Dan sent out this e-mail yesterday from camp, and though it's a little dated I thought I'd post it here.
Christin
Friends,Checking in from the mountain village of Labacea, Romania. This is myfirst contact with the outside world (via internet, tv, or radio, etc)since leaving Timisoara on early Sunday morning, and might be the lastuntil we return this weekend. We're working up at a tiny camp ownedby Iosif, who works for International Bible Society. This week wehave about 18 kids, ages ranging from about 7 - 15 years old, whoIosif and Bob (from our group) bused in from Timisoara, about a 3 hourdrive. These kids are affiliated somehow with a Baptist church inTimisoara, so it's a different dynamic as many of them do know aboutJesus. We have also been joined by a few people from the villagehere.We are doing a lot of the standard VBS program that we did last weekin Satchinez, and the kids are responding well. They are especiallyenjoying the puppet shows and the songs. Yesterday, most of us wenton a long hike around and through some mountains, a hike which turnedout to be 8 hours long. Jemi stayed back in camp along with 3 or 4kids who have injured themselves in some way (twisted ankles, etc) andhad an interesting time here. The sights during the hike werebeautiful, but it was quite a scary time as well since much of theterrain was along treacherous narrow paths beside cliffs andembankments along a natural canyon with cliffs and rivers. It wasespecially a challenge for Wayne and Reiko, a dear older couple, aswell as some of the smaller children. God was good and answered ourmany prayers and no one was seriously injured.One unexpected way in which I've been stretched is in my role as theteam "doctor." I originally had signed up to be the team medicalofficer, to research medical/health issues and put together a teamfirst aid kit, etc. However, I've been treating a seemingly endlesssuccession of minor injuries to various children since I've been here... something that's been rewarding but also which I've not reallytrained to do. One thing which we discussed in our team bible studythis morning is how God uses the weak and foolish to accomplish hispurposes so that it is evident he is the one doing the work.This evening we will sing with the kids, put on puppet shows, share atestimony, and related things. Earlier today, in addition to aRomanian VBS Bible lesson for the kids, then some songs, I got toshare a brief lesson with them about how God honors persistence in ourseeking him. We used some some balloon animal props, incorporatingsome of the interesting balloon skills we learned from Rick and Janabefore they returned to the US on Aug. 14. Later, the kids had atremendous time playing a couple hours' of other balloon-relatedgames, water-balloon volleyball and balloon stomp. Tomorrow we planto again deviate from the routine VBS plan by taking the kids on acaving expedition with a guide for part of the day.Unlike in Timisoara, the living conditions are very spartan here(though the food has been great) and much more of a challenge. Godhas really united our team, and protected us from many potentialpitfalls. We have had a variety of challenges, but it is clear thatGod is working in our lives and those of the children.Tomorrow evening we will probably incorporate an invitation to come toJesus into the program. Please continue to pray that God will reachand bless each of the children and adults who are involved andlistening, and that he will do all his purposes in our time here.Looking forward to getting back to the States this weekend. God bless,Dan
