We’re at the Airport in Chicago!

Jessica Florac and Megan Radke here. It’s 6:30pm (Madison Time) or 2:30am (Craiova Time). We have reached the airport in Chicago after a quick stop at Walmart, and then for dinner at the oasis. Our flight leaves at 8:05pm for London. So far, we’ve greatly enjoyed hearing Jimmy play songs on his “traveling guitar” and making friendship bracelets on the bus ride. We checked our bags and got through security without too many troubles. Now we’re just praying all those bags get through to Bucharest. Thank you to our group of supporters that came to wish us off today, it was great to know that you are there for us and excited for our adventure. Please pray for safe travel as we take on this 8-hour flight aboard a very large plane! LOVE YOU ALL!

Awesome Retreat!

This past weekend, our team went up north to a cabin for a retreat. Everyone had a great time!

One of the primary goals was to get to know each other. We had significant talks around a campfire. We played in the lake and took boat rides. We played Catch Phrase (trying to give clues in reference to Harry Potter), Mafia, and other games. We cried together and laughed together. We ate yummy food together. We did a work project to raise funds.

Dinner on Saturday night

Catch Phrase and card games

Fifteen people in the hot tub automatically makes ya close

Another primary goal was to prepare for the trip. We had some cross-cultural training about short-term trips. We watched a 20/20 special about orphans in Romania and how international adoptions were put on hold ten years ago due to corrupt organizations. We broke into our planning/prep teams. We went over our itinerary, camp schedule, and packing list.

Everyone is super excited to head to Romania in a month!

Our big prayer request right now is for our finances. We still need more than $10,000 in the next few weeks. We are trusting God and figuring out ways to creatively fundraise. Thank you for your prayer support! Feel free to leave some comments of encouragement.

Our team likes to hang out :)

Our Romania team has been hanging out now that school is over!

Last week, most of our team met up for breakfast at Mickie's Dairy Bar.

Megan, Hunter, Megan, Kayta, Pat

Larry, Jimmy, Hannah, Aubrey, Catie

Jenna, Hailey, Cassidy, Taylor, Emily, Brendon, Kristen, Matt

Plus, the team has been getting together to raise funds by doing lots of work projects. Weeding, landscaping, moving wood piles, cleaning horse stables, and much more.

Team Work Day (with pictures!)

Yesterday we had a fun day with the team!

First, we had a fundraising project/work day, helping some people with spring yard projects. We broke into two smaller teams. One group hauled a ton of mulch while the other did a bunch of raking at a huge property.

(Sorry we don't have pictures of everyone; and oops, we don't have any of the mulch project!)

Jimmy & Josh

Taylor, Hailey, Brendon, Cassidy, Jenna

Cassidy, rolling a ton of leaves to the compost pile

Matt on his way back from the compost pile

Erik doing an awesome job raking

Renee, our awesome host, gave us treats at the end!

Jenna, Matt, Michaela, Hailey, Renee, Brendon, Cassidy

SO MUCH FUN! Megan, Jimmy, Aubrey, Brendon, Katie, Michaela

After a few hours of hard work, we went to church for additional team time. We learned about the culture of Romania, especially about the former communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu. Then we went over our itinerary -- departing on Monday, July 25 and returning on Friday, August 12. Can't wait!

Who's excited for Romania 2011? WE ARE!

Hello everyone! I am Michaela Johnke and am expressing the team's excitement for the trip! I personally am thrilled about this experience to get to know my team members in depth and become close friends with them. I hope by going on this trip, I will be changed and grow even more in my faith and closer to God. I have to admit though, I am a little nervous about teaching some English. I can see that our team has hearts to serve others and show agape love (the all encompassing love that Jesus showed us) and I hope that we serve the Romanian people in whatever way we can and pray that my team and I use our gifts. Craiova Youth Group, we cannot wait to see you and work with you! For our supporters, I ask you to pray that we prepare our hearts and minds for the work of the King that is set before us.

2011 Romania Team!!!

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to post a couple pictures from our second team meeting last weekend! Also, this is the first blog post for the 2011 Blackhawk HSM Romania Team! WooHoo! However, we are continuing a blog that has been used over the past 3 summers. We hope to share so much of what God will do in and through this team and those we serve on this blog over the next 6 months. However, please consider sifting through some of what God has already been doing in the life of our partnership in the 2008, 2009, and 2010 Romania teams. There are some incredible stories about what God has been doing in there - as well as many reasons why we continue to send teams - check it out!

The following students and leaders are part of the 2011 team:

Aubrey Fisher
Brendon Fanning
Caitie Smiley
Cassidy Trier
Emily Quandt
Erik Gartland
Hailey Trier
Hannah Smith
Hunter Koeshall
Jenna Hershberger
Jessica Florac
Jimmy Bero
Joshua Bunting
Kayta Gruneberg
Larry Brady
Lief Erickson
Matt Tolly
Megan Radke
Megan Watts
Michaela Johnke
Pat Brady
Taylor McGrath

Back in the US of A!

We're back! Just landed in Chicago (1 min early)! Customs, Belvedere Oasis, & straight to Madison! ETA: 6pm! We'll keep u updated!