We are finally recuperated from our trip to Turkey for the Eurasia Regional Conference. It was a 27 hour bus ride there and more than 30 hours back by bus and train. We were absolutely wiped out. But it was worth it to be with our Romanian participants and the Conference was fantastic - great speakers, seminars, and the biggest food buffet I have ever seen. The resort was on the SW coast of Turkey at a place called Antalya. Acts 14:25 calls it “Attalia” where Paul preached. We also visited the ruins of Perga mentioned in the same verse and the ancient city of Ephesus, which was amazing (see our blog for pictures from Ephesus). I was blown away as we gathered to worship with 500 plus Eurasian Nazarenes – to hear the buzz of translators all around the room and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit working in our hearts like there was no difference between us! We witnessed the ordination of the first Nazarene pastor in Iraq and were inspired by daily themes suggested by the regional vision: “In Christ, like Christ, for Christ.”
Now we are back home in Bucharest, and it does feel like home. Our shipment arrived last week. It was like Christmas pulling our things out of boxes that had been packed away since early June. Only one dish was broken, everything else arrived in great condition.
We started language study this week with our teacher Roxana. She is in her early 30's, married, and has her own business as a language tutor. She speaks perfect English as many young Romanians do. The hardest part is fighting the traffic. The first day it took an hour and a half to drop Olivia at day care and get to our tutor's apartment. Today we left the house earlier and arrived at the tutor's an hour early, so we used the time to chill and study a bit. It feels funny starting over from scratch with a new language - not even being able to tell the lady at the bakery how many pastries we want! It is humbling but I think it is just what I needed. I'm finding myself relying much more on God than on Scott. Roxana tells us that our pronunciation in Romanian is very good, Cindy is probably doing better than me! She has younger ears and brain cells. We have to take our shoes off at the door and she has “slippers” for us to wear in her apartment. If I don't learn to speak Romanian I will blame the footwear. I asked to use the “WC” today (restroom), and when it came time to flush I didn't find the normal round button on top of the tank, so I pushed a button on the wall that I thought was right and sprayed air freshener in my ear. So, I'm not from around here! This is, by the way, what it is like at first to live cross culturally - re-learning what you thought you knew.
Olivia likes her school. They feed her breakfast and lunch, which she loves! Each child brings a toothbrush and cup to brush after each meal, and 2 pairs of shoes - outside/ inside. Olivia's teacher speaks basic English, but for the most part Olivia hears Romanian from 8am to 1:30 each day. Sitting at the table tonight she started counting in Romanian on her own! It is amazing what her brain soaks up. She watches Mini Max - a cartoon in Romanian each morning and really likes that even though she doesn't really understand what they are saying. So far her transition has been very easy and we are so thankful to God for that.
We are conscious that many people are lifting us up in prayer and for that we are grateful. I know that God is helping us each day as we trust Him.
La revedere (bye),
Scott
