Penny's From Heaven

So, pondering seems to be my theme for the week. Too much is going on in my brain to try and describe everything so, I'll stick to a few.

World Trade (?...I think, World something...) did a survey of all the countries in the world and found Romania to be the least happy. With, the Jiu Valley being the least happy place in Romania. I just connected the dots to this today. I chose to come and live for 3 1/2 months inthe most unhappy place in the world?? (i recognize this is only according to one survey).
I can see the possibilities of Romania being so unhappy. The apathy of people, the stone-cold stares one recieves when walking on the street, the thoughts that no matter what is wrong (however big or small) it is someone elses, someone higher ups job to take care of it, and the thought that anything that is western is better...merely because it is western. Constantly comparing themselves with other things breeds a bitter state of mind, mix that with the fear and apathy that was ingrained into the country's conscience under communism and, it isn't hard to see how you would get a country that ranks low on a happiness scale.
However, facts like this make me excited to be here. Why? Because the foundation that I am studying with (and working with and being an active part of!!!) is effecting this culture. The youth in IMPACT are really trying to recreate this nation. And, the amazing thing is...they're doing it. They are making small inroads but, each one seems so huge. AND the impact model has been proven to be so successful and successfully reproducable its making its way to other parts of the country, other post-communist countries, and now (as in today) even countries like Honduras.
I feel like I should give an example because I am doing a bad job at explaining. A few years ago one of the Impact clubs in Lupeni decided to clean up the river that runs through town. So, they spent time planning it; organizing where they wanted to clean, how they would do it, why they would do it, and when. When the day came the youth were out cleaning the river and people in Lupeni would go get their trash and dump it on them while they were cleaning, telling them that what they were doing was pointless and stupid. Recently, the other Lupeni club decided to do the same thing and this time there was no trash thrown. In fact, some of the people that walked passed them even stopped to help.
Thats huge.
It's really profound.
And somehow I have been blessed enough to experience it first hand.


On an entirely different note -
Penny Market opened yesterday. Small town supermarket for sure, but has a much different feel than anything you would find in the states. Who knew there was such a thing as supermarket courtesy? I had no idea until I entered Penny Market and realized people really didn't understand how to move about in aisles and how to form lines...and stay in them. It was also a shock to see a police officer on duty at the front of the store, gates you have to walk through (like at subways) to actually enter the store, and you can't leave without buying anything. so...yea...I am not completely convinced that Lupeni was ready for such a thing...we'll see what the next few weeks bring.

I love Romania right now. For what it is, and more for what I see it becoming. In the mornings I walk a half hour through stonefaced people to get to class, no one acknowledging that we are passing. Then, at night I go to an Impact club or a church meeting and see a whole different side and face of Lupeni reflected in the teenagers there. And, sometimes in the morning, I get to pass them on the streets! Its the little things here that one has to hold on to for hope. Little Penny's from heaven!
peace!