My Boys

I feel compelled to talk about my boys. Earlier this week I dropped them off at school in the morning. They took off their winter clothes, put on their slippers (worn in schools here), went into their classroom, and waved goodbye to me through the window. It really hit me that day. I am so proud of them! In a culture where I sometimes struggle with the language, culture, and being away from home, they are unbelievably great examples to me. I drop them off at a school where the kids do not speak english and the go every day without complaint. They embrace the culture, the language, and the entire experience of Romania. They live in the moment and enjoy every day as it occurs. What a great experience for them and me as they teach me about life. Maurice

Just Plain Busy

We are sorry we have not posted more often. I can not believe that it is almost December! November has flown by with a whirlwind if activity. I will try to catch you up:

Last week we went Budapest, Hungary for the Free Methodist European Church Leadership Conference. It is an event that is held every other year for missionaries, pastors, and church leaders from the European Free Methodist churches. It was a great time for use to learn, share, worship, network, and relax. It was excellent, there were 15 countries with 13 different languages represented. Here is a link to Larry Winkles blog that describes it in more detail if you like http://winckles.typepad.com/update/.

Then on Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving. In Romania, it is just another day. So I went to work in Tsigmandru and the boys went to school. I would be lying if I said it was easy working on the holiday. I am all about the Thanksgiving meal and watching football with family and friends. Then in the evening we went down to Roberta's for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Wow, was it great! It definately felt great to eat. It made it easier to be away from home on a holiday. We ate with the five of us, Roberta, Hans from the Netherlands, Morag from Scotland, and nurse Annie from England. It was very multi-national, yet very American. Maurice

Baragan Teen Ministry Update

Up until this point I (Maurice) have been part of the leadership team but have not gone to the teen club in Baragan on Tuedays evenings. I went this week for the first time and was a little overwhelmed at first. We have a classroom that we rent in the school there. The club has been growing each week, with a high of 17, this week we had 26! It was a little loud and chaotic, but also great in another sense. After an hour the teenage Romanian boys, who are very macho and proud of their muscles, lined up to arm wrestle me. After about six straight boys my arm was ready to fall off. Then us boys went outside to play basketball in the dark. It was only after a few minutes of investing time in them and they were very attached to me. It was remarkable to me that they are so hungry for attention from an adult male. I instantly felt a bond to alot of the boys. Most of the boys play handball in school, and they were all telling us when their games are and asking us to come. For me, it was the first ministry that I really felt needed and God drawing me to. It is a place that I feel I can really make an impact. Maurice