Leah Serving in Romania 2024

Hi friends and family! It’s almost my birthday!!! I have created this fundraiser to ask if you will consider donating towards my year volunteering in Romania. I hope that you will read my story below.

You may or may not be aware that I am currently a full-time missionary in Romania! The goal of this fundraiser is to help fund my next year volunteering in Romania.

You may ask why Romania? Well, I was born in Romania. I was adopted when I was 11 months old. When I was younger I was always interested to learn about Romania, but hesitant to think about one day visiting. In 2008 when I was 18 years old I decided I wanted to go to Romania. I went to Romania for the first time with a church from Atlanta, Georgia. We ran a two-week kids program for children from an orphanage. While I was there I fell completely in love with the country and the kids. In a way, I strongly felt that I had finally arrived home. I felt that God was calling me to Romania to do orphan care ministry and work with marginalized people groups. I felt that He wants to use my testimony to help reach orphans and adoptees in Romania. I also felt that God wants to use my heart as a servant, to serve those in need.

Not long after my first trip to Romania, I decided to return. In 2009 I decided to do a DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM in Constanta, Romania. That is how I initially got involved with YWAM. Since my DTS I was full-time staff with the base until 2012. From 2013-2019 I was in Chicago working, completing my associate's degree, and starting to work on my bachelor's degree. In May 2019, I found out that I was getting let go from my job at a small community bank. My heart was longing to go back to Romania and I felt that this was the perfect moment to say “YES” to my calling and just go. Two weeks after my position ended with the bank, I left Chicago to go help with YWAM Constanta.

I have been living in Romania for the last 4 years on staff with YWAM. While I have participated in many different types of ministry, including supporting refugees from Ukraine, I have worked with at-risk children in low-income housing, staffing DTS, and most recently working with Homes of Hope building homes for people in Romania, Ukraine, and Turkey.

Ultimately, my long-term goal while in Romania is to work with kids in the orphan care system, to serve the poor, and to serve marginalized people groups. I have recently moved to a new YWAM base where we do many outreaches a year building homes for people who have lost theirs due to war and natural disasters. We also serve the poor by going to a Roma village to give food and meet with the families.

I love traveling to new places to do practical work and share the love of Jesus. In 2024, I have a few opportunities to do that. Next year I plan to go to Ukraine in June and July and to Turkey in August. This year I was able to go to Ukraine twice and Turkey twice to be part of these building projects with Homes of Hope. I am eager to participate in these opportunities again.

For the last 3 years, I have been able to support myself financially using primarily my savings in addition to generous financial gifts from you. I now need to arrange additional financial support to continue my work in Romania. YWAM does not pay its staff and we are completely responsible for raising our funds.

Here is a break down of what I am specifically raising funds for.

I am currently 42% funded for 2024 with a monthly budget of $1,550. I need to raise roughly $10,700 to cover my living expenses and trips to Ukraine and Turkey for 2024. If you would like a copy of my annual budget, I am more than happy to provide it.

I wanted to personally reach out and ask if you would consider supporting my 2024 goal of living and being a full-time missionary in Romania. If you are interested, you can give through the GoFundMe link (https://gofund.me/5b3e7e64). You can also give directly to me through Zelle/quickpay (773-759-1876) or venmo @ Leah-Dinges. You can also give through YWAM for tax-deductible donations through this link:

https://ywamtyler.org/funddonation/?uid=7A8890A6-A92B-4CD1-B1D3-05B03106A297

Thank you to those who have already given one-time donations or have committed to giving monthly donations. I am so thrilled and blessed to be 42% fully funded!!! It’s a huge blessing!

I feel called to Romania. That is very clear to me. I want to use my story to reach orphans, adoptees, the poor and marginalized people groups.

I hope that you will consider supporting my work in Romania. Please feel free to share this with your friends or family to help me get the word out about what I am doing.

Please reach out with any questions.

Blessings,

Leah Dinges