We're Home!

 Everyone has landed back in Vancouver, BC and are currently on the way back down to the church. We are so thankful to all of you who read this blog and prayed for our trip. It was an amazingly blessed time of encouragement and growth. 

Here is a message from one of the churches we served at, Betania Baptist Church Sighet: 

Dear Living Hope Bible Church,

Betania Baptist Church Sighet wishes to thank you for the time spent here in mission, for the love, dedication, and sacrifice you made here in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It had a significant impact from a religious point of view! People who, under no other circumstances, would have stepped into an evangelical church, were so surprised by the team from your church that they decided to come to church. Some were surprised to tears, tears of gratitude, joy, and admiration!

May God from heaven reward you for all your kindness, sacrifice, love, and dedication, and keep you in His hand until we meet again! We wish you to return to us whenever you have the opportunity!

We await you with open hearts!

With love,

The team of Betania Baptist Church Sighet!

God is wonderful. It is so great to see his work on display and to know that people who would never have gone to church were coming to church. Praise God!

Here are some trip reflections from the team:

Dave Masterson: "My first missionary trip is now in the books! Overall, it was so much more than I expected. I thought that we would be lifting up, supporting and encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ in their faith. Quite the opposite happened! I was lifted up by their faith in God and His plan. They had total faith that He would overcome all obstacles to accomplish His goal. I felt lifted up, encouraged, in my faith, and emboldened to share God's message. I also felt bittersweet as we left this morning. Bitter... that we had to leave our new brothers and sisters... just as we came to understand just how great the need for service there is there, Sweet... because Lord willing, we might be back to  serve again with our new family.

I have 2 favorite things about this trip.

1) hearing the gospel being presented in multiple languages from the airport to the market, to the constitution site, to the asylum, and at the church, Gods people proclaiming His Glory!

2) Singing praises in multiple languages, in total harmony. What a blessing!

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to serve."

John Mar: "God’s plan is wonderful. He used Florica as an orphan and then Alex to organize this trip. And now we know and have brothers and sisters to pray for and work with. And then to work in a new place and see God’s working amongst the Romanians. We will pray and see if God provides future opportunities to go back and meanwhile we will pray for each other."

Teresa Chau: "I am so thankful for Pastor Dan and Emily for taking such good care of us while we stayed in the church building. They were always so willing to take care of every detail. It has also been such a joy to serve with the team from Romania. They are so friendly and encouraging! I am so grateful that God gave me the opportunity and boldness to serve Him and share the Gospel to many."

Gianna Chau: "One thing that really stuck with me was sharing the gospel during Eyeglass Ministry. This was the first time I had shared the gospel to an unbeliever since I was little. Not only did I get to practice and learn how to share from others, I got to share about God many, many times! I experienced so much joy from sharing the gospel!"

Nate Bean: "I am so thankful to experience the heritage of two of my dearest friends, Alex and Florica. I was blessed to spend time with my LHBC family and become much closer to many people I have known for a long time, but not intimately. I praise God for meeting and knowing new brothers and sisters in Romania and being able to serve them but, more special, was being served by them - I always feel I receive the greater blessing. Praise God that when we are faithful to obey his call He provides abundant blessings."

Brianne Pratt: "I’m usually the type of person who likes a plan, but that’s not the way this mission trip worked. Through this flexibility, I got to see God work in so many more ways than I could have ever expected. I learned to trust more in God’s provision and to follow His guidance in each moment instead of worrying about all the change that was constantly happening."

Thank you everyone!

~ Team Romania 2025