Journey Together: Boulevard Baptist Church: College Team

(blogger posts the most recent - start at post entitled "Summer:Fast and Fun" to read the beginnings of this fun summer)

As soon as one team left, another arrived. Ellen and two other sponsors remained and 13 new people were arriving. We had just enough time to rest and gear up for the next exciting week. But this time, it was just me (Susan). Wes had left with Andy to pick up a group from Virginia at the airport and went to Craiova (southwestern Romania) to spend a week doing Bible clubs there. (You will read more about his week in another post). This week with Boulevard was going to be a little different but still exciting. Instead of spending most of the week in Bucharest and working at the Ruth School, we took a group of kids to the mountains, by train, for 3 days and were going to have club there. There was a contest at the school and the kids who won were taken on the trip. We took about 25 kids. While in the mountains, the college group sang songs, did arts & crafts, shared Bible stories and spent a lot of time playing outside. The weather was so beautiful, especially since Bucharest was having weather in the 100's. It was nice to be where it was cooler.

After returning to Bucharest, the group held another club at the school for just one day and this was great because it allowed other kids who didn't come to the mountains to come here. That evening was a special time. We attended a prayer service at the church that was immediately followed by a dedication service at the school. The sports room was completed and was dedicated in memory of the daughter of one of the couples who were on this trip. Their daughter had been to Romania before and fell in love with the people and the country. A few years ago she killed in a car accident and it was their wish to carry out her dream. It was their first trip to Romania. Their son also came on this trip. It was a wonderful service and I know it meant a lot to the family.

Dedication Service of the new sport room

The group was leaving the next day and taking the train to Budapest. They were meeting Ralph and Tammy Stocks (our supervisors) for a few days of sightseeing. I was really lucky this week because I got to spend a lot of time with this group. Ellen invited me to bunk with her at the Ruth Center since Wes was away. I enjoyed our days and our evenings and enjoyed seeing the love the students had for Project Ruth.

Over the last few weeks I have made some wonderful relationships with the people of Boulevard Baptist Church, ones I will keep forever. I was also very sad to see Ellen go. She has been such a good friend to me and a wonderful role model. I look forward to the next time I get to see her, either here or in South Carolina.