On 20-29 July 2025, nine members across our church communities flew to Constanta, Romania to help the local church reach out to their communities. Originally, the plan was to teach English across four days as well as run an outreach kids’ camp in a neighbouring village. However, plans were changed when we departed from Luton airport as the local teenagers did not show enough interest in learning English. Instead, we ran kids’ camp for two extra days in Tuzla before proceeding with the planned outreach kids’ camp in Topraisar.
We hear from Chrissie, Cerise and Emily about their experience.
What were your expectations going to Romania?
Chrissie: Coming into Romania, overwhelmed was an understatement. I had a busy period leading up and even though I did some preparation, I didn’t ever feel it was enough, but I also didn’t know what else I could prep. I knew it would all be fine and that we could play it by ear but compared to all other youth activities I’ve done, this was definitely the most anxiety inducing one (partly because I had no clue how to teach English).
Cerise: I wasn’t sure what to expect — I’d never been on mission before! From what I’d heard about Bulgaria, I did think it would be a fruitful experience, and I hoped to witness God move within the children we’d teach and do camps with.
Emily: I was absolutely assured that God would be working and everything would turn out okay. I knew He would use us to show love to the children, and He had already planned what would happen in our time there. Holding onto these truths was crucial in the preparation as I felt overwhelmed and distracted with other things and insecure in my leadership of the team. I was looking forward to the fellowship and interacting with the children.
What was a stand-out moment that really impacted you?
Chrissie: It took a little while to connect with the youth, but a stand-out moment was day 2 of the Tuzla camp, where me, a couple of the leaders and like 10 youth were standing around a trampoline throwing beanbags at each other, calling out each other’s names. It was the first moment I felt I connected with the youth, and it was lots of fun calling out the same person’s name 4 times and throwing 4 beanbags at them, watching as they tried to catch all of them.
Cerise: During one of our camps, I got frustrated that one of the games wasn’t going according to plan. In passing, I heard someone say the kids were having a lot of fun. That helped me realise my heart was in the wrong place because the whole point of the games was to make them have fun, regardless of if they played right. God reminded me that His plans wouldn’t always go my way, but His results are always good.
Emily: Seeing each of the team members come alive during the week. It was difficult at times with the heat, tiredness, feeling disconnected from the kids and sometimes with each other. However, every single person was able to demonstrate God’s love and His gifts in various ways that can be hard to spot in our Sunday services, and this was essential to the overall running of the camps and team dynamic. I can’t imagine what would have happened if a single person was not there.
How did your faith grow or change?
Chrissie: If I could summarise the whole experience, it would be that God is in control and trust that He knows our needs. After our initial planning wasn’t used, due to English camp being cancelled, all of us were quite confused and a bit upset. But reflecting on it, God gave us that time to rest (both physically and spiritually). I don’t think we would’ve survived two camps every day. Additionally, we had to adapt our plans every day in response to changing circumstances and feedback, so we definitely needed to trust in God for all of that planning.
Cerise: I’ve grown to have more of a heart for children who haven’t been reached with the Gospel yet. It was wonderful watching them sing songs of the love God has for them and it reminded me of the importance of childlike faith for myself.
Emily: I came out of the trip excited to dream bigger. I had grown doubtful that things would improve, especially around ministry and work, and felt stuck in a rut. The trip helped me to see a broader perspective of how God is working and I’m looking forward to seeing what else He is going to do.
What would you say to someone going on a mission trip?
Chrissie: To someone who wants to go on mission, take each step one at a time. God can move in the most unexpected ways (such as throwing beanbags) and you need to be open to do whatever God sends you to do, even if it’s outside of your expectations.
Cerise: Do it! God can really move in the most unexpected ways and there is so much to learn and gain from giving your time up to help others feel loved and appreciated.
Emily: God will use the trip to refine you, and you get to work with Him and see what He does. It’s hard work but you’ll come away a little more in awe of how vast and good He is.