We were blessed with the annual visits of our dear friends from the United States. As always, they filled our hearts with love, joy and encouragement. The children blossom with all the attention and love shown to them. They speak of feeling so loved, special and favored.
We enjoyed “American style” spaghetti cooked by Michael which involved a hands on project with some of the children. It was a time of interaction, learning and joy. He also brought treats and Christian tracts for the children to read (written in Romanian) and for the older ones to hand out to their friends.
Joe and Mary Ann came with clothes for all the children along with a lot of love. Joe hosted a special night to hand out the boys clothes, along with a new University of Arizona Football cap, soccer balls and basketball. The evening was concluded with a lesson on discipline, courage, character, obedience and God’s purpose for our lives along with corresponding Scripture verses. Of course, special treats for the children were served amid laughter and joy by all.
Mary Ann sent out invitations to all the girls for their special day to receive clothing. Before the clothes were given, Mary Ann spoke on what we wear and how we wear it, which speaks of our godly character and who we are. A fashion show follow with all the girls trying on their clothing and adjustments made. This is always a special time for all the
children with joy, laughter and again, special treats ending the day.
There is never a problem with clothing because the children are so thankful and so willing to share with each other!
Each day Joe and Mary Ann were here, they took the little ones outside to help develop their eye to hand coordination through games and exercises, to teach the children how to take turns and be a team player. Time was also given to help Mia develop kindergarden lessons. They also gathered all the children for 2 more sessions on“life lessons” giving their own testimonies and talking about becoming the living word of God. Special attention and love was given to each child along with a lot of encouragement and love to Mia and Costel for the job they are doing.
Each evening as Mia tutors the older children with the homework, Costel gathers the younger ones and encourages their thinking and language skills by their story telling. As school fees are so very high, the little ones are being prepared to enter school with a level of proficiency, conceptual thinking and verbal skills. By incoroporating the alphabet, numbers and colors through art projects, the children learn the English and Romanian language simultaneously.
The visits by our guests are so important to the children because they see God’s word in application. The Bible says in James 2:24, “You see that a person is justified (made acceptable to God) by what he does; not by faith alone.” We feel that this example and application of God’s word is vital to their Christian growth. They must learn, that what they have learned, they MUST also apply to their lives.
We are teaching and expecting the children to raise the bar. The standard of life can already be seen with the older children. Mihaela and Marion are leading the way while in Cyprus studying and working, Claudia with her enrollment in college and with many of the others enrolled in work study programs around the city. This sets a standard and example for the younger children.
We are encouraged by the way God is moving in all our lives. Thank you all again for your love and support.
Love,
Mia and Costel