I cannot believe that it has been six months and in only 2 weeks I will be going back to the States. WOW! These past six months have truly been amazing. I can't even express how this time has impacted me. It's interesting, but I often think about all of the interesting, first-time experiences I have had while in Romania. I decided to compile a little list:

1) First overseas mission trip
2) First time bathing in a mountain stream
3) First time on a motor bike
4) First dog bite
5) First time riding a horse bareback
6) First time I've ever eaten liver (suprisingly, I don't hate it...)
7) First visit to a fish farm
8) First time a baby has ever thrown-up on me
9) First time living in an apartment by myself
10) First time eating rum-flavored cake and ice cream (not a fan)
11) First visit to a working convent
12) First visit to Dracula's castle (the touristy one, not the real one)
13) First time, I REALLY listened to gospel music (and now I love it)
14) First time, I have stayed over-night in a hospital (had to get over my fear of hospitals to do this one)
15) First time I helped put in an IV
16) First time I've tried to feed newborn puppies with a syringe
17) First time I've ever put ketchup on a pizza (and now I can't eat pizza without ketchup...the Romanians corrupted me)
18) First time I've ever participated in a feet-washing ceremony
19) First time at a wedding where they steal the bride and the groom has to pay to get her back
20) First time as the official photographer for a wedding...that was fun
21) First time traveling on a train by myself
22) First time traveling internationally by myself
23) First visit to a radio station
24) First time I was in a city newspaper article
25) First time speaking through a translator
26) First time translating
27) First time singing in another language
28) First time on a mission team where I was the only American


My mission team to Draganesti-Olt (southern Romania). I was the only American.

29) First time performing (singing) in a city park
30) First visit to a medieval castle
31) First time I've ever held a frog
32) First time I touched a snake (it was dead, but still kind of freaky)
33) First time I've walked through a cave without a flashlight
34) First time I stood on someone else's shoulders to change a light bulb (and they got me up there and then figured out the new light bulb wouldn't even fit)
35) First time teaching English


Teaching "Let Us Pray" to kids in Comanda, Oltenia (southern Romania)

36) First time I have ever COMPLETELY surrendered my heart and life to the Lord, trusting Him fully and letting Him work in me and through me.

So these are just a few of my many firsts...there are many more not listed here. My experiences in Romania have truly changed and transformed my life. As I prepare to come back to the States on furlough, yet another first for me, I humbly ask that you pray for me. I must raise more support and I am also planning to travel a lot so I can share with others about the children and staff of Global Hope. During the upcoming holiday season, I hope and pray that you are daily reminded of God's love for you as we prepare to celebrate in the birth of His Son!

Many, many blessings!


Cristi, Baby Darius (Tata Visu and Mama Anelory's new son) and me