Someone Else's World

Our adventurous behavior is steadily increasing. Today, we ordered something other than "omletăs" for breakfast. haha  Through the help of smartphone translators and aid from Melissa, I managed to get toast, Meredith finally ate cereal without steaming hot milk, and scott got his fried eggs. We are growing leaps and bounds. (:
Another day at Melissa's apartment, lovingly deemed the "warehouse," and we have got almost all of the care-bags and hygiene packages packed up and ready to go for camp, along with spare bags of clothes and many other odds-and-ends. The days are flying by and I'm not surprised. We made a few more visits at the village again today and we got to see the poorest families' homes in the village. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record but as I saw their living conditions, I was so humbled. What do I have to complain about? The families were pleasant and the children were adorable; I can't wait to interact with them some more at camp. 
Right after we left the village, we headed to a mall in the city and I have to admit, when this plan was proposed, I wasn't really thrilled. But Melissa told us that it would be good for us to see the world of rich and poor juxtaposed, so we went. What an eye opener it was! The mall was nicer than my local mall, complete with a large food court and just about anything you can ask in terms of shopping. Now please don't misunderstand me, these things aren't bad, but when you see such need in such close proximity to such extravagance, its hard to reconcile the two.
Realizing that this may sound very cliche, I have to say that being in Romania is making me realize how many good things God has blessed me with. I have SO MUCH to thank God for - material blessings, loving family, and a beautiful country. It is incredible to experience a piece of someone else's world and watch it change your own. Before I left, God kept giving me the thought 'change may hurt but pain is necessary for growth' and after being here only a few days, I see how true that is. God is being faithful in keeping His promise to me and I am continuing my prayer: keep changing me, Lord.