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Letters of Lovestories of living for jesus christ

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APRIL 2013: BACEA, ROMANIA

“I WANTED TO

ANSWER TO NO ONE EXCEPT JESUS.”

TRUST THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDSI AM TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL THE WORLD FOR JESUS. AT 27 YEARS OLD, I COULDN’T IMAGINE A BETTER LIFE. BUT...

Most of our time in Romania has been spent doing construction at Camp Love,

a camp close to Bacea that’s used for children and family ministry.

Weeks before I left the US, I was sitting in the bathroom and debating whether or not I needed to go ahead and apply for grad school. You know, so I’d have my ducks in a row for when I return to the states. It was a ridiculous moment. So, I blogged about it.Now, almost four months into our year-

long mission, I find myself doing those same things—ill-contently making plans for when I come home, as if I couldn’t be called to move to South Africa or meet my future husband in Ukraine. Or what if Jesus decides to come back next month? I waste too much time and energy worrying about a year from now.Last April, I began stiff-arming the life of

an average American 20-something. More than anything, I wanted to run free. I needed to breathe. I wanted to face each day as it comes. I wanted to get to know myself. I wanted to go places. I wanted to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I longed to lay eyes on the European countryside and the

South American desert. I wanted to answer to no one except Jesus. I wanted to pursue God.And that’s what I’ve been doing... that’s

the exact opportunity I’ve been given. But there are days when all I can think about is whether I should get a masters in graphic design or journalism. Or if it’s true—I only have three more years to get married. Or if I’ll ever be ok with planting roots.I listened to a song last week while

painting a fence in the countryside. It talked about developing a trust in God that knows no bounds. As the song played, I recalled the night I sat on my bathroom floor. Then I looked up and watched as a flock of sheep grazed on the hill in front of me. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere more perfect and feeling more free. This place is teaching me that steadfast contentedness doesn’t just happen. I must trust that God has me exactly where He wants me—today, tomorrow, next year and the next.

follow or donate at juliedickey.theworldrace.org U Isaiah 61:1-3

Two weeks ago, our ministry contact, Marias, picked us up from the train station in Deva. That seems like yesterday, but we only have one more week of ministry in Romania. Next Sunday, we go to Brasov for Month 4 Debrief. I don’t know if I can handle anymore goodbyes.

After arriving in Deva, we ate dinner with Marias’ beautiful family—Veronica, Mary, David, Joanna, Lucas and Matthew—then we traveled to the village where we live, Bacea. There is no internet at our house. No hot water, unless it’s heated with a furnace or on a stove. No indoor toilet. No cafés or restaurants. But there is a whole lot of love. Everybody knows everybody. Our host mother, Marynella, opened her home to us. She gives us a place to sleep, and along with three other women—Marta, Monica and Larissa—she prepares amazing breakfasts, lunches and dinners for us. Marta and Monica speak very little English. Marynella and Larissa speak none.

Marynella’s brother, Elias, was in Bacea with us for a week. Eight years ago, he and his family moved to Barcelona, Spain. He doesn’t speak English either. During many meals, we spoke in Spanish to Elias, who translated in Romanian to Marynella. He brought us cappuccinos and made us Spanish food. He tried to convince me to marry his 20 year-old son. He climbed mountains with us and let us pet lambs and cows. He went back to Barcelona yesterday, and I’m sad that our time with him has ended.

As for ministry, the “American Team” (as Marias calls us) has been working with the “Romanian Team” at Camp Love. Right now, the camp is used during the summer months for children’s and sports ministries. After construction is complete, the camp will be used year-round for children and family retreats.

I’ve grown especially fond of the Romanian Team—Marias, John, Mihai and Vio. Marias is the camp director, a full-time missionary and father of five. John and Mihai are brothers and construction extraordinaires. Mihai also works two jobs, goes to seminary, raises a family and dreams of being a pastor. He can cut down trees and make farm tools from them. Younger brother John is a free and gentle spirit, a drifter with no home. Vio is a Romanian pastor and our translator at church. The trust these men have in God is mind-boggling and legitimately inspiring. Working with them has forced me to consider a lot about my own life...

Living and Working in Bacea, Romania

donated: $15,01.28TO GO: $448.72

This number doesn’t include my recurring donations. Thank you all...so much.

Support Update

The top left photo is of one of the two buildings at Camp Love. The other

photos are from a kids retreat in Sibiu.