As summer begins to wind down, I wanted to share an update on what the last few months have looked like here in Romania. Looking back, it’s amazing how quickly these months have passed and how faithful God has been through each season.
A Summer of Travel, Friendship, and Encouragement
The summer began with a whirlwind of travel that took me from Bucharest to Oregon, California, and finally Berlin. Every stop was exactly what it needed to be.
One of the greatest blessings was spending time with friends, mentors, and family who have each played a significant role in shaping my life. Their encouragement reminded me that even though I now live thousands of miles away, I remain deeply connected to the people God has used throughout my journey.
One of the highlights was watching my sisters graduate from Bible college in Portland—the very same school I graduated from years ago. Sitting there brought back countless memories, and I couldn’t have been more proud of them. It truly felt like watching another chapter of God’s faithfulness unfold.
Our family vacation in Yuba County was just as special. We always seem to visit when no one else is around, allowing us to enjoy the quiet beauty of the foothills. Long evenings filled with laughter, conversations, and simply being together reminded me how much I treasure those moments with my family.
Before returning to Romania, I spent several days exploring Berlin. I was completely captivated by the city. Its history, architecture, parks, and atmosphere made me wish I had planned another week there. I have no doubt I’ll be returning someday.
A Summer of Heat and Ministry
This summer has been one for the record books.
Romania—and much of Europe—experienced historic heat waves, with temperatures climbing close to 45°C (113°F). Despite the heat, ministry didn’t slow down.
The warm weather also gave our young men’s group an opportunity to spend time together on a short camping trip beside the river. Some of my favorite memories of Romanian summers are found in moments like these.
One thing I’ve grown to appreciate is the rhythm of life here during the summer. Everything slows down. Families spend more time together, friends gather outdoors, and people escape to the rivers and mountains to enjoy God’s incredible creation. There is something deeply refreshing about that slower pace.
Seasons Change
Summer is also graduation season.
This year, we celebrated several important milestones. Maya, one of our students, graduated from middle school—a significant step into a new chapter of life.
Our good friend Jacob reached an even bigger milestone by graduating from medical school. To make the week even more memorable, he was married just days later! It was a joy to witness both celebrations and to see years of hard work, perseverance, and faith rewarded.
I’m incredibly proud of each of them and excited to see where God leads them next.
Serving Through Photography
One of the unique ways I’ve been able to be a blessing to our church is through photography. It’s a skill God has given me that allows me to preserve meaningful moments in the lives of our church family.
Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to serve alongside Barnabas Ministries during a Vacation Bible School in Sebiș. My role was primarily photography, documenting an incredible week filled with worship, games, dancing, teaching, and joyful moments with children from the community. Watching kids hear the Gospel while laughing and playing together is always a reminder of why these ministries matter.
More recently, a family from our church asked if I would take photos for their baby’s dedication, and I gladly agreed. The photos came out beautifully, but what made the day special wasn’t simply the pictures themselves—it was what they represented.
Throughout the history of the Christian faith, believers have demonstrated their desire to honor God by dedicating their families to Him. While a baby dedication does not save a child, it is a public commitment by parents to raise their son or daughter according to God’s Word and to seek Him together as a family.
It was a privilege to capture these moments, whether documenting children hearing the Gospel for the first time or preserving an important milestone in the life of a family. Moments like these remind me that photography is more than taking pictures—it’s preserving memories of God’s faithfulness and the life of His Church.
The Work Never Stops
Every season of ministry looks a little different.
Originally, the church planned to continue heating the building with wood, but after much consideration, the decision was made to transition to natural gas. Because of that, this has been the first summer where I haven’t spent weeks cutting, splitting, and stacking firewood.
Instead, my days have been filled with a wide variety of maintenance projects around the church property.
Most of my time has been spent mowing grass, trimming trees, spraying herbicide, replacing light bulbs, supervising contractors working on different building projects, communicating maintenance issues to Pastor Ted that require specialized repairs, and—most recently—trying to remove a rather determined wasp nest that decided the church façade was the perfect place to build a home.
There is never a shortage of unexpected projects, but I’m thankful for every opportunity to serve in practical ways that help keep the ministry moving forward.
Looking Ahead
This summer has also been a season of reflection.
I’ve found myself asking why God has placed me here for this particular season of life. For a brief time, I wrestled with moments of cynicism and confusion as I wondered what direction the future might hold.
But after spending time praying and reflecting, I realized something that has remained true after all these years.
The desire God placed in my heart hasn’t changed.
My life has been dedicated to serving His Church.
When I compare my life to many friends I’ve known for years, I realize my story looks very different. Many have established careers, gotten married, started families, purchased homes, built retirement accounts, and accumulated savings.
My story has taken another path.
From growing up beneath the shadow of an oil refinery in my hometown to now serving among the rivers and mountains of Romania, the paper trail of my life tells a story of God’s faithfulness. It is a story marked not by possessions or status, but by opportunities to love His people, serve His Church, and be present wherever He has called me.
I don’t know every detail of what the future holds, but I do know that His faithfulness in the past gives me confidence to keep following wherever He leads next.
If you’ve found yourself wondering where God is taking your life, my prayer is that He would remind you of His faithfulness. May He help you remember the purpose behind every step you’ve already taken with Him. May He reveal once again that you are His beloved son or daughter, created intentionally for the good works He prepared for you long before you ever walked them.
Psalm 25:4–5 (NLT)
“Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”
Currently, I would ask for your prayers for God's grace and love to be poured out on us as we head to our Oxigen Youth camp next week. I also ask for prayers for my friends and family, that they would have continued love and confidence in God as I am far from home. Over the course of the summer, we have had deaths of family members in our church, I ask for your prayers as they may be continually comforted. And personally, I ask for your prayers over me as the summer ends with so much unknown factors about the future.
Thank you all for your continued prayers, encouragement, and financial support. Your generosity allows me to continue serving here in Romania, and I am grateful for each one of you. I’m excited to see what God has in store for the months ahead.