The last blog entry on this old abandoned blog was from April of 2022, when I was prepping for my 10th trip to Romania. I actually had to refer back to that entry tonight to confirm my total Romania trip count. Turns out, I've been there 11 times, prepping for the 12th. And, just as I did in 2022, I thought it might be fun to give a little context for this trip for newer friends or for friends and family who just can't quite keep track of all my shenanigans. I'll be traveling from late May into early June, for 3+ weeks in total.
This year, I'm adding Poland to my journey, and since my trip will start there, so will this blog entry. A friend of mine from church, Cristina, works for a Christian organization called the Forum of Christian Leaders (FOCL), and each year they host a conference called the European Leadership Forum. Cristina and I bonded a few years back over our mutual love for God's church in Europe, and when she told me that many Romanians attend the conference, the teaching is solid and powerful, and they need volunteers to make it happen, I was pretty much sold! So, I'm flying out to Krakow first, then making my way to the beautiful town of Wisla for the conference. My specific role will be transcribing interviews held by one of the staff members with Christian leaders from some of the dozens of countries represented at the conference. My piano-trained, fast-typing fingers earned me this particular role! FOCL also organizes 2 "volunteer days" immediately following the conference, where we get to explore Krakow and the surrounding area together before going our separate ways. I chose the most intense option offered on one of those days - a day trip to Auschwitz - and anticipate a powerful and sobering time there. And, of course, at least one good coffee shop in Krakow is a must!
From Krakow, I will then say goodbye to Cristina and my new FOCL friends and will board a very long bus ride to Romania. I chose this over flying in part because of cost, but far more because I wanted to actually see the countries in between - Slovakia and Hungary - instead of flying over them and spending time in sterile airports. Lord willing, my friend Dawn will be at the bus stop to greet me when I arrive in Timisoara, Romania. Dawn is an American missionary who has lived in Romania for many years, and we share a love for that country and for the population of people with disabilities who live within it. I'll stay with her for a couple days, and will hopefully be able to lend some expertise - music therapy or otherwise - to the staff at the therapy center she oversees there.
From Timi, I'll travel (probably by train) to southern Romania, where I've traveled nearly every year since 2016 (2021 excluded - boo, COVID). A church there called Biserica Speranta (Hope Church) is filled with many beloved saints that I've grown close with over the years, and each year I travel to fellowship with them and serve alongside them in a spiritually dry region. That church exists right now primarily in 2 different places - the town of Draganesti-Olt and the city of Craiova - so I'll spend time in both of those towns participating in various ministries. A friend from my Arizona church, James, will be meeting me there as well and joining in these efforts.
We'll spend one night in Bucharest at the tail end of the trip - I booked myself a splendid little Airbnb right next to my favorite park, and James booked his own just a little ways up the road - and then we'll fly home from the Bucharest airport.
All of this, of course, comes with a huge "Lord willing" caveat. I can make all of my carefully laid plans, and the Lord directs my steps. No trip goes just as I've planned, but every one of these crazy trips I've taken has been perfectly planned by a good and sovereign God. Can't wait to see what He has in store for 2024!
PS: this picture is one of my favorites from Romania trip 11. I don't quite now why, but I love it a lot.
