Memories from Romania- a Special Gift from my Students
a Portrait of the Casino area by the Black Sea
My first trip to Romania was in June 1997 which also happened to be my first trip to Europe. The portrait in this post is of the Casino Area by the Black Sea in Constanta Romania. One of my most treasured memories is of Sunday evenings standing at the corner of the boardwalk area close to the Casino and singing with college and high school aged students. What was significant about it was the fact that we were singing worship songs to Jesus out in the open. The reason it was poignant was that it was only 7 years after the revolution that overthrew their brutal communist dictator. Under communism there was no freedom for open expressions of faith and there I was standing with my fellow Christians- Baptist, Evangelical, Orthodox and Pentecostal- singing worship songs. Those were among the most wonderful experiences I have had in my life.
My second trip to Romania I taught a conversational English class. I spent time in the afternoons with students and taught my class in the evenings. The afternoons were marvelous opportunities to spend time with my students and learn more about them and their culture. We did things like go to the Aquarium, go to the beach, and go the Supermarket Tomis. One afternoon I went to Supermarket Tomis with two of my students Cristina and Georgina and walked around for a few hours. They kept asking me what I thought of different things in Tomis. What I did not know is that they were secretly trying to find out for my class what to give me for a gift. When I saw this portrait I told them about how special that spot along the boardwalk was to me and why. Our last evening of class my students showed up with some bread, food and wine to celebrate. They then told me they wanted to thank me for the class and presented me with this portrait. It is one of the best gifts I have ever received because of what it reminds me of and who gave it to me.
I have numerous poignant memories of Romania and hope to return someday to share time with friends and meet new ones. Until then I have my memories and know that I will see some of them again. I also have this portrait to remind of a very special place for me. It also serves as a reminder of how blessed we are in America to have freedom to worship freely.
On a Blizzardy Day I wish I were in Ensenada :)
Wind chills of -35F today, snow, strong winds, staying inside all day. This is a day that makes me think about last summer and the beaches in Ensenada. It was warm during the day and cool at night. A place where words like wind chill are never used. A place where I had a slightly sunburned face, could wear shorts during the day and a sweatshirt at night- not too hot and not too cold.
me with my friend from church Taylor on the beach
We went to the beach on the Pacific Ocean our last full day in Ensenda. We walked and swam in the ocean and enjoyed a day in the sun. The warm sand was under my feet and the water felt perfect. We also spent some time shopping at an open air market walking around in the sunny day.
me with my sombrero brother Brendan
me with mi hermana pequena Patti
Oh well it is only a wish. Reality will hit tomorrow when I step out my door and I am greeted by the cold slap of winter air on my face. For tonight though, I can turn up the heat, look at pictures and wish I was somewhere besides frigid Lincoln. The good news is that Spring is now only a few months away and warmer weather is only 3 months away.
2010 A Year of Pleasant Unexpected Changes- My Trip to Mexico Led to A Big Change
Last year at this time if you had talked with me, I would have told you I thought I would be going to Brazil and Romania in June. My Romania plans fell through early in 2010, but Brazil seemed like a sure thing even up to April. I had spent time with the college group at my church and wanted to go with them to Brazil to pass on some experience while in the field. Then my friend Pastor Brian Abbott asked me what would be more strategic for my work here, go to Brazil or go to Mexico. I prayed about it and realized it would be better for my work here in Lincoln if I went to Mexico, so I went with the youth group from my church.
Enseñada México photo taken from top of a hill where the church is
If I only thought about my time in Enseñada and my work there it would not make much sense that I went. I was a late addition to the team and did not have much in the way of a role to play. I did speak in a prison chapel twice and helped to take food to some street people, but it was not nearly as productive as my trips to Romania. However, it was a very significant trip to go on since it led to some big changes for me here in Lincoln and hopefully for future work in Enseñada.
The mountain camp grounds where I stayed
I had a mountaintop experience both literally and figuratively while I was in Enseñada. We stayed at a camp run by Azusa Pacific University which is on a mountain. One morning I spent some time praying while I was alone. Fortunately no one came in the room where I was praying the whole time I was praying. It was an appointment with God for me. For a few years I had had the desire to study a language to become fluent in a language and have more than a hobby of asking people how to say things. While I was praying, the schedule of Spanish classes at the college where I teach popped into my mind. In the midst of physical pain from a bad tooth and bronchitis, God showed me what He wanted me to do. He wanted me to study Español.
mi español libro- my Spanish book
I came back knowing that I could only take Español at a certain time and place. When I went to register, I found I could still get in the class. My first class began in July. It is a bit embarrassing that my worst test grade from both quarters was on my first test which was for the easiest chapter. I managed to get an A from my first quarter of Spanish and registered for my second quarter. I managed to get an A from my second quarter as well. I wanted to take the next course, but it is only offered one time a day and there are two locations in Lincoln. I was thrilled that the time and place for Second Year Accelerated is offered at the only time I can take it and is at the only location that I can take it, so next week I will begin Second Year Accelerated Spanish.
Studying Español has opened new doors of opportunity for me in my work and ministry. I recently visited a Spanish speaking church and understood most of what the Pastor said during his message. I have begun to teach one person on line who lives in Enseñada and hope to add others. I have been using Español to help my Hispanic friends that I tutor in English. I have made new friendships in Lincoln with people who speak Español. I am working on future possibilities for ministry in Español. At the age of 52 a new horizon has been opened for me which only goes to prove we are never too old to begin a new adventure 
My Favorite Christmas- Romania 2005
When people think of Christmas, we usually think of time with family, Christmas Eve Services, Holiday gatherings with friends, and shopping. As I reflect back on Christmas, the Christmas that stands out as my favorite was when I went to Romania to serve others one Christmas.
In December 2005 I went to Constanta Romania at Christmas time. My home church has partnered with a church in Constanta for several years. Their pastor and his family were in South Africa studying in a seminary, so my church sent me to Constanta to help them with their Christmas services. The trip started out a bit rough because of snow in Lincoln and Minneapolis that caused my flights to be delayed and I arrived in Romania without my luggage. The rest of the trip was wonderful.
the children practicing for their Christmas program
Once I was in Constanta, my first activity was to help with the Christmas Eve program of the children. It was a blessing to help out. I was also able to give the children some Christmas candy. Their performance was wonderful. While I was at their practice, some college students invited me to a meeting at a Baptist church. I went with them. The meeting was for all college students who wanted to come. There were students from the Baptist church, Orthodox church and Evangelical church at the meeting. On thing that was funny was that because my luggage did not arrive until the next day, I was wearing a sweatshirt with NU on it which is for Nebraska University. Nu is no in Romanian. At the meeting they asked me if I would speak, so the first thing I did was explain that my shirt did not say no.
I also preached their Christmas eve and Christmas day services. After the Christmas day service I was invited for lunch at the house of some members. We ate Sarmale and a lot of other good food. I stayed until January 1st then went to Bucharest to met with a few Chinese students at Bucharest Christian Academy. The highlight of the trip for me was spending time with the children who come from poor families to share God’s love with them and to be able to give them some holiday treats.
Thanksgiving Week- I am thankful I had my trip to México
I went to Enseñada this past June. While I was there, it was not a luxury vacation. We slept in tents, only showered three times, ate camp food, and drove down dusty roads. I broke a tooth a few days before we left and went to the dentist who did a little work on it and said I should be okay. He did not want to do all that needed to be done in case I had an infection while in México. I ended up having a lot of pain while traveling there and most of the time we were there. I was able to get some medicine though. I also developed bronchitis while I was there. So why am I thankful for a trip when some things went very badly?
me with Olga
It was great to see Olga in action. She was my student for over a year. When I first met her, I saw a lot of potential, but knew it would be a long road for her. She is now working at El Centro de las Americas in Lincoln. She went with the team to be a translator and to do some work with women. I was very proud of her.
me with Javier, Silvia and Isabel
my new friend and online student Patricia
I met some awesome people in México and will be teaching some of them English lessons thru skype beginning December 1st. It was great to meet them and others at the church in Enseñada.
fun in the park
It was wonderful to watch the young people on our team working with children in the park. The kids had fun and lives were touched those four afternoons in the park.
I also had an opportunity to speak in the chapel two mornings in a prison, but of course have no photos of that. On Wednesday we had an extended time of prayer with the prisoners who came. I loved the worship services at the church we visited and met some wonderful people at the church.
The main reason that I am grateful for my trip to México, even though I was sick or in pain most of the time, is that it was during my trip that God showed me He wanted me to study español. This adventure has opened a whole new world of possibilities for me. I am excited about what the future holds. It is an incredible experience to have new adventures open up at the age of 52. I will stay in contact with a few of my new friends in Enseñada. I hope to return there as well. I have also been meeting more Hispanic people in Lincoln thanks to studying Español.
I am studying Spanish but would also like to learn Chinese
I just finished my mid-term exam in my español class last night. So far the class has been going okay for me with an A average. Language is fascinating to me and I love to learn words and phrases in other languages. I am studying Spanish now, but would also like to learn Chinese. I have many friends from China and their culture is interesting to me.
When I went to China Night last semester, I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing a glimpse of Chinese culture. A culture that is thousands of years old is intriguing to me. I shared my idea of taking Chinese with a few friends from China and they suggested I focus on español for now. Of course I love a challenge, so who knows maybe in January, if I can fit it into my schedule, I will take a beginning Chinese course at the Confucius Center at UNL.
The Great Wall is a symbol to me of how old Chinese culture is
If I am fortunate, I will visit China someday. My friendships with my friends from China at UNL has given me a desire to go. It would be awesome to be able to speak some Chinese when I do go. In the meantime, I would like to be able to communicate with my friends in their language.
Coming back into the U.S.- a long wait in the midst of a circus
There is a lot of talk about border security these days. I am not going to write about that issue, but found it interesting how long the line is to enter the U.S. compared with how long the line was to leave the U.S. When we went into Mexico, it took about 15 minutes to go through the border crossing. When we came back into the U.S., it took around two hours. Traffic was backed up for miles. We went at a snail pace. There are shops along the side of the road and the merchants try to get your attention.
People walk between the cars trying to sell a variety of items such as Soccer Shirts, T-Shirts, and hats etc.
Others try to get money by performing. We saw a little boy who was sent out to juggle to beg for money. We saw people in costume trying to get money.
It truly seemed like we were slowly driving through a three ring circus. It was a long wait to get to the border crossing. It caused me to think about one question. If any American thinks the U.S. is not a good country to live in, then why are so many trying to get in?
Scenes from Ensenada I do not see in Lincoln
I had to good fortune of being able to see many wonders while I was in Ensenada that I simply cannot see here in Lincoln Nebraska. I saw the mountains and was in fact camping on one, I saw the Ocean coast, the Moon over the mountains, and numerous other sites to behold.
Every morning we woke up to fog between the mountain tops
the sun would rise and burn off the fog
the moon over the mountains
I also saw other wonders of nature such as flowering cacti, ocean waters, the sea coast and more. Baja California is a beautiful place to visit.
sea birds on a rock along the coast
Yes there were many wonders of nature there that I cannot see in Lincoln. The wonder that gave me the greatest sense of awe though, was one that is done all of the time everywhere. It was seeing how God has transformed the lives of two people who were once drug addicts who are now pastors working to help others. It was a thrill to watch as Brian and Chris, who have done so much work over the past 12 years in Ensenada, informed Javier and Silvia of the official partnership arrangement between my home church 1st Evangelical Free and Javier and Silvia’s ministry. It was a very special moment.
Ensenada- Fun at the Beach
After a productive week of serving in Ensenada, we had an opportunity to go to the beach on the Pacific Ocean. It was great to see the others on the team have some fun. The thought hit me that I have now seen the Pacific Ocean, but not in my own country. I have seen more interesting places in other countries than I have in the U.S.
I have been to the French, Swiss, Austrian and German Alps, the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, the Black Sea, the English Channel, and now the Pacific Ocean. All of these places outside of the U.S. I need to rectify the situation and go on a trip someday to see America.
It was great to be at the beach in Ensenada though. I really had fun just watching everyone else have fun. My beach outfit was high fashion lol.
me at the beach with Ebony
Grace and Ebony
goofy guys
Our purpose for going was not for a vacation. We went to serve in various ways, but it was nice to have one afternoon of fun before coming back to Lincoln. The water was clear. The weather was perfect. It is a place I hope to see again.
Taqueria Las Brisas- My Favorite Restaurant in Ensenada
Our first evening in Ensenada we stopped at a Taco Stand to have our dinner before going onto our camp at El Rancho Refugio. The place we stopped is named Taqueria Las Brisas. It was my favorite place in Ensenada to stop at. I only went a few other places, but I have to say that Taqueria has the best tacos I have ever had. It was fun to watch as they cooked the meat for the tacos in the open air. We had the choice of what toppings we wanted.
One thing I have learned through my nine trips out of the country is to benefit from either those who have been there before or those who live there for places to go and not to go. It was a telling sign to me that Taqueria was busy and the places nearby were not busy. There was another taco stand next to Taqueria which had no business. I am thankful that our group leader took us to Taqueria.
it was fun to watch as they cooked the meat in the open air
It was wonderful to see how everyone enjoyed our stop there. In the group we had some parent/child combos. Two of our translators were Olga and Danny, mother and son. Dennis and Chase, father/son, were also part of the group. There were other combos, but these were the only pictures I have.
Olga and Danny
Dennis and Chase
Taqueria now has a special place in my heart. If I lived in Ensenada, I would probably stop there several times a week for lunch or dinner. It does not have the same sentimental appeal of Aldo’s Pizza in Constanta Romania which I found my first trip to Constanta when my host family served food the Romanians made a special point to tell me was not real Romanian food. Nonetheless Taqueria has a special place too. I highly recommend it.
About
I teach English Second Language and have a ministry for internationals at my home church First Evangelical Free church in Lincoln Nebraska. I have had the pleasure of traveling in Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Mexico, Romania and Switzerland. My hobby is to learn words and phrases from other languages. I have learned how to greet people in 30 languages.
My blog is about my experiences with international friends, my travels, and people I meet along the way. My international friends’ stories are fascinating to me. Experiencing other cultures makes life rich for me.
-
Archives
- January 2012 (3)
- December 2011 (6)
- November 2011 (4)
- October 2011 (7)
- September 2011 (10)
- August 2011 (12)
- July 2011 (18)
- June 2011 (16)
- May 2011 (12)
- April 2011 (9)
- March 2011 (8)
- February 2011 (3)
-
Categories
- Afghanistan
- African friends
- America to other cultures
- animals
- Belgium
- Brazilian friends
- children
- Chinese friends
- Christmas
- Congo friends
- Cross Cultural
- Cultural Ambassdors
- Cutural Celebrations
- Discrimination
- Education
- El Salvador
- Europe
- Experiences of international friends
- Fall
- food
- France
- German friends
- Globalization
- Hispanic friends
- Holidays
- Human Resources
- Hungarian friends
- immigration
- India
- international fashion and crafts
- International Friendships
- international students
- Internationals
- Iran
- Japanese friends
- Korean friends
- Mexico
- Middle East friends
- Muslims
- Mutlicultural
- orphans
- Peruvian Friends
- Refugees
- Romania
- Sign Culture
- sports
- Spring
- Stereotypes
- Sudanese friends
- summer
- The Karen people
- Travel experiences
- Turkish friend
- Ukrainian friends
- Uncategorized
- vacation spots
- victims of crime and violence
- Vietnamese friends
- winter
- women's issues
- world issues
-
RSS
Entries RSS
Comments RSS
