DTS Constanta 2009

I can’t believe this is our last night in the Philippines at this wonderful base with these wonderful people! We have been so busy while we have been here with all the different ministries and it has been such a wonderful blessing for us. Last night, Pearl, Cherrie and Dulce came upstairs to our room and lit candles and played music and set up a little salon Pearl gave us back massages, Cherrie did the foot spa treatment, and Dulce did a wonderful job giving manicures and painting our nails with wonderful detail! It was sooo amazing and so sweet of these women. I am really going to miss the people here at the base and I’m never ever going to forget the people we have ministered to. We had a wonderful night of dinner, icecream, games and fellowship.

Our time here in the Philippines has been bittersweet for me. I have fallen in love with the people here. The staff, the people, and yes, even the children (haha). But, on the other hand,  my heart broke for them because of the suffering I saw them living in. I asked for God to break  my heart for what breaks His,  and to give me His heart for these people. Mistakeningly, I didn’t think He would. He did, and it hurts, but it’s … incredible. I see exactly why God loves the people of the Philippines. How could He not? Not only did He create them, but He gave them such a uniqueness about them.

Tomorrow, we leave to go back to Romania and it feels like it was just yesterday we arrived. It feels like just yesterday we first experienced the Manila heat, and it feels like just yesterday we took our first jeepney ride and experienced the way of the tricycle Oh … the many random things of the Philippines!

Well, I finished my Christmas shopping today .. so now I’m going to pack and attempt to fit everything in my bag! God bless you all Thank you for your prayers!

In Him,

Melissa

Romans 11:36

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Arrived Uzice near 2 weeks. Time fly.

Titus went back to the State yesterday morning because of his health problem. The Serbia outreach team down to 6 people now. We tried to pass the news to the Philippines team but as they are on the outreach at the villages, seems that they still haven’t got our update. I could imagine how sad they will be. But I believe separation just bought us together.

Sun is shining bright in Uzice!

We had English Club, 2 sessions, with the high school dorm students. They are wonderful kids. Very smart, open, full of dream and passion of their own nation. I love them!

Last night, half of the team went to have a kids’ programme with the orphan. They are special needs kids and we had to use extra strength and patient. While we were doing the kids’ programme, the reminding team was preparing for the concert! Yes, we have a band!! Far From Home is the name!! Woo! See you poster on the street of Uzice! Concert at the cafe, try to reach out to the local. And it went so well! We made some new friends and some youth that we met on the street came to support us.

Ministries here in Uzice are all in the beginning. That’s a new experience for me. On one hand, I feel like I am not doing anything. Most of the time is just hanging out, try to make friends with local. But on the other hand, I value this experience. Cos I believe this is the real situation working in mission. Start from scratch.

This morning, the team heading to Sarajevo, Bosnia. I couldn’t get the visa, so I stay with other missionaries at our mission house. They will be back this Sunday evening and I wondering how I should make good use of these 3 days… Walking out of the house, again, this wonderful view is in front of me. The mission house is located at Bela Zemlja, mean the White Land. Such a beautiful place. And Serbia is such a beautiful nation. May God bless this place and the people here. May they see the beauty of the Lord, the glory of His kingdom. Amen.

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This was our teams first experience in the Smokey Mountain

Philippines Outreach – 2009

Where am I?

I am currently in Manila, Philippines – more specifically in an area called Tondo. My team consists of 8 people from 4 nations and we are staying at a long-established YWAM base. The people here are wonderful and so hospitable! Last Friday, we traveled about 2 ½ hours North to a town called TayTay that was hit with a recent typhoon where we did some food distribution and prayed for families. I am going again this Friday to help the medical team de-worm children and provide routine care. Next week, we are going to a town about 2 ½ hours south called Batangas where we will stay for 1 week as part of our outreach.

What am I doing here?

I am with my team from my DTS on my 6 week long outreach. Everyday we go to at least one ministry. Here is what this week looks like for us:

Sunday – Church and the rest of the day off

Monday – Day off/Celebrated my birthday

Tuesday – Breakfast then the children feeding program in the morning (with a bible story skit and songs) and then in the afternoon either TB bible study or Family bible study (our team splits 4/4 – we lead the study, songs and sometimes games)

Wednesday – Fasting and Intersession in the morning then in the afternoon we help cook food for another feeding program. Then after lunch, 6 of us go to the Smokey Mountain Dump Site for the feeding program (bible story skit, songs, games) and 2 of us go to Family bible study (study, songs, games)

Thursday - Breakfast then 4 of us go to the Day Center for Malnourished Children. Then after lunch, 2 of us go to the Tuberculosis Bible Study and 2 of us go to TB Family Visitation. After dinner, we all go to the high school ministry where we lead a bible study, worship, fellowship and have games.

Friday – After breakfast, we have worship with the base. After lunch, my team will head to Mother Teresa’s Orphanage, while I go with the medical class here to TayTay to do some de-worming and other routine care.

Saturday – After breakfast, 4 of us will go to the elementary kids program and 4 will go to the TB feeding program again at the dump site. After lunch, 4 of us will go to the high school ministry and 4 will go to the college ministry.

Sunday – Church and rest of the day off

Monday – we leave for Batangas at 8 am.

What is the hardest thing for me so far?

The first week we were here, we visited families and made a stop at all the ministries to get a feel for everything. That was unarguably the most difficult week of my life. The buildings that we walked through were representative of prisons – with no light and gray cement walls, the place smelled like urine, bleach and filth. The dump site was unbelievable. People are living on garbage. Their entire life in on garbage. They sleep on garbage, eat off garbage, play in garbage – everything is in garbage. This is literally a mountain. It’s the size of a town.

The absolute hardest thing for me, is to know people live like this. I am just a person and so are they. Why do I get to live where I live and they have to live where they live? It’s so hard to see naked, dirty children running around in this garbage. I saw a woman who had broken her leg (Tibia) and because she had no access to medical care, the bone and everything healed the way it broke. Her bone was sticking out of her leg with her skin stretched tight around it! I was so infuriated that she had to suffer like that.

What is the best thing so far?

The best thing for me so far, is the people. Everyone is so full of joy and it’s so encouraging to see! No matter what condition their house in it, no matter who is sick in their family, no matter if they have nothing to give except a smile, they have joy and faith. For me, this is so amazing! I have a hard time smiling when we go through some of the ministries because of the things I see. It’s hard for me sometimes to find joy in this, but God is giving these people joy! It’s so humbling for me. I see these children and these families that have nothing, and yet, they have each other and God, and for them, that’s what’s important. I wish we could all feel like that.

It is so encouraging for me to see the staff here at the base as well. They are doing so much for the community! Everyday, they are giving their all and more. Whether they are doing a feeding program, or giving a bible study, or caring for malnourished children, or visiting families, they are doing something! What’s so great about this, is this is all done with love. There is no grumbling or misery or complaining about going out to the ministries. They love what they are doing and they love the people they are serving.

When we go to the children feeding program, I am always amazed at how the children behave. They are so good! They all come in and sit down at their chair and bring their plate and spoon. We sing songs and they all participate. When they are led in prayer before eating, they all pray. When we are getting ready to serve their food, they stack the plates up and hand them to us and wait patiently for everyone to have their food before they start. The sweetest thing I have seen so far with the children, is that when we put the food on their plate and place it on their table, they don’t just grab for it. They make sure that the right child gets their correct plate. They make sure everyone has enough. They really look out for each other. We don’t even have to tell them. The staff working in this ministry have put so much time and care into these children and shown them the love of God, that these children show love better than most adults I’ve met.

What is God teaching me right now?

God is teaching me so many things. He is teaching me to appreciate what I have. He is teaching me to be content. He is also teaching me how to really love people. I’m learning to connect with people that are more than half way around the world from where I am from. God is showing me so many things and He is breaking my heart for what breaks His. God is also teaching me to really value loved ones. I see these people everyday who have almost nothing but each other and God. If this is enough for them, it’s enough for anyone.

Well, I just wanted to update everyone on what we are doing. It’s been a little difficult to get online since we are all sharing one computer and we aren’t always sure the internet is going to work. Our team is doing great and we are all enjoying the ministries we are involved in and the wonderful people that God has brought into our lives. On our off days, we still have fun and we get a chance to recharge our batteries from the week. We have team time every night after dinner, and sometimes during the day. It’s encouraging to get a devotional everyday and sometimes we just take time to worship God and praise Him for all the wonderful things He is doing for us!

It was a long trip getting here, through Bulgaria and Turkey with a quick change over in the United Arab Emirates. But we all made it safely and with all of our luggage! I know that none of us will come back the same person as when we left. God is challenging us everyday and He is continuously refilling us with the Holy Spirit so we can share the love of Christ with others.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for all of your prayers! We can feel them and we know God is working! I will attach some pictures of some of the ministries and if anyone has questions, feel free to ask! God bless all of you!

In Him,

Melissa Dietrich

Romans 11:36

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The Journey Has Begun!

We arrived in the Philippines after traveling with a bus for 10 hours to Istanbul, Turkey and then a 13 hour flight to Manila! We left Sunday afternoon and arrived on Tuesday. We were pretty tired but thankful to finally be in the Philippines! The heat hit us like a wall when we got off the plane. This is a world like I have never seen before. The traffic goes everywhere. Scooters and bikes weave in between cars and jeepneys (their public transport that look like home made buses). The YWAM base here is very nice! It is a huge building with 4 floors. There are around 27 YWAM staff that live on the base and they eat all their meals together. The community is great and I am enjoying getting to know all of these beautiful people.

Joy In The Midst of Poverty

During our first day of ministry, half of the team went to YWAM’s Day Care Center for malnourished babies and the other half of the team went to visit families with TB. I went with the team to visit TB families. We brought a bag of rice and a few eggs to each family. These families live in small apartments with around 10-18 people in each unit. The government built these apartments after they shut down the old Smokey Mountain garbage dumpsite. There is no running water and the conditions are not good but better than still living in the temporary housing. The temporary housing is basically shacks built on top of shacks made with cardboard, scrap wood and whatever they can find.

One of the families we visited had a son with extreme cerebal palsey. He was laying on the floor when we walked into their apartment. He looked really frail, just skin and bones. I thought that he was maybe 2 or 4 years old. I asked the mother how old he was and she said 20 years old. I couldn’t believe my ears! This boy laying in front of me with a diaper on was 20 years old. His mother is a widow with 8 children and 6 living with her. She sat in front of me rocking her small frail son. We prayed for her, encouraged her and gaver her some food. I walked away feeling a bit helpless and overwhelmed by her situation. She is a woman of strength that’s for sure.

The Garbage Dumpsite “Smokey Mountain”

Today I went to the TB Bible Study at the garbage dumpsite of Smokey Mountain. There were 6 adults who came and many children. Ana one of the DTS students shared about the Kingdom of God and we sang some songs with them. Next to where we had the Bible study about 20 feet away men were picking through garbage and a group of boys were playing basketball. I still don’t understand how people can live amongst all the garbage at this dumpsite. I see the joy of the Lord on their faces and am encouraged to see that these people have hope even amongst their circumstances.

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A week after the outreach team arrived Serbia. A lot of things have happened and they were all out of our expectation. Anyway, I better find a way to start writing about this amazing journey…

The 26th of Oct, our team left the YWAM base at 3pm. We took the bus, a 3.5 hours ride, to Bucharest. After a sandwich dinner at the train station platform and we got on the overnight train to Belgrade, Serbia. We could see the difference between Romania and Serbia once we cross the border. And at around 9:30am, we arrived Belgrade and it was raining. I love the country once I stepped out of the station. I didn’t really understand why, maybe it was because of the streets setting, or the trams and the people. We ate a quick + big breakfast then we took the van and heading to Sombor, our first destination of the outreach, a beautiful, green, bicycle friendly city. I love it so much!!!!!!!!!

The place that we are staying is a tiny lovely house with only 1 room. So the 4 girls sleep take the room and the 3 boys sleep in the living room. Well, to be more specific, it is a living room + kitchen + meeting room + boys’ room. The host family is wonderful. Food, home-made soda water, coffee, non-stop wood for the fire…. everything!

Since last Wednesday, we have English Club and Cafe ministries near every night. The church that we work with has a cafe.  We have been so excited as people are so open and nice. The second day that we arrived, we spent sometime wondering around the town center. We handed out leaflets to promote about the Kid’s Club, English Club and Cafe things that would happen. People really stopped, talked to us, gave us a smile. Even they were not really interested, they just make me feel peace. This is totally out of my expectation.

More exciting is there are new people coming to the English Club + Cafe. Totally new to the church. And they keep coming after the first evening. People are open, funny, kind, direct and interesting. I really fell in love with them, not only with their city.

About kid’s club, again, amazing. All the kids are sweet. It is very interesting to see how different the kids could be when they are from different countries or culture. Even Romania is geographically next to Serbia, everything is  so different.

On Sunday, 1 Nov, it was a date that people go to clean up grave and light a candle there. After the Cafe ministry, our new friends bought us to the graveyard. It was so cold but my heart was warm by their kindness. A memorable night. Tomorrow will be our last full day in Sombor. Friends that we met at the cafe invited us to have a pizza lunch. That will be an emotional time that I could imagine.

The most unexpected thing was the softball + baseball training. Vicky told me that she help in training the teenager team in Sombor. I am so excited to hear that, same as Titus. We joined the training on weekend. As I have limited skills, basically, I was there playing with the girls and chat with them. The coach has so much passion on baseball even he is not a professional. Titus was once a baseball player so he taught the kids more skills and all the kids were grateful. That 2 mornings, I ride on Jennifer’s, another girl working at the church, bike. I have no word to describe how joyful I was. To live in a place that I could ride my bike around town is one of my dream. And when I got to the field, seeing all the teenagers running around, have so much passion on what they are doing, it touched my heart deeply. I never though that I love to work with teenagers. I wonder God is telling me something that 2 days on the big field.

One last thing, and most important thing, before I go to sleep…

Titus is sick, very sick. And he need to do a lot of test to make sure what is happening to his body. Doctor from the hospital here suggested him to go back to the state for the test and treatment as it might be very expensive for him to things here. He thinks that it will only be the last option for him to go back. And are trying to gather more information about his insurance and also find better hospital, maybe in Belgrade for him to do the test. Please pray for him and our team.

Amen

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Saying goodbye to the Philippines outreach team 2pm this afternoon. It will be a long traveling for them. And I am sure it will be a unforgettable one.

The base became so quiet after half of the students left. Dinner, fried chicken, was amazing as usual. Thanks Kristen and Denali for cooking!! We played RISK after and it was just a relaxing evening.

Tomorrow, we are leaving for Serbia. Taking a bus to Bucharest and get on the overnight train to Serbia. After we leave, the base will be so empty. Couldn’t imagine I am going to leave this house soon. How will the following 6 weeks be like? How is the other team going? I guess they are now sleeping on the bus to Istanbul. Miss them already, on this silent night.

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another peaceful Saturday afternoon… sitting in the base office, enjoying the breeze… 1 journal entry and 1 book report need to be done… 2 months gone, 3 more months to go…

Last week we all (12 students and 3 staffs, Leah L + Sarah + Martin 2) traveled to Draganesti Olt. It located at the south of Romania and only 0.2% of the population are Christian in this area. The outreach was amazing. We did kids club, street evangelism, practical work at the church, share testimon, songs and messages.

It was the one and only time for the whole team work on ministry todather. Next month, 7 students will go to Phillipine and 5 will go to Serbia for the 1.5 months long “big” outreach. I really treasure the time with all the students and staffs. And I am amazed how God put us together. There is no accident in God’s plan. We all have weakness and strength. But in God, it just works out perfectly.

another peaceful Saturday afternoon… uploading videos and photos…  so people know we love each other and we are His disciple…

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Last week, me and 5 other students went for a small outreach at Medgidia (an hour away from Constanţa) with the staff Leah L. and Calin. We visited 2 villages and have kid’s club with the children there. They are very different from the kids that we serve at the neighbourhood. They are quiet and gentle. They enjoyed the time with us and love the song and craft. Kids from Volea Dacilor, one of the village, suprise me. Their families are so poor and their house were built by the church. Most of them are not going to school and they just wondering around. They are all so sweet and love to spend time with us. They smile is timid and I just like to know their stories.

Coco from the local church took Me, Nat and Lead L to an old lady on our first evening at Medgidia . The lady cried once we all settled down. She said she felt embarrassing as her home wasn’t in good shape and not clean. But for me, the pink broken wall is warm and loving. She shared her difficulties, financial problem is one of the main issue. She worried that she could not pay for the heat in winter. And her body is pain and her heart is pain because of the problem of her daughter. Her tears really broke my heart and I could feel her loneliness.

The other day, we visited a widow. In an Orthodox society, being a Christian could be describe as “crazy”. And as the lady is a widow, she’s in a very difficult situation. But she has so much faith in God even I couldn’t see a smile on her face. As she has leg problem, she couldn’t go to church. Her money has been stolen and once again not enough money for food. But she told us that she know God is with her. What a faithful lady. We always care about the orphan but have very little time to the widow. How could we help them? How could we reach them?

Three nights four days at Medgidia. Tired but fruitful. We got back yesterday at about 5pm and I love being home. “Home”, yes! A month since the school have started, I already feel that the YWAM base in Constanţa is my home.

Nat just woke up and she is going to prepare a big pancake breakfast. Yes, pancake is our usual Saturday breakfast. Sun shining in my room as usual. I am glad to be here. And I am waiting for the stories from the other outreach team.

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August. Time passes so fast. I have been here for more than 20 days. I feel that I have been in Constanţa forever but on the other hand I couldn’t believe that the 2nd week of teaching has finished.

God’s Kingdom was the topic of the teaching last week. I am sure I need much more time to think about this subject. Random thoughts/ notes… Jesus talked about The Kingdom more than any other topics… “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” … on earth, yes, on earth…, concern about Justice, Poverty and those who are oppressed, the Kingdom is a place to serve…. to FOLLOW Jesus and to invite people to follow Him, not about repent from sin but a new mind, a new way of thinking…not about IN or OUT of the circle but following… shine the glory, make Him visible…

Last Wednesday I joined the Kid’s Club ministry. Our team went to a poor neighbourhood and we just played games, sang songs and drew with the kids. I love them so much and we had so much fun. I will keep working in this ministry and I am looking forward to meet them again.

Friday, Coffee House Ministry. We had the “New Wine Cafe” at the ground floor and it opens every Thur and Fri evenings. This Friday I went down to try to see what I could do. There wasn’t any new visitors but the 2 boys who always come. Then I realise, it’s not about making a good business. Sometime, it seems like “nothing” is happening. But it’s just because we haven’t seen the whole picture yet. I enjoy the night at the cafe. Don Stevens, our teacher last week, gave us a short message at the cafe. And he played beautiful piano for us. Sweet.

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This is my second Saturday morning in Constanţa.

Me, Sara, Emliya, Melissa, Natalie and Titus just came back to the base after we went to see the sun raise at the beach. With a cup of tea, I sit in the warm room, listening to the sound of the fan, roommates are all sleeping sweetly and I smell the taste of nice pancakes from the kitchen. Then I realise, everything is perfect.

After a few days of introduction, we started our lectures last week. Hearing God’s Voice. I always find it difficult to reconise His Voice. Is the idea, the sound in my mind from You, God? Or is it just came from myself? I have had my quiet time by the Black Sea for a week. The scenes were different everyday. The colour, the sound and the smell could be very different. God is actually talking to me, through His creation and His present. And yes, He just makes it perfect.

Bună Dimineaţa! Good Morning, my Lord.

Hazel Chang (Student, DTS Constanţa)

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