Tabita

When I went over all that I had posted in the blog update from just yesterday ((below) I forgot to tell you about Tabita.  Tabita was born a dwarf. I had known her mom and siblings for at least 18 yrs. Several years ago there was an experimental program here in Romania with a new growth hormone.  We were able to get her admitted to the program and in time she began to grow!  One of the difficult things was her appetite for sweets. Everyone fed her snacks and sweets. The doctor warned me that she was gaining way too much weight and that her blood sugar was getting too high to continue with the growth medicines. I pleaded with her family as well the neighbors to stop...to no avail. They said she would cry. I was so frustrated but no amount of discussion get get them to stop feeding her this junk!.  She was removed from the program not too long after.  I kept track of her and visited her, she was becoming less and less mobile and was developing heart and lung problems. Randy, Tammy and I stopped in to visit her, she wanted prayer.  We did pray and I asked her if there was anything I could get for her?  She needed money for more distilled water for her breathing machine and asked if I could give her health.  My heart broke for her, paying for the water was easy - health not so easy.  After we left I prayed that the Lord would not let her suffer.  Spencer and Lynsey had continued to work with the Vinga kids and had a program for them. The last time I saw Tabita was at a Community Art Show that Spencer and Lynsey put together with art from the Vinga kids program. It took some doing to get her to the community center with her oxygen paraphernalia but they got her there, she had such a good time. Tabita went home to the Lord soon afterward.  She was 14.

Where do I start???

I guess I will just find some pictures I want to share and go from there.  As most of you know my last post was just before my trip to the States. I visited friends in two places in Indiana before moving on to Ohio and then California.  I knew my daughter was hospitalized and was able to talk to her a few times along the way. She was excited about my upcoming  arrival in California to be able personally tell me about a recent experience with the Lord. I checked with nurses in ICU when she was unable to communicate. Several times I asked the nurse to put the phone to her ear so I could remind her I was on my way and that she was Covenant Seed.  Just after arriving at my second stop in Indiana I got the news that my granddaughter Sarah had been rushed to the hospital with what was assumed to be appendicitis and they would probably operate. I also got the news that my daughter had taken a turn for the worse. Wow - my first thoughts were "what do I do God? Which way do I go...to my daughter or granddaughter?"  I was geographically between the two.  I felt the Lord impress on my heart to just "stay the course"  My tickets had been purchased nearly 4 months before and He had things in control. OK - I kept to the schedule. I had mentioned, after I purchased the tickets, to some trusted people in my life that I had thought this would be the last time that I would be able to see my daughter.  I arrived in California on April 15 and went straight to the hospital to see her. She recognized me and knew that I was there. That was what she was waiting for apparently, she was ready to go home. Elizabeth and Sarah were both able to say what was on their hearts to their mother by telephone. She squeezed my hand when I asked if she heard them. She went in to the arms of the Lord at midnight April 16.  I brought her ashes home and we buried her with a small ceremony in a lovely setting near our home.  Elizabeth will have a brass plaque made with simply "Kathleen Ramsey - Covenant Seed.|"

Update on Mocrea:  The patients are always so thankful for our weekly visits!  Sometimes people will mention that they never feel really appreciated for the ministry they do, I chuckle and invite them to come to Mocrea - they will be loved and appreciated there! We continue with the same basic program; coffee and snacks; a craft; a bible story and quiz (candy rewards); singing and ending in prayers. Those patients can really pray!  Sometimes I throw in little messages of encouragement or what is on my heart. Ramona says I should "preach" more often because the patients like it.  We'll see. The picture below is of a patient at the widow of an open men's ward. We were getting back in to the car when he called out that he had no bible and could I give him one?  Just happened to have one and I handed it up to him.  He immediately kissed it. I love my work.

Widow's Mite:  Another one of our original ladies, Lena from Dud, has passed away.  I had talked with her about the Lord for many years. She softened and said she has forgiven many people. She always listened. I was never quite sure where she stood and always told her I looked forward to seeing her in heaven with me.  She passed away in May. The neighbor who regularly checked on her said her last words were to make sure she was buried with the "repented ones".  That made me smile.

We have one married couple in the program, Gheorghe and Maria. They are well in to their 80's and have no pension. They farm for a living and Maria hauls their harvest to the piata in a hand-pulled cart.  They always want to know which day we will come so Maria can prepare a snack and they always want to share their fresh vegetables with us. This couple are poor by worldly standard but rich in the things that count - knowing the Lord and family.  We found out that a neighbor across the street was very poor and Gheorge and Maria had been sharing the food we bring them with her. We of course have added her to the program. Below is a picture of this precious couple. The other picture is of a lady also named Maria. Her health does not always allow her to get to church and when we were there last month she was saddened because she had missed Communion Sunday. I told her we could fix that, we carry with us what we need to serve communion when we visit monthly. She was thrilled.

Gheorge and Maria are pictured with Tammy. Randy and Tammy are a huge help with this ministry. They are willing to take over this program when I am no longer able to work. No no no... I am fine but there needs to be people ready and able to take over when the time comes.

Orphan Sponsor Program:  These are two houses we help support. Osana is the girls house and Caleb is for the boys. The house parents truly care for the children at these homes. It is difficult work as so many of the kids are badly damaged when they come to the homes. Pictured below are the kids in these homes. The third one is with Tammy reading with the youngest boy at Caleb, Maldanado. If you are interested in sponsoring a child it is $30 a month.

Last but certainly not the least - Sarah graduated high school!!!  As you can see I have no idea how to rotate this picture! Sarah did not need surgery but is still under treatment for a large cyst.

Elizabeth is doing her practical training for 3 weeks at the university, having completed her first year of Veterinary Medicine, and then she and Sarah head off to England for a holiday, which will include Spain. Elizabeth and our team will do a Grain Game camp in Bulgaria. Randy and Tammy are helping this again this year. 


Ramona, our faithful partner at Rock Of Hope Ministries,  noticed when she read the last blog that I do not say how to donate to these projects or my personal expenses. OOPS!  OK - you can write a check payable to ROHM and send to my administrator; George Ford at 1164 North Fox Ridge Links Dr. Vincennes IN 47591 or donate on-line to Rock of Hope Ministries (rockofhopeministries.org) Rock of Hope in the States is Solid Rock Youth Ranch. Please designate where you want your gift to go and please include your e-mail address for me.

Thank you all for your prayer and financial support. Without you guys I could not continue with these projects as well as the other work I have not highlighted like helping various poor families. I was able to see many of you on my recent trip but saw very few of the California folks I have missed.Love to you all!