July 20, 2013

WHY ROMANIA?
DETAILS ON MICHAELAS UPCOMING SEMESTER ABROAD

My (not so certain) Plans

A new era of my life is quickly approaching! Last June I graduated from Eastern Mennonite High School with plans to spend next year doing something a little bit different. After a few months of waiting, attempting to be proactive, and listening for God, my plans came together. I plan to live in Romania this coming semester. Here are a few details! I am partnering with Virginia Mennonite Missions. In Romania, I will work with the Church of the Nazarenes Nazarene Mission Corps. I will live with a host family in Sighisoara, a town about the size of Harrisonburg. I will take Romanian language classes. My primary work will be with children, both in Tigmandru at a community center and at a pre-school or after-school program in Sighisoara. I will lead a week-long music camp with Jay and Sheri Hartzler, who are moving to Sighisoara for the year. I leave on August 14th and return in late December. During the Summer of 2012, my EMHS Touring Choir travelled to Romania for a week. We stayed in Sighisoara, the town I will live in, for three nights. We visited Tigmandru, the impoverished Gypsy village I will spend time working in, for a few hours. That was my first exposure to Romania and its beautiful people.

This is Magda.
Eventually, despite the language barrier, I told her that my name is Michaela. Hers is Magda. There were others there as well. There was Alina, who had eyes that you couldnt help but look into, Timie, a little girl who I think was Magdas sister. Another girl, about 10 or 11, carried a little baby (Marian) around with her wherever she went, showing characteristics of a loving mother at a very early age. Each one was beautiful. But it was Magda who jumped up and grabbed my hand...Later that evening, when I walked out onto the road, she started running toward me, arms outstretched. I scooped her up into the biggest hug. Magda taught me what joy is. I heard God in her laughter, saw God in her smile, and felt God in her hugs...One things for sure - those people changed my life. I will never be the same. Those kids were starved from affection, yet their love shaped me. How is that possible? I hope to go back one day. [excerpts taken from my journal]

Coffeehouse Fundraiser Follow-Up

THE PEOPLE AND PLACES

This girl is one of many that I hope to hold, love, teach, and learn from in Tigmandru.

On Tuesday, July 16th, I held a successful fundraiser. The evening was chalk full of good music, yummy food, and such wonderful conversation. I was thrilled to see the turnout and to have the chance to catch up with so many people I dont see as often as Id like. Aside from the enjoyable evening, I was also reminded of the great support of the community I have surrounding me when I learned that I raised a total of $2,964 almost one third of my total goal. It is with great gratitude that I thank everyone who has supported me nancially so far. I do have a ways to go. My total goal is to raise $9,800. A signicant chunk of this money will be given to my host family, while the ight cost, language classes, and living expenses also add up. If you would like to contribute, you have a number of options:

This is Sighisoara, where I will live, go to church, help lead a music camp, and work a few days each week.

1) Write a check to VMM (in the memo line write Mast Romania) and put it in my church mailbox, hand it to me, or send it to Virginia Mennonite Missions. 2) Visit vmmissions.org and click on the Donate tab. On the right you will notice a yellow Donate

button click on that. Here you will be able to use your credit card or PayPal account to make a donation. Heres the kicker, though: before you nalize your donation, make sure to click on designate contribution for and type Mast - Romania into the text box.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? WHAT ARE YOU GIVING TOWARDS?

10000 7500 5000 2500 0 Im On My Way!
My Goal Current Funds Funds Raised at the Coffeehouse

In less than a month I will embark on an exciting, but nerve-racking adventure. Your prayers and words of encouragement are greatly appreciated as I see the ways that God will shape me, use me, and change me in Romania. Thank you for your generous support! - Michaela Mast

Prog ram Fee

(Language classes, me ntoring, translators, etc.)

$2700

Host Family
Flight
Living Expenses
Visa
Current Funds
Total Goal

$1800 $1800 $1300 $175 $3689 $9800