It's amazing that the small things re-establish a sense of faith in humanity. Maybe since we are a bit more south, everyone is nicer.
I was surprised how many people were willing to help me, just based on overhearing my conversation with other people on the metro (since I obviously had no idea where I was). They even walked me to my train to make sure I got on the right one. Glory be to God, it is these small things that make life meaningful and prove that not everyone is glued to their screens without regard for others around them.
Minus a couple logistical details where the group had to check in without me :) it was an instant welcoming and "home" feeling, being in a group of Orthodox college students. This feeling of joy and "comfort" was especially evident when we all prayed at the gate before eating, the prayer beginning to bind our team together as we spoke about some things that we are to experience on this trip. But many of these upcoming experiences were left abstract, which I think is so important so that expectations are not made concrete and are then unfulfilled.
We shall see what God wills :)
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On the plane to Bucharest! 9:20am local Holland time
We have not slept nor will be sleeping until much later tonight...
I am reading Father George Calciu's story, thanks to a friend who insisted that I read his story en route to Romania, and truly it is eye-opening, encouraging, and amazing. The torture and "reeducation" that he describes is something straight out of George Orwell's 1984... it is terrifying and crazy that I have never heard of these tortures of the communist regime in a Romania and how people were brainwashed to deny their basic humanity and love of God...
We are truly blessed to live in a country with freedom of religion. And I think that Father George's story puts into perspective the aftermath of such an experience that we are going to see remnants of in our week here in Romania.
Here are some photos from the layover in Amsterdam!
" have a blessed stay in Bucharest" - Flight attendant
Just hit the 24 hour non sleep mark as we landed!
Do you speak Greek? Best customs official
A wonderful quote! "Do not waste the opportunities that present themselves"
I was racing everyone else on the normal, non moving floor, there's always "one of those" in the group as Father said. That's okay I like being a non-conformist :)
Kerri and I discovered that the Dutch clogs are definitely not walking friendly... and that we happen to have the same cousins - talk about small Orthodox Greek world! :)
