"Half of my heart is still in Romania:" CTL Intern Mia Penrose reflects on her time in Bucharest

Mia Penrose served with CTL Romania in Bucharest for 10 months through CTL's internship program. She loved her time there, and reflects on the impression that her experience left on her heart and in her life.

Looking back at my time in Romania, I am in such awe of the ways the Lord worked. My time and experience in Romania were far beyond anything I could have even imagined or expected. All I knew before going was that was where the Lord was calling me. I didn’t know why, what I was going to be doing day to day, or even if I was going to enjoy everything Romania had to offer. 

Now, as I sit here writing this, I can’t help but think of the kids, my Romanian family, my church, the walking and METROing, all of it makes me cry. Not because I am sad exactly (although I am sad to be so far away from the people who have so quickly become some of the most important people in my life), I cry because I feel so grateful and blessed to have been given the time I did with them. I feel so blessed that the kids and the families allowed me to be a part of their lives for just 10 short months. They opened their hearts to me and let me in. They imprinted themselves on my heart. I truly feel that at least half of my heart is still in Romania. 

God is a God of great mystery, but often when we are obedient to His plans for us, He begins to reveal His purpose in it. He led me to Romania. I didn't know why, but I chose to move forward in obedience, trusting that He knew better than me. I am so thankful He gave me the courage and strength to do that. Saying goodbye, leaving Romania, was truly one of the hardest things I have ever done, and I think that says a lot about my experience there. 

Romania had such a strong impact on my life. I learned how welcoming and warm Romanian culture can be. I learned that the language is fun and how to use Romanian to communicate and make the kids laugh. I learned how much these kids need extra love, attention, and affection. I learned that the kids I worked with every day craved to be listened to, teased, hugged, and just to feel seen. 

In Romania, I noticed people don't have a time limit on spending time together. You will rarely see someone check the time if you are out on a walk or at lunch; they are truly present in their time with one another. I learned to enjoy just being with my friends and the kids, to just sit and listen, talk, and laugh together. I began to expect that if we have a planned time to hang out in the morning, I will most likely be out all day. It’s a really special thing to give your whole day or a big part of your day to spending time with someone. It feels much more intentional. I want that to be something that stays with me as I am now back in the U.S. I don’t want to be glued to the time thinking of what is next that day, but instead to just be with whomever I'm with and enjoy the time I have been given to be fully there with them. 

Before I went to Romania, I knew I loved kids and spending time with them, but being with kids every single day made me realize how much more I love to work with children and that there is a special place in my heart for them. I think it showed me my desire to work with kids in some capacity, even if it is just volunteering whenever I can. 

Every single relationship that the Lord blessed me with in Romania was so different from each other. Each kid, teenager, co-worker, friend, and roommate had a different impact on me. Each relationship was unique because each individual is so unique. Some more serious, goofy, shy, kind, sassy, motherly, and so many more characteristics. My heart feels so full with the love I have for them—and with the love I truly believe they have for me. I left Romania with an honorary Romanian dad, mom, uncle, aunt, and many sisters and brothers. 

Since returning about a month ago, I feel like half of me is in Romania. What was once my home in Bakersfield doesn't really feel like home the way it once did. It’s really cool that the Lord can connect my heart to so many people in various places, but it makes it hard because you can only be in one place at a time. Since I have been home, I have been trying to be proactive in adjusting. I want to be wise and grateful in my time at home with my family and be present and pray through the unknown of what's next.

I would just like to say thank you to all of those who supported me financially and in prayer. There were times when I felt so exhausted and not sure how to push forward. In those times, I felt your prayers for me were heard by God. I feel as though you were with me in Romania in a way, cheering me on and encouraging me, and for that I feel endless gratitude.

Thank you!

Mia Penrose

If you would like to learn more about interning through Children to Love, visit https://www.childrentolove.org/teams-and-interns