Report from Romania, Sept. 28

Photo from Dennis Nutter,
OAMC member

By Louise Craig, OAMC executive director

What a rush! We just finished a concert in a cathedral in Timisoara. The music was incredible, enhanced by the amazing acoustics of the cathedral. Virginia played the magnificent organ. It was definitely an occasion for superlatives.

The audience was standing room only and clearly moved and involved with the music.

After the concert, most of the group walked to Revolution Square, the site of the beginning of the Romanian revolt against communism. In a spontaneous gathering, Romanians took to the streets. As soldiers surrounded them, they took refuge in a church. The soldiers fired on the crowd and into the streets. The event set off a chain of events that resulted in the overthrow of the government in days.

On the steps of that church, the combined men's choruses raised voices in celebration of liberty and freedom, especially freedom through Jesus Christ. The Romanians sang the patriotic song that was sung that fateful day. The Romanians gathered as an audience joined in heartily. The men's chorus also sang Soldiers of the Captain and We Have This hope.

Tonight, we head back to Arad for a well-deserved evening off. Tomorrow we embark on the second longest stretch of the tour, heading for Alba Iulia and another cathedral.

In spite of exhaustion, a turned ankle and a few cases of traveler's intestinal distress, everyone is doing well and having a wonderful time bonding.

Daily devotions on the buses have been an important part of the journey. One bus driver commented that he is sure God has been with us. We have encountered a major traffic accident on each trip, arriving just minutes after the accident. He has been so moved by the devotions and by the prayers on his behalf, he threw his cigarettes away in Cluj. He told Marius he is feeling much better eating our vegetarian meals and is considering becoming a vegetarian.

Before each concert, the prayer team, joined by local church members, prays over the concert, the conductors, the singers, the orchestra, and the audience. Last night, in Oradea, one of the concert hall's attendants was standing nearby. They invited her to join the prayer circle. They learned that she was Hungarian, a Catholic, and that her sister is suffering with cancer. They encircled her as they prayed. She was grateful and touched that they would care so much for a stranger. One of the Romanians exchanged contact information and will keep in touch with her.

The night before, as we sang, one of the singers noticed a couple sitting in the second row. When the men moved into surround position to sing Go, My Children, the singer noticed tears began to run down the man's face. As soon as the song was done, he moved toward the tearful man and wrapped him in a bear hug. Other singers commented later that they, too, had seen people emotionally touched by the music.

There are so many more stories of the power of the Holy Spirit being manifest. We can hardly wait to tell you more!