Dave Tippit just returned from Eternal Concept’s second overseas discipleship training school of the year.  The 2 1/2 week trip included a variety of activities from Tippit teaching to over 20 Romanian university students, to working in orphanages with The Istrouma Baptist Church from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and doing various humanitarian work throughout several towns in Romania.

The first week that Tippit was in Romania, he and his partners from Istrouma Baptist Church were in the city of Beius, where there is immense poverty.  During this time, Tippit helped give out clothes, gifts, and toys to many children in the orphanage where they were working.  He and Istrouma teamed up with the Romanian Evangelical Medical Mission (REMM) to also supply food.  REMM accomplishes several things in various areas throughout their mission.  One such project is called the “Agape Runs.”  This project basically entails the mission to supply food and clothing on a regular basis to the underprivileged people of Beius.  REMM also helps with finding foster homes for the orphans that are in the city, as well as supply a local coffee shop where families can come to a safe place to visit with friends, as well as hear about the gospel of Christ.

After a few days of arriving at Beius, the university students who had come to be a part of the mission, as well as take part in the discipleship portion of the school joined Dave.  These students, not only helped hand out the clothes and gifts that Eternal Concepts and Istrouma brought over, but they also helped better the physical appearance, both inside and outside of the orphanage and retreat center for the kids.  After a full day’s work, where Tippit and the students gave of themselves, they would then prepare for their classes.  Tippit taught numerous discipleship classes throughout this time, including a 3-part section on humility.

“These students in Romania were very hungry for the Word of God,” said Tippit. “They wanted to serve, they really wanted to learn and we all meshed really well.”

The following week, Tippit and the students headed to Scornecesti, the town where the ex- Romanian dictator Nicoli Ceaucescu had been born.  This too was an extremely poverty filled area, as well as a tough place for the Christian Evangelical movement.  Many Christians have been persecuted throughout this town for their faith.  The Christians that live in Scornecesti, have gathered together though to make a difference in the lives of this town, amidst strong adversity.  They provide medicine for various prescriptions that the townspeople bring in and they also provide a huge well for the people to get their water. 

Water is a significant problem throughout this area and has been for several years because of the serious drought that has been prevalent over much of this part of Europe.  During the time that Tippit and the students were in Scornecesti, it was unbearably hot and 18 people died from the severe heat and drought.  Tippit and the students were able to provide 16,000 liters of water to 300 people who hadn’t had water for a week and a half.  The wells had dried up and many of the people had to travel to other towns to scrounge up whatever water they could find.  But the love of Christ was shown as the Eternal Concepts team supplied water for these hundreds of people.

Other ways that Eternal Concepts brought the love of Jesus to the poverty filled town was through interacting with the young people in the city, playing soccer with them or just hanging out, and then sharing the love of Christ in between games or discussions.  They were able to really share the Gospel during these precious and fun-filled times.  Tippit was also allowed to preach the Gospel during his time in Scornecesti.   The students also continued their discipleship studies and to learn throughout this week.  They kept pressing and were eagerly wanting to know more of the issues of love, faith, prayer, brokenness, humility, as well as having Biblical discussions and group worship.

All in all, the second overseas discipleship training school was an amazing time for Tippit and those students who not only learned more about the Christian walk, but also gave of themselves to help their fellow citizens of Romania.  The third and final Eternal Concepts overseas discipleship training school of 2007, will take place in the Philippines in October.  Please pray that God will continue to bless and raise up a generation of young people all around the world who love and cherish Him.