When Rich heard that Farrell was coming to Romania with the VBS team, he asked, "Why doesn't your father come too - and work alongside me?" David thought and prayed about it and enthusiastically signed on. Rich will keep him busy. David will have an opportunity to teach in various capacities - in large and small group settings. He will have an opportunity to address the churches we visit, teach a psalm (or Isaiah 55) at an old people's home, share and teach in the book of Romans with men Rich is working with, teach from John 20 in a church and hopefully encourage Rich and Sue. He will be able to draw from studies prepared teaching the Senior High Sunday School class at Westgate Church this year.
David 's spiritual gifts are in the teaching area - watering and encouraging. He seeks to use those gifts by the power of the Holy Spirit on this trip. David seeks your prayers as he works with a translator for the first time. He asks that you pray that God go before him and prepare the hearts and minds of those he would draw to Himself. Having been on a short term mission project to Venezuela before, he knows that the work you end up doing for the Lord is not always what you think it will be. So he prays that he will be flexible and open to God's leading before and during the trip. David is the father of four and asks for prayer for his beautiful wife, Rhonda, and Samuel (14), John (11) and Rose (7). Also, Rhonda (7/24) and Sam (7/31) both celebrate birthdays while David and Farrell are away! If you can encourage Rhonda, it is most welcome as she 'keeps it all together and makes our house a home.'
God "plucked David from the fire" over 20 years ago when a client shared the Gospel with him. He has had the privilege to be under great, solid teaching for many years by Westgate's Sam Hollo and countless hours of teaching from John MacArthur and the late
J. Vernon McGee - as well as others. It is interesting to note that, prior to being born again, David had no particular teaching ability. It is purely a gift and any credit is to God and his measure of grace.

Hi! I'm Farrell, a 17 year old looking forward to her senior year of high school. If I'm not working or out with a friend, you will find me reading a novel, surfing the net, or writing poetry. I love the Red Sox (although they are letting me down big time) and am trying to get ready for my field hockey season in the fall. Thanks for being interested in my Romania trip this summer! I can't wait to see what God is going to do with our team there.
Please keep us in prayer as our team heads out this week. We will be heading out to Romania to work at orphanages, old peoples homes, and CEF (a Christian organization located there). There are a lot of unknowns, and I will need people to pray that God will use me despite the language barrier and unfamiliarity of Romania. There is also a lot I am excited about. I cannot wait to go on this trip and share the love that God has planted into my own heart with others. I am hoping to braid the hair of some of the children there as a way of making lasting relationships; human relationships that can perhaps lead them to relationships with their Heavenly Father! I know that when I fly home, it will be amazing to look back on all God did with the Westgate Mission's Team in Romania!

This summer I will be going on a mission trip to Romania. I will be working with Rich and Sue. They are missionaries from our church who work with Greater Europe Mission in the province of Transylvania. Transylvania is Latin and means "beyond the forest." This area is also known for a real life Romanian named Vlad the Impaler who later was fictionalized into the character of Dracula.
We will partner with CEF Child Evangelism Fellowship to run a Vacation Bible School (VBS) in a town of anywhere from 50-200 children. As we do the VBS we will also be visiting orphanages and old folks home with the goal of spreading the gospel, the good news of Christ. We are taking with us children's treasures, candy, Kool-Aid, crafts from the United States to share with the children. We will be facing obstacles. The largest is the power of the Orthodox Church. If they find we are coming they will threaten their congregations, refusing to marry or baptize if they participate in this event. There are also human fears we need to overcome, like leaving the United States and being in a strange land. My job in this trip will be to organize and direct games for the VBS to entertain and get to know the children. My goals for myself are to become humble and to see how much God has blessed me and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to others.

My grandfather was a Romanian immigrant and the founder of two Romanian churches after he came to the US in 1907. He was a strong Christian who lived and demonstrated his faith in his everyday life. I grew up "in the church" and was also very immersed in Romanian culture during my childhood. I went to Romania at the age of 10, with my aunt and grandfather, and the memories of the people (my relatives), the culture, and the country have stayed with me throughout the years.

Today, I am 48, married and have three (almost adult) children. I live in and have worked in Natick with the US Army. I have a heart for the military and all those who serve to defend our country and our freedom. As a Christian, I try to give my best to all that I do in my everyday life and work. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." (Col. 3:23)

Several years ago, as Rich and Sue were preparing to move to Romania and become full-time missionaries, they had expressed their hope to arrange short-term missions trips after they were established in the country and the culture. That has stayed with me since they began "Rich and Sue's Excellent Adventure" and I kept it in my mind and heart, wondering if the Lord would lead me there someday.....

That "someday" is now here and I am very excited to be going with this team on my first mission trip. I look forward to seeing the country, the people, the children, and working with Rich and Sue and CEF to continue the Lord's work in a country that has particular significance for me. I am thrilled to be going back to Romania for this purpose and excited to be accompanied by my oldest daughter, also a member of the team. I anticipate it will be a life experience that will continue to shape me as a Christian.

My name is Lori and I live about 30 miles west of Boston, Massachusetts. I am the mother of three boys Jonathan 14, Matthew 12, and David 10. My wonderful husband Richard has agreed to take care of things at home to free me to go on an exciting mission trip to the country of Romania. I am traveling with the intent to serve and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of the rural area around the town of Sibiu in the province of Transylvania. I also have the privilege in traveling with my oldest son Jonathan.
Our group has planned a VBS for the youth, and will be visiting orphanages and old folks homes. We will have the opportunity to minister and encourage the believers by attending church teaching and sharing our testimony.
As we travel I would ask that you pray for a few things close to my heart. Please pray for the family I leave behind that all would run smoothly and they would be safe. Also pray for Jonathan and I that we would be open the leading of the Holy Spirit and share the love of God to all those we meet. We would grow, mature and develop a stronger walk with God. Finally, we would be bold and have the joy of sharing our faith with many. Thank you.

A few years ago, I was part of a short-term mission work team to Latvia and ever since then it has been on my heart to return to Eastern Europe. I was thinking about leading a team back to Latvia, but nothing seemed to be panning out. When I was at our all-church retreat in September our two Romanian missionaries were there. I started speaking to them about the desire God had laid on my heart concerning leading a team and they were very excited. Since then, God has put together a team of 8.

I recently retook my MCATs and just submitted my primary applications to medical school and therefore, feel that the "timing is right". God has been awesome by providing for our every need during these preparations, which has been very encouraging.

I am a 40 something year old woman who keeps busy with my husband and our three children. I work part-time as an occupational therapist in a school system and enjoy the rewards as well as the challenges of working with children with special needs. When I'm not working or spending time helping kids with homework or driving them to events, I enjoy taking long walks, playing the piano and reading.
The missions trip to Romania will be the first missions trip that I have ever been on. I went to the initial meeting to find out information for my daughter as I thought she might go. Instead, I became more interested and decided that I wanted to go even if my daughter decided not to. I'm thankful for the support and encouragement that my family has given me and I look forward to serving God in Romania in whatever capacity He chooses.

When I tell people that I'm Romanian, the usual response is a raised eyebrow followed by "Romanian, huh. That's interesting, are you going to bite me?" So when I heard about the opportunity to go to Romania with the church from my mother, I jumped at the chance to go. I'm no stranger to mission's trips, and I've always enjoyed the surprises that they bring.

Over here, I'm still a student at Gordon College with one more semester to go. Majoring in communications, I hope to find a job in that field sooner or later. Right now I'm working at the Olive Garden in Framingham, which passes the time and pays the bills. I'm also usually parked in front of the TV when the Red Sox are playing.

Life has thrown me alot of curve balls, and I'm hoping that this will be another, for these are the times that you learn the most about yourself and the ways in which you can help others, no matter where you may be, whether in Romania or in your home town.

Thank you for being interested in this trip, and please pray for all of the team members. God Bless.

• For Rich and Sue who are hosting the team, as well as, CEF (Childhood Evangelical Fellowship) who we are working with and who will be conducting all of the bible teaching.
• For the team members: Kathy, Tracy, Sydney, Lori, Jonathan, David, Farrell, and Shelley-that God would help us prepare and give us all the wisdom and resources while we are in Romania.
• For a few of the team members this is their first short-term missionary trip outside of the US and they are leaving kids and spouses back home. Therefore, that God will continue to encourage the team member as well as their spouses.
• That God would grant us unity within the team during the preparations. In addition, to cohesiveness as a team while in Romania and with CEF.
• That we would be an encouragement to the people of Romania, and to other Romanian brothers and sisters in Christ.
• That each one of us would return back to the United States having become closer to the Lord through being touched by the experience and truly seeing and/or feeling His presence.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Day 2

Peles Castle in Sanaia

Day 3

Outside the church in Poiana

David and Maria, the breadmaker

Day 4

Lori and one of the carriages

The kids at VBS

Day 5

Shelley and John at the old people's home

Tug of War during VBS

Shepherd and the sheep that walked past us during VBS

Day 6

Kids showing off the craft from yesterday

The group leading songs yesterday

Day 7

Farrell braiding one of the children's hair

The kids working on their VBS craft

Our final day at VBS.

The kids made their crowns and we put them on them.

Day 1

Hi Everyone!
The team is doing well. We made it safely to Amsterdam and will be heading to Bucharest in about two hours. We are all a little tired from lack of sleep, but feeling well. Many thanks for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray that all of our bags arrive and for a safe trip to Rich and Sue's house. We should be at their house sometime tomorrow.
In HIM,
--Shelley

Day 2

Hi Everyone!!!

The team and the Forsen's say hello. We arrived in Sibiu this afternoon and just finished a training session with the Forsen's and a pizza dinner. There were a few pieces of lost luggage, but God has been gracious and this arrived in Sibiu the same time that we arrived--Praise God! The attached picture is the team at Peles Castle in Sanaia., which we toured this morning. Prayer requests:

Weather--Romania has been having afternoon showers and this could pose challenges for VBS. Please pray that the weather will coperate with VBS.
VBS--Invitations were passed out this weekend for VBS and so we are uncertain how many children will attend. This could be great and lots of kids will come or it could pose difficulities with the Romainian Orthodox church. Many, many thanks for all your continued prayers and support. In HIM, The Romainian Team

Day 3

Good Morning,

The team is preparing for VBS for tonight--making name tags, putting crafts together, etc. We have really grown exponentially as a team over these last few days as well as having a heart for these people. It feels as if we have been here for a month and yet it has been only a few days. We spent Sunday in Poiana and we were all humbled by their love for us. They fed us amazing cheese, bread, and fresh vegetables until we literally rolled out of their house!

The attached pictures are of us outside the church in Poiana. That night, Sunday night, we had dinner at Maria's house, the breadmaker, and this is a picture of David and Maria.

Memorable moments (things to ask us about when we return): 1. Rich and Sue's amazing driving on the back roads of Romainia!! 2. Seeing team members talking about returning next year!! 3. Orthodox icons on the side of the road.

Prayer Requests:
1. VBS--Do not know how many kids we will have today, Monday,...could be 30 or could be 200. 2. As John prayed the other day, that the kids and people would see Christ in us. 3. Weather!! 200 kids in a small sanctuary for 2.5 hours could prove challenging. 4. That we will continue to grow as a team 5. Tracy and Sydney caught a cold on the flight over and a couple others have not been having good nights sleep.

Many thanks for your continued prayers and support.

In HIM,

The Romainian Team

Day 4

Good Afternoon!

Thank-you for your continued prayers!!! God has been awesome!! We had 32 kids come to VBS yesterday and our prayer is to have between 40-50 today. Unfortunately, it did rain yesterday afternoon and if we have anymore kids we shall all get a little wet.

Today, we spent the morning in the old peoples home and we were all touched by the people here! I think we all had a few tears in our eyes.

The attached picture is of the kids at VBS on Monday, yesterday, putting together their craft. The other picture is of one of our team members standing next to one of the carriages.

Memorable moments (Things to ask us about when we return): 1. The dogs and the chickens....
2. The cows always know where home is.
3. Wonderful food.

Prayer Requests:
1. VBS--the weather and that we will continue to have more children every day 2. Tracy was able to sleep this morning and is feeling better, but could still use your prayers for a complete recovery. 3. Sydney, is also feeling better, but please continue to pray for her for a complete recovery. 4. Sleep--some of the team members are still not sleeping well.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support.

In HIM,

The Romania Team

Day 5

Good Morning!!

I hope everyone is doing well and is happy and healthy :) The team says hello. Yesterday, we spent the morning at the old people's home in Slimnic and the afternoon at VBS. Unfortunately, we only had 15 kids yesterday. We are praying that more kids will attend today since we had over 30 attend on Monday.

The attached pictures are of Shelley and John at the old people's home, Tug of War during VBS, and the shepherd and the sheep that walked past us during VBS.

Memorable moments (Things to ask us about when we return): 1. Hearing the experiences of the old people at the old peoples home. 2. The herd....this even drew the team away from VBS. 3. David's prayer meeting last night--after working from sunup to sunset these people came to a prayer meeting at 9:00 at night.

Prayer Requests:
1. VBS--That we will not have any rain during VBS time and that more kids will come since we only had 15 this week. 2. Team members--Farrell is not feeling well--she is having some stomach discomfort; Kathy--is stiff and unfortunately has not slept for several nights; Sydney--her cold. 3. David will be teaching tonight in Poiana.

In HIM,

The Romania Team "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." John 15:9

Day 6

Good Morning!!

Many, many thanks for your prayers. Farrell is feeling better as well as Sydney. Also, we had 30 kids at VBS--Praise God!

Yesterday morning we had our daily devotional and then worked at CEF for a couple of hours on a mailing. In the afternoon, was spent preparing for VBS and then driving an hour up to the church where we are having VBS. The kids are adorable and love the games and crafts!

The attached pictures are of the kids showing off the craft from yesterday, Wednesday, and the group leading songs yesterday.

Memorable moments (things to ask us about when we return): 1. Davids and Tracy's Rom-English!
2. The outhouse.
3. We have a lot to learn from their hospitality--Peasants in the sheppard village in the mountains of Poiana putting out a feast that trancends our Thanksgiving

Prayer Requests:
1. VBS--It did rain yesterday and so we were unable to have games outside. There please continue to pray for the weather and that we will have a bountiful group of kids. 2. David--He will be preaching at Rich and Sue's home church here in Romania, Betania. This is a large, solid church. 3. The team--some members are still not sleeping well. Kathy did sleep last night which is awesome, but is still not feeling well. Also, their are some team members that have some stomach discomfort and cold/allergies.

Many, many thanks for your continued support and prayers. May God Bless you today.

In HIM,
--Shelley

Farrell is about to lead a devotional for the team on the following verse: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" Matthew 7:24

Day 7

Good Morning!!

God is awesome! We actually had partial blue skies and sunshine yesterday for VBS--Praise God. Also, we had 30 children attend. Overall, VBS has been going very well. The kids have truly enjoyed the crafts and the games, as well as the music and the story time. Today will be challenging for the team because this is the last day of VBS and we have all made some new friends in which we will have to say good-bye to.

The attached pictures are of Farrell braiding one of the children's hair yesterday, Thursday, during VBS (which the children truly loved) and the kids working on their craft.

Memorable Moments (things to ask us about when we return): 1. The children
2. The cheese

Prayer Requests:
1. VBS--the weather; that many kids attend today--the last day of VBS; we will be passing out invitations to the Jesus film this afternoon before VBS. 2. The team--Kathy has been running a temperature and not feeling too well. She just took her temperature now and it was normal--Praise God! Please continue to pray for Kathy. The rest of the team is feeling well, which is a blessing.

Many thanks for your continued prayers and support.

God Bless,

--The Romania Team

Sydney will be leading a devotional today on: Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Day 8

Good Afternoon!!

Sadly, this is the final email that I, Shelley, will be sending you all from Romania. The team has truly grown over this past week--becoming closer to the Lord, closer to one another, and having a heart for these people. Many of us know that we will be back in the future, which is making the good-bye's a little easier. It has been very humbling for me to see how God used each one of our gifts to produce an exceptional VBS program. Also, it has been humbling to see how the team has grown to have a love for these people and this country.

Kathy is feeling much better and has started eating again--Praise God!! Also, our other praise is that we did not have any rain during VBS.

Many, many thanks for all your love, support, and prayers during this past week. The team has been truly blessed. (They are all feeling well right now.)

The attached pictures are of our final day, Friday, at VBS. The kids made their crowns and we put them on them and then took a group picture.

Tracy is about to lead a devotional on Phil 1:12 "Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel."

See you all in a few days with many memories to share!

In HIM,
--The Romania Team