Discovering New Light, New Hope in Romania

When Gwyneth Findlay left for her first short-term mission trip last summer, she admits she wasn't feeling particularly enthusiastic about the idea. "My parents [ITCA head office staff members Wilma and Alan Findlay] had decided that they would go on this trip and that I would go along, but I felt no need to do so. As a selfish teenager, I wanted to spend the summer with my friends instead of my parents and whoever they wanted me to go see. I'm also quite shy and figured that I would have very little success connecting with people I met along the way."

Within 24 hours of arriving at Camp Discovery in Romania, Gwyneth's life was changed, as the Romanian volunteers welcomed her with open hearts and 40 orphan children arrived to spend a week playing games, doing crafts, sharing Bible stories, and participating in what Gwyneth described as the typical camp activities. "The kids were just as welcoming as the volunteers had been. Nothing had ever touched my heart so fully or so quickly. Each day brought new lessons, new light, new hope. God's love was flowing around us all the time. It took my breath away! The effect of each child was the same; I'd never felt so called to be there for anyone in my life."

Since returning from Romania, Gwyneth says her relationship with Jesus has exploded, leaving her much more open to experiencing God right here at home, which has led to a series of events and situations with friends that have strengthened her faith immensely. "I also tend to look at things from new perspectives now and try to consider the way things would be handled if I was still over there, where the little stuff actually seems like what it is – little stuff."

Please lift up Gwyneth in prayer as she returns to Romania this summer with a friend. To learn more about Camp Discovery or to financially support this program, click here.