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a love letter to Romania

Dear Romania,

Hi there, it’s me, Sarah. You know, the one with brown hair and is often surrounded by a gaggle of other Americans usually roaming the streets of Craiova in search of the best coffee shop, laughing loudly, or trying to catch pigeons in the square with children.

You know my squad well. Thank you for inviting each one of us in with welcome arms. You allowed us to make this city our own and gave us your people to love. The people of Craiova are beautiful and mysterious which gave us an even bigger heart for them. We sought after these people with the simple desire to show them the King, Jesus. This pursuit gave all of us an opportunity to know and love a member of this city like Jesus loves them. We couldn’t be more grateful. Each interaction, sweeter than the last. 

While there were so many great ways the Lord moved through Craiova, it didn’t mean my time here In your beautiful country was without hardness. In this season, I lost a lot. Comfortability, control, and some of my closest friends left too. But through this, I gained the most wonderful gift- a deep deep intimacy and reliance on the Lord, my Father. There were gaps in my heart left from people, my control, and lack of familiarity but I learned how beautifully the Lord filled those holes a million times better than those things ever could. You, Romania, provided the space for growth, and for that, you’ll always have a special place in my heart. 

Romania, you also showed me your darkness. Not only in the culture of the city but the darkness that seemed to loom over the air. It was really intimidating at first. Our squad felt a lot of the heaviness which was hard to watch. I had never really experienced the feeling of darkness. But through this, I learned who actually reigns over this city. Jesus had always had control over this city no matter how the enemy had said about it. I know who the ruler of your country is, and how one day, every evil spirit infiltrating your city of Craiova will bow to your name

I’m forever grateful for my time here in your beautiful country, Romania. You were sweet. You were hard. But the most important of these is that you were filled with growth. So, all the hard and tough days ultimately brought glory to our Creator, who we each bow to. 

Romania, you’ve been good to me. But the Lord has and will always be better than anything of this world and I rest in that every day.

Until next time,

Sarah Elizabeth Piepenburg