Banana Splits and Good-bye's

One of the aspects about our ministry here are the wonderful youth volunteers we work with.  My colleage and I pray that our example in ministry will stir in them a continued desire for ministry themself.  We have a wonderful group of volunteers who travel with us all throughout Romania (when they can) and work extremely hard in service to God.  Many of them are at different stageas in their walk with the Lord but everyone of them are a crucial part of this ministry and we pray they realize their potential and giftings God has given them through this ministry.

Tonight we had a going away party for me since it will be about a year before I can see them again.  (sniff sniff)

One of the joys of working with our Romanian youth is that we get to expose them to new American delicatessen's.  Tonight's classic treat was Banana Split with lots of goodies for toppings.  They had never had one and most had never seen one.  One had heard about it on the Cartoon Network.  LOL

Here are some pics from our evening experience with banana splits and going away party.

After their "lesson" on how to make banana split they were all very eager to dig in.

Adriana enjoying her first banana split ever.

Julia was so excited and loved it that seconds were in order.

                                             I think Ingrid's smile says it all!

Nane is as sweet as her banana split.

                Bogdan was speechless after his first banana split.

Adriana really loves frisca

                        Don't let Alex's face deceive you he loved it.

Somehow Filip got the biggest bowl and managed to fill it.

Our fabulous volunteers.  My colleague Jan is on far right with striped blouse.

The group surprised me with a beautiful gift and card with many notes written to hurry back home. 

I will miss them all deeply but I know I'll be back home.  How quickly depends on you

Tamara Henkes

www.henkes.ministryhome.org 

Newsletter sent out

I just sent out my newsletter for Spring via email (hard copies for those I dont' have email addresses for will be sent out next week). 

You can view this newsletter at http://henkes.ministryhome.org/prayerletters.php

If you would like to receive enewsletter please contact me with your email address.

Blessings

Tamara Henkes

Gorilla's, clowns and earthquakes

Thought that would get your attention...

With a completely packed STL vehicle, myself and two Romanian ministry volunteers made our way down south towards the Bulgarian border to a small village of Potelu about 3 hours outside of Bucharest.  I have done many outreaches and knew that the children were anxiously awaiting the return of Upa our gorilla. 

This weekend was packed full of children's and adult's outreaches.  We arrived Friday afternoon with about 2 hours to spare before the start of our children's program.  A group of friends arrive from Timisoara and together we set up and rehearse for the outreach.  Upa the gorilla and Benjamin bear walk through the streets gathering the kids.  The theme is Jesus is alive and I teach about Easter and it's significance.  We have a full body gorilla and bear costume that we use in the program and a clown and puppets. 

Friday evening we set up to prepare for an outdoor evangelistic outreach to adults.  All goes well this first day.  We all settle into our selected homes for the night.  I get to stay at a family's home in the next villlage.  It's the home of the aunt of a friend.  Not being used to farm life the chickens, turkey and rooster all keep me awake.  I thought the rooster was supposed to wake me up in the morning??? Must be on a different time zone than me.

Well saturday morning is a relaxed time of fellowship and meal.  Early afternoon we set up for our second children's outreach.  Getting a little concerned since it's raining an hour before the program and we are outside we do the only thing we can imagine to do and that is to pray!  Wouldn't you know it.... it stops raining just before we begin and starts up again after we finish.  God is so awesome. 

Program goes well and I teach on Jesus' neverending love and forgiveness and our need for His forgiveness.

The evening program for adults is cancelled due to storm but with the few that show up we divide up (girls in one room and guys in another).  We have an impromptu meeting with the women and one of the gals who came with me from Bucharest gives a wonderful talk with the women about breast cancer.  For many it was the first time hearing about this and doing self exams etc.  She also gets into some other discussions for women and overall we have a wonderful time with the women. 

In the middle of the meeting I experience my first Romania earthquake.  Shook us up a little but was very brief. 

Sunday morning brought us to church where we had great worship, some gave testimonies, I was asked to give a word and I did so all in Romanian (I'm sure with many mistakes ) 

After lunch we pack up my little STL truck and head back to Bucharest. 

Please pray for the seeds that are planted and God's continued work in this village of Potelu

A time for rest

There is a very good reason why I haven't been able to update for the past 5 weeks.  Over the past 5 weeks the following has taken place:

1)  My colleage and I hosted 3 different teams (from Evangel University, Tulsa Oklahoma,  and Ireland)

2)  We visited 17 different villages, towns and cities.  Sometimes returning several times for follow up.

3)  We held 10 Evangelistic outreaches for children

4)  We held 6 Public School Assembly Programs focusing on developing good Character

5)  We held 8 Women's Evangelistic outreaches in the form of Ladies Teas

6)  We taught a 3 day seminar at Bible College in Constanta on children's ministry

7)  We held a Chapel service for elementary and 2 chapel services for Secondary students at Missionary School in Bucharest.  Also serving hot lunches for students

8)  Between the 3 teams we led 4 different Sunday Services

9)  The teams did various work projects and construction projects at Kidz Romania Ministry Center.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CAME AND SERVED!!!!  The teams were amazing and worked hard.  Only God knows the true impact and the many lives which were changed as a result of their labor.  Many seeds were planted so please continue to pray.

As a result of so many outreaches we have received many many more invitations.  Praise God for these open doors.

Tamara Henkes

www.henkes.ministryhome.org

I'm back

Okay, I don't know what happened or why I just disappeared from facebook but whatever the reason I'm back.  I will spare everyone the details of what I've been doing for the past several months but just trust me when I say I've been busy.

I did have the chance to visit the states and see my family so that has been a highlight.  I do have some pray requests so I'll just get right to business why I'm here today.  We need prayer.  We have a team of University students arriving saturday for a week of ministry and of course we need to be covered in prayer.  I have included a quick agenda so you can be praying for specific days and what we'll be doing.

Thank you so much

Friday 2/27 Arrival of Sarah with Save Europe's Children

Saturday 2/28 Arrival of 10 students from Evangel

Sunday 3/1 church service in Videle where team will give testimonies and music.  After service we have 2 children's outreaches.  One of the outreaches is in a village we've never been to yet.

Monday 3/2 team gets free day for sightseeing and shopping

Tuesday 3/3 Travel to Codla for Public School outreaches

Wednesday 3/4 School outreaches in Bucharest

Thursday 3/5 School outreaches in Bucharest

Friday 3/6 Travel to Vizuresti for a "Ladies Tea" evangelistic outreach and a Children's outreach

Saturday 3/7 team will do projects around the Ministry Center

Sunday 3/8 team leaves

Please pray for the outreaches, especially to the public schools.  Wihle in the public schools, we can't talk about God, but our desire is to teach about developing good moral characters as well as build relationships in these communities for future outreaches.

During times with teams we travel alot, pray for safety as well as good health. 

Thank you

Tamara

www.henkes.ministryhome.org