Romania

What can I say, when an old friend like Stephanie welcomes me and another (Mandi) into her home, even though we have not spoken in years, other than Bless God and Thank You and Leslie for your hospitality. Mandi and I felt so welcomed and just like family. Leslie and Stephanie were generous in their hospitality, cooking, touring (Sibiu and Transylvania), getting us meds we needed and even took us to the store for travel supplies. Then above all they introduced us to their friends and family in Christ Jesus.
We were in Sibiu for a week, like Berlin, and then we would have to leave for Budapest. Day one, we arrive late and because the trains in Romania are not as efficient as German trains Mandi and I had to keep watch on the towns and train crossings? =/ The train would randomly stop and people would get on and off the train. I am sure to a Romanian the process is usual but an American it does not. Well, we had a couple older men join Mandi and me in our box (usually holds six people) on the train and after about an  hour they decide to talk to us in Romanian and of course neither of us can speak Romanian. A natural tendency for me is to not smile and look away but most Americans would smile and shake their head. Mandi was that  American. They of course thought of it as a turn on and they  decided to sit closer, WELL that was enough for me and I said "we gotta go!" grabbed my backpack and walked out. The men got scared ran out of the box and Mandi and I were alone again, Praise God!!! Thank you everyone for your prayers. I need to learn to give Mandi better ques.
Day two thru seven. =o). Stephanie and Leslie took us to an outdoor museum, very amazing, then the Christmas market with Nike. So pretty but I cannot deny the warm wine was the best. The next day we shopped for Leslie's birthday and cleaned house. Lovely pool Leslie and Steph, Mandi and I had a great time swimming. =o) Friday, we prepared for the birthday and I was honored to cook. I have not cooked like that since I was a youth pastor. Hope you guys loved it because I loved making it. Saturday, we (a group of eight) went to Transylvania to Dracula's castle and it was not what I expected. The castle was white with brown trim and very beautiful.  We also went to another castle and tried to visit the Black Church but it was closed for the day. So we ATE yummy cabbage rolls. Now I do not like cabbage but they do not make it the same here as they do in the states. We have something to learn. Sunday, we had church and boy did we have church. I missed hearing those songs and it was actually the first time I sang since Kristy passed. I sure do miss her. We finally made or helped make (not really) pickled cabbage for the winter. Our last night in Sibiu Leslie made us, Tish and Mimi Indian food. Oh, so good. Mandi and I have that on our top five for best food in Europe. We then had to leave for Budapest with grateful hearts and very sad to leave our friends.
Romania will forever be in our memories and we will both continue to pray for the ministries in Romania but most of all for the people of Romania to forever know Jesus as their Savior.
Thank you again Stephanie and Leslie for your  kindness and generosity.
Lots of love from Munich,
Ana