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Romania Report: Chris Jones

After an early check in with the Romanian airline Tarom, I boarded my flight to Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. On the flight I dined on the Romania cooking and as I did so I wondered what was waiting for me in this bustling city on the far side of Eastern Europe. My friend, who I had known for a number of years studied at the London Bible College and I had met at the local church where we both attended at that time, would, I hoped be waiting for me on my arrival at the airport.  The plane landed and I collected my luggage, and yes Ocavtian or Tavi, as he prefers to be called, was waiting for me in the arrivals hall.

Already that day Tavi had been lecturing at the Baptist Seminary in the morning and now he was a tourist guide on a wonderful warm afternoon, or at least it was for me having just arrived from a cold and rainy London.

We were soon on our way and into the city centre and Tavi was keen to show me the sights and sounds of this smoked filled city. The exhaust fumes from the cars, buses, tractors and lorries, was quite phenomenal as they all buzzed around the roads, at speed, each wanting the other vehicle move out of his or her own way. Quite amazing.

As we sped on our way to our first destination, Tavi, asked me what I would like to see and do on my visit. He had his own ideas! We had a few brief discussions on the email before I left England perhaps, a visit to radio studios, a TV interview, or a visit to the seminary had been suggested. So it was that then we arrived at Ceausescu's Palace or the People’s Palace. We checked out the visiting times and booked a tour for later in the week.

Tavi is occupied with all sorts of media work, radio broadcasts, is a pastor of a church and its daughter church, and as I have mentioned, a seminary lecturer. It was these that I came to see and see how the development of Christianity Explored was progressing.

Arriving at the Baban family home Tavi lead me up the stairs to meet his wife Danielle and two kids Raluca and Vlad whom I had not seen for a number of years. I was shown to my room that was to be home for me for the duration of my visit. The area of Bucharest they live in, as in most of Europe, consists of blocks of flats. The flat that the Baban’s live in is near the shops, local markets, supermarkets and the local transport. The flat is situated some 5 miles south of the city centre with easy road access to the centre.

Shopping was now in order at the local market. In this covered market the stall the owners laid out the produce, all of which is freshly grown, carrots, onions, radishes, potatoes, courgettes, tomatoes, bananas and apples all in plentiful supply and providing an great array of colour. As we walked around the market I saw a great deal of activity as the traders keen to sell the produce. Everybody is so friendly. We then visited the supermarket where all the main European brands were on sale. Coming here With Dollars, Pounds or Euros, who can buy anything here, with the Lei, the Romanian currency, it more difficult as the average salary is only about $100 per month. That is why most people, have two or three jobs, if they can find them.

After a good night’s sleep the following morning we all sat around the breakfast table where we tucked into cornflakes and other Kellogg’s cereals, yoghurt and locally produced fruit. Raluca had exams coming so had to study whilst Vlad went of to school. Tavi and I set off to the Baptist Seminary. We again buzzed around the traffic, turned into the side roads, to avoid the jams and arriving at the Seminary parking the car in the school courtyard.

I was given a tour of the school and introduced to various members of the faculty including the principal as we visited the offices and classrooms. The school was filled with Romanian students keen and eager to study the word of God. It was then off to visit the Bible League of Romania. Here yet again, I was made very welcome, coffee and biscuits were provided, as I met with the Director and his staff, they wholeheartedly told me how they were serving the Lord and proclaiming the gospel here. The Bible League of Romania prints and distributes bibles, edits, translates, publishes and distributes literature and other materials of a Christian character. They also organise cultural, educational and charity activities. This is an office that is constantly requiring greater assistance in the demanding work that they are undertaking in serving the Lord here in this colourful and vibrant city.

We then step back in the car, and it is then Tavi mentions the television interview recording, for state TV in the evening. This we set up and then start the car and head off on our next visit, to the studios to the Voice of the Gospel and their transmission site.

Back on the roads again and we are now in queue of traffic. I am surprised by the variety of the cars that are on the roads from the very latest Mercedes to the old horse and cart. What a comparison in horse power! On these roads, however, the Mercedes driver will have to be mindful and careful of the pot holes.

Arriving at the radio studios of the Voice of the Gospel and meet with its director. I have the tour of the studios, mixing room and offices. Tavi carries out some radio recording its studios. Over the past 46 weeks he has been one of a two man team in a series of factual discussion programmes, with phone-ins, on creation. This series was so well received that it is now being aired in other parts of the country. We then travel a short distance to the transmission site which is housed in the top floor of a block of flats. This consists of additional studios, mixing room and the antennae which are situated on the roof. The antennae that can be seen for miles are transmitting the gospel of Christ throughout the city and many thousands are tuning in. Leaving the building, we say goodbye to the director, as we head on our way to our last appointment of the day.

Heading off again into the traffic, which by this time in the early evening is incredibly busy, as the rush hour is now in full swing. Finally arrive at a block of flats, we ring the bell and are welcomed in. We find ourselves in a progressive, up to date, television production centre with studio, editing room and offices. Having been introduced to the owner, who offers us a cup of coffee, which is most welcomed, the owner shows us around his organisation. The production centre has been producing programmes for state television for some time now. They all have a focus on Christian issues that is relevant to society as a whole. For the interview, that I was lined up for, the proposal was to talk about “Christians in Business” and how to introduce your work or business colleagues to the gospel. So in front of the studio lights I had a thirty minute recording of topics surrounding this issue, all to be edited into about a 4 or 5 minute slot, in the final post production, for this weekly programme. I have to say how challenging it all was. I referred to Christianity Explored, a course for people who'd like to investigate Christianity, or just brush up on the basics. It explores who Jesus was, what his aims were, and what it means to follow him. The course has been reproduced in Romania and is currently being used in the daughter church. The recording over, we headed out into the traffic and for a bite to eat as it was now quite late.

In the evening we enjoyed a meal in the old cultural part of town with a wonderful vibrant atmosphere with all the people going about their business, sitting down talking over a meal, or just standing on the street corner smoking. We discussed the activities of the day and ask the Lord to bless them all. During the meal Tavi asked me if I would like to say a few words at the Sunday morning service. So this then went into the agenda. The following day, Saturday, the whole Baban family and myself were going on a tour to the mountains to the part, world renown, as Transylvania.

All were up bright and early in the morning, full of hope and expectation of the day that lay ahead. We were not disappointed. The castles we visited we very majestic, their architecture just stunning, set against a blue sky. Touring both castles, walking in the countryside and taking in the breathtaking views of the snow capped mountains in the distance. The valley around us consisting of large houses sitting on a large block land, mainly grass, smoke coming out of the chimneys and the hay stacked up at the side of the houses. We were joined on our travels by numerous other people, who left the city for the day, as they too enjoyed the mountain splendour. Just sitting outside at the base of the castle enjoying a coffee, with these snow capped mountains in the background, was just magnificent. What a day, a long drive, but all well worth it.

Sunday morning arrived and after good nights sleep, we were up for breakfast, so well prepared by Danielle. It was then off to church. The building was packed with six hundred worshipers and not a seat left empty by the time the service started at 11am. My slot was at the start of the service and not understanding the language, I was relying on Vlad to give me the nod and say it is my time to go to the front. At the time he did, Tavi, in his role as Pastoral Assistant, mentioned my name as he introduced me, so this was my cue. As I went to the front of the Tavi joined me from the platform and translated. I spoke about Paul the Apostle and how he lost his freedom for preaching the gospel of Christ and asked if we were prepared to do the same. I spoke for 15 minutes, including translation. I referred to Christianity Explored being a way for people to investigate Christianity and ask who this Jesus was. I shall never forget looking at the congregation, seeing worshippers form all walks of life, the business people, to the older farm workers, to the abundant young people to the many older people, all willing and wanting to serve Christ, in this far part of Eastern Europe. Afterwards an older lady, who looked if she was a farm worker, came up to me and just said in her best English “Psalm 23”.

This trip to Romania was an experience and I shall forever look back on as a milestone in my Christian life. From seeing the opulence of the “Peoples Palace” or “Ceaucescu Palace” being built to very high quality design and with highly expensive materials such as marble, built at a time when the general population of Romania had very little materially and struggled to survive. Where preaching and teaching the Bible was forbidden. In the past fifteen years the situation has changed and people now hunger for Bible teaching and want a deep understanding of the word of God. How things have changed. The question I ask myself is how can I help?

Web sites

www.twr.ro  Trans World Radio Romania

www.bibleleague.ro  Bible League of Romania

www.christianityexplored.com Christianity Explored Bible Course

www.mastermedia.ro Television Production

www.onedirection.com Bible Studies

www.unibuc.ro  Baptist Seminary

Contact
Chris Jones
chris.jones@onedirection.com