Pool Time

This summer we had our first baby swim class! Three of the four babies did great and love the water. Emi--well maybe by next year!Jenny and I with David and Ruthie.

Swimming wears them out!

Krista and I with Rebeca and David catching some rays.



The older kids loved the pool as well and was the most sought after activity of the summer!

Boys Graduation

This summer we graduated 5 boys from the Boys Transition House. We had a ceremony at the Team house to hand out diplomas. Cezar, Aurel, Adrian, and Catalin with Ghita making a presentation.

Catalin receiving his diploma from Costel.

Costel, the master of Master of Ceremonies, with me as his translator.

Four of these boys I've known since my 2nd summer in Romania-- 13 years ago. They were 7 and 8 then, now they are young men starting out on their own. Another proud mom moment!

Buhler Meets Romania

Towards the end of June a group from my home church came to lend a hand. Anytime I have people from home come over and experience Romania, it is a special blessing for me.

John, Parker, Layne, Tara, Carley, and Sarah, Thanks so much for stepping out in faith and taking this journey. I loved having you here and see God work in and through you!

The team brought with them a few goodies from home including.......2 of my Mom's homemade cherry pies. Yes, they were made in America, packed in suitcases and arrived all in 1 piece. How? My Mom is amazing and my parents have learned a few tricks over the years!

Part of the group worked at the orphanages and the baby hospital. John made a good human jungle gym!
Sarah getting in cuddle time! See no running involved =)
The girls toting around some of their favorites!
Parker and Layne went off on the boys backpacking trip with some of the older orphan boys up into the Carpathian Mountains.
We picked the boys up from their adventure and visited the Peles Castle. Thanks again for being a great team!

Two Brothers

Those of you who have hung around me for the past few years, know that 3 1/2 years ago when 2 certain brothers arrived at the orphanage, they quickly stole my heart. When Nicu and Vic arrived, neither of them had been in school so they started them both in the first grade. They finished the 3rd grade this year. It is custom for each class to award the top 3 students with awards. The top student receives the wreath of flowers on his or her head. As you can see, Nicu, was first in his class, for the 3rd year in a row!
Vic was 2nd! Also for the 3rd time. After he received his diploma he popped on my lap and said, "Next year, I'm going to be first!" Nicu's response, "No way!" True brothers. The competition is on, but they always have each other's back!

Children's Day with the Biola Team

In Romania, June 1st is Children's Day, and June 15th is the last day of school. These 2 days make the beginning of June very busy with all kinds of celebrations. This year the Biola Team was here to help us. We had 5 different carnivals, in different locations.


I'm taking my turn at the sponge toss! The little ones were no problem. The older fast-pitchers I let Abe, a Biola team member handle!

One of my favorite little guys, Petrica, who is often soo serious. It is always fun to see him smile!

Jim getting in on the action! However, I didn't let him throw the sponge at me!!

Face painting was involved, and we had some creative designs!

John wowed the kids, team, and us staff with his magic tricks. A fun addition to our celebrations.

Down in Rosiori the kids had fun as well. Alin could fit inside of the tuba!

The Biola team also helped with music lessons and band rehersals. Here are all the musicians together.

Baptisms!

Today Two of our transition graduates Alina and Mirela were baptised. These are girls that I've known for a long time so it was such a blessing to be able to be a part of the day and see them make this important step.
It was an honor for me that Mirela asked for me to be beside her while she was baptized. This was a first for me to help baptize someone and I was quite moved to be apart of it!
Alina is the young woman whose wedding I coordinated a little over a year ago and she is the mommy of cute Ruthie. We've walked through many of lives milestones with her and it was amazing to be apart of another!

May Team Highlights

The beginning of the month a few Canadian team members stayed around for a special photography club with a group of kids from one of the orphanages. We went to the park on a beautiful spring day. The kids got to try out their new skills while we got to spend some quality time with them outside of the orphanage.
In our preschool class we did a lesson on telling the truth and Franklin the Turtle helped tell the story.
At our Mommy's and Me class the Scotland Team showed the Mom's how to do infant massage. The babies got to spend some time hanging out as well!