The Journey So Far...

The Dustin's GreenHouse team has visited a local hospital where they gave 100 (of the 300 taken) Give a Gallon bags to orphan children.

100 more Give a Gallon bags were taken to a school in the village of Gorani. The DGH girls did relay races with the students, elementary through 8th grade. To share our American culture with them, the girls played Duck Duck Goose and danced the Hokey Pokey. Our girls were adored by the students and were treated like celebrities. The air was delightfully filled with laughter, singing and clapping.

Before school, the girls bailed hay which naturally became a contest to see who could build the higher mountain (of hay.) With only a rake and pitch fork in hand, the girls were mounding hay around a pole. The locals would push the DGH girls to the top of the "mountain" where they could compress the hay, dancing like "Ring around the Roses."

In freezing cold water, in their bathing suits, the girls played in the river behind the cottages where they are staying.

Divided into teams for breakfast and lunch, the girls are setting the tables and cleaning up after meals. They are washing their clothes in the river and are making their beds each morning. Parents and guardians, take note!!!

Being without the usual amenities and not too concerned with appearances, the girls are boasting "hot mess" hair!

The food is good and the DGH team has eaten very well. Goulash, schnitzel, and meat knish are a few of the native dishes they've sampled. Raven was prepared by bringing 2 power bars for each day in case she did not like the food, but has not needed them!

The team, girls and leaders, have shared a "natural sanctuary" devotion in small groups.

Reminiscent of our hikes in Boone, the team completed a rigorous 5-mile hike where they chose the waterfall versus the trail version. At times they were wading in water chest-high. Asked to rank the degree of difficulty, Ashlie said "just shy of needing to be strapped or cabled." WOW!!! Ashia commented that "If I can do this, I can do anything!"

When not in the water, the jungle boy guides were clearing the way for the team by thrashing brush along the way. Genny and Nikki said the "American boys need to step it up a notch."

Some random thoughts from your stateside reporter...

Technology is amazing! When Ashlie called this morning, she sounded like she was sitting right beside me. And within the next two hours, Janii and Adi were on the radio, 1075 KZL, live from Romania. Forget about the old-timey radio, I listened on my computer.

Earlier today, Sara Corcoran, a Dustin's GreenHouse leader, was departing for Romania to join the group and we were going over some last minute details. I was sharing pieces of what the team has experienced so far and we were both filled with emotion. Sara, exhilarated by what lies ahead for her and me feeling a part of the team although they are halfway around the globe.

The Dustin's GreenHouse Globetrotter Romanian adventure has barely begun, but the impact is already immeasurable both in what has been given and what has been received.

'Til next time...