Christmas in January

This year my time back in Kansas was Jan 20-Feb 20. My family, being the amazing support system that they are waited to have Christmas until I was home. So on January 28th, we sat in front of the tree (that was still up) and celebrated Christmas together. It was a fun day to be together!

Relationships that Last

The summer of 2008 a team from my home church, Buhler MB, came to spend a couple of weeks serving with me here. That summer Taylor Wedel made a very special connection with Nicu. At that point Nicu had only been at the orphanage for less then a year, he was pretty quiet and shy but he obviously craved special attention, and Taylor was one of the people that was able to meet Nicu where he was at.
A few trips and a few years later, Taylor and Nicu still have a special bond. It is one of those things that mathematically doesn't make sense. How many days or hours have these two actually spent in each others' presence? But God does something really amazing with short-term missions teams. He takes the amazing kids we work with and He connects them with amazing people who are willing to come, and changes both of their lives!
I have people ask me if short-term missions are worth it. For Nicu they are. And for Taylor? I can't speak for him but I think that they must be, because this time.....
he brought his new wife!

The Wonders of Christmas

December is always a big month for H2H activities! This year was no different. We spent most of the month having Christmas parties at various locations with the kids. We played dress the snowman.

This is a favorite game called Pass the Parcel. Unwrapping a candy bar that has been wrapped with tons of paper and tape with gloves is the challenge. All while dice are flying. It is a fun challenge to see who ends up with the candy bar.


December is also the time for Christmas Programs. This year we had a special program in Rosiori, in which we rented a small hall and had singing, skits, dance, and poems. The kids did great--and nothing started on fire!
While Doro took a break from the Boys Transition House the boys came and spent a week at the Team House. We tried to do many activities to make this time special for them. One evening we went looking at Christmas lights around the city.
Christmas Day, the boys got to open stockings and presents from under the tree with their names on them, a first in most of their lives. It was fun to be able to be there to help make their first Christmas with a family special.
Christmas Day, of course, meant the whole gang was together. These are the families within our group, with the 4 "grandkids."

Ruthie and Rebecca in their Christmas finery. A blessed Christmas 2011!

Photo of the Month!

I love this picture!! Joyce snapped it as a was laughing because Ruthie tried to stick the flower up my nose. She obviously finds is funny as well!

Buhler Team 2011

My Parents, Jeanette Krenzin and John and Joyce Yoder, all from Buhler MB came to spend 2 weeks with me here in Romania. We had a busy couple of weeks. The first week was focused on visiting the orphanages, baby hospital, but most of all preparing for Thanksgiving, which we celebrated early this year on Nov. 12th (see the following post, for more Thankgiving pictures!)We also visited Sinaia. Pausing for a team picture.
Family photo in front of Peles castle.
Joyce and Cristina making a mask.
The men did all kinds of projects around the house. They got a lot of work done!
Jeanette taught some piano lessons.
My Dad and Ruthie--it was fun to introduce my parents to their "great grandkids"
My parents know Mariana from their last visit 5 1/2 years ago.
My families coming together!
We visited the some of the kids in Rosiori as well.
John put his butcher skills to use, and in addition to carving our turkeys, made 25 pounds of sausage for us.
Joyce helping to watch the kids while their mom's were having Bible study with Mommies and Me.
John and Mirela and their beautiful creation!

Thank you so much for spending this time with me and my kids, team! You did so much and your visit meant alot, especially at this time of the year.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving, as always, is my favorite holiday of the year! It is a time when you gather with people you love, and reflect on the blessings from God in the past year. This Thanksgiving was extra special because my parents and 3 friends, John and Joyce Yoder, and Jeanette Krenzin, were here in Romania to share in the experience. Parts of both of my worlds together to celebrate--an extra special Thanksgiving!Not only did they get in on the celebration but they got in on the work as well! Pie baking.

3 Turkeys
John the professional carver!
Mashing 50 kilos of potatoes.
Making zwibach--our special bread rolls.
A feast for 80

It was a great day!!

New Year at the BTH!

On November 1 we started a new group of boys at the Boys Transition House. Doru is in the middle surrounded by Marian, Adrian, Laurentiu, Robi, and George. We will possibly be adding 1 more by the end of the month of November. The 5 boys from 4 different locations and vastly different in interests and abilities, but they are off to a great start. Doru says they might be the best group he's had so far (though Doru says this about every group!) It will be exciting to see God working in each of these young men.