a girl named Monica

Monica recently turned 12 years old. Her mother went to Spain to work and left her in the care of the grandmother. Monica missed her mother terribly and stopped eating. Monica's funeral was Tuesday - she died of a broken heart.

Monica began a hunger strike some time ago. Her mother came to see her in December while Monica was confined to the hospital. The reports that reached us was that her mother was less than loving to Monica during the visit. Some other reports were that mom found a new man and he would not accept Monica - a situation all too common here. The grandmother apparently just washed her hands of the entire situation. How could a grandmother do that?

Adina as well as another social worker became aware of Monica's plight and they were faithful to visit her but there was nothing else we could do but pray and supply some diapers. Adina and I prayed over the situation on Wednesday, we prayed that the Lord would either heal her or take her home and end her suffering. Thursday Adina was in Timisoara at another hospital. We help a mother with a new set of triplets and four more children at home. One of the triplets needed surgery right away and it had been postponed twice. Adina went and we gave the mother money to give to the doctor - the little guy got his surgery the next morning. How can a doctor put a child's life in danger over a few dollars?

Adina wasn't going to go and see Monica on Thursday after having to go to Timisoara. She was upset over the situation with the triplet and had spent all day there. Adina stopped anyway to visit Monica and met the other social worker. This other young lady told Adina she decided to stay the night by Monica's side. The grandmother had been notified that the situation was now critical, Monica's heart had stopped once - but the grandmother would not come. Monica slipped away about 4AM but she was not alone.

Once this situation hit the news many people were outraged. Monica has brought many situations here to light. Parents are leaving everyday to work outside Romania and leaving their children in care of people who are not suited for this task or plain and simple, don't care. Monica spotlighted the fact there there are few job opportunities here now and the pay is often below minimum wage or people aren't paid at all in some cases. Monica brought attention to the number of abandoned children and a society that is unprepared to help them. Also the situation a single parent will all too often chose a new mate over their children has received much needed attention. Monica will have made an impact in the world that surrounded her.

Monica is no longer suffering, but so many children still do....

There is nothing this blog can do to help, we will continue to help those we can but most of all I wanted you to know about the little girl who touched our lives.

The last 30 days (or some of it anyhow)

I know that blogs are meant to be short blurbs posted often to keep people updated. Yeah well...here's a few highlights of the last 30 days. I had some photos so it jogged my memory but as many of you know I am not very good at photographing my activities. My days have been jam packed though, that's for sure. Today I sort of felt I hit a wall and slid down to the floor but I know tomorrow will be better! A little while ago Elizabeth was outside practicing her guitar and Sarah was singing with her, Blessed It Be The Name of The Lord. Elizabeth doesn't know all the chords yet but the fact that they were worshiping - together, well it was one of those moments I will hang on to for when they are again at each others throats!


Maria had made a decision to follow Jesus many months ago and wanted to be baptized. She backed out at the last minute because her family was against woman preachers. Maria got really sick and was in the hospital, we paid for her health insurance. She was frightened of death and I was called to the house after she returned from the hospital. Maria's sister came in and said I should baptize her right then. I told Maria I would be back soon and I would pray about the timing of the baptism, I wasn't sure she wanted it or her family had decided because their pastors wouldn't come and do it. The family believed that if she should die before baptism she wouldn't go to heaven, so perhaps a woman preacher would do in such an emergency??? When I was called to her home I took anointing oil and we prayed for her. I told her that in doing this not only was there healing but the scripture said her sins would be forgiven. Peace filled the room and I left. The next day I was in Vinga and I thought the Lord impressed upon me to go and baptize Maria. Two of the church leaders were there with me so we went and baptized her. I really did not want the extended family there so I didn't announce it - I wanted this to be her decision. We sang a few songs after the baptism and when I turned around from Maria's bedside there must have been 40 people there. Maria died several days later - but I know she is with the Lord and has received the ultimate healing. I came to the wake and the family asked me to perform the service. I said I would.

Now they don't embalm, as a rule, in Romania and the people are laid out at home. The wake was 36 hours after Maria passed away, and it was over 100 degrees. Oh my...the night of the wake I suggested we have the funeral outside - to accommodate the people coming. I thought I was being tactful - then the husband commented..."and she stinks too". Well yes, there is that. The husband said he may not be able to get the death certificate so perhaps we should postpone the funeral another 24 hrs. NO! I will bury her without it (not legal). The mayor couldn't send transportation from the house to the cemetery so I used the truck. This is the third time it has been pressed in to service for a funeral procession. The heat the day of the funeral was unbelievable and I couldn't keep the truck going slow enough without riding the clutch so the people said to turn off the motor and they pushed the truck all the way through the village to the cemetery!



Sarah is growing up. There isn't a day that is not a challenge with either Sarah or Elizabeth (usually the both of them). Sarah has started voice lessons and will also take acting when school starts. Just right for my little drama queen.


Cerbu, from Osana, came to minister at Vinga. He brought some friends and the music was awesome! One of the musicians turned out to be a cousin to Bogdan - they were both surprised at meeting in Vinga.








Elizabeth continues to dance in the traditional Romanian dance troupe but she says she will give it up if it conflicts with her guitar lessons. She will also start graphic art lessons in a couple of week.



Rici! Don't drink
out of the hose!!!!

Rici has grown s-o-o-o-o-o big!! He turns two on Sunday. He allows me a chance to be a grandma!

Trian Update

There are so many awesome things that happen day to day but I hardly ever take the time to share - things that make me happy!

I was at Mocrea this week and Trian was with us as usual. There was a new man sitting at a table with two family members and everyone was uncomfortable. I started a conversation - the family was scared about their relative being in Mocrea - was it safe etc. They weren't sure if they could visit when they wanted. I was at the table so Irina could smoke and Irina starts saying how they are beaten, the food is not edible and so on. The family was horrified, this was their worse nightmare. I tried to tell them there was decent food and enough of it - of course it is not like food at home but they can leave snacks for the guy with the attendant etc. I am there every Tuesday and the patients are not beaten. However, by the very nature of the hospital, and the diverse mental problems, it is not unheard of for fights to break out - it happens. I did not want to make it sound like the guy was now at a resort! I explained that Irina was saying what she was because she is not happy to be in a locked ward - but who really wanted to be there? The one woman said the man's problem was alcoholism and they didn't know what to do. The man himself said he hadn't been drinking and the situation felt pretty hopeless. Just then Trian came over and I told the little group that Trian had been a patient and is an alcoholic. now he volunteers here. Trian talked to the guy - the attendant came out and encouraged them to visit. Trian explained that even after a long period of not drinking you can "lose your mind". You can get meds. here and recover. We stayed and chatted and it just made me happy to see Trian encouraging these guys and the family's concerns eased a little. I also said that the majority of these people are locked up and left but family and concern can make a big difference, not to mention prayer!

Oh - and I have my eye on another guy that I would like to start trying to get him out...he has family that won't accept him home either.

NCA Team

I guess a blog is to post things as they happen - but that doesn't usually work for me. A great team from NCA church in Florida just left on Saturday. They arrived the Friday before and helped me with everything for a week. OK - now I realize why you post-as-you-go - what do I want to share about their visit?

The team was led by Lynsey Ball and her team-mates were Dan De Maso, Tess Combs and Marcia Adams. Each brought with them something special for the week. I will try and post this to fb also as they each have posted stories from their trip.

We have recently started working at the juvenile detention center. The director had contacted me as asked if we could help there. We do a bible study and Monday evenings and are adding a craft time also. Dan De Maso did an awesome bible lesson from Exodus using a soccer ball - the kids hung on his every word. They also got to keep the ball so that left them pretty excited. That will be a difficult act for Bogdan to follow. After the lesson we stayed and the team played games and did puzzles - it was a great evening.

Marcia arrived with a delight for the entire missions experience. She has a special compassion which was exhibited in the way she interacted with the various groups we minister to. After the team left I saw a book near my front door, I had been gathering a few items that had been left behind and thought that one of team members also left a book. The team had left lovely notes for me and the girls but I made no connection to the book. I was so touched to see that the volume of poetry was for me inscribed with a lovely note from Marcia.

Tess is young and seemed up for everything, but what what seemed to make the most impression was her hair braiding with beads! Her fingers worked tirelessly! Diana, a friend of my girls, also wanted her hair done. It takes many many hours for Tess to do a full head with braids and she had already worked most of the day on Sarah, Elizabeth and Vio. Tess started on Diana. it was getting late and Diana's mother called but Diana wanted to get finished. Diana's mother came for her after 10PM but the braids were not done. I was going to suggest that we finish in the morning but Diana's mother said that they were going to Germany the next day and they wouldn't be returning. I asked the mother to let Tess finish with the hairdo and we chatted. I came to realize that Diana didn't want to go to school in Germany, didn't want to leave Romania and certainly didn't want to leave her friends. This hairdo was very important to that little girl. The mother stated that Diana can earn a living several years sooner with the German education system - I also got the impression that the family is not going to be together. Tess hung in there and finished Diana and Diana was happy when she left. I don't know how long it took for Tess' fingers to recover. Thank you for touching lives with your art Tess.

I hope to see Lynsey and her family back in Romania, at least for another missions trip if not a missions assignment. They had served here for a year and had touched many lives. I know they will be a blessing wherever they serve. The team financially blessed many of our projects.

A couple of the things that touched me the most was two donations from children. Dan's sister is a missionary in Thailand, she has an orphanage there. Her children at the orphanage collected bottles and cardboard in Thailand to help the children in Romania - how awesome is that! Also Trinity, Lynsey's daughter, sent all her savings to help either the widows or the children. The funds went to Maranatha Orphanage.

Camp 2011 Day Five

They met in small groups and so many shared their hearts, their hopes and fears. It was a dynamic time.
Time to say good-bye to new friends.


Most of the kids bonded with at least one of the staff - most with more than one. The team that comes are life-changers for these kids.

There was much bonding with leaders

The kids were taken down the hill by a tractor pulling a wagon. It had been raining and the bus driver refused to even try to get the bus up the hill and in to camp(wisdom!)

Well camp 2011 is over. Many of the kids cried as they went down the hill, very few were ready for it to be over - how awesome is that!!! Many of the older kids have decided they want more of the things of God and we have made plans for two weekend retreats for some in depth teaching. Around 6 of the older kids will be trained to be junior counselors at next years camps. This is all such a joy to my heart. I guess I need to start saving for the camps in 2012! The provision of God was so spectacular this year. Including transportation and all expenses it was almost $6000. I sat and pondered that - where did I get all the money???? I love God's provision!! Thank you for your prayers and funds to accomplish this for these kids in the name of The Lord!

Camp 2011 Day Three

Here is the older Vinga group - h-m-m-m must be plotting something!






The covered wagons as well as the teepees are spacious and comfortable for the kids.

There are several times of music each day - everyone gets involved. I have not been up at the camp this year during the group lessons or the small group discussions and bible study. While I was up there yesterday I was able to visit with most of the kids and the leaders. The kids are having a wonderful time and enjoying the food. Some of the leaders report that a few of the older ones are seriously seeking the Lord as to what He would have them do with their lives; two have said they think they might have a missions call and many of the younger ones are having Jesus really come alive for them. What an awesome week! Tomorrow I go up for the last part of the camp and to get everyone home - I know I will hear even more awesome reports.

Camp 2011 Day 1

The kids arrive in camp. Our final count was 64. The kids were all at the pick-up locations early, eager to go! I had asked about the road in to camp - the last 2 years it was pretty bad. The first year I had trouble with my 4x4 getting up in to the camp. The directors of the camp, Matt & Lorraine, assured me the road was good - yes a bus could make it. As the bus rounded the curve, over the last little hill there were gasps - look a bus made it!! Quick get a picture...OK I did. Didn't I ask...? Yes but we thought you meant a bus in to the area - not all the way in camp - this is a first. Again, unwittingly, I have pushed the envelope!

That's the bus driver in the foreground on the next picture, he looks like he is scratching his head...the kids aren't used to buses or roads like that. Bogdan said, and I quote "...they were throwing up like fountains!" OK - so I tipped the driver!








The camp is old west style with the kids sleeping in either covered wagons or teepees. They have a storefront type building as staff cabins and have added a stage this year. Every year they add on to the camp.



The first meal at camp - lunch. It was really good, I stayed to make sure they all settled in well. Sarah called me later that night to say the boys were beating on their teepee and they couldn't sleep - hey honey - that is the camp experience!