HE Provides Where HE Guides

Trip Recap from Jenny, Kaitlyn, & Sarah Beth!

    We had a wonderful week with the girls.  Our early  emphasis was on the need to know who God is and his character in order to build a relationship with him.  To do so we focused on learning and defining the names of God.  God as creator and Almighty specifically.  It was so fun reminding them they are God’s creation, made in his image and thus beautiful, worthy and created for a specific purpose. We did lip mask and facials complete with mood lighting and spa music to demonstrate caring for and cherishing themselves i.e. God’s creation. Seeing the girls begin to understand their worth through God's eyes and getting to pamper and love on them individually was a wonderful experience!

    We ended our week discussing our purpose which is to reflect the character of God specifically love, forgiveness, patience and kindness. Most importantly we wrapped up the week focused on the need to not only know about God but to actively seek to ask God into our hearts. -Jenny Phillips

    This week has been nothing short of beautiful. This was my first time traveling to Romania and I genuinely hope it’s not my last. Walking into this trip, I did not know anyone except through zoom meetings and sporadic text messages. So many things were unknown like how to manage food with all of my allergies, what it would be like to be with a team of women who all knew each other, and everything else that could come to mind, however, the Lord kept reminding me that He provides where He guides. For the last couple years I have been majoring in Social Work feeling called to crisis response/counseling and human trafficking. I knew the Lord would either confirm my calling or lead me in another path during this trip, and He was so faithful. 

   We spent most of the week loving and serving girls, who had been rescued from either abuse or trafficking. I was part of the crafts team and we spent the whole time tying the Bible study points into things they could make with their hands as reminders. These girls took hold of my heart and now reside with me. We also visited a juvenile prison and visited with some of the girls there. Megan had told us prior to pray about if we wanted to share a message or testimony to these young women. I genuinely did not give much thought to her statement until we made it across the ocean. I found myself praying that morning “Lord I genuinely do not want to speak unless you want me to.” While sitting in that circle with the girls, the Lord moved and brought to my mind that there girls needed to know that they have never been forgotten and that they were each made with a purpose. With my heart about to explode with anxiety, I shared what the Lord had placed in my heart. One of the girls started to cry when I spoke and then I started to cry, and I don’t think this moment will ever leave me. It was such a beautiful moment to watch the Lord move and remain faithful to His promises and use us as vessels. 

    Another moment that deeply resonated with me was when Mariana, the counselor at DH, showed us her office. This room is where she meets with the girls and it was an honor to hear her speak about her work. Her heart for these girls was beyond evident and it was an inspiration. I couldn’t help but continue to think “I cannot wait to be her one day.” On our last day, Marianna came up to me and told me I was brave. I told her she was an inspiration. We both cried and just embraced as two women who want the world for these girls and have a calling for this work. I was only here for a week, Marianna is there everyday. Her and the entire team are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. 

    The entire week was full of making special bonds with girls, braiding hair, trying to conquer the Romanian language, and so much joy. I felt as though I adopted our amazing teenage translators and fell in love with everyone there. The Lord moved through our hearts as a team and through the girls. Where God guides, He provides and He proved it once again in our lives this week. It was an honor and privilege to be able to go. -Kaitlyn Keough

    This week was more than I could have ever imagined or hoped for! To be honest, I was really nervous about this trip—I didn’t feel equipped to do the work we were going to do. My role was to be one of the Bible Study teachers for the younger group of girls at Deborah House. I’ve led plenty of Bible Studies with children before, but I knew this would be different. The pain these girls have experienced is something I can still not wrap my head around & I knew that the only way I could make it through the week was to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me & not trust my own words. We walked the girls through 2 names of God—Elohim & El Elyon. It was such a gift to be able to teach/remind them of the fact that their Creator loves them & is in control of their life, no matter what has happened in the past or will happen in the future. We were able to gift each of them a teen Bible & it was so special to watch them be excited to get into God’s word this week. We also got to take the girls to a new water park in Timişoara! This was such a fun time to see the girls’ personalities come out & spend some laid back time with them. I enjoyed the time we spent with the MLI staff & got the opportunity to hear their stories. The city was also so beautiful!! I could go on forever, but I’m so thankful that I gave my “yes” to God & went on this special trip! - Sarah Beth Stambaugh