The original fortress was built on this site by Turkish conquerors in 1551. This fortress remained (under various rulers) until the mid-1700's, when the Austrian Habsburg Empire determined that it was in their strategic interest to build a new, larger and more fortified (double-walled) fortress on the same location as the Turkish fortress. In fact, it marked the border between the Austrian and Ottoman empires.  This is the facility that primarily remains today. The modern Romanian army has used the fortress area as a military base, though today it is used only in a very minor way. It is also thought that under Communist rule, the infamous "Securitate" (Secret Police) used the facility for not-so-pleasant purposes of the dictatorship.

There is talk of the Romanian government removing the remaining military unit and restoring the fortress as a museum and tourist attraction. We hope this talk becomes reality for this fascinating piece of history.  Scott

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March 28, 2008 - Friday - 

New Shalom March 27 2008

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March 27, 2008 - Thursday - I (Scott) had the strangest revelation yesterday. I was sitting in a coffee shop having hot chocolate with another missionary who lives and ministers here. He was talking about the cost to mail letters from here to the US, and he asked me, "How much do stamps cost now in America?" I paused in silence as I realized that I didn't know how much stamps cost, a simple piece of information that nearly every American would knows without even thinking about it. Then there was a brief moment of panic in my spirit as I realized my disconnectedness with my home culture, symbolized by this simple, but missing, piece of knowledge. All of this is a natural result of living outside my home culture for over two years now; I know it is normal. But am I really ok with no longer being an "insider" in my home culture? But wait, I don't completely fit here in Romania either...never will. Am I ok with this? Maybe this a small piece of what Jesus meant when he said, "My kingdom is not of this world," (John 18:36) and "They are not of the world, even as I am not of it" (John 17:16). Maybe this is what all of our Christian walk on this earth is supposed to be, an ever growing enculturation in the Kingdom of God and a resulting "foreigner" status with our natural world, whatever our home culture may be. Perhaps you'd like to think with me on this. Scott

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March 23, 2008 - Sunday - As I write this I'm sitting on the train (this will post to the internet when I plug in at home). I'm returning from a weekend in Bucuresti; it's a 10-hour ride from Bucuresti to Arad, the sun has just set, preventing me from getting lost in the beauty of the mountains, so what better way to pass some time than to catch up on some correspondence, right? So, welcome to my train car...  More...

I and one of our Arad church leaders traveled to Bucuresti to do some teaching and continue building relationship with a Methodist house church in our capital city. This was my third visit with them. They are a fine group of people--five young families (one family had gone home when I took these pictures)--and its a privilege for me to invest some time in helping them become all that God wants them to be. On this trip I felt led to teach about what a healthy, Biblical church might look like in their circumstances. We talked about the differences between being building-centered and people-centered, keeping things simple, and everyone being a minister according to the Lord's giftings. The teaching was well received, and (they said) timely. Thanks be to God for His direction!

We also began sharing and cooperating on some Methodist resources in the Romanian language (of which there are almost none). To my very pleasant surprise they presented me with two books, in Romanian, about the historical development of Methodism and about the core theology of John Wesley (Methodism's founder)! One of the ladies in the group is very interested in reading and translating Wesley materials from English to Romanian, so I gave her two books from my library to begin translating. Pray for Yeliz as she begins translation of these materials.

As you finish reading this, please pray for this group (when I took their picture I told them YOU would pray!): Pastor Daniel and his wife Andrea and the four other families in their care. Pray that God would encourage them and use them to extend His kingdom influence in Romania's capital city. Scott

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March 20, 2008 - Thursday - Here are two short video clips of the Greenville Choir singing impromptu at an Orthodox church and at the home of our pastor, Nelu:

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March 19, 2008 - Wednesday - Wow! What a great couple of days… This morning we said good-bye to the choir from Greenville College (IL). They came rolling into Arad this past Monday afternoon after a couple of days in Budapest, Hungary. After a great traditional Romanian lunch, we spent a little while on the streets of downtown Arad handing out flyers for their concert on Tuesday evening. One of the groups (we split the choir in five groups) sang impromptu on the street for a couple of people. This was followed by a visit to the Oaza homes and a few minutes of playtime. The choir and the children enjoyed this very much. More...

Tuesday morning we were all up early for a walking tour of the downtown area. This also included two impromptu songs; one at the Catholic cathedral and one at an Orthodox church. Those in the churches very much enjoyed the sound and spirit which was shared. Next came a tour of one of Arad’s universities and a meeting with some English major students. Several of these students joined the choir for lunch in area restaurants. The choir then performed a wonderful concert for the community at the former communist union hall (the same location where we have worship on Sundays). We were so pleased to have over 300 in attendance; people from several ethnicities (Romanians, Americans, gypsies and other nationalities); rich and poor alike (from Hummer owners to those who struggle every day). Several people came as a result of the flyers that were handed out and from our visit to the Orthodox church. For some of the attendees, this may be their only chance to experience something like this ever. We were thrilled to be able to give them this opportunity and to have the gospel shared through music for those who do not yet know our Lord. We are so thankful to have gotten to know this group of people (directed by Dr. Jeff Wilson) and to have been blessed by their gifts and gracious spirits.

Pastor Nelu is home from the hospital. It is still unclear as to what exactly caused the bleeding into his stomach. Nonetheless, he is home recovering. He spoke this morning of news from the doctor which indicates that his liver disease is greatly improved. This is good news indeed! The Greenville choir, as they were leaving town this morning, graciously sang a couple of songs for Pastor Nelu at his home since he was unable to attend the concert last evening.

We also celebrated this weekend with our friends Casius and Daniela, the 2nd birthday of their son Timothy. Timy was born in the March following our move here. This is a timely reminder for us to watch him grow. He is so much fun!

Scott leaves Friday evening, with one of our church leaders, for a weekend visit with our house church friends in Bucuresti. He will be spending time teaching and encouraging them. I (Paula) will be working with one of the ladies at church to lead worship on Sunday for our church and to sing Sunday afternoon at a small village church for a baptism service.  Paula

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March 16, 2008 - Sunday - You probably wonder what in the world has happened to Paula… Is she still in Romania…? Yes, I am still here! :-) Scott has kept you up-to-date on our/his travels and truly the rest is day-to-day life.

First of all, please pray for Pastor Nelu, pastor of our church here in Arad. He was taken last week to the hospital after coughing up some blood. We are still unclear as to the cause, but he is looking better and seems to be feeling some better. The doctors have not said when he will be allowed to return home. So, we just ask that you pray for his health. His liver disease is responding well to medication. He also needs to have some eye surgery soon.   More...

Tomorrow we begin hosting a choir from Greenville College (Illinois). We are very excited about their arrival and the concert they will perform on Tuesday evening. Many invitations have been given out…we hope many will take advantage of this unique event. Please pray for the choir as they experience Romania and perform this concert. I spent several days over the last two weeks trying to help one of the students (from Africa) obtain a visa to enter the country. Praise the Lord this was granted…just 3 days prior to their flight to Europe. :-)

I have enjoyed the visits from our colleagues in Sighisoara. The Hopkins two weeks ago and this weekend Melanie Roorda was here with us. We spent time just “hanging out” in the city on Saturday and relaxing.

Our newer American volunteer, Nicole, is doing very well. However, she could certainly always use prayer being a “single-mom” of 11 children (with assistance). We are in need of new house parents for Shalom House at Oaza…this is where Nicole is currently living. Please ask the Lord to lay his hand on a couple who will answer His call and come serve Him in this way.

I am now leading two clubs each week…Monday is music club where we are learning how to follow rhythms and play the recorder. I am having a great time with this group! :-) I also continue to lead two English clubs on Wednesdays. The kids and I continue to drive to Timisoara for language class on Tuesdays and I go again on Fridays. Trying to find time to study seems to be a perpetual problem for me…I could really use your prayer about this.

Thanks for taking the time to check up with us… Your thoughts and prayers are ALWAYS needed and appreciated! Peace… Paula

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March 14, 2008 - Friday - I (Scott) am back home in Arad today. Tuesday through Thursday this week I continued my travels with our European Director, Jerry Coleman, in Thessaloniki, Greece. This was my first visit to Greece, and I really want to go back! The weather was beautiful, the city was historic (walking on the same soil where the Apostle Paul established one of his favorite churches), and the waterfront on the Aegean Sea was...well I'll let you judge from a couple of pictures (click on them to enlarge).More...

Most of our time was spent with our missionary colleagues, Mike and Maria Long, who have lived and worked in Thessaloniki (and the wider Balkan region) for more than 10 years. Maria, who is a native Greek born and raised in Thessaloniki, fed us some wonderful Greek food. Michael arranged for us to meet with several of the church leaders over coffees and breakfast. Maria took me shopping in the center city where we found a couple of nice blouses for Paula and Lydia. The trip to city center was a new experience...on the back of a scooter in the wild Thessaloniki traffic! We also hung out at the Anagenesis (New Beginning) bookstore that the Longs own and run as a ministry to their neighborhood. Jerry and I both spoke at their church's Wednesday night service, after which we all went out for authentic Greek gyros...Yum!

After a good flight back to Budapest and an amazingly quick trip to the train station, I returned home by train last night around 11pm. It was an excellent trip, and I thank the Lord for the opportunity to connect with some of the wider work He is doing in Europe. To see the full set of pictures from Bulgaria and Greece (with explanatory captions!), click on the picture below in the March 10 journal entry. Scott

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March 10, 2008 - Monday -

Bulgaria_Greece_March2008

Today I'm writing from Petrich, Bulgaria (south west, near the Greek border). I flew to Sofia, Bulgaria on Saturday with our European director, Jerry Coleman, to visit our missionaries, Al & Diane Mellinger, and to meet with several pastors, leaders, and churches with whom Al and Diane are building relationships and working cooperatively. Sunday morning we worshipped with the Church of God in Bulgaria, Sofia. After lunch we traveled south to the smaller town of Samokov, where we have relationship with a large Roma (gypsy) church. What a great experience it was to meet the leaders here, take a walking tour of their target community, learn about their feeding program for widows and orphans, and worship in an authentically Roma style of music. A video clip of their worship team can be viewed by clicking here: Samokov Worship Team.

After a long Sunday of ministry and meeting people, we drove 2 hours south to Al and Diane's home in Petrich. We've spent a more relaxing day here today fellowshipping with the Mellingers, seeing their home ministry location and meeting the people of their Bible study.

Tomorrow we will be driving 2 hours further south to Thessaloniki, Greece, to visit with our missionaries there, Mike and Maria Long, and the church they lead.  Scott

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March 6, 2008 - Thursday - Did you think we forgot about our website? We didn't forget; Paula and I have just been too busy to write and post any entries. And sometimes our busyness is either 1) too mundane to write about, or 2) involves people and/or situations that need to remain anonymous to the open nature of internet websites. I (Scott) can give you a quick run-down of my past couple of weeks. Maybe it will seem mundane, maybe not... Perhaps you'll find a few things to pray about!

Feb. 20 - lunch with C.P., a young guy from my leadership group, then an afternoon appointment to renew car insurance (exciting...to the tune of $1083!)

Feb. 21 - oil change and scheduled maintenance on our car (more money!)

Feb 22 - lunch with the outgoing house parents from the Oaza Shalom House

Feb 23 - monthly gathering of the leadership development group that I lead. The discussions in these are always stimulating and challenging (especially for my Romanian comprehension). This was no exception. Topic: servant leadership model from John 13

Feb 26 - My weekly meeting with D.T. for English conversation practice. D is a Romanian-trained dentist who is hoping to emigrate to Australia. However, he needs to pass an English competency exam first, part of which is oral/spoken conversation. A couple in our church linked D and me for practice. D was raised Orthodox but doesn't go to church. The Bible, Jesus, and church have naturally come up in our conversations. D asked if he and his wife could come to church to hear me preach a few Sundays ago. They've been coming ever since. Pray for D and his wife A as they discover the Jesus of their Orthodox roots!

Feb 26 - lunch with I.B., another young guy from my leadership group

Feb 28 - After a few days of car trouble (pre-dating the oil change on Feb 21), we're told we have a faulty EGR valve. Cost for repair? A quick $800! That blows about half of our total auto expense budget for the year. :-(

Feb 27 - lunch with N.I., one of our developing Hungarian leaders in Budapest

Mar 1 - Monthly meeting with our local church leadership team

Mar 1-2 - Our VISA colleagues from Sighisoara, Maurice and Karen Hopkins (and their two boys), spent the weekend with us for some R&R time and fellowship with the Arad church. We enjoyed their company.

Monday, March 3, I traveled 2 hours south to the city of Lugoj to scout out a possible facility for a September regional conference we're planning. It was a beautiful day for a drive, and the facility was excellent as well. Hopefully all things will work out to meet there.

Yesterday, March 5, Paula and I drove to Budapest for the quarterly meeting of our Carpathian Basin team. Besides our regular ministry reports, we talked quite a bit about our September regional conference. Please pray for the planning for this event that will take place over the next few months. Pictured here are: Larry, Katie, Scott Dunn, Paula Dunn, Simon and Lynette Sykora, Gerry McNamara, and Júlia Tóth.

Lots of other things were and are happening in the midst of these highlights. But who wants "

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