Extra Summer News!

Outside of summer camp ministry, here were a few more summer highlights and happenings!

Iuli and Andrei graduated from the Boys Transition Program. The recent trend has been for us to have smaller numbers of boys and girls in the program at one time. Logistically it makes things interesting, but the ability to truly disciple them is wonderful. We develop really close relationships. After graduation they moved into one of our apartments and were both employed. The adjustment to living independently isn't easy and they've both have experienced some growing pains of adjustment, but we are very proud of them and continue to pray for God's direction in their futures.

We have continued to help out with Ukrainian refugees. We are partnering with a group of local churches to work together to help provide for refugee needs. Our Snagov house has been hosting refugees since March. We've developed close relationships with many of them. Though sometimes it feels as if we can only scratch the surface of their needs, our prayer is to offer what we can and have God multiply and provide. A couple times we were able to bring them to Pipera to swim and celebrate birthdays. If we can provide a bit of joy and celebration into their days, it is a good thing!

I was able to take Ruthie and Karla on a vacation to meet up with Jenny. We went to Portugal and had a nice break!

I caught my pinkie in a ladder in June and fractured it. Fortunately, I was able to navigate through the summer with not a lot of pain, but unfortunately, it has not healed well and I'm having to do some follow up and physical therapy.

The Peris orphanage has almost dissolved. They have moved all but 7 of the teens to other locations. We were able to have a very special spa day for the girls with the boys cooking and serving. It was a very special day as we continue to remind the kids that change is part of life, but God is constant. We hope and pray that no matter where life takes them, that they will remember God's faithfulness and love.

Summer 2022

Wow! Another summer in Romania flew by! I came to Romania for the first time 25 years ago this summer! Can you believe it! I think back to all of the summers and teams and special moments in those 25 summers and I feel so overwhelmed and blessed by all of the amazing people that I've met, extrordianry events that I've lived, and so many children that I've loved. What a Great God we serve and what an honor it has been and continues to be to be part of this ministry! The summer of 2022 again was an exceptional one! For the first time in 3 years we were able to have summer minstry teams of volunteers come and serve along side of us. We had an amazing team from Mountain View Church from Ramona, CA help us for the first two weeks of camp and then 4 other indivduals come and help for the remaining weeks. All in all we had four weeks of various types of camps.

The Mountain View Team planned a VBS/Day Camp style of curriculum that we used with younger kids from the Rosiori area. The theme was Living Courageously and we used a Circus theme. It was so well done! The H2H staff was very impressed and it made our jobs easier!

Heather, the leader of the Mountain View team, and I had a lot it common. The way we organize, lead, and think were similar in many ways. We also shared the excitement and exhaustion after two packed weeks!

Here are a few other favorite photos from the summer! As you can see we were also able to take kids to the pool at Pipera and to a climbing wall center in Bucuresti and many other fun moments!

Thank you for all of your prayers and support that went into sharing the love of God with the children and youth of Romania!!