Romanian Goodbyes

Being back overseas again I have moments where I can’t believe this is my life but at the same time, it’s also surprisingly normal. Every morning we walk a quarter mile to the church for ministry. Passing the same little shops, vendors, and locals of the community, we greet each other with a smile, wave saying some version of a Romanian greeting. “Buna!” (They have tried on several occasions to teach me to pronounce “Buna dimineata!” I’m still not 100% confident I’m saying it correctly 😉

On our way home from morning session, we’d stop at the grocery store across the street to pick up items for lunch and dinner. I say hello to the two male security guards. Martin is tall and has a firm handshake. Cornel has the biggest smile you ever did see.

I will never forget our final day in Dragonesti-Olt. It started off like any other. We woke early for a long travel day, I ate a strawberry yogurt with some granola, packed and helped clean the mission house where Gap L squad had been living the past 3 weeks. With time to spare my fellow squad leader, Sara asked if anyone wanted to join her for one final trip to the local grocery store for some last minute travel snacks.

Not necessarily in the market for munchies, I was hoping for one thing. I realized I hadn’t had much closure with those I had built relationships within town. As we walked, I was greeted with smiles and kisses on the cheeks from the two little Romanian ladies I had passed on the sidewalk each morning.

Entering the Profi market, I was excited to see that my favorite two security guards were working the day shift. Using broken English, a little Romanian and a whole lot of hand gestures, I was able to explain that we would no longer be seeing one another. That myself and the squad would soon be traveling to Ukraine. It was bittersweet, but I’m pretty sure they saw my heart in the gesture.

“If only I could say goodbye to Luchica.” I explained to one of the women on my squad. I had met Luchica while walking with my squad mentor Kacie. We struck up a conversation. Walking together for several blocks, I had no clue what she was saying, but I’m so thankful that a smile and laughter are universal.

Turning the corner down the snack aisle, right there in front of the candy bars, stood none other than my sweet friend Luchica! 

I literally jumped up and down saying her name over and over again. We embraced and we took a selfie together as she continually kept kissing me on the cheek. It was seriously such a sweet moment.

I had asked the Lord to see my friends one last time to say goodbye and he had answered my prayer.

I will continue to pray for those little Romanian women, my security pals and Luchica!

 

Who are some of the people the Lord has placed in your path on a daily basis?