Becca's Blog: Romania Trip

In the beginning stages of learning about ICSV, one thing that I was really excited about was the possibility of going on a mission trip with students over their break. Well, a couple years later, I got to do just that! Jessica and I led a trip with 30 other people to a small village north of Timisoara, Romania. We worked with River of Life Ministries - a care home for women, where, rather than give their child to an orphanage, moms have a place to raise their children and learn what it means to be a mother (when most of them grew up in an orphanage and haven't had a model of parenting). As we were leaving one of our coworkers wisely encouraged us to help our students focus on what God is doing throughout the week, rather than all that "we did" or accomplished. Here are some of the amazing things that God did and ways that He answered prayers all week...

One of our students truly embraced Jesus for the first time and is eager to share with others now!
We laid a cement driveway for the home and by God's strength were able to do almost twice as much as expected!
Children in the village got to hear the truth about Christ, play fun games, sing songs, and do crafts at a Vacation Bible School our students put together.
I got to pray with a student for courage in specific conversations we wanted to have with other students and saw God answer almost immediately!
Some of the students and leaders shared their testimonies and saw specific responses of others being able to relate and encouraged in their faith.
The women in the care home are finding reconciliation and restoration in Christ as they live together. They were wonderful servants to us as well in preparing our meals and more.
I was so blessed to get to know our students more and be able to challenge them and encourage them in the Lord - while I was challenged and encouraged by them in response. They were such great workers and really respectful throughout the whole week!
We had great unity among our many adult leaders and our whole team - something we prayed about a lot!

There is so much more that God did this past week than even you see here. He challenged me in my faith in that many of the things above and even more, I prayed about, but was hesitant about God's response. Yet, He faithfully humbled me over and over again as He answered above and beyond what we expected. Why do we doubt Him? I am humbled and encouraged by what He taught me and how He was able to use me in leadership. Pray for River of Life as there are many obstacles they face every day as they live by faith! Pray for our students to take what they have learned and share it with others and continue to live it out back in "normal life."