Saturday, August 8, 2015

My Sarah

 It doesn't seem like I write as much about Sarah as I do the activities of her sister Elizabeth.  Sarah is having a good summer. She hadn't particularly liked the first 8 grades of school but she loves high school and is anxious for the fall semester to begin. She enters the 10th grade. She rides the train to town and back every day and that is the focal point of her social life. If I need to discipline her the biggest threat is that I would drive her to and from school!  Elizabeth would love that and wants to know why I never threaten her with that.  The girls are as different as night and day but both are a joy to my heart. Raising teens is not for the faint of heart however. Sarah is so photogenic. She would love for me to allow a tattoo or a few piercings...ah no.  Just wanted to take a moment to spotlight this gorgeous young lady.

Vacation!!!!

While Elizabeth was slaving away doing camps Sarah and I were able to get a week at the Black Sea in Bulgaria. We went with the Poncey's and their girls.  It was a long drive but I so enjoy the ocean and poolside.  Scott and Carolyn as well as Tammy and Randy, visiting after a wedding, went with the girls to a water park and parasailing too. The parasailing was the highlight of the trip.  Here are some pictures:

Sarah and I both enjoyed the trip
Anghelina and Sarah on the beach
View from Apt. balcony
The lovely pools

Elizabeth and Eurotrek

Elizabeth has been a Grain Game camper for years and last year was a junior leader.  This summer she joined Eurotrek.  Eurotrek is Grain Game in Europe. Elizabeth had the opportunity to spend one week in the Ukraine, two weeks in Serbia and two weeks in Romania.  Fundraising in Romania is not an easy thing to do. Kids don't have part time jobs as a rule, they don't pay babysitters and you can't do car washes or bake sale type of projects. She wisely decided it would be somewhat rude to write to the supporters of my work and just ask for money (although some helped of course). We brainstormed and came up with nothing. I do not have the funds to just send her, besides I wanted her to raise her own funds as much as possible. I did sell a trailer just before she left which helped! Elizabeth has been invited to a Grain Game function in Alabama in January and has already made plans to join Eurotrek next summer. She feels drawn to Africa and would like to make a trip there and work with Grain Game Africa after high-school graduation. As she is gushing about her future my mind is adding up expenses... but I do know God has provision for the vision so I wasn't worried. He has provided for us here all these years.

During a week of alternate education Elizabeth took a walking tour of Arad. The city is full of old places and historical buildings. She was excited to share what she had learned with me when she got home..."LIGHTBULB MOMENT"  We decided that many people might like a similar tour of the city.  Teams of visitors come in and out all year and she could handle groups. Elizabeth has made up a booklet to hand out after the tour.  We will be advertising her tour soon on Facebook and maybe sending out e-mails. Of  course if people aren't coming to Romania and wish to support Elizabeth they will be mailed the booklet.  We are excited about this and it will give her ownership of her ministry. I am so joyful of the paths she is choosing.  Elizabeth will also help us with the Vinga camp next month.
Elizabeth in Serbia

Chip and Elizabeth

Grain Game Rromi Camp




What an awesome start to the summer.  The kids from Pesac were able to attend a summer camp up in Sistarovat!  Thanks to an American team, led by Daryl and Janna Edwards, for helping and the financial support!  This aspect of The Grain Game is fairly new.  Bogdan and Callum and a few others are the leaders. I agreed to spearhead this effort and administrate it for now until Bogdan can take over.  Grain Game primarily targets middle school age youngsters for the wonderful gospel preparations. Grain Game, Chip Riley, has developed some of the best demonstrations for children's ministry that I have ever seen.  This is our second year for camp with the Pesac kids. During the rest of the year Bogdan, Callum and team do monthly kids club with them. 

We have another camp scheduled for the 2nd week in September, just before school starts. We will be doing this camp with the Vinga youngsters. We already have a kid's club there on Saturdays run by Spencer and Lynsey Ball as well as Bogdan.