Kim's Krazy Fall Kapors

October 2005

Oh beautiful Fall! Walking the streets of Timisoara today, I enjoyed the warm sunshine as it cut through the crisp, brisk morning air. My nose was busy enjoying the smells of wood burning sobas (home heaters) and fresh bread as my mind reminisced about other autumns spent in another country enjoying the brilliant fall colors or a lively college football game. I couldn’t help but praise God for the awesomely diverse life He has granted me. Although each country is completely different, God has left his undeniable imprint of beauty on every one.

While visiting the piata to buy vegetables, bread, and sheep cheese straight from the farm, Romanian flowed unhindered from my lips. Praise the Lord, I have finished my Romanian course! Each day of venturing out in the community or helping at church, now widens my vocabulary, sharpens my grammar and more importantly deepens relationships with those around me.

It is such a blessing to be able to visit the neighbors and share Christ as well as pray with little difficulty. Over the last few months, I have had more opportunities to go to visit villages, friend’s families, and other churches. I can’t describe what a thrill it is to actually be able to read passages of Scripture in Romanian or sing hymns and worship songs. Praise God for His strength to learn Romanian so quickly!

After shopping at the piata, I navigated myself, and 4 heavy bags of produce, through the full streets to the bus stop. Most families (and myself) do NOT own a car so walk or use buses and trams to get around. Taking the bus everywhere gives me much time to observe the culture and people around me. It can be a very amusing activity, but it also reminds me of the deep spiritual need here. I have NOT met a Romanian yet who doesn’t consider himself religious and yet they don’t have the peace or joy that a true relationship with Jesus Christ gives. What a privilege it is to help them see the good news of Jesus Christ in the Bible they grew up with.

The Rom (Gypsy) people, on the other hand, may have heard of God and the Bible, but almost never go to church and definitely don’t consider themselves religious. It truly is a deep pleasure then to teach Vacation Bible School to 37 Rom children, like I did at the beginning of September. It was my first time teaching in Romanian and I was very nervous, but the Lord strengthened me. The kids understood just fine and truly enjoyed learning about Jesus through His self-affirmations in John, “I am the Bread of Life” and “I am the Light of the World.” We will be studying Jesus’ other 5 self-affirmations in the last few classes that remain before I leave for the U.S.

Yes! I said I am coming back to the U.S. for a visit in November. I was soaking in Romania to determine how I might describe it when I return. This will be a short visit mainly to attend a 3 day Strategic planning meeting for the Romanian missionary team as well as take care of some personal business. Sadly, this means I will not be visiting all of you, but I will extend an invitation for you to visit me here in Romania!!
Upon my return in December, I will be moving to Salonta to begin my permanent ministry work. Salonta is 2 hours north of where I am unfamiliar with the people there. Much prayer is needed as I get to know these people, learn their needs, and try to determine what God would have me to do to help. I am excited to start new children’s and women’s ministries, but very nervous as I realize what a great task the Lord has given me. I am so thankful for God’s Word which promises that God strengthens those He calls and makes them able to do the work.

This last Tuesday, while everyone was home sick, I alone tried to teach the 20 kids who attended the midweek service here at the Rom church in Timisoara. Humanly speaking, it was a sheer disaster. No one stayed in their seat, everyone was distracted and I was at a loss as to what to do. I ended the class by leaning against the door and in the middle of the chaos praying to God in English to work in these kids hearts and give them a desire to learn about Him. This group of kids is the rowdiest I have EVER worked with in my life. The Heisey family and I pray constantly for God to work miraculously in their lives so a night like this was a great let-down to me. Slightly discouraged, I returned home to find out that God had been working! The Sunday evening before 4 children accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour! Praise His Name! He truly is faithful in not letting His Word return void! Just another reminder to me that I am only the instrument and He is the One who does the work! May the Lord continue to work in these young lives and call many more to Him.

Exclamations & Expressions
Every language has its own colloquial phrases used to express everyday feelings. My friends are the first to admit that I love to use such expressions to liven up a story and truly express the oddity of a situation, but it’s a whole other ball game when you try to translate those expressions into another language. Here are a few fun examples:

“Big deal” – Mare brânză - actually translates as “Big Cheese”
“A whole other story” – Altă mâncareă de peşte – actually is “Other fish food”
“He’s gone (crazy)” – El este dus cu barca – actually is “He’s out with a boat”
“What ya doin? Wasting time?.” – Ce faci? Tai frunzi la câine? – actually is “What ya doin? Cutting leaves for the dog?” – Answer: “Da, şi lemn la gâscă.” (Yes, and wood for the goose! :)
“Take a hike!” – Plimbă ursul - actually is “Go walk the bear!”
“Miss Kim” – Sora Chin – actually translates as “Sister Torture” J
Opah! (Oops!) Maybe it’s time to change names! Well, at least the kids are warned!


Praise!
Romania granted me a 6 month visa! Thank you for your continual prayers as this process will repeat until I earn permanent residence status in 6 years.

Prayer Requests
*A safe and productive trip to the States
*Strategic planning for our whole Romanian missionary team – November 16-18th
*Transition to permanent ministry in Salonta
*Wisdom in starting a ministry with the Rom children and women
*Rom church leadership—Integrity and Faithfulness
* Continued spiritual growth in young Christians