It has taken some time for me to collect all my memories and thoughts about our trip. When people ask me...how was your trip? I truly have a hard time knowing where to start. It was truly an "Amazing" trip. And what does it take to have an "Amazing" trip? Well, you have to start with a team of people who have truly been called to be the hands and feet and heart of Jesus to those who need to know Him. For most of our team this was their second trip to Romania to help Rachel in her ministry to the Roma people in a village in Tinca, Romania so they had already left a part of their hearts behind and were looking forward to seeing the children they had connected with again. There was some anticipation as to whether or not the kids in the village and center would remember us. And what a joy to find out that they did. And we had four team members who were first-timers to Romania and some their first mission trip. They really didn't know what to expect even though we told them a lot about Rachel's ministry and the villiage. The looks on their faces as we entered the village the first time spoke the truth of what these children and families face on a daily baise more clearly than what we could have possibley explained. Needless to say...they lost their hearts to these children as well.

I told everyone before we left to just be open to God's prompting and he would use each one of them in a special way. And boy did he ever! It's wonderful to watch the gifts of each team member come alive. VBS was incredible. The kids actually remembered our routine from last year. They were so excited to participate. We used the same format and it was like we picked up right where we left off last year. We used colored t-shirts to represent the Gospel; black for sin, red for Christ blood to cover our sin, Blue for baptism, Green for growing in Christ and Gold for heaven and the crown we will receive there. You always wonder if they will retain any of the messages in such a short time...but the last day to our complete joy, they receited the meaning of each color back to us without hesitation. What a blessing for all of us!

After VBS each day we would go back to the Isaiah Center and work. Some were laying tile, some were doing laundry, some were upstairs in the attick sorting and organizing donated clothing, some were doing crafts with the eight beautiful children who stay at the center each day, some were cleaning up and burning trash, some were cooking the team meals, some were sharing the Word and answering questions of the van driver who is seaking Christ and some were ministering to Rachel by being her best friend for 10 days...someone to laugh with and talk with and share things that just need to be shared. As I watched all this activity each day I praised God for the blessing of each team member he had brought together. And of course we always have a big party for Rachel and Iza while we are there. And this year was exceptional...a Mexican Blow-Out! We try to spoil her a little and I think we did a great job!

And then there were the surprises that God brings to the team each year...those unexpected things God throws in your path. I have to admit these things are always the highlight of my trip. This year we got to see God moving in Adi's (our van driver) heart. He was full of questions and talked to Kevin, Tim & Atilla many times. And on the last Sunday we were there he went to church with us. We all prayed so hard for him during the service and he came away in tears form his experience. Up until then he had kept pretty much to himself. After that he became much more social and close to the team.

Then there was the 42 year old woman in the village who was dying of cancer. Tim and Dave had been going by the home and praying with the family and they new the time was near. Tim asked Kevin if he would go with him one evening and he did. Tim was afraid that she would die before she had accepted Christ and Kevin told him to go and talk to her. Tim told Kevin they he didn't think he could because he wasn't a preacher. Kevin shared with him that as a believer he could and should try to lead her to Christ. The night before she died Tim had gone to her and prayed with her and asked if she wanted to accept Christ as her savior...she could not speak, but sqeezed his hand in acknowledgement. He came to the center and cried as he told Kevin and Rachel about it.

Then there was the party we threw for Tim & Corey's family. We did this last year and it was a little awkward for them, because it was the first time they had ever been honored as a guest at someone's home. But this time we were friends getting together for a cookout and fellowship. Their children danced the Roma dances for us and their parents just beamed as proud parents do when their children shine. It was such a good time!

This trip was so special because we could see that the relationships we began with Tim & Rodeca and Corey last year are growing and they are making a difference in their lives and ours. Tim and Corey are so hungry to follow Christ and to lead their village to him as well. And another surprise was to see how Dave (from London) has grown and become such an important part of Rachel's ministry. He has truly surrendered his heart completely to God to reach the young men of this village through his Bible Study/Soccer ministry. He has earned their respect and he has gotten some of the young men from the Camilun Felix homes involved. He is encouraging them to give their testimonies at these Bible studies so these young men can see that a life in Christ can change you and your circumstances. God is truly moving in the Forget-Me-Not Ministry. And it is such a privilege to just be a small part of it each year.

My final words to you are Go...just Go...somewhere out of the country once a year to give all you have to someone who has so little and needs to see the hands and feet of Christ in the flesh. Then find somewhere to serve here locally in your own community throughout the rest of the year. It's what we are called to do. You will not regret it.

In His Love,

Barb Williar