Echipã Maro!

  Well, week one of camp has come and gone-talk about a "Wild West" Adventure (our camp theme)! I lead my team by myself, with the help of my four translators. In future weeks I will most likely have at least one other leader from the states helping me, but since this week the team from the States was small, it was just me. 

My team consisted of six kids from the local orphanage, Sincrai, as well as a few kids from Raegan group homes. With most of them having special needs, they struggled to understand the material we talked about this week at camp. However, I am trusting that God will use what was said, and the fun we had, to reveal the Gospel to them even more so throughout the rest of their lives. 

First I am going to give you all a brief overview of what a regular day of camp looks like. In the morning we have group time where we, the interns, do ridiculous skits, in which I appear in as Liza Beth.... :) 

(skits)

There is a short message by the camp pastor and then we head to 4 different stations which consists of recreation, memory verse, craft time, and small groups... 

(my team during craft time...) 

(Dancing during free time...) 

The rest of camp looks much the same in the afternoon, with of course a different twist to it and a lot of free time and camp wide games. My team was at a disadvantage since we had only 6 team members, so we lost each game every day. But, the enthusiasm and joy these kids had spoke a lot to me. They didn't care at all, and they were just having the time of their lives! 

On Friday's we take the kids and head to camp Vetca, a camp site about an hour away in the country. It was such a good time with the kids, as they rode horses, went on scavenger hunts, played on a slip and slide, and heard more about the love of Jesus. 

By far though, my favorite part of the entire week was Friday before the kids left and we were able to bless each of them and pray over them specifically. It was such a great moment to thank God for what He has done this week, and what He is going to continue to do with them. 

  

My team, echipa maro (brown team)! 

This first week consisted of mainly figuring out how to do camp. How to use a translator, what level of knowledge the kids have, and how to simply share the Gospel in this Roma culture. I was graciously reminded earlier this week through my devotional time of Philippians 2:12-13: 

"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you  to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." 

I am so thankful that this is not all up to me, but that God has everything under control in order that his good purpose might be fulfilled. Such a great reminder! 

Please continue to pray for these precious children, that they might come to know the Lord as their Savior. Pray that they will give God their fears, anxiety, troubles, doubts, and everything that entangles them and that they might understand His grace. 

Until next time, 

La revedere (bye)! 

The Gospel

Well, day two of camp has come and gone! It has been an adventure figuring out how to use a translator, getting to know the kids, and understanding how camp works. Nonetheless, it has been a good week so far! My team ranges from ages 5 to 19, so there is definitely a big gap. I am excited about the Gospel, but it has been fun learning how to share it with kids that do not speak my language. Through games, team time, and even just playing frisbee for hours upon end with one of my little girls, it has been a privilege and joy to share the gospel with these kids that face such hard circumstances! Be praying for the kids on my team, that they might understand the grace of God and that through Him there is forgiveness for sins. Also, for my translators and I, that we might communicate clearly His Word. Continue to pray for renewed energy, strength, and joy in the Lord for the interns and I. I look forward to updating ya'll later this week about how the rest of camp went! 

My team and I during "team time".... :) 

Camp!

Tomorrow is our first day of camp! Whoo! It is so exciting to know that the last two weeks of preparation are finally coming together, and the adventure is beginning! Please be praying for the kids that their hearts will be open to the gospel. Pray for us, the interns, as well as the team that is here this week, the volunteers/translators, and the LOC staff here, that we will all be in tuned to the Spirit and ready to share the Gospel. I am so excited for what God is doing-especially this group of kids this week. From some circumstances that have happened the last 6 months, we think there might be opened doors to share the Gospel. Thank you all for your prayers, they are so vital to what we are doing here. Continue to pray for focus, that we might remember why we are here and Who we are here for-because without Him we are just running in meaningless circles. Glory to God our Father!

His hands and feet.

This week has been a whirlwind of team bonding, getting camp supplies together, continuing to prepare Casa Rene for the team that is coming in tomorrow, and loving on precious kids.

But first, let's meet the team! We finally took a group picture :) 

Top row (left to right): Justin, Mary, Rachel, Hannah, Kerra, Chris, Becky 

Bottom row: me, Rebekah, Anna, Heather, Courtney 

Thank you for your prayers for us this summer, we are all getting along great and it is such a great group of leaders! 

Last week I mentioned how we went to Ogra, the gypsy village. Below I am with Becky and this precious little girl who took such good care of her little brother!

There has also been some good downtime in which a few of us were able to take nice walks through the neighborhood we're living in...

Since camp has still not started we have had time to go simply hang out and love on the kids that we will be involved with in ministry this summer. Yesterday we went to Ludus Baby hospital, and though I went there three years ago, the hopelessness and helplessness these kids were drowning in seemed like a new experience for me. Toddlers my nephew's age, but cannot even walk, make eye contact, or say a word. Babies that simply lay in bed all day, and long for attention. I cannot even begin to explain it all. But it was at that moment, in the hospital, after having seen Ogra gypsy village last week and the poverty they live in, that I was faced with the question why. Why do these kids face such hard circumstances? This whole week has been a humbling experience for me as I worked through that question and many more. Yet I have been reminded that I have been called to "go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19), and that it is only by His grace that I can do so. "For my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). What a humbling reminder it is that though I cannot take each child home with me and offer them a "good" life, it is for God, and through God that I am here this summer to be his hands and feet, as a light in the darkness, and to share the hope of the world to these precious children.  

We spent a couple hours outside with the babies simply loving on them...

Georgiana (above) was such an active and curious little girl! 

Continue to pray for these kids, and for the kids we will have at camp this upcoming week! 

A planting of the Lord....

At orientation in Dallas, we were told of Livada's vision and of their main verses, Isaiah 61:1-3: 

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor. 
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives 
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor 
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, 
³     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes, 
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning, 
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor."

I am so blessed to be a part of such a great ministry this summer! Just thought I'd share this verse with ya'll! :) 

Most of the team is in town right now, and the rest of us are about to go meet them. Which means I am about to go call a taxi, in Romanian, and tell them where to come find us. Ha! This'll be fun! Stay tuned.... :) 

Romania: Week One

Salud!

This week has been packed with orientation, traveling, re-orientation, culture shock, new things and bonding experiences! Our first three days of the trip were spent in Dallas where we practiced our skits that we will be performing each week for camp. Below Chris, and Livada founder Bruce, practice an interpretive skit. Nothing like some good skit practices! :) 

On Wednesday we flew out of DFW early in the morning. The flights went well and we all made it to Tirgu-Mures (TM) safely. However, our 32 checked bags were stuck in New York. That was a bummer, but we came together and learned to share...it was definitely a bonding experience! :) Once we made it to TM we arrived at our house called Casa Rene. This house is still under construction, and once it is finished we will be sharing it with the mission team from America each week. Below is the view from our room...it never gets old! Such a peaceful little village! 

On Friday we spent the day working in Casa Rene (pictured above) and adjusting to the time zone. 

Saturday we went to Ogra, a gypsy village that 3 of our team members will be hosting literacy camps at all summer. It was a great time of games, seeing the village, and loving on the children! In the afternoon we went to the Livada Orphan Care (LOC) group homes to see the kids. Seeing the kids after three years was such a fun time, and I cannot wait until later this summer when we host youth group for them once a week and do other ministry with them!  This morning (Sunday), we hosted our own church just as a regrouping time for the team. This team is such an incredible group of God-lovers and we are all getting along great! We have yet to take an official team picture due to the busyness and such, but hopefully that will come soon.... :) 

Below are my roommates (left to right): me, Rachel, Courtney, Mary, and Hannah 

Saturday night was a fun time for most of us since all but two bags came in! Shower time! Yeah! Please be praying for those last two bags.... :) 

All in all, this week has been incredible. It hasn't been stressful, so we've been able to adapt to everything and continue to prepare our hearts for the busy summer ahead. Please continue to pray for strength, joy, and peace as we present the gospel to those around us!  

PACKED.

I'm ready! :) 

Tomorrow I go meet the team in Dallas, and on Wednesday we all fly out bright and early! Please pray for the other 11 interns and I as we all meet tomorrow, and begin our 3 days of orientation. Pray for unity, strength, peace, joy, and safety as we travel to Romania! I am so excited to see what God is going to do! Glory to God, forever! 

Never Alone.

I was searching videos of Livada on youtube and found this one. And let me tell you, it's a real treat! It's a good representation of Livada's ministry over in RO. I realized that in just 4 days I take that drive to Dallas and begin the orientation process before heading off to Romania. Man, what a blessing it is that I get to go and be a part of this! Thank You, Father! I am so excited! May these kids never be alone... 

Enjoy! 

Getting close!

7 days. That's it folks! I leave in 7 days to go meet my team in Dallas, and I am so excited! This morning the college group from my home church, Wedgwood Baptist, blessed me with prayers, a journal, and a sweet card (Thanks guys! :)). I realize how real it is becoming as I start saying goodbye to people, with statements like "see ya at Christmas!" Or, for a select few who are actually going to RO at the end of the summer with Wedgwood, "see ya in Romania"! I'm enjoying the moments with my friends and family, and it's going to be so hard to leave them all! But, it really is exciting and I can't wait to see how everything unfolds!  


So...do you want to keep in contact over the summer? Well, you can obviously read the blog. Email me: christina_michele92@yahoo.com. Skype me: christina.m.applegate. Write me: 


Fundatia LOC
Attn: Christina Applegate
Str. Lalelelor Nr. 1
Sancraiu de Mures
ROMANIA 
cod 547525 


Or, you could even try a pigeon-carrier. That would be cool! Whatever floats your boat. ;) 


Continue to keep us all in your prayers, that God would prepare the heart of my mine and the team's hearts and for the kids we are going to reach! 


Now for a song I have been in love with lately. Enjoy! :)