It feels like fall lasted only two weeks this October before winter arrived in full force.
Mornings now hover around 4°C (39°F) — crisp, cold, and the perfect reminder that Romania doesn’t play around when it comes to seasons.
The picture above is from a long day of cutting wood. A friend stopped by and caught this candid shot. I sent it to my family group chat, and my dad replied with a verse that perfectly captured the moment:
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:13
Pretty metal. Thanks, Dad, for throwing out the vibes.
A Month Full of Meaningful Moments
This month was packed with incredible milestones and moments of joy:
1. Baptisms at Church
Several friends and students made the decision to be baptized! The atmosphere was filled with God’s presence. People had tears in their eyes watching loved ones take this step of faith. It was such a privilege to capture these moments through my camera.
2. Denis and Ashley’s Wedding
I had the honor of being a groomsman for my friend Denis as he married the love of his life, Ashley, at a beautiful countryside venue near Timișoara. I first met them when I arrived in Romania in 2023, and their friendship has been one of the sweetest blessings in my life.
3. Church 30-Year Anniversary
Our church celebrated 30 years! It was a day of reflection on God’s faithfulness and a renewed vision for the future. Pastor Ted shared the exciting plans for the next decade — including a new auditorium on church property and a retreat complex in Arieșeni.
I’m inspired by the passion and gratitude our pastors carry. After 30 years of love, struggle, and joy, this church on the southern edge of town continues to stand strong for the things of God.
Ongoing Projects and Hard Work
In addition to the big celebrations, there’s always plenty of work to be done — both planned and spontaneous:
1. Cutting and Stacking Wood
We’ve finished cutting wood (for now). Since the wood has been drying since July, it burns quickly, so we’re expecting a new batch of fresh wood soon that should burn slower. Next up: stacking and covering it to protect it from the elements. With all this wood, there is alot of bark that comes with it. It tends to get in the way so that ends up being burned sepaeratly.
2. Clearing Out Equipment
I’ve been tasked with selling some of the church’s surplus equipment — from old light fixtures and speakers to chairs and more. It’s quite the list, but it feels good to make space and put those resources to good use.
3. Fireproof Drywall Project
Just the other day, Nate and I carried 20 sheets of fireproof drywall up three flights of stairs. We do this often — around 20–25 sheets at a time — for ongoing renovations required by the fire department. By now, we’ve carried well into the triple digits this year!
4. The Wasp Nest Incident
Something I’ve never seen before: a wasp nest in the ground! Four kids from the school on our church’s property got stung by those nasty things. The “Romanian way” of handling it turned out to be the most effective — diesel fuel and a shovel. After two nights of digging, pouring, and burning, the nest was gone. As a self-proclaimed pyromaniac… I have to admit, I enjoyed it a little too much. 🔥
Life and Friendship
I’ve also been making time to invest in friendships. One of my good friends, Paul, is 17 and serves faithfully on the audio team — a young man with a true servant’s heart.
I like to think of my life here like a GTA map — I’ve found my favorite coffee shop, shawarma spot, and corner store. The people who work there know me as “the American missionary who tries to speak Romanian.” They’re always kind, patient, and greet me with warm smiles.
A Personal Note
Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement.
I’ve been quite the workaholic lately and have honestly neglected reaching out to many of my friends back home in America. The time difference makes it tricky, but I’d love to reconnect.
If you don’t already have my number, here it is:
📞 +40 743 481 433
Please feel free to send a message or call — hearing from you would mean a lot. The mission field can get lonely sometimes. 😁
My main prayer request this month is for renewed and deepened friendships — both here and abroad.
Thank you again for reading, praying, and supporting me. If you are just finding me, I encourage you to read my prievious posts and the about page to learn more about me. If you are led to give, I encourage you to click the Donate button up top.
With oceans of gratitude,
Noah Reynolds