The Prodigal Son

I don't know if you've ever felt like you were living out a story from the Bible, but for awhile we've been in the midst of the story of the prodigal son. In 1998, I met a little 4-year old boy named Berki. He grew up in orphanages that H2H worked in and I watched him grow and become a teen. He was very involved with our programs. He came to everything, was in the orchestra, and was one of the "favorites." He has always had a love for hair and when he entered our Transition Program, he and Ioana were given very special apprenticeships at a very nice salon in Bucuresti. He finished the apprenticeship, graduated our Transition Program, and had a place in one of our apartments. Then, about six months later, he decided that life would be better doing something else, so he moved out and quit his job. He went from friend to friend and then decided life would be better in Spain. With every decision that Berki made I thought "this is it, this is a low as he can go. He'll come back." But then I'd hear that things were worse. He lived on the streets, he begged, he tried smoking and drugs. Finally, in July, the call came. He acknowledged he made big mistakes and asked for forgiveness and help. In the course of the conversation Jenny said to him, "you are the prodigal son, and we are waiting for you with open arms." His reply, "Ohhh, that God would make it so." Three days later he returned. He is back in an apartment, getting counseling, and is working at Subway. I know that many of you have loved and prayed for Berki over the years, please continue. God isn't finished with him yet!

Summer!!

Summer Ministry is always one of the high lights of the year. We have a lot of volunteers that come to help us make summer special for the kids. This year was no exception. We had around 60 volunteers here from the end of June through July. We did day camps for kids 14 and under from 4 different orphanages in 2 locations at the same time during the first two weeks of July. Because we had enough team members, while day camp was happening at the team house, we had a group that went into the orphanages to do activities with the kids that remained there. The last two weeks of July we focused on the teams. We had a girls camp the first week and a boys camp the second. These took place at the team house, and were special times. The theme of the summer was a circus theme. We focused on living authentic lives, not lives of illusion and focusing on faith, hope, and love. Here are some of my favorite pictures of the summer--there were so many to choose from!

 

School endings!

School ends in Romania in the middle of June. Just like anywhere, the end of school years, represents endings of certain chapters and time to look back, reflect, and celebrate. This year we had four young men graduate from Branesti high school. This is an extra special mile stone, because these four men come from Peris, which is, in the eyes of the government, a special needs school and orphanage. If you are in a special needs school you only go to the 10th grade. These boys were given a special opportunity to transfer to a "normal" school after they finished 10th grade so that they could graduate from 12th grade. This gives them an advantage in finding better jobs. Because the "normal" school is more difficult they the special needs school, it was a difficult transition for all of them. We started, two years ago, with 9 kids and only 4 graduated. We are very proud of them and the effort it took to finish!

 
     Marin receiving his diploma                                 Marian Pana, Ionut Tudor, Jen, Marian Stefan, and
                                                                                                            Marin Dumitru

We had the end of the school year program at Peris as well.  It is a priviledge to get to attend and applaud in the place of these kids' parents.

In another big mile stone, Ruthie graduated from Pre-school and will start Kindergarten in the fall.  We are not sure where the time has flown, but we are so proud of the person she is becomming!

Last, but not least, Raluca graduated from University with a liguistics major.  Raluca was in our first girls transition program in 2005-2006.  It took her awhile to gain the courage to go to University, but she did it and finished!  Some of you were involved in sponsoring her schooling.  We are all thankful!

In yet another special moment for the month of June, we had our Transition Program graduation. We had 3 young men and 2 young women finish the program this year. Another reason to be proud!!

The Merry Month of May

Easter came late this year in Romania.  We didn't celebrate until the first weekend in May.  We had the normal H2H family gathering at the team house.  It is always a priviledge to be able to gather together as a family.  

 Karla enjoying opening eggs!

 Dying eggs with the transition boys and girls.  It takes away to dye 60 eggs!

 Easter baskets!

 Easter goodies!  This year the "golden" egg was hidden inside of a cupcake.  Vali, one of the boys that is currently in the transition program found it!

The Badea family was able to join us this year from out of town, so we had 7 of our 9 "grandkids" present.  We tried to get some good photos.  Those who photograph small children have my respect!

Spring 2016

This spring we had a unique opportunity to take a road trip as a staff as a staff retreat. So often we work together, pray together, some of us live together, but we don't necessairly get to spend time relaxing together. We decided to go to a region of the country that few on the staff had ever visited, Cluj/Maramures.   We drove quite a bit, but enjoyed seeing some of the beauty of the country we live and minister in!

This is at the Corvin Castle in Hunedoara

This is the "Happy Cemetary" that is in the Maramures.  The creator wanted to celebrate life in a humorous, realistic way. Every grave is in bright colors with a poem and picture carved in the wood.  I've never seen anything like it. 

In Sighet there is a prison that was used as a political prison during communism.  It has now been turned into a museum.  It was one of the best museums of its kind that I've seen.  A true tribute to those who suffered and died in the name of freedom.  

In Turda is an underground salt mine that has been turned into a museum and recreational area.  You can row a boat on the salt lake at the bottem or ride a ferris wheel.  It was very interesting.

March Highlights

Here are some more highlights from the month!  It is one celebration after another here in Romania!!

Okay, this was still in February, but we celebrated Jenny's birthday first.  Ruthie helped me make a pink, princess cake, because hey, we all know Jenny is a princess.  We also had a bowling party!

We had a team from Michgan here, from Mission Possible.  Flori, set up a manicure shop at the team house, to continue to gain experience.  She finish her vocational school in January and is is working as an apprentice in a shop.

We continue to have lots of baby time here at the Team House.  Karla and Daria are here often and are both growing so fast!

Flori's birthday was March 19th.  We had a small pj party to celebrate.  Her request, a minion cake.  Jenny didn't disappoint!

I had another birthday as well, on March 3rd.  

Fernando is my Birthday Buddy.  We share the same birthday and celebrate together every year.  He's getting bigger and I'm staying the same!  Isn't it amazing how that happens!

The Wonder of Childhood!

I don't know how each of you feels about letting kids believe in things like Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy. I must confess that I fall in the middle. I think its good for children to be brought up and taught the truth, but at the same time I want to let kids be kids. I want their imaginations to run. I want them to feel awe and wonder in things small and large. I want them to get caught up in stories and dream. So often our kids miss out on these opportunities. Too often, they are forced to grow up too fast, to lose their inocence and wonder in life. We look for ways to help them build that wonder into their childhoods. We use things like play and stories, crafts and experiments, and trips out of the orphanages to experience new things.

 A couple of years ago, a young boy, Doro, lost a tooth. I started telling him about the tooth fairy. Half-way through my story I realized that I might have made a mistake. Doro is the kind of boy, who, after hearing that story, would put his tooth under his pillow to see what happens. At the orphanage nothing would happen. So, at the end of the story, I said, "but the Tooth Fairy only comes to Americans." I took his tooth home and then next time I saw him, gave him a few lei and he was thrilled. I thought I might have started something, but time passed with no one else telling me they'd lost a tooth. Then, last fall, a little girl, Nicoleta, came to me and asked if I could put her tooth under my pillow. I couldn't believe that close to two years later, she still remembered! I took her tooth and brought her a few lei. Now it has caught on! It is rare to look in my pockets or purse and not find a tooth, but I love the wonder that I see in their eyes. Through moments like these we build love into their lives, and as they learn to trust our love, they become more open to the love of Christ.