Celebrations!

We have had a whirlwind of activites in the past week ranging from a birthday party, a grand opening, a homecoming, flu shots and the normal life of school and homework and play and learning how to live peacefully.

All the kids are practicing for one last time before the actual ceremony what they will sing. They chose the Romanian version of "Every Move I Make," and a song from camp based on Proverbs 24:3-4 "Through wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established. By knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."

The actual ribbon cutting from left to right: Becky Kyle's mom, Elena (administrator of Houses Nadia and Ana), Carol and David Loveland (helped with the building of both houses), Mark Miller, Cristina (LOC's asst. director), Mark Kuhl (dentist from the States), Donna Miller (the Millers also helped with the construction of the houses), and Bruce.

Homecoming for Madalin, Daniel and Sergiu Simon. Their paperwork is not complete but we have been given permission for them to be in our care.

Happy 11th Birthday Kati from Casa Ana! The poor girl had fever and had stayed home from school, but was a real trooper.

Oh and one more miracle-the day of the opening, we were informed that Doamna Dancu, the director from the Ludus orphanage, has turned in her resignation! Pray for the person to fill that position to be one of action and for the abuse to finally stop.

same ol' same ol'

My mom asked me tonight as we were talking on yahoo messanger, "What are you doing tomorrow?" And my response was witty and sarcastic, "You know, working on homework, setting captives free, problem solving, saving souls, same ol' same ol'." Of course I'm not really doing any of that work, Jesus is. And it never really is same ol' same ol', as He works in new ways to draw these children to Himself.

little victories and miracles

*Claudia wore her uniform to school every day this week!
*Kati's heart seems to be softening a little bit, and she seems to be connecting with Mama Gabi.
*Daniel went to the corner today (after we hung out in his room for an hour, but w/o any cursing).
*Maria was rushed to the hospital Thursday night (with the flu), but came home the same night after we all prayed for her.
*After one of the kids had stolen some money, they gave what they hadn't spent on snacks for all the kids back and were remorseful.
*I got Daniela to sleep tonight within 20 minutes, even though she was having to go to bed earlier than everyone else because she didn't nap and was so cranky and tired.

I'm sure there were more than that, but they are mixed in with the hard times too. Continue to pray for peace. Pray for the gaps to be filled in the children's lives. Pray for us all to be united on discipline issues and for us to have the energy to keep going even when it's tough and solving a simple problem might turn into an hour tantrum.

Our official opening will be next Wednesday. We have guests coming from America, so please pray for their safety. Pray for all to go smooth and well this next week. Life still goes on.

I am so excited and counting down the days for when I go home to America. I leave here November 7th and will have time in Florida, Texas and Ohio.

A trip to the zoo

In spite of the cold weather, we ventured out to the zoo today...two times. In the morning we took the kids from Casa Ana and in the afternoon the kids from Casa Nadia. Both groups had fun and by far the monkey house was the most entertaining.

The drama never ends

Yesterday we had some men from the National Authority (not really exactly sure what that is, but I know it's important) come from Bucarest to check up on our kids and houses and to make sure everything is in order. I've just heard bits and pieces of the story as I was interacting with children when they were there, but apparently they wanted to shut us down and send all the kids back to the orphanage. Thankfully they decided against that, but pray for God's protection. Also unity among our ministries has been on my heart and I ask that you join me in praying for that. There are so many decisions to be made on a daily and almost momently basis, and I continue to ask for God's wisdom.

I met with the educational staffs of Casa Nadia and Casa Ana today and shared with them a little something that Strap always shared: "If Satan can't make you bad, he'll make you busy." We're definitely in the state of business here (definitely not in Kansas anymore). I asked them if they could please put one more thing on their plate, by alternating days when they stay until 9:00 when all of the kids are in bed, as the last hour of the day is purely crazy for 1 mom to handle. Most of them took it better than I thought they would, and I promised it would be temporary.

Please pray for all of the staff, but especially the educational staff as they interact with the children almost daily. We cannot do any of it without the Lord, and I don't want to try. Pray for us to call out to and rely on Him. We make many split-second decisions; pray for them to be godly and wise.

I am reading a book (in all my spare time) called Help for the hopeless child, and have again been reminded about the importance of attachment and bonding. Pray for relationships to grow and develop and for the children to learn to trust. Pray for us to be trustworthy.

Praise Jesus, I took the afternoon off today. It was a nice break and I was able to get some things done.

Casa Nadia

Sorry it's taken me a whole week to get these pictures up. Here's just a few I hope you enjoy!

Homecoming day, 7 of the 10 kids from Casa Nadia, plus Kati from Casa Ana, and those of us who are working with the children.

Elena Suciu (the administrator of both houses) and Daniela, our youngest and definitely a princess!

Ibi and Margareta enjoying dessert.

Fanel and I in the van on the way from Ludus to McDonalds.

Healing

"And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people...they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them." Matthew 4:23-24

I am pretty sure I witnessed an episode of post-traumatic stress disorder last night. Pray for healing for these children. All of them have either been abused by parents, caregivers or older children or they have seen abuse. Jesus is the same today as He was 2000 years ago and has the power to heal their broken hearts and spirits.

Mai liniste

Mai-more
Liniste-silence, stillness, peace, quietness

There's a little Romanian lesson for you (though the s has a comma under it, making the "sh" sound). Today was the first Tuesday out of several that I didn't cry. Don't get me wrong, we still have all sorts of insanity happening, but praise the Lord we had an almost normal day. Schedules are falling in to place, the children from Casa Nadia go to the corner when they are told (with only a little fight), no one is running away.

Thank you for praying! Keep praying! We are just beginning and there is so much work to do to help these children catch up in life. Pray for the 1st grade teacher at the school - Letitcia Sava - as she has 3 of our children and may be getting one more. Pray for Cornel (Ana) to connect with an adult. Keep praying for peace.