Another day with the Gypsies

 Lulu here.  We've been going to the village almost every day this week to do a VBS for the Gypsy village. And apparently our team is one of their favorites.  We bring a lot of music and drama complete with costumes and props.  Then crafts and food enough for 200. Today we ran out of food at 150 - so tomorrow we will prepare for 200.  And tomorrow's character story is Esther.  Complete with full princess regalia.

Each morning the team prepares the meals which consist of some sausage meat, bread and a cucumber.  The get a little cup of soda too.  I helped as much as I could, but Christy wouldn't take me to the village.  Maybe something to do with the other cows getting jealous.  That, or some Gypsy child would want to keep me.  I wouldn't make it back home!

Stephanie, our nurturer and baker of the team, loves to spoil the full-time missionaries here with lots of sugary treats.  And Dave, who's originally from England, loves getting this spoiled.  Here, he's licking the cake batter bowl.  This part is one of our favorites...spoiling the missionaries. 

Nap-time in Tinca

Nap-time around the Isaiah Center in Tinca, Romania.  Wherever's comfortable for you.  Curl up, cuddle up, and sweet dreams for all.

What a start to the mission trip!

It was a great start to my first international flight!  What a team we have!

We flew from Louisville to Washington, DC then on to Munich.  That Munich flight was educational and entertaining. Christy shared some new Romanian words with me...these won't be spelled RIGHT, but how they sound....multimesst, coupleacherries, cheypach, stauch-shay, gata, and a few others she tried to remember but got backwards.

The international airports can get kinda crazy. Surprises me anyone can find their way around ANY airport really.

And all the bags!!!!!  Thank you to those who gave us a little extra money to get all the bags here.  The poor van that transported from Budapest to Tinca, Romania literally blew a tire.  But our fearless driver took care of everything.

We're now into doing VBS in the Gypsy village.  The sights and sounds have been an adjustment and so has the massive hornet-bees that showed up in the shower with Christy. 

Ok...quick note & off to the garden!

My First International Flight!

Hey!  Lulu here. Christy is busy packing.  Why she waited till the morning OF a mission trip....that girl...

But I'm ready to GO!!!

Meet Lulu...

Hi!  I'm Lulu and I'm helping Christy get ready for her Romania mission trip.  I even get to go with her!  It's been years since I've gotten to travel. All the sites I'll get to see - the people I get to meet!

A little about me...I'm a Texas girl at heart. Love the wide open spaces and fresh green grass.  Living in the city brought some challenges, but I've overcome a lot.  There was that run-in with Mrs. B once...How was I to know those flowers were prize-winning?

I'm a naturally happy cow.  Life's too short - and so am I - to let life squash ya.  And good for Christy that she's taken the day off. So she's left me in charge.  I'm up for it.  Although from the looks of it, Christy needs more than me to keep things in order.  I'd better get to it!  So long for now y'all! 

Now what is she doing?

Is anyone wondering what in the world I'm up to lately?  I'm going to tell you ... soon.

Let me just say for now:

• New business
• 2 business partners
• New ministry
• Calendar filling up nicely
• Opportunities galore

Still curious?  I'll post more in bits...

Dear Friends and Family,

I pray post finds you doing well.  I’ll just get right to the point.  I need your help.  Prayer warriors and financial donors alike. 

God has again opened a door of opportunity for me to be a part of something bigger than myself – bringing hope to a culture of people who’ve had no hope for generations – the Gypsies of Romania.  Our team of 11 will be coming along side Rachel Ross, full-time missionary and founder of Forget Me Not Ministries, and Dave Truss, a missionary from England, to minister to the people of Tinca.  Rachel founded the Isaiah Center in Tinca just four years ago, and together they show the love of Christ by teaching and training the children who have been abused or abandoned. They pour into these kids showing and teaching them a better way of life. The Lord is blessing their efforts to use these children as the generation to break this life-long cycle of abuse and Godlessness, and to spread through them the saving grace of the gospel to the Gypsy people.

We are in the final planning of our activities and I am very excited to share with you what He has laid on our hearts for this trip:

• 5-day VBS in the Tinca Village.  This will include singing praise & worship songs, people skits, a devotional, crafts, games and lunch.  Last year we ministered to over 200 children!
• Various construction needs at the Isaiah Center (to be determined)
• Prayer walk through Tinca and the Gypsy village that lies on the outskirts of this small town
• Help Dave with his Futbol ministry in the Gypsy village
• Visit, minister and pray with the Roma families as we deliver their monthly care packages
• Minister to, replenish and build up Rach & Dave to give them the strength they need to continue His work

We still have a lot of preparation to complete before we leave and another team fundraiser.  That’s why I’m sending you this letter.  Support through prayer is priority one. Prayer is the fuel that will allow us to be successful as we follow God’s leading. So please pray often for unity, focus, and safety of our team. But to be honest with you, I just don't have anywhere close to the $2,100 needed laying about the house. So, I decided to send letters to people and ask for something I don't usually ask for in addition to prayer - money.  If you feel led, I'd love if you could financially support me on this mission trip. A little, a lot, any would be great.  I need to raise $2,100 total by August 1.  To help support me financially, you may go online to www.mynorthsidemissions.com and click on Make a Payment.  After logging in, select the trip and type in my name (Christy Smallwood).  Your online sponsorship will go directly towards my trip account, and you will be credited for your tax-deductible contribution.  If you are unable to give online, you may make a check payable to Northside Christian Church and write “Romania 2011” on the memo line.  Then please mail that check directly to me – not the church (@ 4640 W Cole Rd., Salem, IN 47167).

Pray that all we say and do will be glorifying to God.  Pray that our efforts in helping Rach & Dave as well as the children and adults of Romania will be blessed as we serve God’s purposes for our being there.  And knowing that you are praying would mean a lot to me.  Not only that, but when you are supporting me financially or in prayer – you become part of our team.  I will also be in prayer for you and update you on our progress through facebook and blogging. You can join our group on facebook by looking up Romania Mission Trip.  Thank you so much for your prayers, support and consideration.  May God continue to bless you and your family.

  

Romans 10:14-15b:  “How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent?”

Independence

Let us never forget, Freedom

- Independence -

comes with a price. 

"You've Got Mail"

What is it with the anticipation of getting that next message from someone you like? 

Remember that movie, "You've Got Mail?"  This movie's theme is a classic.  Two people in love through the written word - email in this movie, letters in the Judy Garland classic, "In The Good Old Summertime."  Turns out for each of these, the two people actually disklike each other in person. One finds out the other is their secret message "love," ditches the face-to-face, and then proceeds to change the perception of the real-life relationship.  Sweet stuff. 

What intrigues me most is the joy in the anticipation of getting that next message.  I don't have the pleasure of one of those movie experiences, but I do enjoy anticipating a next message.  Here's something more to think about though...what if I had that much joyous anticipation in what God had to tell me?  What's HIS next message to me?   " <3 U no matter what, Conquered 4 u, Providing 4 U, Keep Going! Right w/U"  What's His next message to you?

Progress...not Perfection

So I was having a "morning."  You know.  You've had them.  You start out pretty optimistic, then all of a sudden you're in the midst of putting out fires you have no time for.  There goes the "plan."  There goes that few precious moments of actual accomplishment.  Needless to say, I was "off."  Which as a woman can happen on a regular basis - emotions, you know. 

At just the right time a friend calls me.  He had no idea I was in the mental place I was; however, he quickly found out!  But this is one friend who does not intimidate easily.  He proceeds to tell me a mantra to say..."Progress not Perfection."  This is not just for people that I am working with, but for myself. 

How often I forget that I can never be perfect.  No matter how hard I may strive for it, "we all fall short of the glory of God."  Even a transformation specialist needs to be reminded. It's ok to be a work in progress - because that's what we are!  There should be more fun in the construction of it...and the redecorating.  I prefer excellence over perfection.  I'll aim for balanced, joyful, content in all things, finding adventure around every corner, progressing to my fullest potential, and living life abundantly. 

So say it with me...Progress not Perfection, Progress not Perfection, Progress not Perfection...