What I do

The following was the “What I do” until Nov. 2008.  For the current “What I really do now” go to the last few paragraphs!

I am a Program HOPE! Intern with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC). This internship is for two and a half years in which I learn the language and culture of the country in which I serve, as well as being trained in what it means to be CRWRC program staff. CRWRC is the relief and development leg of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and works in over thirty countries around the world.

CRWRC is focused almost exclusively in holistic, transformational development work in Romania. “Holistic” because it focuses on spiritual, emotional, material, and physical development of communities. “Transformational” because development isn’t worth it if it does not both change individual and communities, as well as being sustainable. “Transformational” also means that development will not be sustainable unless it is through the redeeming power of Christ. It is CRWRC’s belief (and I agree) that people in communities have God-given resources – often not financial – that can be used to develop the community. Individuals in a community must work together toward change rather than external sources being the answer for sustainable development.

I arrived in Romania in September, 2006, having only met the CRWRC Team Leader for a few hours during my interview. Other than that, I didn’t know anyone and only spoke three words of Romanian: “Yes,” “No,” and “Thank you.” My first six months were spent almost entirely in language learning and cultural acclimation, as well as beginning to understand CRWRC’s ministry in Romania. In Romania, CRWRC has worked with several partner organizations in both organizational and community development and within the past few years has also started focusing more on churches in the southwestern part of the country (around the capital).

As I finished my six months of language training and started being more directly involved in the ministry here, CRWRC announced its intention to phase over the work in Romania, while becoming involved more deeply in other parts of the world. While I am currently remaining in Romania as a CRWRC intern, CRWRC as an organization is phasing over.

We (some former CRWRC staff) are currently starting a Romanian foundation: Fundatia pentru Dezvoltare Neemia (“Nehemiah Foundation for Development”). This new foundation will continue with the ministry we have started with churches and church leaders in the southeastern part of the country. We walk alongside and train leaders and their churches in being the salt and light in their communities, the catalyst for community development that glorifies and honors God.

I also volunteer with Clinica Pro-Vita (“Pro Life Clinic”) – a Christian crisis pregnancy center in Bucharest – as well as being involved with the youth from church. I recently began leading a Bible study with the youth girls.

…

So that’s what I did.  I was a missionary.  Now I’m missionary of an entirely different sort.  I watch the world’s cutest boy and girl (AKA my nephew and niece) and look for a part-time job.  I play games and knit and change diapers and wipe off faces crusted in various flavors of food.  I wonder why all of my clothing has crusty spots and why I can never seem to take a shower and why I’m always late!  I also get to hear my nephew learn my name and get the world’s best hugs.  He’s learning all sorts of good things from me, like vocabulary quirks and that hiking is fun!

And I read and pray and talk and wonder what will be next.  Will I go back to Romania?  I’d love to!  Will I go to grad school?  mmm…  Will I get sort of a normal job and make sort of a normal life?  Who knows.  I just live and see what happens!