Saying Goodbye

Here's the blog from yesterday:

Hello from somewhere in the Romanian countryside! Tess and Kevin here reporting live from the train to Bucharest among pre-industrial farms and an army of corn marching through the field. Since our last blog, so much has happened. Camp ended on a very high note. The last night was so impactful for everyone. Lief and Daniel talked about the sacrifice of the cross and how that was the ultimate example of grace. Then we had the chance to experience a group performance demonstrating the power of Christ to set us free. It was a drama along with the song “Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns. Malachi, Hunter, and Elli and the rest of the team did an amazing job, and it was evident that all of the campers were very moved. The reality of God’s love was really driven home for the Romanians when Daniel read a “letter from God,” detailing a fuller picture of his love for all of us. It was all in Romanian, which was even more poignant. There was not a dry eye in the room. After that, we split up into our small groups and did something we have never done in Romania before: foot washing. All of the leaders washed the students’ feet and the whole small group prayed for the individual. Then the leader’s feet were washed by the students. This was such a great example of what we had been talking about all week, and everyone really was impacted. We then had our last night of small groups, and the discussions were amazing. Everyone opened up and was very vulnerable. A few students even accepted Christ into their hearts that night. It was amazing. We finished up the night with a huge bonfire and a few of us even stayed up all night. It was a great night, as it always is, filled with community and God’s love. The next day, it was time to say goodbye to camp. We packed up the buses and headed to a monastery in the next town f or a little sightseeing. At the monastery, they had a very strict dress code, where no pants above the knees or shirts without sleeves were allowed. Quite a few of the campers, both boys and girls, had to wear the skirts the monastery provided to people wearing shorts. After the monastery, we parted our ways with the campers. It wasn’t a sad goodbye though, because we knew we would be seeing most of the campers in a few days back in Craiova.
The American team and the Romanian leadership team then headed to the city of Bran for camp stories & evaluation. It did take longer than we anticipated though, and we arrived around midnight. The next day we became tourists for a couple of hours and headed to the famous “Dracula’s Castle”. After a short tour, we headed back to the hotel to debrief for a couple of hours before lunch. We talked about ways we had seen God work throughout the week and things that were good and bad about the camp. We then crammed all 36 people into two vans and made our way back to Craiova. We all slept very well that night and were excited for the next day.
This was the first year we were able to go back to Craiova after camp, and it was probably one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. In our extra day in Craiova, we had the chance to visit the Gypsy market, do more debrief, and the most important part: the reunion. Every year after camp, all of the campers from Craiova and the church get together one night just to reminisce about camp and to be together one last time. It was such a privilege to be a part of this event that we usually miss by leaving straight from camp to go home. We went to the park for a few hours to play games and socialize. Then we all went back to the church. It was really great getting to show the campers where the church is, and encouraging them to go there on Sundays and for Saturday night youth group. There, we played games, watched a slideshow of pictures from camp, and sang some songs that were camp favorites during the week. Then came the most important part of the evening: Daniel invited the campers up to share about how camp impacted their lives and what they got out of it. It was so encouraging to see all of the campers get up and be so honest and open about how much camp changed their lives. Daniel later said that he was shocked by the amount of campers who decided to share. It became certain that this camp had had a profound, meaningful impact on many of their lives. It was a great time, and went very late into the night. Then we spent our last night in Craiova at our host families’, and woke up early this morning to spend a final few hours at the church before we headed to the train station. We talked in a group about the pros and cons about camp, and planned a little for future years. Then we packed up and headed to the train station to say goodbye. Every year it is so hard to say goodbye to the people you have been with 24/7 for the past couple of weeks and this year was no exception. After lots of tears and hugs, we boarded the train headed for Bucharest. We will have a layover there for two hours (grabbing dinner and saying goodbye to one of our friends there) and then head out on our overnight train to Budapest for team debrief and preparations for reentry to back home.
We are sad to be leaving so soon, but it’s crazy to know we’ll be home in three days! Thank you for all of your love and support. Until then, la revadere!



Shout Outs:

The Team to our friends in Craiova: It’s been like two hours since we said goodbye, but we miss you already! :( We love you all. Thank you for an amazing experience. We are blessed to be part of your community. (Lief says: if you notice you’re missing a few students – we may have successfully stuffed a few of them in our checked bags. We’ll let you know as soon as we can confirm.)

Megan to Emilia: Write down your address so we can find you in Budapest!

Anne and Audra: Mom says I love you and miss you. We’ve decided to extend our stay for another couple weeks. Or months…

Kevin to Parents: Hi. I love you.

Andi & Leann: Just you wait, l’ve signed you up for next year. Mwahahaha. We’re moving our Life Group to Romania! Da be da! 
Tavalodet Mobarak! Man dar Romania zendegi bekonam. Fekr mikonam that I have forgotten every language but Romaneshte. Ci che daca!

Kree, Shg, Meggles & Kate the Great: I miss you guys and can’t wait to share my experiences with you. Now I’m more confused than ever: Scotland or Romania? Fuorte bine!

Taylor to The Fam: I miss you all! I’ve taken over 1000 pics and there’s more to come. What is my favorite dinner?

Nikki to mom and dad: You thought falling asleep listening to the latin beat in Costa Rica was fun, try gypsy music! Can’t wait to see you! ILY! Dad- Have an amazing trip to the Quetico!

Johnny to Thomas: It’s been real out here man, I taught my small group to be young and unashamed, the 1-1-6 is spreading!!! We finna get some grub right when I get back…I need a burrito!!

Mere Cat to my Nutter Butter: Shnuckumms, you are on my mind every second of every minute, my heart bursts with the mere thought of your cute little ears so perfectly and symmetrically placed on that head of yours. Your eyes are like beautiful almonds, but not the roasted kind – the natural kind – the kind that has not ever been tainted by human touch. Your hair, like the rough grasses of the Scottish meadow – a fitting home for gophers and field mice, your smell, a pleasing aroma to my nostrils, particularly after a morning of hoops. Oh how I miss this odor. You know its true love, my Baby Cakes, when I think of your armpits as much as I do – and I really, really do miss your armpits. Love. Love…. love.

Lief to Emi: I’m almost home to you – I miss you. The Romanians are all hoping to meet you soon – and the 7 we saw in Feb asked “where is Emily?!” I am hoping I got this head infection all cleared up by Friday, cause I hear it’s contagious. You are beautiful – see you Friday!

Sheri to Bradley: Only three more days until I can run in your arms at the airport. :) I am excited! Although it is really difficult to leave … the goodbyes to our Romanian friends were so hard. They really want us both to come next year. :) See you soon hunny. Xoxox Love you.

Sheri to her family: Hey everyone! I miss you all so much. I hope you have fun preparing for the Willow! :) Love you!

Zack to Luke and Noah—Three more wake ups guys!!! I miss you guys!

Zack to T-I can’t believe you crushed everyone in the Euchre tournament! I should be practicing eh? Hah

Elli to dad: Thanks for not letting Annie destroy my room. I am glad Pumpkin is getting rid of rodents. Hehe. Too bad Alberto C won the tour I wanted Andy S to win But they are both good riders.

Tess to the fam: Miss you guys! See you in 3 days!