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From Romania to Africa: Ministry Update

Hello everyone, its been a while since I last wrote. This week I am going to try and put out two blogs because I have a lot to share. I am currently in my final week of the race and preparing to go home this weekend. What a journey it has been. In this blog I just want to give a quick summary of what our ministry has been over the past 4-5 months. I encourage everyone to read for a glimpse of what has happened.

I think the last time I wrote we were in Albania so let’s pick up from there. After finishing our time in Albania we spent two months in Romania. For the first month we really focused on the youth in the city of Craiova. Our squad hosted youth game nights every weekend, daily worship nights, and a beauty for ashes event for the women. We also visited Roma (gypsy) communities to pass out food, sing worship songs, and share a quick message. As our first month was coming to an end we woke up to the news that war had broken out just a border away in Ukraine. Our squad of course was eager to help in any way. We spent a week in Brasov, debriefing the last few months and training for the work we would be doing with Ukrainian refugees. We partnered with Pastor Raul and Hope Church Romania, a church that was and is truly bringing light to the darkness. Since we couldn’t drive our job was to help make this transition for the families and church as easy as possible. We prepared/cleaned the homes where families would stay, cooked meals, loaded vans with supplies that would be driven over the border into Ukraine, and prayed over the people coming in and out of the church. Raul and his people drove countless of hours all over Europe to get these families to safe places, whether it was to extended family or to another church that was willing to help. Through Gods provision and donations to the church, Raul was able to provide food, clothes, and houses for the families until they were able to get back on their feet.

It is hard to put into words what this month meant to me, and to be honest I am still processing parts of it. But one thing I can say is that I truly saw Gods light in such a dark time where we saw so much evil and hurt in this world. I saw strangers come together to help and bring comfort to those whose life has just changed forever. I saw people open their homes for families who just lost theirs. I saw restaurants provide meals, hotels open their rooms. Communication was really hard at times due to all of the different language barriers but I saw love and compassion breakdown every wall. There were so many amazing testimonies throughout this month. One day a van full of refugees had come in. Our pastor had wanted to communicate and pray over the people and the only person who could speak English in the group was a Muslim man. In this moment he stepped up and translated the prayer for Pastor Raul. Another special memory I have while we were in Craiova was when we threw a surprise birthday party for one of the Ukrainian girls. It was her seventh birthday and her parents said how her last two birthdays have been affected from COVID, so they really wanted to make this one special for her. We filled the church with decorations, had cake, played just dance, and had a sweet little celebration for her. It was truly beautiful to see all of the Ukrainian families, and teams come together to celebrate and be each others family in a place that was different for everyone. I wish I could talk more about this month. There were so many special moments from our time here but if I tried to write them all out, I would literally be posting a book so for now I will leave it here and move on to Africa.

Our first month in Africa, my team was placed in Mokhotlong, Lesotho. We lived in a village up in the mountains which was absolutely beautiful. Lesotho has actually been nicknamed Kingdom in the Sky, and after living there for a month I can see why. Before arriving in Mokhotlong we had planned to be working with an orphanage and a hospital with HIV patients. However, when we arrived we were informed that due to COVID none of that ministry would be possible. Our team was disappointed and after that news we didn’t know what to expect. But God showed up, and the next day we found out that we would be able to work with the Harvesters Hillock Christian School. So in the mornings we gave 15 minute devotionals at the hospital and the school, and then for the rest of the morning each of us would be teaching different grades. Me and my teammate Emmery, taught third grade together which was so much fun. This was the only school in Lesotho that taught English which was a huge blessing. We were able to form strong relationships with the children and love on them throughout the 3 weeks there. Looking back this month honestly turned out to be one of my favorites. I absolutely loved teaching those kids, each of them have a special place in my heart. I gave my testimony at the church, and gave devotionals at the school and church which was really big for me. Being back in nature helped me connect so much more with the Lord and I was able to begin processing this past year of my life.

My final couple of the weeks on the field has been spent in Eswatini formerly known as Swaziland. We are finishing out the race with an all squad month which has also been so special. And in this final month we have partnered with an AIM base to work with a few of their 40+ care points around the country. Our squad splits up into small teams each day to drive to different points. At these care points we are mainly working with children where the majority has experienced some type of trauma in their life. In the mornings we help out with the preschool, where we sings lots of songs, play many games, and assist the teacher in any way. In the afternoons, our team works with the shepherd of the care point. The shepherd basically takes care of all the children in this zone. This can range anywhere from just a few children to over 30 kids. We are there to love the kids, share the Word of God, and just be an example to them of what it means to follow Christ. It has been so sweet to pour into the children, there is so much love and joy from each and every one of them. For me, this ministry has been a great way for me to end the race.

In less than a week I will be flying back home to the states. I feel like I have barely scratched the surface of everything that has happened in the past few months. With that being said, I am so excited to share this journey with those who have supported and followed along over the past year. If you want to hear more please do not hesitate to reach out. If you are interested in doing missions work and maybe even the world race please feel free to ask questions. I would love to share stories and testimonies from this experience to anyone who is willing to listen so please please reach out. I will be back home on May 29 and will be ready to share!

Thank you,

Daliah 

 

 

2 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing from Romania to Eswatini! What joy you bring to those around you, and the space you left has been felt by the squad. Wishing you all the best as you enjoy this time with your family! See you soon!

  2. We love you, Daliah!! I pray everything God has taught you over the last year will be sealed deep in your heart. Travel safe… can’t wait to see you soon!

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