Message from Romania - Denny Nutter

We plan to post messages and pictures from several OAMC members during this Romania mission. Here's our first, from OAMC member and singer Denny Nutter.

Monday, Sept 22 – Once the anticipated arrivals for Monday had arrived in Bucharest, we all boarded the bus and headed to the Conference Center in Stupini. After about an hour on the road, we had the pleasant surprise of stopping at a restaurant owned by a family known by Alin. The team had planned ahead and a beautiful bounty awaited. What a terrific feast we had – fresh veggies, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, olives, mashed potatoes, fried eggplant, homemade pocket pita bread and hummus, and homemade soup and rolls. What a treat after hours of living on airline food and/or snack bars!

With a full tummy and a warm bus, this writer soon drifted off to dreamland as the bus navigated highways, and hairpin curves, winding its way to Stupini. Room keys were distributed shortly before midnight local time and all was quiet within a short time.

See Denny Nutter's photos from the first two days.

Two of the three directors confer: South African
Mokale Kaopeng (left) with Alin Apostol of Romania
Photo: Denny Nutter

Tuesday Sept 23 – Rehearsal Day –

--> During the previous night, we experienced strong gusting winds. As I was reflecting on that experience this morning in the shower, the words “a mighty rushing wind" came to me. Oh, that this might be the very indication of what God had in mind for this mission, as His Spirit was preparing the singers to bless those they would be singing to during this years tour in Romania.
After a delicious breakfast, we found our way to the recently remodeled chapel/assembly hall, where our directors (Dave, Alin, and Mokale) led us through each one of the pieces in our repertoire.

We started the day following the tradition started in 2009, by having the Romanians line up on one wall, and the Americans on the opposite wall and sing, Soldiers of the Captain, to each other in our own language. The Romanians certainly took “first place” in that round, and provided the inspiration for the rest of the day.

What a blessing to sit by first tenor, bass, second tenor, and baritone, Americans and Romanians every other seat. Having a Romanian tutor sitting right next to us certainly helped with our pronunciation. We rehearsed from 9 am to 9 pm with breaks for meals, one 10-minute break, and an additional two-hour break for the singers when Dave Wyman recognized that some of the Americans were fading out fast, especially those that had just arrived the night before. “Go get some rest, gentleman,” was his gracious order as he turned to practice with the orchestra.

Before we said “Goodnight,” we were blessed by the testimonies of several sharing the miracles that enabled them to join the group on this trip.

Instructions were then given for preparing for our first concert the evening of the next day. Watch for details regarding the miracles involved in the South African’s last minute visas enabling them to join us. God certainly answers our prayers in some very unique ways!