December 4: 3 days left.

Living in Romania, I have learned, is not for the high-strung. Some part of everyday could be wrapped up in the phrase, “the only thing that is for certain is that nothing is for certain.” Many things have happened in our time here that has completely changed the look of the day, week, or semester completely. Water turns off regularly, the internet is never trustworthy, things break (a lot), messages don’t always reach everyone, and life sometimes seems to run merely on the basis of change. As an American living in Romania, you become vastly aware of all the conveniences we have in the States. Things are more complicated here and every feat (especially if it requires any sort of paperwork) takes a great deal of time and energy.
Lupeni is a city in paradox. It is a desolate valley surrounded by the most beautiful mountains, it is a city where people are disconnected yet rely on each other when something goes wrong, and it is an apathetic city that is slowly working to bring about change. Experiencing this city has been confusing at times because it seems that nothing can be said about the valley without being qualified. There are many great things at work in the valley and even though we have only been here a few short months, we have witnessed changed. We have been able to see the future of the valley through the vision of the Foundation and in the eyes of the youth. We have been blessed in many ways throughout all of our experiences.
On top of everything, we have got to study and work alongside an organization that is the first of its kind; a profound ministry that is revolutionizing things here in Romania. The youth that we are around in the IMPACT clubs, though they may be a minority, are initiating this transformation. They are participating in a movement larger than themselves; a movement that has started here in the valley and is spreading throughout the country and the world, and we were granted to get a peek into its workings.
The first time I heard about Romania and the Romania program I was told to “be careful because Romania is a place that will stay with you, it will get into heart”. I don’t think I could have found this statement to be truer. After living in this city, meeting the people, and working with the foundation, all of the things that could cause frustrations and annoyances have become funny quirks about Romania that I will miss a great deal because, along with all these frustrations come the great blessings that Romania brings.
“You will never be completely at home again, because a part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place” – Miriam Adeny.