Last week, as some of you may know I sent out an update as to what I did in my first 6 months. It was quite lengthy, so thanks for bearing through it with me! For those of you who want the update, send me a quick message either here, email or Facebook.
Let’s start out by saying this past week has been busy! It was my desire and wish to visit the house this week, but the owner is in America for another 3 weeks or so. When he returns, I will definitely get an update to you all about the house WITH photos! I have met with a few people to discuss more in depth as to what youth ministry looks like and as of right now, we are still in the beginning stages. Hopefully in the next couple weeks, we’ll have more of an idea of how to reach the youth in Draganesti. Please be in prayer for us (Alex, Ancuta, Roxana and myself) as to how to reach these students and youth. There are ideas floating around about trying to get into the high school and using my English speaking as a form of evangelism. More details to come…
What I did want to talk about this week with you all is the project called “A Fishing Rod, Not a Fish.” What is this project you might be asking? Taken directly from the church’s page: A Fishing Rod, not a Fish attempts to teach people who are able and willing to learn various methods of self-support and provide and encourage opportunities for them to work. In a town where close to 50% of the population is unemployed, this is vital. Through this project/ministry, we are then able to evangelize and bring encouragement to the people in Draganesti and other communities.
Fishing ROD, not a Fish information
A Fishing Rod Not A Fish from Hope Church on Vimeo.
Why do I bring this up? Well, just recently the Lord has laid it upon my heart to not only work with the youth, but orphans who will need help finding jobs and/or creating jobs from stratch. This was not my idea, but I believe that the Lord is using me to come alongside teenage girls in the community who are either orphaned or abandoned. Ellie is such a case. Ellie is such a sweetheart. She’s 19 and has been abandoned. Her mother passed away 3 years ago and her father is always drunk. Within the last 2 years, Ellie has been making bracelets to help support herself. I’m so proud of this dear girl and friend of mine for her willingness to work hard at this job AND go to school full-time. She’s still in high school, friends. In saying this, I want to say this!
Ellie and I started a website TODAY for her. We still need to edit some things on her website, but please check out the website and share her story with others. Ellie is raising funding herself through these bracelets for her life, but also school. Her dream is to go to college in Craiova, but then from there hopefully get a job in the community AFTER college. Until then, she has the help of bracelets to help push her through college. Check out her website! I think you’ll be in awe of what she does!
I’ve seen your posts about Ellie’s work on Facebook. She does such a lovely job! I’m looking forward to her website to be up and running so I can make a purchase to help support her and her goals!
Aww, thanks Andrea! I’m sure she will be super grateful for that! Sometime this week we plan on updating the page even more 🙂