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Sunday, August 12, 2007

Travels

Greetings! I write this last update from Ocala, Florida. Sarah and I arrived at the Orlando airport around 4 pm today. I will go to Gainesville in the morning for RA training and Sarah leaves at three in the morning to drive to Alabama to go to school.
Crazy, I know.
Feels good to be home for a few hours. I just finished eating dinner with my family and catching up, but a part of me really misses my family in Oradea. The last camp went great! The NC team was wonderful, despite the fact that they talk a little funny :) As with the FBC camp, it was neat to see how some of the older kids have grown spiritually. By the end of the week the oldest kids were leading the younger ones in prayer. Wow, that was awesome to see. A lot of new faces too. Many younger kids who were a little crazy at times, but I rest in knowing that seeds were planted.
I'm trying to try and gather the past two months in my head and extract all the many lessons and experiences. But I can't. Atleast not now. I'm a little scatterbrained right now. Apart of me is thinking I should watch my dirty camp clothes before the fumes escape from my suitcase. Another part is thinking about moving in tomorrow and starting training. And yet another part is still trying to let go of the place I called "home" for so long.
It wasn't too hard saying goodbye this second time around. I truly feel that the ties of friendship I have in Romania will be with me always. Going back isn't the question, the question is when. Why God blessed me with another summer in that beautiful country with people I love so dearly I can't fully answer. I can only say that God sure does have a crazy love for us.
However, this summer wasn't quite the mountain top experience it was last summer. Because I had already acclimated myself to the culture, lifestyle, and people I was able to see things from a different perspective. I feel as if God was able to teach me so much more this summer because I wasn't so wrapped up in the "oh my gosh, I'm spending my summer in a foregin country" feelings.
These lessons weren't easy, but I praise God that he is shaping me. I know that all I have learned will benefit me in the future, perhaps in just the next week. God has also fully opened the door regarding missions. I can now say with confidence that I desire nothing else other than to glorify God on the mission field. This is my calling. Where, when, how....I don't know. I do know that this amazing God we all serve has it completely under control.
Tomorrow I dive into something that will probably be more demanding spiritually than spending two months in a foreign country. I've no idea what to expect. I pray that I am obedient to all that God would have me do this semester. All I have heard is God saying, "You will be my witness. You will be my witness on the fourth floor of Broward Hall."
If you're still reading, please pray for me this next week with traing and moving and meeting the girls on my floor. Also, please pray for traveling mercies for Sarah and her family and for the adjustment process for her.
Thanks to all of you who have prayed and supported us. I hope to be in Ocala on a Sunday sometime soon.
Love, Laurie
"O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, "The Lord reigns!"
May we not become weary in proclaiming his name amongst all the nations...

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Currently Reading
Jim Elliot (1927-1956) (Heroes of the Faith)
By Susan Miller
see related

Hey everyone!
Camp last week was amazing. It was so cool to watch the translators lead out in family groups and in large group meetings throughout the week. Our teams were Rosu-Becky and Sarah, Verde- Tabita, Albastru- Luci and Laurie, and Galben- Ade. It was so cool how God worked through each group individually... we were all in the right groups, and that was so clear. God has been so faithful throughout this summer as He calls us to Himself and provides everything else in everything we have done.
One thing that set this camp apart was the fact that these kids have never been to camp before. Half of them were un-churched kids who have maybe never heard of Jesus before. The kids were so polite and well behaved, I was in shock. They were so eager to hear God's Word, they they listened intently as we shared stories with them from the Bible and from our own lives. Many of them accepted Christ. What an honor it has been to serve God over here in Romania and to love on kids who have perhaps never seen the love of Christ in action before!
We are all enjoying our time of relaxation right now. Laurie is deeply into the new Harry Potter book, and I have been reading every book by Jim and Elisabeth Elliot that I can get my hands on. It is going to be so strange going back to America after a summer over here. The culture is so different. I can't believe that there are only 11 days left here. The next 11 days are going to fly by, too.... The North Carolina guys will get here on Friday and after a weekend of entertaining them, we will be at camp on Monday. Camp always goes by fast and then we wil head back with the North Carolina team on the 12th. After that, a new adventure for all of us... A new RA job for Laurie at University of Florida, a new life for me at the University of Mobile in Alabama, and Randy and Debbie will continue with the next camps here in Romania. It is all happening so quickly!
in Him, Sarah

The 2nd camp Picture. Woooo!

The mountain climb

Kissing the Brandonmobile before the 2nd camp... good luck!

Day at the lake.

Laurie at the Festival!

Our beautiful meal. PROOF! Hah!

Monday, July 23, 2007

We're Off

Just to give a quick update - we leave for camp in about an hour! There are going to be about 35 kids at this camp, and apparently about half of them are unchurched. Sounds like an incredible opportunity, please pray that all goes smoothly and that the Holy Spirit is working on their hearts and ours. Pray that we would become "less and less so that He could become more and more". Not entirely sure if I quoted that verse from Acts right... But I don't have time to check :) Please pray...

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Currently Reading
Hand Me Another Brick Bible Companion: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
By Charles R. Swindoll
see related

Okay, for those of you picture junkies, I'm sorry.
I can't load pictures for this entry but I promise the next one will have some. Okay? Words will have to suffice for the time being.
So camp...
WAS AMAZING!
It was probably the fastest week of camp I've ever had. Friday night sitting around the bonfire with the kids and the team I couldn't believe it was our last night together. I feel so blessed to be back here and to be able to see the same kids and their spiritual growth. This crazy love God has for me...still trying to figure it out.
The FBC team used a court scene each evening to bring forth the claims of Christ and to argue them against the secular viewpoint. On the last evening three of the older girls were the final 'witnesses', so to speak. They gave their testimonies to their peers at camp and to us. It was incredibly powerful. I can't describe how cool it has been to be able to see how God is using his people over here. All over the world people "cannot help speaking about what they have seen and heard". Its absolutely beautiful.
Being with the team who worked so well together was great. Hanging out with kids and people I love is such a blessing. But being able to see so vividly God at work, ahh man, so much better than all of that.
Well, we are back in Oradea for the next few days and then right back to camp. I can't wait, it'll be hard without a team but I am confident that God will provide. Please pray for us this upcoming week. Thank you for being spiritually present here. We are here physically here but all of you who pray are here spiritually. What a cool picture...
Love you guys!
~Laurie
P.S. Sarah and I made dinner tonight. It was a grand success. I have pictures Mom, it was awesome. Today is proud moment for you.