Kurt Bowman

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July 17, 2023

Romania – July 16, 2023

Romania – July 16, 2023

Today was our last day in Romania, and started off as each day has with a wonderful breakfast prepared by Ana. We all prepared for departure after church, packing our bags back up after the long week.

We headed to a Hungarian church in the small nearby town of Stei which was a bit larger than the small house church we had attended the previous Sunday. We reached the church during their prayer time which followed readings in Psalms 34. Daniel introduced the team with Peter from REMM translating, and we sang Amazing Grace and 10,000 Reasons, with the church joining along in Romanian while Graham and Emily played guitar. It was wonderful to hear the combined voices and instruments.

After church the team returned to REMM, had a quick lunch, and gave thank you cards to our wonderful hosts and co-laborers. We took one last group photo and then loaded up in the bus for the 4 hour trip to Budapest. The border crossing was thankfully uneventful, and we all had two new stamps in our passports! The plains of eastern Hungary opened into much larger fields than those found in Romania, and we slowly crossed the country into historic Budapest which has been around since Hector was a pup.

After driving through the narrow, hot streets we checked into our hotel rooms, and then quickly headed out to dinner at a nearby Hungarian restaurant whose new cuisine was appreciated by all. After a short walk back to the hotel and a stop off for some souvenirs, we walked down the Danube for a boat ride up and down the river to see some of the sites. Along the way we attempted to get Patti on an electric scooter, but more safety conscious minds prevailed, and potential disaster was averted.

Our trip along the Danube at night offered a welcomed respite from the stifling heat of the city, and the night lights on the building where truly spectacular. It was late when we pulled back into the pier and walked through the dark but still lively city to the hotel.

This likely concludes our blog posts for the Romania 2023 trip. Tomorrow we will explore a bit more of Budapest, meet some other missionaries working here in Hungary, and then pack up once more for the long trip home form Budapest to Frankfurt, and then across the Atlantic back to home sweet home. While we record and discuss our thoughts on how God has worked through us and on us over these last few days, the consensus so far has been that our time has been well spent in service, and that we have gotten to know each other far better than we would have through our usual weekly interactions at church and our various ministries. We’ve learned a good deal about God’s work in the mission fields of Romania, and His people there have impacted us in ways that would be difficult to replicate while remaining at home.

– Daniel for the Romania Team

July 17, 2023

Romania – July 15, 2023

Kurt Bowman Missions, Romania

Romania – July 15, 2023

The Romania Team met promptly at 8:30 for a healthy breakfast of eggs, muffins and donuts! This our last full day in Romania was all about fellowship, fun, and food!

We headed out around 10 am to Vartop. There we met at the vacation home of Daniel and Nicole, family friends of Peter and Ana. This home was a beautiful cabin on top of a mountain. Upon arrival we ate Romanian (and Albanian) fried cheese bread. Then most of the group went hiking up the mountain under the direction of Alex. Others stayed at the cabin partaking of naps and/or reading!

As the hikers returned, lunch was in its final preparations. We had a traditional Romanian cook out: bread topped with pork lard and red onions, grilled chicken, sausage, and pork belly. Our sides came from local produce: cucumber, white peppers, and tomatoes. We also had fresh peaches and watermelon. We took a break from eating to practice our songs for church tomorrow. Our trip concluded with a Torte Anca, a cake from Bridge Coffee House.

Needless to say we are all in no need of dinner and will be preparing to depart this beautiful country tomorrow.

~Patti for the Romania Team

July 14, 2023

Romania – July 14, 2023

Kurt Bowman Missions, Romania

Romania – July 14, 2023

Today was quite frantic as we all rushed to get as much work done as we could before the end of the day. While some of us put up and painted the interior walls of the house, others were making sure the outer walls were complete. We were given more time to build due to the stable weather unlike the previous two rainy days.

Once we got there, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Kennedy, and Jamal immediately started to cut plywood, while Emily, Mrs. Garman, and I painted the walls white. James also painted while Lucas helped to get supplies with Alex. We soon got the interior and exterior walls completely finished, and Jamal, James and I worked on the conduit which will eventually provide power to the house. We then had lunch with Eugen and Christina, the recipients of the house who expressed their gratitude. In all, it was a great work-day to close the week.

During the lesson, Mrs. Redman showed the kids that while we can try to get close to heaven by our own means, the only way to really get there is through Christ. This was done by using origami to create the Tower of Babel, a plane, a rocket, and then finally a cross. The kids then made crowns which they really enjoyed making.

Then, like always, we played soccer. It is always fun nonetheless.

God has been showing himself to us all week, even if it had not always been obvious. We were blessed with clear skies today and have been able to make a big difference in others’ lives through the house and the lessons & crafts. I am so grateful that I am able to be a part of this team and can show Christ’s love in this way.

~Graham for the Romania Team

July 13, 2023

Romania – July 13, 2023

Kurt Bowman Missions, Romania

Romania – July 13, 2023

Angles and Cuts

As you heard in yesterday’s blog entry, we had a gully washer Wednesday evening that covered the work site in Tinca as well. When we arrived in the Roma community at the work site, there was a good bit of mud we had to navigate. So the first job for our newest team members (Peter and Ana’s grandsons: Lucas and James) was to dig some trenches to let the water drain more quickly. They were helped in their efforts by Graham.

We got started working on putting up the plywood for the interior walls and ceiling which required building a couple simple jigs to help hold the ceiling pieces in place while they were screwed in. It was nice that we’d finished the roof the day before because we got another rain shower in the morning that required moving gear and wood under cover. We got most of the interior of the house walls covered, but it turned out to take longer than expected, as pretty much each board had to be custom fit. There was enough work on the house that a few of us kept working through experiment time, craft time and game time. There is still more to do tomorrow so it will be another early departure.

For the experiment, Becky had an object lesson showing how when we sin it makes us all dirty inside but then the blood of Jesus cleanses us and makes us clean. It’s a very cool experiment and the kids loved it. For craft, the kids decorated crosses to help them remember the object lesson regarding Jesus and what he has done for us.

Regardless of all of Jamal’s planning to teach the kids lots of games… each day has pretty much been soccer, soccer, soccer. But they are having fun and being loved on which is what matters.

As we were leaving a backhoe came by digging out the ditch that had filled in over the years so we should have no more problems with water runoff:)

As I reflect on the trip so far, one thing that has stood out is the unimportance of “stuff” which reminds me of one of my favorite verse phrases: “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15b

~George for the Romania team

July 12, 2023

Romania – July 12, 2023

Kurt Bowman Missions, Romania

Romania – July 12, 2023

Wednesday presented another hot, sunny day in Tinca within the Crisul Negril river valley, just west of the Carpathian Mountains. Thankfully Alex (our REMM team leader, translator, and foreman on the house project) recommended we start early all week long in order to avoid the even-hotter afternoons. And we heartily agreed.

Today Daniel and George finished installing the beige clapboard siding and corner pieces, with Jamal and Graham making the precise cuts necessary. Becky, Stacey, Emily, Andrea (Alex’s wife), and James (Lucacius’ grandson) all tackled the styrofoam insulation inside. Each block of styrofoam had to be custom cut to fit tightly in between the joists. Alan and Lucas (another grandson) completed the metal roof installation. There were two sheets of metal remaining when God decided to welcome us with cool raindrops from heaven for just a few minutes, but it didn’t last long and the roof was able to be finished. Meanwhile, Patti and Ana sorted through all the donations PBC brought to bless REMM’s ministry.

REMM provided us a lunch of large but delicious sandwiches and our choice of pie from the Coffee House. (I’m starting to think that we might not be having the typical missions trip gastronomical experience). Afterwards, boys and girls from the village returned excited to watch Becky’s lesson on Paul’s willingness to follow God’s leading and the Holy Spirit’s empowering him. The kids were intent as Stacey led them to make decorated candle holders to represent letting the light of Jesus shine through them and bookmarks.

The outdoor activity was once again the beloved game of soccer. After games, we passed out hygiene kits which seemed to create some buzz in the village as many new kids came by that we had not seen previously. Pray that they would return for tomorrow’s full lesson.

After returning to Beius, Peter took Alan to see REMM’s garden outside town, where they are growing additional produce for the Coffee House and the missions teams that come to work with REMM. This garden also provides opportunities where REMM can employ hard-working people from the Roma community that typically face workforce discrimination.

While safely back at REMM HQ, the floodgates opened up full of wild wind and horizontal rain and hail. Thankful to God that we were able to finish that roof. Pray that the children will have open hearts.

Tomorrow will be a mad dash to the finish line of (hopefully) completing the house. If so, then we can work on assembling a bunk bed for the house on Friday.

– Alan for the Romania team

July 11, 2023

Romania – July 11, 2023

Kurt Bowman Missions, Romania

Romania – July 11, 2023

Tuesday was another early start for the Romanian team. Up for a wonderful breakfast of French Toast at 6, and then in the van laden with tools on the way to Tinca at 6:30. Today the team tackled more of the house as early as possible to beat the heat and sun! Alan was on the roof installing the structure that will support the metal roofing, with George assisting from below. Daniel and Graham started installing the clapboard siding that the team painted yesterday, and the rest of the team jumped on the painting of the remainder of the planed boards.

Once the process of installing the clapboard was installed, the front walls started to go up quickly. Alex and John who are locally leading the construction efforts installed the new window we picked up yesterday evening. Stacey painted the new door for the house a wonderful red color to accent the earth tones of the house itself. Becky, who was told specifically not to operate power tools, successfully cut many clapboards to length for the side of the house without removing a single digit.

By lunch, the roof was largely ready for final metal layer, siding was nearly complete on three sides, and enough clapboards have been planned and painted for what we hope is the rest of the job.

Lunch arrived, made by a local family with connections to REMM, which consisted of potatoes, a type of pork meatball, and wonderful fried cheese bread which was amazing! The kids from the village started to show up shortly after and the team lead a great lesson followed up a butterfly craft that turned out very nicely. Most importantly, the kids seem to understand the point of the lesson and crafts a bit better today as Alex translated for us. The outdoor activity was once again the beloved game of soccer, where the much more skilled village kids once again soundly beat the men on our trip.

By this point in the day, everyone was quite worn out, and we headed to the van to make the trek back to Beius. As we wound through the mountains, we saw a tower in the woods, which Alex said was an easy detour from our path home. Even though everyone was tired, we agreed it was worth it to see the remains of a fortified monastery from the 13th century.

The road to the site took us across a very old, narrow, wooden decked bridge which was quite exciting. The scare was worth it to see the remaining tower overlooking the surrounding valley.

After making the return trip back we arrived at REMM HQ to hear the great news that our missing eight bags would soon arrive! For Daniel, Patti and Becky it was a welcome chance to wear some of our own clothes!

As the afternoon turns into evening, a cool breeze settles into Beius, but tomorrow’s weather points to highs of 92F and another sunny day that the team can tackle the remaining items on the house.

Thank God again for the wonderful weather that makes it possible to work outside on the house, and the safety he has provided the team as we travel back and forth to the site and while we are working each day.

– Daniel for the Romania team

July 11, 2023

Romania – July 10, 2023

Kurt Bowman Missions, Romania

Romania – July 10, 2023

Today was an early wake-up call for the team as we headed from where we are staying in Beius to the Roma village of Tinca at 6:30. It was a beautiful 45 minute drive through the countryside to reach the village where we would spend the day working on a house for a family. Pulling up to the village, we were all struck by how quickly the homes went from what is commonly seen in the rest of the country to homes that were clearly impoverished.

The house had a foundation and wooden frame that was built prior to our arrival. The morning of work began with moving long wooden planks from inside the church building to the work space outside. Most of our team worked on planing and painting, and over time, we developed an efficient system! Throughout the day, the team planed about 130 of these boards, and painted about 50. This was all prep work for the materials for the house.

George, Daniel, and Alex worked on the house itself, installing a moisture barrier around the sides and part of the roof, and getting it ready for siding. For tomorrow, there is more of the roof to do, we can begin putting on wood siding, and we can mount the door and window.

As the morning wore into afternoon, the sun beat down stronger and the shadows moved away from the workspace. The last hour or so before lunch was brutal! Throughout the morning, the kids of the village became more and more comfortable with us, coming up to the worksite, hanging on the fence, and singing. A man from the village also volunteered to help us paint.

Many of us looked at the large sandwiches provided for lunch with incredulity, but we soon found that we were able to down the delicacies quite quickly. With our souls refreshed and our bodies refueled, we prepared an experimental lesson about making choices God wants for us, a lesson on germs, a craft, and some outdoor games (which turned into soccer!) for the kids in the village.

18 kids showed up for the program, and they really enjoyed the activities. It can be heartbreaking to know how little these kids have, not just in ways of material possession, but in love and attention from their families as well. Our heart for them this week is that they would get a taste of the love the Lord has for them.

After spending some time with them, we provided them all with some fruit leftover from our lunch. Some of the team also helped put away the leftover boards that we didn’t get around to painting while the rest of us handed out the fruit, which was such a blessing! We then headed back to Beius for some rest, relaxation, and a delicious dinner.

In conclusion, our team works really well together. Tomorrow we will finish painting the boards, start getting them up on the house, and make more progress on the roof. Thank God for the success we had today, and please pray that the children would feel loved by their Creator and that we would be renewed in His strength for another day of work tomorrow.

~Emily for the Romania Team

July 11, 2023

Romania – July 9, 2023

Kurt Bowman Missions, Romania

Romania – July 9, 2023

What a great first full day in Beius! After a tasty breakfast of fresh breads, jams, and fruit, we headed to a house church in a small town about 30 minutes away in Carpinet. The members were so welcoming. Daniel introduced our team (with a little translation help from Peter) and then we joined our Romanian brothers and sisters in Christ in singing “Amazing Grace.” To hear our American voices joined with Romanian ones created a sweet song of praise. It truly illustrated that we are one body in Christ. We then sang a few songs we had prepared as a team and George Fletcher delivered a powerful message based on Acts 16:16-34 on the hope that our faith in Jesus gives.

After church, we returned to Beius and enjoyed a delicious lunch of chicken soup, followed by a lunch of chicken schnitzel, mashed potatoes, and cucumber salad. To say that our host Anna is an incredible chef is an understatement. We enjoyed a time of fellowship and rest, then headed out to visit the coffee shop REMM runs and a walking tour of the town.

This evening we will rest up as tomorrow we head out early to begin working on the house we will be building for a local Roma family in the morning. After lunch, we will host a VBS for Roma kids enrolled in a feeding program in a small town about 45 minutes away.

Pray for our team to make significant progress each day on the house.

Pray that the Roma people and children we meet and work with this week will see Jesus in our hearts, faces and actions.

Pray that the bonds between our team members continue to grow.

Pray the the missing luggage will be delivered early this week as some of the team are missing clothes and we are missing some supplies.

~ Becky for the Romania Team

July 11, 2023

Romania – July 8, 2023

Kurt Bowman Missions, Romania

Romania – July 8, 2023

After 21 hours of travel, we arrived safely in beautiful Beius, Romania at REMM’s headquarters. Our flight from Dulles was over an hour late in leaving, but we made our connection in Frankfurt easily as the departure gate was directly across from our arrival entry. Unfortunately, 8 of our 22 bags did not make it. God knows where they are even if the airline doesn’t! We are praying they will make it by Sunday or Monday. On Sunday we’ll lead worship, and George will preach at a local church. Pray we can rest well tonight, and that God will speak through us tomorrow. We are excited to see how God will use us this week!

~Stacey for the Romania Team