HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

It is hard to believe that another year has come to a close.  I am excited for 2013, I think it will be an dynamic year in Romania.

Thank you to all those who have prayed for me, Elizabeth, Sarah and the ministry.  Thank you to those special people who have encouraged me.  Thank you to all who have so generously donated the funds to feed the poor and care for the elderly, to sponsor orphans, to love the unlovely, to teach the children, and to preach the gospel. Thank you to those in Romania that help me so much.

I am waiting to hear from the Lord on a couple of projects. I know that if He asks me to do it He will provide me with everything required including the funds, strength and health as well as those who will come along side of me.

Happy New Year.

Jesus - The reason for the season

I want to wish each and everyone a joyous Christmas season!  I pray that you be filled with the Peace that passes all understanding, know the true Love that only God provides, have the Joy of the Lord (our only true strength) and Hope for a tremendous 2013.

Christmas at the Detention center

 Last year the director of the center contacted me and asked if we could start some sort of program for the children and teens being held there. This facility is similar to the Juvenile Hall facilities in the States. We began a bible study followed by a game or craft time.  The detainees come and go, some are there for long periods of time however. The reasons why they are there vary.  here they were singing a Christmas Carol for us.

 They are patiently waiting for Santa to call their name. There were 12 of the 15 total residents present today.  All the pictures needed to be taken from angles that do not allow individuals to be recognized.

Bogdan and Santa with one of the boys.  The kids really enjoy Bogdan. Some of them are really soaking in the lessons from the bible study. We pray that some seeds have been planted that will yield a harvest in their lives. Some of their stories are truly horrific.

Guess what this is????

Every year I want to take a picture of this and share it. This is the decorated Christmas tree outside our little city hall in my village. If there were an ugly tree decoration contest - this tree would win - hands down! Every year I wait with baited breath thinking "surely they won't do it the same AGAIN"  Alas - they do. Just wanted to share this.  The picture does not do the ugliness justice.

Saturday bible classes in Vinga

 This is our leadership team: Alina and Vlad and Bogdan and Delia. They do a wonderful job with the two classes that are given simultaneously. One for the 4-8 yr. olds and the other for the 9-12yr. olds.

Each week we have more children. This week there were 35. We started on Saturday because these are the rooms we use for church on Sunday while our renovations of the sanctuary are in progress.  I think though that we will leave them meeting on Saturdays even when the sanctuary is finished. It is easier for the leaders and also we will reach more children.  I noticed children are coming that had never been attracted to Sunday School.

 

We were treated to the dress rehearsal of their Christmas pageant. They had worked very hard and did a really good job. I hope there is a good turnout of parents and friends next Saturday.

Of course the children all had a gift from Santa. 

Teens in Vinga

 I think there were 15 teens at their Christmas party Friday night. We couldn't get them all together for one picture. Elizabeth and Bianca were playing guitar and trying to get everybody singing the same Christmas Carol.

 Santa and Sarah. Bogdan is the leader of the teens and does a great job of it.  There's a youth pastor in the making I think. The teens each got a present plus cakes and soda. Usually they practice a couple of songs during their meetings for our Sunday service.

Some of the rest of the group.  I hope we can have another "missions" experience for them in 2013.  2 years ago they went to Bulgaria to help build an orphanage, last year they were junior counselors at a summer camp.  They can be challenging but over all they are a great bunch of teens!

Night Shelter for the homeless

Thursday evening we went to the night shelter.  This is the first year we have had a Christmas party at a homeless shelter. I drive past this place almost every day.  One day last week we stopped to see if they would let us come in for Christmas - yes they would.  Marius, Sanicolaul Mic music school and kid's club, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Bianca were the caroling group.  We went in with toiletries, hats, scarves, and socks for all. I ordered 20 extra large pizzas and we had soda.  Everybody had a wonderful time! 

 Irene visiting in the ladies area.  There are two widows there that lost their homes and have no children to help them. We are seeing if we can find housing for them. The shelter allows the older ones to remain there during the day also. The rest all have to leave each morning and are left to wander the streets during the day.

Everybody got almost all the Pizza they could eat. We visited with many.  The police brought in a couple of men that were pretty inebriated as well as one came by ambulance. Left outside for the night they would have died. We didn't have enough of many of the items for everyone to receive everything - but the people were very gracious and there was no arguing or remarks.  They were just so happy to have what we were able to give them.

This type of thing is the Christmas spirit for me.  Touching lives with the love of Jesus.  The scripture about whatever you have done to the least of these you have done unto Me really comes home at times like this.  I am going to go back there one more time. Some were still cold at night and we have many knitted blankets that came over from Wales - they will be a very welcome gift!

I can only hope my own daughter will have someone touch her life with love this Christmas.  As I visited with many I couldn't help but think - some of these are someone's sons and daughters....