Hello everyone, this is Kip tapping in for probably our final blog post. As I sit here on the final hours of our last flight, looking at the familiar faces of the students and leaders that I’ve spent the past two weeks with, I am reminded of the power of community. Throughout the entire trip, this team has been an unbreakable foundation upon which we can freely share our thoughts, feelings, and worries without judgement. I am truly blessed and lucky to have the opportunity to be surrounded by such an amazing group of God-fearing friends. There are so many stories and jokes that we’ve had a chance to create, from one of Julian’s many ridiculous and hilarious songs to the times spent awake at a ludicrously late hour goofing around. In addition, the relationships I and the team made with the Romanians this year were eye opening and life changing. Before arriving in Craiova, I personally was a bit anxious about being able to open up more and build more relationships this year, especially considering I didn’t feel like I got close with many of the Romanians last year. But there was one guy named David that I had gotten tight with, and he made me feel right at home when I greeted him this time around. We both love cars and rock music, so we spent quite a bit of time discussing whether AC/DC is overrated or not and the differences in the American and Romanian car markets, among many other eye-catching topics. He was an extremely important figure in my journey this year and helped me create many lasting relationships with other Romanians this year. By the end of our time in Romania, I felt like I could be myself around everyone I talked to; there was an indescribable sense of safeness and inclusivity that I’ve never felt before. Although leaving Craiova early on Sunday morning was one of the hardest goodbyes I’ve had to endure, I am inspired by how God showed his grace and kindness to me through amazing people like David and the rest of the Romanians. Returning home will be a tough pill for me to swallow, but I return with the comfort of knowing that as long as I stay committed to surrounding myself with a God-fearing community, my fears and worries about this world with sort themselves out. Thanks so much to all that prayed for us on our journey and to all those still hanging around reading this post, and we will see you all shortly.

-Kip

Shoutouts:

TO KIP SULLIVAN: HELLO KIP SULLIVAN

To George: Hello George, I hope to see you at school tomorrow and I hope your pet tortoise “walaweegius” enjoys his spa day.

To walaweegius: I love you walaweegius, I hope that you think of me during your spa day, remember to ask for Mcgundus to do your shell wax.

Hello friends and family, this is Cade. As our team was preparing to head to Romania the biggest fear that I had was that I would send a second straight year not making good connections with Romanians. I was nervous for camp because it’s the reason we’re here and I felt like I was bound to waste my time there being awkward. Now that camp is over and we’re on our way out of Romania I can see that God answered my prayers and made those worries seem silly. Thinking back, the final day of camp was predictably the most memorable day. I was a part of the drama team which put together a short skit about the power of faith set to the song “What Faith Can Do”. I had never participated in something like this throughout my whole life and didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when I volunteered. I felt like I was in way over my head when practicing for the performance on the final night of camp, watching teammates both American and Romanian who regularly participate in drama made me second guess being a part of that team. But again, God proved that these worries that I was having were unnecessary. Those who had experience and knew what they were doing were patient and quick to help those of us who were knew to this sort of thing. Before long dinner time came and there was still much to do to be prepared for the final evening session of camp. Many of us ate our dinner quickly and rushed back upstairs to continue preparing in our various roles. This short time we had to finish getting ready was one of the most enjoyable times of the whole trip. I think it had something to with the incredible teamwork that took place that could only be achieved by a team that was put together by God and knows and loves each other as much as we do. Every single person had a part to play in the night and I felt that it was easy to see what everyone’s role was and how they were being used.

From motions to worship to the drama to the message every part of the night had its own unique impact on the campers and prepared them for the discussions that night. The atmosphere of our small group on the final night was noticeably different than that of the other nights of camp. Not to say our small group was not productive on other nights, we had incredible conversation throughout the week, but it was easy to see that this night was different. The campers were actually quieter than they had been the whole week but that was not discouraging, it was clear that there was internal processing of the events of the night going on inside of everyone. I can’t think of many times in my life that I’ve been able to so clearly see God working, and even saying that I know he was doing so much more than what was visible to me. Thank you so much for reading and I ask that you pray for our time in debrief and that we can effectively process our time at camp and in Romania while still amongst our teammates.

Hi all! This is Elise.

I’m writing this in a hot van, about 4 hours in on our trip back to Craiova. And while I am not physically comfortable right now, my heart is full. Yesterday was our last full day of camp, and we made the most of it, spending a lot of time connecting with the campers. After a morning full of outdoor games, it rained in the afternoon, so we set up crafts and games indoors. I ended up playing a game of Signs. Signs involves passing an “invisible ball” across a circle of people by signaling to others with a motion or sign that they chose at the beginning of the game. One person stands in the middle of the circle and tries to guess who has the “ball” as it is passed around behind their back. This was such an interesting game to play with a mix of Romanian and English speakers because all the nonverbal communication mostly defeated the otherwise challenging language barrier. There was confusion, but plenty of laughter too.

Even with moments like the signs game, the language barrier had been a challenge for me personally. I had found it difficult to connect with certain campers because of conversation limits. By the fourth day of camp, I was worried I wouldn’t even be able to form real relationships with the girls in my small group. But as our last two days continued, I tried to sit by a couple of these girls during a few meals and evening sessions (this may sound simple, but there was a sort of scramble for seats during these times that often left leaders sitting together). I found that even this small (and awkward) action could create a connection. And while I’m not best buds with any of the campers, I did get goodbye hugs from the girls in my small group today! 😊

One last note: We are now back in Craiova! I have been told how much returning to Craiova feels like coming home, and now I truly understand the feeling (don’t worry Mom, I’m still coming back to Madison). It is comforting to be back in a familiar place, and amazing to shower without sharing the shower with other girls’ hair. I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re sad that camp is over, but at the same time, we are all breathing a sigh of relief now that we don’t have to be high-energy all the time.

Thanks for reading! – Elise

Shout outs!

To Owen: Good luck this weekend!

To Mom and Dad: Have fun sitting in the heat for hours. Love you! – Elise

To Owen (still Owen Chester): I miss you! Love, Luke & Leah

To Jake Genyk: I had a dream about my shirt last night… Expecting great things! – Ashton

To Larry: Can’t wait for the Spring Green golf outing! – Kip

To George: George… Georgie… I am so EXCITED FOR YOUR LAST DAY OF VACATION ON THE CRUISE. Make sure to not eat too many deep fried mushroom stew shrimp balls! And um p.s. do not spend too much time in the kiddie pool. Chlorine will ravage your skin!

To Emmett: Love ya, you old codger. Can’t wait to give you some belly rubs! – Matt

To Arthur Immanuel Ernst: Welcome to the world! Love, Auntie Missy

To Arthur Immanuel Ernst: CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BIRTHDAY! I LOVE YOU     -jULIANWJESTLERUJD

To Nikki: Apparently, I’m y(o)u now.

To Noah Pollard: I was just called Pickles today, so no worries. Also, I did a special chomp with a motion and sound effect in the camp video. Hope you see it. Miss you. – Luke Sweeney Stevens. PS no Tylenol pm was consumed on this trip

To all Memorial swimmers: Good luck at All City (Go RW)! – Matt and Elise