Summer Volunteers in Romania

Mission Without Borders staff member Leslie Skinner was one of the participants in this year's volunteer project which took place in a Romanian summer camp. Her personal story is presented here.

I arrived in summer camp about 5:00pm just in time to play volleyball with the kids. We played for about two hours, and I was thirsty! I was struck by how welcoming these children were. They truly enjoyed the fun of playing the game.

Afterwards I walked through the campsite with about five children surrounding me. My translator Anka became surrounded by a crowd as the children began to ask me questions. I laughed and joked with them when somebody over my shoulder said, "How did you come to be a Christian?" How did they know? My heart began to race as I silently prayed and asked God to give me the words to speak. Do you really want to hear it?? I could barely believe this incredible opportunity just dropped into my lap. I briefly shared how God changed me and then another boy whose name is George asked, "Have you ever had God speak to you?"

This began a discussion with George, an inquisitive, deep thinking boy of 20. He wore his hat backward on his head like many kids do in America. His brown eyes were skeptical and he asked many questions. His questions were tough, like he wanted to disprove that God's love is so real. He questioned my responses always finding a problem with what I'd said. I continued to point him to Jesus. He continued to prod.

As Anka translated my answer, I glanced behind me to see Kristi, another volunteer, very near and praying for me. I felt a rush of relief and strength to continue.

George's eyes softened. He began to tell me stories of his life. How older boys in the home ground up glass and made him kneel in it for hours. He spoke of visiting churches where he was shunned because he is an orphan; still an overwhelming concept for impoverished Romanians to face. And he spoke of his family heritage. He was a gypsy boy and therefore socially lower than other Romanians and even lower than other orphans. I felt like crying for him, but what good would that do?

God, give me strength.

"George, I can't pretend to understand what a difficult life you've had. All I can tell you is that Jesus loves you. He wants to be there with you in the tough times and give you strength through them. He will also give you the ability to forgive those who have hurt you. I'm not saying that it

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