Wrapping it up

  My last few days in Romania were spent at Casa Otniel, an orphanage outside of Timisoara. I had great conversations with Patricia, the "house mom" for the summertime. I wanted to spend a longer amount of time in Romania to experience the life and culture more, and I got a bigger glimpse of that just through my conversations with her. She told me some crazy stories about some very traumatic things that happened to her, including witnessing a baby being stolen! And for them, it's life. It's not normal, but it happens. We take our freedom and rights for granted here, not understanding how hard our fathers before us had to work to get it that way. I had a couple of people tell me they notice Americans smile a lot. Being under oppression for so long, Romanians had nothing to smile about, and even still the life is hard for some. The older kids I asked what they wanted to do after they leave the orphanage, most all of them said they want to "find a job, make money." There are little opportunities for them, and if they do get the chance to go to college, it's not gonna help them find a better job. So many I talked to wanted to move out of the country. Go to Ireland, France, Spain, and "find work," and were shocked when I told them I wanted to live in Romania some day. "Stay in America, it's better for you." They couldn't believe that going to Romania was a dream of mine, when coming to America is such an unattainable one for most of them.

  Life is sometimes hard there, yes. But I also witnessed joy, compassion, and generosity, and I know those who are obedient to the Lord's voice are richly blessed with the things that matter.

Casa Dorca

  Casa Dorca is an orphanage in Prilipet, a village about an hour away from Resita. I got to spend time with my "adopted" brothers there. From my time there last year, I was instantly drawn to these amazing kids. They show such a pure integrity and compassion of heart that I know comes through a genuine relationship with God. I instantly felt at home with them, and fell in love with them all over again. There are mostly all pre-teen to teenagers at Casa Dorca, and though they occasionally get in fights like any normal family would, you can tell they truly care about one another. I was very impressed by how the older boys treated the younger children. They are excellent role models, and I am so proud of them! I was so blessed to spend the whole week with them... I already miss them though. It was very hard to leave!

  After a week with them, I accompanied them to their camp for just one day. As the day went on, I felt like God was speaking to me about a spirit of depression and loneliness among some of the kids in the camp. After conversations I had, and observations I made, I felt like I should speak with Charlie, the leader of the camp, about it. We prayed together, and then later that night he had me share with the whole group what was on my heart. I also sang a song and played the piano after much coaxing from the kids.

  Charlie had mentioned to me before that when people come to visit the orphanages, and then don't come back, it's almost like the children are being abandoned all over again. I hope that even though I don't live with them permanently, that I will have made even a small difference in their life, and that the fact that I came back a second time to see them means I truly care about them.

Not your ordinary trip to Costco

  My week in Timisoara was almost like a vacation... we walked around the center, went shopping (still haven't find those perfect white shoes to go with that summer dress I bought), went swimming, and just umm... relaxed a lot. It's so against my nature to feel unproductive. I can't do it. I think I might be addicted to busy-ness... is that a real thing?? I think so. Especially for Americans. But I think it's funny that I came here for ministry purposes, and God decides to give me a rest. I know He did a lot in my heart during that time, but at the time it was quite frustrating. The last day I was there however, I met a group of people from Germany who come every year and buy groceries and supplies for Casa Sperantie and Casa Otniel, and I was able to help them out with that. Growing up in a family of 6, my mom went to Costco once a month and stocked up. This trip to a Romanian-esque Costco was nothing like that! At one point, I found myself pushing a cart full of frozen chickens. I was very amused by the looks I got. I just kept laughing to myself.. which probably made me look even more crazy. 

  At Casa Otniel, it was such a joy to watch the children unload the goods, and see the looks on their faces at all the food they knew was for them! Even though I only had a small part in helping out, it was a tremendous feeling to be apart of that. It made it all worth it.

Saying Goodbye

I am a little behind on blogging, but I will try to catch you up...

  It seems like so long ago now, but it's only been a week since I left the Emmaus kids behind in Bogata. I look at their pictures way too often, and feel like they are so far away, even though it's only a 6-hr (less than pleasant) train ride away, whereas when I go home it will be..... much further than that! I pretty much miss them all, but the Tamas family sticks out in my mind....

  Anna with her beautiful features and maturity that goes beyond her 12 years...Lati (pronounced lot-SEE) is a kind of a shepherd to the younger ones, Eszther says. He seems very genuine, and different from the older boys who try to act "cool"... and Katalin (Kati) is so full of love, and God bless her but she would always try to talk to me in Hungarian and I couldn't understand a word! Misi (MEE-she) has grown up so much, I can tell he is more mature, and even though he still picks on the younger children a lot, I know he has a good heart and wants to do good. He was answering a lot of Bible questions, and I am encouraged by his spiritual insight. Erszi I called her "my baby girl." Spending 3 weeks with her, I often wondered what her deep eyes have seen, and what goes on inside that little head of hers. I loved it when she smiled at me, her smile was so precious. Anti was my favorite (besides Bernie of course!) I was so happy to see him smile and laugh and even joke around with me... last year his eyes and face showed no emotion. All the older boys loved him a lot and it was good to see he is being taken very good care of! Bernadette is hilarious. She was always falling tripping, falling out of cars, she would fall when she was sitting on my lap! She was a ball of energy and totally and completely-- I don't even have the word! I love her little giggle, and when she spoke - even if it wasn't that often - and when I would hold her hand while we were walking somewhere and every 10 seconds she would lag behind and I would have to tug at her arm because she got distracted by something on the street. I loved when I would come into her room every night to say goodnight, we would snuggle and she called me "anya" ("mother" in Hungarian). There are so many other things I loved about her...

  When I was saying goodbye to them, they were hugging and kissing me and telling me not to cry... which of course made me cry even more! I know better than to make promises, but I know in my heart I will see them again. And I will continue to pray for them, and little Ilona who will join them at Emmaus in September!

Thank you Jesus

This week we are in Praid (or Prajd), in the salt mines. I am amazed that Romanians would pay 40 lei (which equals about $12 which is nothing for us, but 40 lei on their income is a lot) for an indoor playground and exercise program, which is basically just stretching for one hour. I thought it would be more of a tourist attraction or museum of some sort, but no. Lots of swings, see-saw's, ping-pong tables and open spaces to play. And big bouncy toys and mazes, but for pay! It's kinda funny.

I have learned a lot about myself, the Lord, and a little bit of Hungarian! I am going to have to start making a list of every time I say "thank you, Jesus" for the littlest things...

This morning, I woke up later on purpose, so I could shower while the children were eating breakfast. One bathroom for 27 kids! You think sharing with your roommate or family is hard?? Try that. I came out of my room - another "thank you Jesus" moment, I was provided my own room! - and Eszter asks me if I would like to use her shower in her room. That little thing made my day! It was nice and clean, as opposed to the children's, as you can imagine. I just love how God shows me He is looking out for me, and cares about the littlest things.

It's going to be hard to leave these kids, I will have been with them basically non-stop for 3 weeks when I leave on Monday, but I am excited to see my friends in Timisoara. They speak good English, which it is a shame that none of the children speak good enough English to have in-depth conversations. I want to know their struggles and how to pray for them, and encourage them. I will let my prayers be enough, and pray for the spiritual mothers and fathers who will and are walking alongside them.

Another "thank you Jesus" moment: thank you Jesus for giving me a place to hideaway from the children and write and upload pics without little faces crowding me. Amen.

Until next time I have Internet, szia (pronounced: SEE-ya... pretty easy to remember!)

Reflections/funeral/Ilona

The vacation Bible school camp the LCC group put together. First of all, I was very impressed by them. Such a great group of (mostly women!) who have such big hearts and a love and passion for Jesus. I was very blessed for that to be my first week here. They were a big encouragement.

I am also very encouraged by a couple of the children who I remember from last year to be... somewhat difficult. Those were the ones who were excitedly answering Bible questions, and just the sweetest kids ever! I know that God has a special grace for me to be in this place, because feelings of discouragement from last year are being replaced with hope!

Some bad news, but also good in some way, is that Bernadette's grandmother passed away. The good part of that is that I am grateful to be here for her during this time, even if she may not understand completely what is going on. I hope that she will have memories of happiness with me while all this is going on.Her siblings loved her dearly and also seemed to be the one taking the most care of them during their home visits, so I am afraid for what may happen to them in the home when they go back to visit their family on holidays. I entrust them to God, and pray... that is all I can do.

The good news is that my little girl Ilona, Bernie's sister, will be in the orphanage in September! I have been praying for this little girl for over a year now, and the other day saw her smiling and laughing and playing with me! I am so thankful that God has kept her safe for this long, and even more excited that she will find a home at Emmaus with her siblings!