When Lexi was 18 months old, she took her first night train trip from Moscow to Saint Petersberg. She was so excited, we could not get her to go to sleep. Tonight, our family of 6 is making a journey to Sigisoara. With teens, I am positive there will be more sleeping. We know that our European family is familiar with train travel, but our North American family may be a little less knowledgeable. We would love to share our adventure with you
THE CABIN
Approximately 6 ft long by 5 feet wide, the beds are stacked 3 high on each side. You have a narrow 1.5 foot corridor between. The conductor has brought us our bottom sheet and duvet covers. We will make the beds ourselves. Storage is a small compartment above and space under the seats. We are traveling light with backpacks.
THE BATHROOM
Yes, it really is an open hole that empties onto the track. Crude but essential. It is not the cleanest but it is also not Turkish. Been there. Done that. Count your blessings.
COMPANION
Graham has been adopted into our family. He is a volunteer from Kosova visiting for the holidays. We love him already especially for his brave endurance of all thing feminine. Jay is soaking up the male bonding.
FOOD
There is a dining cart – smoky and stale but functional. We brought chips, peanuts, fruit, and chocolate. In Russia, travelers would always pull out boiled chicken. I miss those days.
These adventures, rich, unique, raw, are why most cross cultural parents will say this life is worth it. That is true But, more importantly, our Central European family makes this life worth it. They are why we are on this train to Sigi. There are people there that we love. People from a different culture some of whom may not always speak our language fluently and who are patient with us because we do not speak theirs. Yet, they invite us into their homes and generously wrap us in love. The truth? God’s call brought us to this continent but it is love for our Central European family that gets us on this train and makes it worth it. Just a night train away, Relu, Oanna, their sweet girls, Magda Cini and her amazing family, Roberta, and Jonathan, and the Hudsons are waiting to welcome us home.
Why do missionaries become missionaries? Not for the travel. Not for the position. But for the people and because of God’s call. What an amazing call it is – the richest privilege. Being adopted into this family that crosses languages and borders and cultures – blurred lines that become the Kingdom.
I truly do not know what heaven will be like, but I am sure that a night train to Sigi and the sense of coming home is close.
teanna sunberg 