Back in Romania and A Journey Towards Dual–Citizenship

Happy New Year! La Multi Ani! It feels so good to be back home in Romania.  I had a really nice month with my family and some friends, but getting back into my routine, has been so nice! After School Program – The Village The kids in my classes were so sweet when they finally saw me.  Telling me how much they missed me.  We looked on the big map together again to show where I had been and to talk about California. It’s been good getting the kids back into their routine as well after the Christmas break.  I really am so thankful to God for how good these kids are and the incredible growth between last year and this year.  Last year it took a couple weeks to get the kids back into the swing of things after the break, this year, on the first day back, the kids were asking to do math and writing!  Thank you Jesus!  We have such wonderful children, who really have a hunger to grow and to learn.  I know this in large part due to the prayers that are being said.  God is listening and we are seeing transformation! Internship Program It is great to be back with my interns as well.  This next year, we will be changing the name of the Internship Program to the Discipleship Program.  We have a new logo and website for FFR and the Program as well!  You can click HERE to see the new website for the Program!  If you know any young ladies between 18-27 years old who might be interested in the Discipleship Program I manage here in Romania, please pass on the link to our website! Currently the interns and I are going through a Bible study called, New Thru 30, where we are reading through the entire New Testament in 30 days!  We are almost done.  The Bible studies and materials that go along with the study have been great.  It has been a really good way for us to jump start this new year by diving into the Word of God! We also had a little Intern Christmas party this month since we were all in our home countries for Christmas, complete with making gingerbread houses!  Well, Romanian cookie houses that is…. A Journey Towards Dual – Citizenship “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 Probably the biggest and most exciting news I have to offer for this month is that I became a dual citizen!  On January 20th, I was sworn in as a Dutch Citizen at the Embassy of the Netherlands here in Bucharest. Becoming a Dutch citizen also grants me EU citizenship which allows me to be here in Europe so much easier.  It comes with many benefits and responsibilities, and I am honored and beyond blessed by this opportunity. I love that the Lord is writing my story.  He has plans for my future I know nothing about.  I had hoped that maybe someday I would be able to gain dual citizenship with Romania, but that dream seemed to be very difficult.  10 years ago I had looked into becoming a Dutch citizen through my mom (she was born in Holland) but the law was such that it was not possible at the time.  Then in March 2015, we had a volunteer here in Romania who encouraged me to look into it again, and what do you know, 5 years ago, the law was changed and I was able to begin the application process.  I am so thankful for my parents and my family in Holland who helped me gather the paperwork I needed to complete this process.  There were a few stressful moments, but honestly, this process went very smoothly.  I had a friend here in Brasov who helped me with the application and a wonderful contact at the Dutch Embassy here in Romania who patiently answered all my questions and the efficiency of the Dutch government was amazing! My interns joined me in Bucharest at the ceremony.  It was so comfortable and beautiful.  They had set up a table with Dutch cheese (YUM!) with little Dutch flags, and little fruit tarts, champagne, tea, coffee and some GIANT wooden shoes.  The Deputy Head of Mission lead the ceremony, explaining to me my new rights and responsibilities.  That I am able to now vote not only in the Dutch elections, but also in the EU Parliament elections.  That I am protected by the Netherlands, heaven forbid, if I should ever need their protection and that I can even run for Mayor someday!  Of course there were many other things that she explained to me as well.  Then it was my turn to give my Declaration of Solidarity in Dutch. Ik zweer (verklaar) dat ik de grondwettelijke orde van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, haar vrijheden en rechten respecteer en zweer (beloof ) de plichten die het staatsburgerschap met zich meebrengt getrouw te vervullen. Zo waarlijk helpe mij God almachtig. In English this says, I swear (declare) that I will respect the constitutional order of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, its freedoms and rights, and I swear (promise) that I will faithfully fulfil my duties as a Dutch citizen. So help me God almighty. After the ceremony, I received my official paperwork stating my citizenship status.  We then had some goodies and stood and talked for about a half an hour, just about the work I am doing here in Romania and what this citizenship means for me now.  They also gave me a whole gift bag full of wonderful Dutch treats!  The Deputy Head of Mission gave me a hug and 3 kisses (it’s traditional to give 3 kisses back and forth on the cheek for Dutch people) and she told me more than once that she was very happy to have done this ceremony for me and that it made her emotional as well. Everyone was so kind at the ceremony, they made it truly special for me! I brought a picture of my Oma (grandma) from one of her visits to Holland and a picture of my mama and I on the day she received her US Citizenship with me.  It was special to have them with me on this day! “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” - Philippians 3:20 Honestly this journey has been very surreal for me.  It caused me to think much on where my citizenship ultimately lies, with my Savior in Heaven.  It was also a very emotional (in a good way) journey to share this with my mom and family from Holland. But this journey also caused me to think about what an amazing God I serve!  I never in a million years would have thought about doing all of this.  But God takes me out of my comfort zone, brings me to places and to events that He has written for me, and if I am only obedient to follow Him one step at a time, I find my life is truly the best adventure possible. I do honestly wonder why He has had me go through this process to gain this citizenship and what that means for the present and the future…but for now, I can only look one step ahead, and follow Him and see where He leads. “But as it is written:  “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 I am thankful for each of you who have shared this journey with me, these past 15 months here in Romania.  Thank you for your support, encouragement, and prayers.  I am beyond blessed to be here doing those things that God has prepared for me to do! Grace and Peace, Rachel