30th Celebration!

Celebrating God’s Faithfulness On May 21 we had the privilege of hosting the 30th anniversary of H2H celebration. The Alpha Omega Church graciously allowed us to use their space which was a great location for our needs. We had around 90 people in attendance and we were blessed to have kids that are currently in our programming, young adults and adults that were a part of our programs either in the orphanages and schools and/or our transitions programs, previous directors we worked with, previous and current H2H staff, local church members who support us and a few American guests who were able to make the trip and celebrate with us!

The evening started out with time to mingle. We had a timeline and pictures from over the years plus vintage H2H t-shirts that could be purchased and new information cards. We had a meal together with a fun slide show that showed throughout the mealtime. I was going through the room during this time, greeting people that I maybe hadn’t greeted yet. I stopped at Alex Oprea (originally from Peris orphanage and went through BTH in 2012) and when I spoke to him he said “I can’t talk right now, I don’t want to miss seeing a single picture from the slideshow!’ It was so fun to see the joy and smiles of so many of our kids as they looked back on pictures of their pasts.

We had a program that was full of too many highlights to recount. It, of course, began with a greeting from Jim and Jodi, followed by one from Costel. A greeting from Costel is not complete without an original poem (he was still in his pjs finishing at 5 p.m. that same day!). Valentin Mitrache, who was a youth at the Diosti orphanage in 1997 shared his testimony of how God used the summer teams that came there to bring him to Christ and change his life. We also had a testimony from Flori Ursache, who was a baby at the baby hospital in the early 2000’s. She was adopted by a family that now attends our church and is a symbol to me of all of the babies that we loved on that are somewhere out there! What a blessing to be reminded that God holds each and everyone of them in His hands, even when we can’t see it here on earth.

Other speakers included: Doro, previous BTH director, Adi Ionuescu (BTH-2007), Mirela (GTH- 2008), Isabela (GTH-2017), Florenta (computer school 2000-2009), Heather McGarvey (Music program 2018-2021), Ghita Dragusanu (H2H staff), Angela Laurain (Baby hospital 2007-2009). Sarah Johnson (15 years of short-term teams), and Melissa Perghel (current H2H staff). We were also able to see about 15 greetings that were recorded from previous staff and team members. When each greeting was played there was gasp of joy as people in the room recognized the face that appeared on the screen.

I was able to give introductions and stories to connect the pieces and also talk briefly about where H2H is going from here. Thanks to all of you that celebrated alongside of us physically and in spirit! We know that many, many people from around the world were celebrating with us and I love that the H2H family is universal. Thanks to all of you that sent in greetings, prayed for our time, gave financially towards the event and continue to support and cheer us on in countless ways. My take away from the evening was that it is amazing to look back and to be reminded of everything that God has done and to be encouraged that God’s not finished with His work in Romania yet! Here’s to the next 30 years!

Summer Fun!

Whew! Another summer of ministry is in the books! It was a great summer with lots of fun, laughter, and work! We had two teams here. The first was a small team with our previous staff Jenny, 3 of her nieces and nephew, and a couple of other guests. We had two rounds of VBS day camps with them with children and youth from the Bucharest area. We also had a fun time showing Jenny's family parts of Romania and doing some fun activites with Jenny's family from the US and Jenny's family from Romania. It is always an amazing time when people from different worlds meet.

This time was followed by a large team of 24 people from EFCC Church from Escondito. This was the second year that this youth group has brought a team of youth plus their sponsors to help us run summer camps. We spent two weeks at the Boys Transition House and had kids from the Rosiori and Alexandria orphanages. It was an amazing time!

The Theme of camp was Standing through the Fire and we were transported to Babalonia to study the life of Daniel.

As Director my job requires that I wear a lot of hats. I fill in wherever needed and take care of problems that arise. This summer I was in charge of the meals. I had lots of helpers which was great because we had lots of mouths to feed!

It wouldn't be summer ministry without a vehicle breaking down!

We also had a fractured wrist that required a trip to the emergency room and lots of follow up appointments!

The newly renovated pool was a huge success and was enjoyed by kids and volunteers since this was the hottest summer on record for Romania!

We are so blessed to have been part of this amazing summer and so Thankful to God and all of our faithful supporters for helping to make it happen!

A Full Life

Hello Everyone! Its been a little while since I've written an update. Hopefully you're connected into my facebook or Instagram and have been seeing pictures and updates of a very busy past couple of months. With so many kids and graduates that make up the H2H family I feel as if I've become an event planner! I'm either planning an event, having an event, or cleaning up from one and sometimes all three at the same time!! I love the fullness of life and am so deeply grateful that God has placed me in Romania with these kids and young adults. It is a priviledge to live life with them! Thank you for all that you do to help make that happen! Here are some of the hightlights! Ruthie turned 13! I can't believe that she's a teenager, but am so proud of the young woman that she is becomming!

We hosted a fall party at the Nenciulesti house for the Rosiori teens. All the fall favorites were present: Apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, plus dressing up in funny costumes!

The 25th annual H2H Thanksgiving feast was celebrated. We had about 50 people here and enjoyed all the great food, but also had a very special time observing what we have to be thanksful for and to Whom we give thanks!

In between events, we had our "normal" schedules: going into the different ministry locations and teaching lessons. We are focusing on different character traits and also teaching cooking lessons!

We were blessed to have Cassie intern with us for 6 months. She did an amazing job and was a great addtion to our staff. It was had to say goodbye, but our prayer is that it was just a see you soon!

The first snow of the season, the Bucharest Christmas market, and decorating for Christmas!

I am one of the teachers in the kids program at our church and we had a very special kids program that everyone worked really hard on!

We were able to host Christmas parties and hand out around 400 gifts.

We had Christmas and New Years gatherings at the team house, where I live. A revolving door of people and fun.

I will be in the US during the next month. I'll be in California for a week and then be based in Kansas with several other small trips planned. I'm excited for this coming year and seeing what God has in store! I hope I'll see many of you over the next few weeks to personally wish you a Happy New Year and heartful thanks for partnering with me in this full life! In Him! Jen