Missionary Appreciation Night

This evening, our church invited all of the missionaries who typically attend the church to come and share testimonies, prayer requests, blessings and struggles of working here in Romania. There are quite a few of us (about 15 last night), working with several different organizations, and with varying degrees of involvement in the church. There are so many of us coming and going that, often, I don't think many people in the church know who we are or what we do. In fact, someone just asked me last week, "Aren't you a teacher at the English school?" I've only been here for almost 3 years...and yet there are people in our church who don't know who I am or what I do (the church isn't THAT big...probably around 100 most Sundays). So, I was glad for this opportunity to share with them what I actually do do. After being pressured for several months, I also sang again last night.



I don't enjoy singing in church here. Truthfully, I was spoiled by the soundtracks I used in the States and by the really good accompanists who spent time rehearsing with me ahead of time, etc. (I miss you all!) It's much more challenging for me to find tracks here with which I can sing. Anyone who uses them gets them somehow from the States. I have a lot of tracks...but not for songs that have been translated into Romanian (and my translation skills DEFINITELY don't stretch to translating poetry with meter!). So, I have to either sing acapella (hmmm...no) or use an accompanist with whom I've only rehearsed once or twice right before the service. So, I'm more nervous here than I was even when I first started singing in the States. Which means that my breathing stinks. Making the whole thing sound not-that-great.

Good thing I'm not singing for the applause of men anyway. Cuz they (and I!) would be sorely disappointed these days.