Road to Romania

I will be traveling to Romania with a 14 member team from my church, Calvary Chapel Chattanooga (CCC), June 20-30 to work with Pathway to Joy Ministries to host a summer camp for over 60 orphans who get to leave the confines of their concrete and gated orphanage to experience the glory of God’s creation by having an authentic camp experience. But I'm going to need a little help from my friends to get there.

So, here is where I stand. I have a little more than 3 weeks to raise $1455 (a little over half of the total need of $2700.) The last payment deadline is June 1.  

However, when that number is broken down that is only 50 people giving $30 each or 60 people giving $25 each. I firmly believe that God will complete this task and provide what is needed.         

     And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:11

If my team members raise MORE than what is needed then we will have the wonderful honor of giving a gift to Pathway to Joy for their continuous work with Romanian orphans. Instructions on how to donate are at the end.

The How and Why?

My church is a long time partner with Pathway to Joy and I love that about my church! So, our team will be strengthening relationships with the local workers and building on the previous work done with the children. The over-arching goal of the trip is to love on these children that are often forgotten and point them to Jesus through crafts, sports, drama, music, teaching, and one-on-one discipleship. 

My decision to apply came late. To be honest, this was not "on my radar" at all until after I returned from a week of intensive training in Playback Theatre, "an original form of improvisational theatre in which audience or group members tell stories from their lives and watch them enacted on the spot." 

I have seen for myself the extreme and mysterious power of having your own story enacted for you and enacting another's story! I firmly believe if this process were intentionally prayed over that the Holy Spirit could stir up stories from peoples' lives that could point them to Him. Thus, helping them make sense of their story and purpose. I keep thinking: "How meaningful and validating would it be for these precious kids to have someone act out their OWN story?!"

I've even been in talks with workers from our church in Ireland and Central Asia/M.E. about incorporating Playback Theatre into future trips. In my mind it seems that it could be an awesome way to open up opportunities to interact with strangers on a deeply personal level in a short amount of time.

Yet, it seems wise to test the theory of using Playback Theatre in a missional context on a smaller scale before jumping into a bigger work in those other places. So that is where Romania comes in. I'm hopeful that we will be able to incorporate some of the Playback techniques in our time with the kids. 

Some Bumps in the Road-

Although I got my application in on time the trip was full by the deadline and I was unsure if I would be going. Yet, I had a peace that if I was suppose to go God would provide the way and He did! At first, I thought God was providing for the trip through the blessing of some extra work at an additional university this semester and a generous family member. 

However, a little over a week ago I received word that a Summer class I've taught at a local college since 2011 had been cancelled, without warning to me! This was a shock, not only for the normal bills that income was to help cover, but for a large chunk of the remaining balance for the trip. 

Above all else and whether you can give or not I ask that you PRAY for the team, the preparations, and the hearts of the children we will meet! Personally, I ask that you pray God gives me wisdom and clear vision on how to incorporate Playback Theatre into ministry settings including my work here in Chattanooga with The Salvation Army.  

If you can help sponsor this trip with a tax-deductible donation the easiest way to do that is through the church website. Follow these instructions: 

1) Click HERE. 

2) Look for the DONATE tab on the right, this will take you to a secure site.

3) If you do not have an account with Calvary Chapel Chattanooga' donation site you will create an account.

4) Once the account is created then scroll down below the picture and look for the drop down list of team names and select Tenika Dye. (It is in the middle of the page)  

5) Below that you can select the AMOUNT you wish.

6) Enter your payment information. You will receive an email receipt. 

7) Your're Done!

If you prefer to send a check then email me at tenikadye@gmail.com so I can send you the tax deduction form you have to mail with the check. If it does not matter to you about tax deductions then you can make the check out to me and address it:: Attention: Tenika Dye, PO BOX 3359, Chattanooga, TN 37404. 

THANK YOU in advance if you feel led to partner through prayer and financial support. 

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 

                                                                                                                              James 1:27