By Louise Craig
It’s Wednesday morning, October 1. We have just loaded the buses
from the Hotel Imperatul Royale, where we have been royally spoiled with three
nights in one place, filling breakfasts, and a feast after the concert last
night.
 |
| OAMC conductor Dave Wyman (left) with Lev Vertylo of Ukraine Photo: Dennis Nutter |
Sibiu was voted the cultural capital of Europe in 2007. They
have continued to restore the old city. The main plaza, just outside of the
hotel entrance, is filled with all types of food, shops and places of interest.
The concert hall was just a few blocks away, a nice walk in
the moderate night air. We were competing for an audience with some event in
town. A large marching band wound its way through the plaza, ending in an area
used for outdoor events. We were pleasantly surprised to see a good crowd in
the auditorium.
The choirs sang in the Filharmonica de Stat (State
Philharmonic). One of our instrumentalists, Cosim, is concertmaster for this
orchestra. He was key to helping to gather an orchestra to travel with us. Raul
is serving as concert master. It is inspiring to be with such talented people
who are so very humble and wanting to be of service.
Last night, the local Adventist Conference president
introduced us. During a break in the middle of the program, a senator in the
Romanian Parliament addressed the crowd and the singers with thanks and a
little politicking. Elections are next month. I don't know what he said but he
took quite some time to say it.
On our day off on Monday, a group of guys, young and
not-so-young, played futbol (soccer) in an indoor arena for more than two
hours. They had a wonderful time. The bonds are being strengthened.
Last night during our supper feast at the hotel, several of
the young men serenaded us with an impromptu concert. We enjoyed seeing such
talent, presented with so much joy.
Now we are on our way to Ramnicu Valcea, 100 km to the
south, along another scenic Romanian highway. Seven concerts down, four to go.
We are all experiencing the mixed feelings of anxiousness to get back to our
homes and families along with the sadness of leaving new friends and old
friends we have gotten to know even better.
Lev and Viktor are to join us this evening, probably with a
good deal of sadness as a minister in the Donetsk region was abducted duringSabbath morning services by armed men proclaiming that they were in an Orthodox
country. We hope to get accurate information from Lev this evening. Please pray
for Lev and the church in eastern Ukraine.
Today we are traveling beside the Olt River. Our Romanian
fellow travelers say this is Romania's most beautiful valley. The Olt is
Romania's second largest river, the Danube being the largest. The drive is
quite lovely, and as it follows the river, it is not very straight. Parts of
the trip bring to mind the Columbia River Gorge, complete with the occasional
dam and some picturesque villages.
As we count our blessings, we rejoice in His sure promise to
be with us. We have experienced His presence in so many ways. This morning, as
we sang "He Lives!" we know we serve a risen Savior who is in our
world today.
UPDATE: Lev
Vertylo and Viktor Bega arrived in time for tonight's concert in Ramnicu
Valcea. Lev related what happened in Ukraine. Armed men walked into a church
during communion service on Sabbath morning. They chased the members out,
forced the pastor into a vehicle and drove off. The missing pastor is a good
friend of Lev, who is now president of that conference. Lev then led the choir
and orchestra in the song "Prayer for Ukraine." It was moving, bringing some of us to
tears. Please pray for the Donetsk region, for the safety of our members, and
for the safe return of the missing pastor.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comment. To prevent spam, all comments will be reviewed by the blog moderator as soon as possible.