soccer and dramas. Some parents came along, too. Musever and Nita made 100 sandwiches and 240 sarmale, a national dish!
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM VISIT – We visited a classroom of kids at the elementary school who are in a special program for kids who are not prepared to attend the regular classroom. Sora Mioara leads the class and spends time doing homework with kids who otherwise would not attend school, let alone have school supplies and someone to help them. They enjoyed their new notebooks and we had fun encouraging them.
Summer 2007 Update - May 18 - June 2, 2007
November 2006 Update
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