Hello there!

I write you from where I sit in Johannesburg, South Africa. We are transitioning from two and a half months we spent in Romania. We spent two weeks in a small village called Dragonesti-Olt, then two weeks in Craiova partnered with Hope Church Romania (Biserica Esperanza), followed by a month spent in Alba Iulia, Romania serving Biserica Armonia (Harmony Church).

This was from one of our first days doing trash pick-up in Dragonesti-Olt. This was a tiny village town that felt as if we stepped back 30 years in time. It had remnants of soviet era Romania all over it.

We spent time serving in Roma communities. The Roma are a group of people who migrated to Europe from India and Bangladesh back in the day. There is a stark contrast between the Roma and Romanians. 

The Roma live only minutes from modern cities in villages that don't often have electricity or running water. 

Most are uneducated as they don't have access to supplies and their families don't see the value in education.

Romanians look down on the Roma as they often operate in swindling, stealing and deceit to get by. Another term that you may recognize them as is 'gypsy'.

We brought the communities lunch bags from the food bank and played games, danced, and taught Bible stories to the kids.

We also served at a school program hosted by Romanian volunteers.

We happened to be in the neighboring country Romania when the Russian invasion began. 

Hope Church Romania did not shy away from immediately pivoting efforts from their routine ministry to step in and help with the refugee crisis. This is the first of many convoys that were sent to Ukraine to pick up families seeking refuge. 

We would take the Ukrainians out and about around the city to get them acclimated with their new surroundings and to take their mind off of what is going on back at home.

I’ve always found myself thousands of miles away from disastrous world events wishing that I could do more. It was a memorable moment to get to serve with Red Cross Romania preparing palettes of supplies to be sent into Ukraine.

We unloaded and sorted multiple donation shipments of supplies to be taken into Ukraine.

We intercepted a truck of supplies on its way to Ukraine from Germany.

We used donations to buy nonperishable supplies for incoming Ukrainians.

There are the faces that had to say goodbye to their father who had to stay and fight in war-torn Ukraine. They have little communication with him as power is out.

Last I'd heard is that there is one bridge that is the entranceway to this family's village and the Russians had bombed it. This has left hundreds cut off from the world.

I was able to host a Beauty for Ashes woman's event that had a turnout of about 60 women. Many signed up to help Hope Church with the Ukrainian refugee crisis at the end. 

Something super exciting that I've grown in on this Race experience has been my ability to network with people and create opportunities. We have had the chance to serve with Red Cross, a youth center, different churches, a YWAM base, and a special needs school through the connections I have made on the field. Truly, you never know until you ask. It's always worth a shot! :-) 

This is a portrait of me drawn at a special needs day school I got to visit.

Actual ministry from the Race itself has not been what I expected. It has looked like a lot of street evangelism and children's ministry. I'm slowly discovering that God has designed me to be fearless in the face of extreme adversity. I desire to be in the thick of the heaviness. I had to be held back from charging into Ukraine in a convoy myself. I find so much fulfillment in pulling people out of rough situations and discipling them through it. I'm excited to see how God will use these giftings in the future. 

 Some of my sweetest moments during the Race have come from the unique experiences we have with the locals we meet.

This man took us to the top of the clock tower in a citadel in Alba Iulia, Romania! 

We got to pray healing over his injured knee after. He used it to climb two flights of stairs for us just to show us this lovely view.

Apparently, we're not supposed to ring the bell. Oops!

One of the most incredible things I’ve been able to see on the Race is the Salina Turda! It is an underground amusement park in an old salt mine.

It had lick-able walls!

This is a real-life shepherd! We got to pet and feed his sheep.

Thanks so much on keeping up with this insanely challenging & transformational journey. I will be home in less than two and a half months! We will spend the rest of our time in South Africa split between Johannesburg & Eswatini. 

Please pray for more endurance, clarity of mind, & rest as I prepare to transition back to the States.

All the love,

Lindiwe (my African name- which means the one who has waited patiently on God for a prolonged time)