August Update

Every time I think about creating an update these days, I feel daunted. What on earth can I share? What could I write? "No one at home will understand... Some of the inward struggles I have, I haven't shared with anyone at all..." I think to myself.

A nearby town, vantage from the highway

Five minutes of google research will tell you where I'm at in my process. Start by looking up 'culture shock', which should more accurately be called 'the process of assimilation'. It's not the initial shock that is an issue for anyone. What you would find in your google search is that after the first period, which is always called 'the honeymoon phase,' there is a difficult time characterized by frustration with the surrounding culture, and other possible factors, such as loneliness, sensitivity, and fatigue. The following phases include a return to positivity.

I'm in the frustration phase.

I rarely take pictures during ministry. This is in Corbești.

I could tell everyone that I love Romania, that I love Romanians, that I love the landscape, my work, the language, the food and culture, my day-to-day life, etc. That's all true to some extent, but it's not the whole truth. If I said those things and included some exclamation points, it would be unsubstantial drivel, as well as dishonest.

The opposite is true, too, of course. The rural villages are refreshing to be in. We drove down to Constanța on the Black Sea, through hills and mountains, flatlands and rolling farmland. The Sea is like Lake Michigan: dark-watered, cool, and relatively calm-surfaced, with graying, gritty beaches. It is, however, salty.

While I was in Constanța, I walked an hour to the old section of the city on a Sunday morning. I passed a Turkish-influenced mosque with its imposing spires and symbols. I passed countless stray cats, so common to that city. After a while, I had a traditional Romanian breakfast at one of the only restaurants open so early, and went on to a service in a tiny, weathered church. That was a magical morning. Wandering with purpose alone through a quiet city is a thrilling experience.

A random, imposing building in old Constanța

An elderly couple in "Corbesht"

We recently got to go back to Corbeşti-- finally! It is a small village that YWAM Târgu Mureș has built connection with. We haven't been able to go in quite a while. Last time I was there, I decided I would buy a brush and some colorful hair ties, because most of the little girls there have a hard time keeping their hair tidy. There is only one water source besides the trash-filled ravine, so their hair (and bodies) are usually pretty dirty. They also have very long hair, most of them, so it gets tangled. They love it when I start braiding their hair! It's something that needs no translation. …And of course, this village speaks Hungarian, which I know only five words of-- "yes, no, ohmygod, come, hello," so the language barrier is even greater in Corbeşti than in Târgu Mureș.

Sweet little guy whose family I got to help

Something that does frustrate me is the begging population here. There are generations upon generations of people here, whose livelihoods are begging. They are known to hurt their children, so that they will look more pitiful and get more money. They are known to abuse systems intended to help them. I've seen some of the same ones several times, which makes sense, because many of them are known to not desire to work or get out of their begging situation. What to do?? Imagine knowing these things, and approaching these people, without being able to speak their language. What would you do? What would you do if you knew you would see people like this multiple times a day? What is truly merciful? I have some ideas... I'm not asking for a solution, but rather, sharing my daily experience.

Something that the Lord has been teaching me in the last few months is to trust Him, and be faithful to what He's called me to. I've been going back to favorite standbys, like Psalms, and working my way methodically through the end of the Old Testament. He is good, and His mercy does endure forever. His character indeed does not change; it's a firm foundation to base everything else upon.

Pray with me as I push through culture shock and staff the DTS here. Please also pray with me as I discern some challenging questions. Also, if you are praying for me or my DTS, please pray with us that we would be able to travel outside of Romania for outreach despite current rising 'plague' numbers, and that our students would be fully funded and supported.

Thank you, friends! Your encouragement is balm to my soul!

Warmly,

Ruthie Jo