It started as a fairly normal morning until I received a call about four siblings who had been found abandoned. They are young (12, 8, 6, and 5) and in that moment, they needed somewhere safe to go.
You know what’s always amazed me?
How something as simple as a college student saying “yes” to a summer can turn into something much bigger over time.
For years, we’ve had students come serve with us. They arrive not fully knowing what to expect but come willing. And somewhere along the way, something shifts. You see it in how they connect, how they listen, how they begin to care about people in a deeper way. And then, years later when you start hearing it in their stories.
The back of the picture says 2005. That was the first teen trip to Romania from my home church—and honestly, it started something bigger than anyone probably expected. After that, teams kept going every few years… until life, leadership changes, and Covid hit pause.
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to be at Praxis 2026 at the Eastern European Bible College. One of the participants, Ionuț Cornea, shared a reflection that has stayed with me—and I wanted to pass it along because it speaks to something we all need.
Here’s the truth he started with:
God finds pleasure in us… before we do anything.
Last Sunday at Impact Church was one of those moments that reminds us why this work matters.
For so many students, faith can feel distant or uncertain and they are not quite sure how to take their next step. That’s where the church is able to step in and create a place where they can see what it looks like to follow Jesus.
As January comes to a close, we are still getting reports from Romania about the good work that is being done because of your generosity at Christmas time. Covid-19 continues to disrupt our abilities to visit with people in a timely manner because of local government restrictions, but our team remains diligent and continues to do their best to get to everyone as they are able.
For children living in orphanages or poor communities in Romania, getting basic needs met can be a challenge. They may lack clothing to keep them warm in the cold Romania winters. Or, school may be a challenge because they don’t have the necessary supplies to be successful. Without their basic needs met, Christmas can be a bleak season for these kids.
This week, I reviewed the Christmas card we are sending to our partners to invite them to join us in providing Christmas for the children in Romania and Tanzania. This time of year always builds excitement in me because it is by far my favorite annual outreach that Remember the Children does. So many stories could be told of the many meaningful engagements we have had with young people over the years as we have shared Christmas with them.
I recently had someone ask me when I have felt most afraid in my time serving overseas. I think some of my greatest fears and times of exercising deep prayer have been on turbulent flights across the Atlantic. In all sincerity, I thin the times I should have felt fear, I have been too entrenched in the moment to allow any emotion to overcome me.
