Travel to and concert in Bacau

IMG_8317x, originally uploaded by oamcsinger.

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By Denny Nutter
Friday, April 17, 2009, at 9:38 p.m. Pacific

Today was another beautiful, but very busy day.

After an early breakfast, we left Galati and headed north to Bacau. On the way, our bus drivers were kind enough to take us through the Gypsy town of Ivesti, which had very fascinating architecture. We observed many horse-drawn wagons and brightly-dressed Gypsy women.

We arrived at the Moldova Conference Office about 2 p.m. and walked a few blocks to the church closest to the Conference Office where we were treated to a feast of cabbage rolls, potato salad, fresh bread, corn-meal mush and a variety of desserts – lemon bars being one of the favorites. Apples have been made available to those that prefer fresh fruit or choose to use it for a toothbrush.

Tonight the group is staying at the Hotel Moldova right across from a mammoth Orthodox church under construction.

We were within easy walking distance (about five blocks) of our evening concert, which was held in the Ateneu Concert Hall. Again, nearly every seat was filled by a very enthusiastic audience. As they did last night, the audience responded very enthusiastically to OAMC’s attempt at singing the second verse of “Nearer, Still Nearer” in Romanian. The Romanian men we sing with are always very complimentary and say that our pronunciation is very good and that they can understand every word.

The concert was broadcast live tonight [on the Internet] and some in our chorus were able to get the church website address last minute to some of our friends and family back in the states, who were able to watch it online. [Editor's note: Saturday and Sunday concerts may also be broadcast, but it's not definite. Go here for details.]

The audience lustily joined us on the second chorus of “We Have This Hope” and was so touched by grandness of the men and the orchestra that we sang it a second time as an encore.

Everyday one can observe the friendship grow among the men of both choruses. Truly we getting a small taste of what heaven will be like.

Gypsy village between Galati and Bacau

IMG_8081x, originally uploaded by oamcsinger.

Scenes from a gypsy village taken as the group traveled from Galati to Bacau.

Go here to see a few more scenes.

Photos by Ralph Stathem.

God in the back of the bus

By Zach Parks, 16-year-old singer
Received Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. Pacific

The last time that I wrote for this blog, I talked about the importance of intimacy. Here we are only a few days into the trip, and I had already a fantastic experience to back it up.

As we rode on the bus together yesterday, we got the wonderful chance to put what we talk about into practice. There were seven of us in the back of the bus, and we all slowly became involved in a conversation about the type of music that is appropriate in church. As many of you probably know, that is a very, very touchy subject. We talked and discussed for a couple of hours and after discussing, we decided to open ourselves to each other and become safe, and intimate.

We spent probably three or more hours in the back of that bus as the seven of us shared our life story, and how our spiritual life has grown. It was simply amazing to watch how God had worked, and is still working in people’s lives. The thing that was amazing was the diversity of the group. We had three boys under 16, and a young Romanian pastor, two middle-aged American men, and a 17-year-old Romanian boy.

All I can say is, yesterday (April 16) God moved. We came to Romania to do ministry, and yesterday’s bus ride was exactly the type of ministry that I believe God sent me and my dad here for. We got to listen as people poured their hearts out, and as we sat I believe any one of us would easily tell you one thing about that meeting … GOD WAS THERE.

Young OAMC singer enjoys mission

By Elisha Bailey, 14-year-old singer
Received Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. Pacific

I have not written in before. I have been having the time of my life, although I miss my mom and family. I believe that God is on this trip because of the conversations on the bus and people learning to take another’s point of view. I have made many new friends, such as Alexandru Dichiu. I believe that God ordained these friendships. Until next time, Elisha Bailey

Young Romanian singer’s experience with OAMC

By Dinu Cotruta, one of our young Romanian members
Received Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. Pacific

Hi! My name is Dinu Cotruta, and I have to tell you that I am having a wonderfully good time with the guys. I didn’t believe that they were so friendly and that’s why I have to say that I am very surprised about this. The first time that I saw Lou, I saw in him a man with a lot of experience and a conductor who knows what decision to make for the good of everybody.

I have met some American people in this chorus that were very sociable with me and I am so glad about this. I wasn’t so decided that I’m going to go to [sing in] all the concerts, but now I want to have this experience with the guys.

I’m very happy and I believe that when our GOD is going to come for the second time, we’ll meet in his kingdom every one of us and we are going to make a huge chorus with the angels and our GOD, JESUS CHRIST. Amen

Overnight in Galati in a Romanian home

By Donna Cavanaugh
Received Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. Pacific

What an experience we had yesterday (Thursday, April 16). After a wonderful concert at the Adventist church in Galati a friendly Romanian lady came up to us talking a blue streak. We couldn't understand her at first, but with sign language she indicated she wanted us to come sleep at her house. We got our luggage off the bus concerned if she'd have a car big enough. Not to worry – she called a cab and took us and our luggage home.

She showed us what must be their sitting room and pulled the couch out to make a 3/4 size bed. We asked about the restroom and her husband took us outside down the little trail they'd marked and showed us the outhouse. No lights out there; only had to make one more trip in the middle of the night setting the neighbor dogs to barking.

In the morning they took us to the kitchen where Ioan, Maria's husband, brought us in some water to wash with while Maria cooked us eggs, made a salad of fresh and so tasty tomatoes, radishes, young onions Ioan had just pulled and parsley. Maria had home-made bread and yogurt. We couldn't eat as much as she thought we should so she insisted we take bread and yogurt with us.

After loading us with gifts they called a cab and Maria rode with us to meet our group at the hotel. Maria practiced her Spanish with the driver who had spent a year in Spain.. Through a young Romanian man traveling with us she told us what a blessing the men's singing was to her.

I don't think we could adequately express how memorable her kindness was to us.

Romanians making wonderful meals for group

P1060260, originally uploaded by oamcsinger.

From Ron & Rhonda Tilley
Received Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. Pacific

April 16, 2009

What a treat! The meals the Romanian women have been fixing for us are simple, but delicious. Lots of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, apples and different cheeses have accompanied cabbage rolls and potato salad and always plenty of bread. They have done a wonderful job preparing food for up to 200 of us.

These women of the Galati Adventist church prepared dinner for the group.