Romania, Reflections, and Routes

So many adventures, so many lessons…where do I start? Please read to the end 🙂

Romania: The Mission House in Craiova, Romania is where my squad and I have called home for the past four months. We live in community here with the leaders of our partner organization, Hope Church Romania. Even though Craiova is a beautiful city filled with rolling hills and ancient architecture, as I walk through its streets I can’t help but feel the heaviness of despair and a need for eternal hope. This is why I am here…to bring hope to the hopeless.

Roma Community: My squad and I regularly visit and serve the Roma community. The Roma community is a minority population here in Romania. They have the highest birth rate in this area and mostly live below the poverty line. God has started many movements among the Roma communities all over the world and many are becoming believers. Our mission is to show them the love of God by serving them in practical ways. We visit Roma communities to bring food and essential items. We play with the children, sing carols, and bring them Christmas gift boxes. 

Handing out shoeboxes was a “full circle moment” for me. As a child, I remember when I used to pack Christmas shoeboxes with my parents and siblings. It would bring me such joy to know that I was giving a gift to someone across the world that I didn’t even know. I would always imagine what it would be like to be there as the children opened their gift boxes. Now I know. It was such a delight to see the faces of the children light up with gratitude and wonder. I am in awe of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling the desires of our hearts.

Street Ministry: Street ministry starts at 2:00 pm most days. Just like the disciples who walked with Jesus, street ministry looks like my squad and I going out in groups of two or three into the streets of Craiova seeking those with whom we can share the hope of Christ. Basically, my team and I invest in relationships and get to deeply know the people in this beautiful city, specifically in the age group 18 to 30. I find it very interesting that many people here speak English (that they learn through English TV shows…LOL!), which allows relationships to flourish. People are different here. Different culture. Different food. Different language. Different values. Through this experience so far, I have learned to view people through the lenses of Jesus Christ rather than through my own eyes.

New Routes: Due to COVID and travel restrictions, our squad route has changed. Instead of Romania – Costa Rica – Cambodia, we will now be routing from Romania to the Dominican Republic and then to Guatemala. I was really looking forward to the hills of Costa Rica and riding tuk-tuks in Cambodia, but God knows best. Where God leads, I will follow!

Almost Fully Funded: I am currently $1,140 away from being fully funded for this amazing opportunity to serve! Would you prayerfully consider continuing to financially support God’s work around the world? I am thankful for God’s provision so far and know that He will provide exceedingly and abundantly more than I can think or imagine. My deadline for being fully funded is January 12, 2022.

Ways to Donate: 

Blog Website (Tax Deductible): You can donate directly to my blog website (https://oliviaoccilien-similien.theworldrace.org) by hitting the “Donate” button. 

Merchandise (Tax Deductible): You can declare your decision to “Find Joy in the Journey” by obtaining t-shirts and/or bracelets at my personal website (viasjourney.org). 

Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Via2022

CashApp: https://cash.app/$Via2022

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and encouragement. It means a lot and I am forever thankful! 

As I experience my first Christmas away from home and in another country, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!