Team Time

For two weeks in May we had a team of 14 from the Biola Conservatory of Music. Bob Feller, has been a friend of H2H for many years and brings a group every other spring. This year he had 11 students and 2 friends join him. Out of the group we had a very unusual occurrence--more men then women in the group! During team time I do a lot of talking and driving. If you've ever been on a team with us, these two pictures probably look familiar! One of the projects with all the willing hands on this team was to work on getting things ready for summer camp. And work we did! We built a outdoor canopy, moved and built furniture, painted, worked on decorations, made benches and tables and did some cleaning, among other things! I was impressed by the willingness to jump in and the dedication to work long hours. We got more done then I anticipated! I took a fall off off a scafolding table during the work. I banged up my right side pretty good. I'm still feeling the effects in my right arm. Pray for healing for me, that this won't hamper what needs to get done for the summer! The group was also able to do several concerts and music teaching with the kids and community. The quality of music was great and I know that everyone enjoyed it. The kids that have been learning instruments with Heather were also greatly encouraged by fellow musicians. While down at the Boys Transition House, preparing for camp, I was able to feed my roots....You can take a girl from the farm, but you can't take the farm from the girl! The BTH is in the country, surrounded by fields and farmers. A few fellow adventurers, from the team, take a morning walk with me each day. We walked the hills and the fields. One day, we explored an old vineyard. It was one of the best in Romania, until the communist party took it over and destroyed it. It is now ruins. We enjoyed exploring them. We enjoyed it so much we went back another day, with their instruments so they could play in the old hall. Thanks Biola for another great time of ministry, growing and learning together!

Spring Fun

Highlights of April: Field trips: The Peris school asked us to help provide transport for their classes to go on field trips. We had two days of activities. The first day we went to the Natural History Museum and the park and the second day we went to the zoo and to McDonalds. The kids enjoyed the days and the teachers were very grateful for the help, without which they wouldn't have been able to take the kids anywhere. Nicu was my special friend at the zoo. He started wandering off and I told him to stick with me and he did. He had my arm for the rest of the day. He was recently removed from the orphanage to a different location as punishment for an event from a year ago, which makes the memory of this day extra special. Please pray for Nicu. He has had an on again, off again relationship with God and H2H for awhile. He has a big heart and I pray that God protects him and that the things that he's learned over the years sustain him during this time. I pray that he will come out of this stronger in faith. Easter: The other highlight of the month was celebrating Easter. This is always a big H2H family event. We have a big meal and a legendary egg hunt. Here are some favorites from the day!

Other Happenings

Here are some other special moments from February and March!

Party Time

Jenny and I often joke that we are either planning an event, hosting an event, or cleaning up for an event! While we say it jokingly, there is a lot of truth in that statement. I guess when you have a family the size of H2H, there are a lot of things to celebrate! This year, Jenny had an extended furlough so I found myself facing the events of February and March without my handy sidekick! I will admit that I missed, especially when it came to cake baking, but I made it! The first event was Sandel's ordination! Sandel has been pastoring a church in the Bucuresti area for almost a year, but the formal ordination was held in February. It was a day of celebration and recognizing God's hand upon Sandel's life and his choice to enter the ministry. We could not be prouder! Karla turned 4! It is hard for me to fathom. She is all about Peppa Pig right now and I was able to pull off a piggy cake, much to her delight. She is so smart and sweet and full of courage and life. Her vocabulary in both English and Romanian is amazing and she makes me laugh. Karla's birthday was followed by my own! I mentioned to a few of the kids that they were welcome to come over for lunch after church. About 30 people showed up, so it was a bit bigger of an affair then I expected! I was very well celebrated! I celebrated as well with my birthday twin, Fernando. He turned 16! Each year we take a picture and he gets a big chocolate bar. It is a special connection! We wrapped up this season with Eric's first birthday! He is a very sweet boy. He is pretty calm and laid back for the most part. He loves the song "baby shark" so we had an ocean party with fishing for prizes. The kids were thrilled and it was a fun day! Lots more celebrating to come as we have two weddings of our graduates next month. Life if full!