Your prayers are not useless

A few weeks ago Pastor Nicu shared with us during the evening service Philippians 1:19, “for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,” and he reminded us that praying for one another is not ineffective. Paul knew that the church was praying for him as he was imprisoned, and he knew that their prayers along with the work of the Lord would result in his deliverance.
In the same way I know that your prayers for me, for our staff, for the children and especially for Daniel Simon are valuable and helpful. The month is not over, nor is the battle. Daniel spent a week in the local neuropsychiatric children’s hospital (where though he was quite sedated, he managed to steal from several of the other patients and their families), and his medicine was regulated. He’s now been home at Casa Nadia a week and praise God that he sleeps at night and for a couple hours during the day because that is about the only time there is peace in the house.
The last effort for this lost and troubled boy is a therapeutic family/home requiring at least $3000/month. We are looking for four qualified people to work in shifts, willing to love and fight for (and with) Daniel. We are looking for a small house to rent. Daniel is ten years old and after a conference call with a developmental psychologist from the States, we realized that it will take at least ten months to bring about change to his behavior and healing. His brain chemicals are all out of whack, he is in a chronic state of fear and has very little seritonin to balance him out.
The situation seems hopeless. I think if it were a year later it would be, but at this point we are still hoping and praying for change and for deliverance. Please continue to pray with us. We are holding out with Daniel at Casa Nadia for another month and then Lord willing will be able to start this program.

If you want to be a part of Daniel's sponsorship team, you can let me know.

watch out sports fans, here we come

We've got three new soccer players--Zorro, Janos and Daniel K--and two new basketball players--Maria and Kati.

Everytime they come home they are exhausted and Maria asked me today, "Is it a big problem if I don't want to do basketball any more." It's only been a week!

Thank you to my faithful financial supporters! They wouldn't be going without you.

what a difference a year can make

I feel like I am always telling stories about Kati, but we keep saying, even if no other children had changed, Kati would have been worth it all. A year ago if asked to pray for the meal, Kati would say she didn't know how to pray and quickly pass it off to someone else. Last week she called me into her room about 8:30 at night and said, "Don't forget to pray for Claudia because her teeth are hurting and I will pray too." Indeed Claudia had not been able to go to the dentist that day and was whimpering in her bed. I told Kati, "Let's just pray now." She prayed the sweetest prayer for Claudia and cried out to God on her behalf. And God answered her prayers.

Happy Birthday to You and You

Sweet Laura turned 13 and went the next day to get her ears pierced with her educator Rodica.

Her brother Janos turned 12 the next week. Gotta love those action shots!

back in the saddle again

We were blessed with a relaxing spring break with two days of sledding in Bucin (just under a two hour drive from here), lots of movies, me sleeping over at the houses, hide and go seek and other fun. But school has started back up and I am again challenged with my knowledge of multiplication...I often have to check myself to make sure I'm really giving the right answer. We have some additions to our schedules this semester.

Cornel will continue playing soccer, and Janos, Zorro and Daniel K will be joining his team (if they can handle the discipline/pressure).
Maria and Kati have started basketball (and will continue if they also can handle the discipline/pressure).
We're still looking for basketball for Adi and dance for Catalina (maybe; she's also mentioned soccer, but I've been encouraged for her not to be on a soccer team)

We're about to enter into our crazy time of year with 6 birthdays in 3 weeks. I'm already tired!

As for Daniel Simon, he is almost finished with his week at the local neuropsychological hospital. They are running tests and making what diagnosis they can. Mama Keta that was working with him is no longer able to help out, so we are looking for someone full time. We really need several someones full time. He is not going to be going to school, but needs to be on a schedule. And that's where I come in...making the schedule for him of activities, both educational and fun, to fill his day.

PRAY!

it starts

Semester break that is. Most of the kids stayed at school for just the first couple hours and now only the kindergarteners are gone. It's windy, sunny and cold and all the good snow has melted. I slept at Casa Nadia last night as we're trying to keep at least two people there at all times since Daniel has come back. So far he's been pretty well behaved, but he hasn't had any huge demands placed on him. This weekend he's going home with Mama Mariana, the cook. It's only the first day of vacation and I've already heard twice, "I'm bored." I told them if I hear it again I'll send them upstairs and give them something to do. I'm here all day today and tomorrow so educators can have a little break too.