Filed under: Team Romania 2010
We gathered together at Camarillo Community Church on Friday, July 16, at 9:30 am for prayer. As people shared prayer requests or any insights from the Lord I was struck by one insight shared by Steve Breckenridge. He shared how Elijah looked out at the mountain, the fire and in the earthquake but God wasn’t there. God was present and speaking through a whisper.
That encouraged me to look for God in every moment of every day as we, as a team, venture off to follow God in Romania.
We enjoyed great fellowship as we drove to the airport. Our flight was scheduled to depart at 2:50 pm so we had plenty of time for lunch at Taco Bell before arriving at the airport.
My wife, Maria, Darryl and Ginny drove us to the airport. The five of us had 9 piece of luggage which cost us $200 in extra baggage fees. Tip: With Lufthansa, contact their New York Office via phone and official letter to attempt to waive this fee. Customer service couldn’t help us and all my sweet talking (and begging) didn’t help either!
After hugs and goodbye’s we were off to check in for our flight. All in all it was an extremely smooth and easy flight.
Los Angeles (2:50 pm, July 16) to Frankfurt Germany (10:35 am, July 17). We had a 4 hour stay in Frankfurt. Then Frankfurt (2:20 pm, July 17) to Bucharest (5:35 pm, July 17). The food was great. Two movies were a bomb – Valentine’s Day and some Jennifer Aniston movie.
But a big God moment was having two open seats next to me open on an otherwise very crowed plane. A man by the name of Jaeson Ma took one of the seats. We talked for hours and I learned amazing things from this church planter of a church planter movement of home churches. He lives in L.A. Is mentored by Neil Cole and friends with many pastors I respect like Francis Chan. I took 7 pages of notes during our conversation. So much applied to my life, my church circumstances, God’s leading and His direction. This was one of those moments of just listening and trying to find God in every day moments of just meeting people on a plane.
The director, Lulian and the transition home director, Zoltan met us at the airport with two vans for a 5 hour drive to Camp of the Good Shepherd. Lulian reminded me of the driving that goes on in a James Bond movie – fast, wild, in and out of traffic, tail gating but safe as all get out! At least I suppose, I was really exhausted. We enjoyed a stop at McDonald’s. All the same food, taste, look, etc. Except there are three things you won’t find in American McD’s that you’ll find in Romanian McD’s – Beer, buffalo wings and shrimp.
I really enjoyed seeing everyone of the team have fun and good attitudes. It was great to see Nate experience so many ‘firsts’ as we flew across the Atlantic Ocean, landed in Germany and arrived in Romania. I know there are many more to come for him and all of us.
We arrived to Camp of the Good Shepherd around 11:30 pm, unpacked, showered and got to bed at about 1:00 am.
Tomorrow, Sunday morning, we’ll have breakfast at 10:00 am. Then we’ll have a ‘church service’ at 11:00 am. As the team leader, I’m learning everything that goes on during this trip as it goes. So, I’ll let you know how that all turns out. For now, it’s almost 2:00 am and there are a bunch of bugs flying all over my computer screen and it’s time to get to sleep.
Prayer requests:
Pray our sleep routines get in order quickly.
Pray that we will use our time well as we have a team orientation meeting tomorrow afternoon with Debbie Marshall and the Romanian team.
Pray that all falls into place with our planning.
And most of all, pray that God is glorified and hearts are drawn to Him.
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Thanks so much for establishing this website! You are in our prayers, we thank you for your service and pray that Jesus’ is SO glorified by you. I am praying, also, for the team members’ “working out their own salvation”. Peace be with you!
Comment by khickinbotham July 19, 2010 @ 8:59 am