BLACKHAWK HSM ROMANIA TEAM: Bloggin from the train!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Bloggin from the train!

On the train, been 7 hours & have 8 left! The hardest part about this train: the departure. We expected it to be hard, but not the way we experienced. Leaving Craiova at 11:40am this morning was hard, we waved goodbye to so many teary faces. We were then so fortunate to be joined on our Craiova - Bucharest leg by: Vali, Lavi, Razvan Tony, Stefi (Chisa), Stefi (Dobre), & Laviniu. They talked & played cards with us, riding the 3-4hr (one-way) with us just to be with us a little longer. Well, we were more rushed than anticipated loading our luggage (28 large bags) into our sleeper wagon once in Bucharest rail station. While we were about halfway loaded (& only a handful of ppl on board), the conductor started blowing his whistle & rushing us on. As soon as every last piece of luggage & student on board, the train started to move. For most of us, goodbyes to some of our closest friends were through the windows of an accelerating train.

Still, with everyone & every bag on board, our train has been taking a winding path through the Carpathians of Romania, west towards Hungary, where were expected to cross the border at 6am. We've spent most of the time in our 4 sleeping cabins (each with 6 beds), talking, giggling, and spontaneous, uncontrollable reminiscing about camp, Craiova, and the relationships each one of us has been so richly blessed to experience.

One thing is for certain: this group LOVES the people we've been with these past two weeks. We've seen God work through their stories to show us His love. We've been challenged by them - we're different now because of the... because of Him.

I think that's what made the departure so hard. We're not saying goodbye to just anybody over here. We're saying goodbye to people God specifically chose to be used to change us. That's HUGE! It's why we say: WE LOVE YOU ROMANIA!

In addition, I must say I also am extremely & exceedingly excited about LONG overnight train rides in sleeper cars. This is exactly what our team needed tonight. Can't wait to see what debriefing the beautiful parks of Budapest will bring. More on that in 24hrs!

signing off with lots of love from my bunk in wagon 828, cabin 7,
Lief

7 comments:

KATI said...: so wonderful to hear camp was a success and that you all have had so many opportunities to experience the Romanian culture! God bless all of you and the love you've been spreading and i hope debrief in Hungary ties the whole trip together!

TAYPOO ITS ALMOST YOUR BIRTHDAY!!! guuurl i miss you we're off to the Bahamas tomorrow..wish you were coming with. everyone better give her the BEST birthday hug for me!!

sending hugs and kisses to all
Kati Metz; August 9, 2011 at 7:23 PM
Andreea Savu said...: have a good time in Budapest team !! and a safe journey back home !!; August 10, 2011 at 2:57 AM
Savu Razvan said...: you took our hearts away. We love you!!!; August 10, 2011 at 7:19 AM
LaViNiU said...: we already miss u guys...and we were not expected to say goodbye the way we did. that break our hearts..we are definetly waiting for you soon..

laviniu&valentin; August 10, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Kelly said...: This message is to all the people in Romania that may be reading the blog. The Smiley family would like to thank you for your hospitality. We will be praying for you all. God Bless.; August 10, 2011 at 3:34 PM
Zack said...: seriously i read this blog every day and am so jealous that you guys are experiencing this right now. i hope the trip has been everything you expected and more! have fun debriefing and come home safe, i cant wait to hear the stories!

zack; August 10, 2011 at 4:03 PM
Jonathan Lindstrom said...: It was great meeting you all on the train! It was a pleasure getting to talk to a few of you who chilled in the section I was in. God bless!

Your friend from Minnesota,
Jonathan Lindstrom; August 13, 2011 at 4:55 AM