Beloved Friends and Faithful Supporters,
After experiencing Jesus’ birth at Christmastime, with all the joy and with many people around who wanted to bless the children through their generosity, then in January God allowed us to extend our experience of faith in Him.
Right now, looking back, we can confess and praise God who showed us that even when you are down, sick, He is faithful and never lets you down. We just passed through a couple trying weeks with 17 children sick with chickenpox, high fevers, irritating spots both inside and outside, and all giving a rather pitiful picture of what the body can handle. But no matter, we continued by the grace of God to function, work, to be blessed and to bless. And only little Mario had to be hospitalized because he just couldn’t breathe, endangering his life. But in this way we again received a wonderful lesson of life according to what God is teaching and showing us. In times when the body is weak or failing, the spirit can grow stronger and the soul can become more appreciative. In all this time God sent us His angels to protect, to encourage, and to give us goals for tomorrow. In this way we continually blessed by the Foundation Mia’s Children, by the friends from ING, Rotary, other friends who are trying to provide a support, encouragement, love, by Carol and her church praying for us…so many caring friends.
Through two of our friends–Mirela and Nely–a Romanian diplomat, Mr. Ovidiu who works in Iraq (the Council of the European Union) came and was very impressed by the paintings made by our children, by the grace of God. And he made a project in which he wants to involve exhibiting our paintings in some cities in the world, letting the creativity of the kids speak to betterment of the world. He wants the gifts God gave these children through art to speak for them a hope of a better future in the world. This will create bridges around the world, he believes, and in different societies, like Iraq, United States, so on. We are honored to represent Romania because it is a way to display how God has put in these children His gifts, with seeds planted, and we all together help them grow and be fruitful. So it is not only about art; it’s about something beyond–the love of God to and through His children and all His people who answer the commandment to love one another, instead of despising and/or giving no hope for the hopeless. It shows the agape love of Jesus in action.
We praise God and thank you for the wonderful team we all together are in caring, educating, growing, transforming, & building the true character of each child. To help the kids understand and develop their qualities we continue to study the Bible and the truths God teaches there, and it’s awesome to see how they understand better how to live honest and wholesome lives, no matter what the circumstances are.
Each child has his own responsibilities in participating in maintaining the house, cooking, cleaning, washing dishes and clothes…but at the same time, they started to paint in the evenings, after their homework, and it’s amazing what God is developing in them– their imaginations, their skills, their creativity. Looking at their painting gives an overflow of the love and expression of the joy of our work together, including each of you.
As you know, our son Costi built a room on the back of the house, where there had been a porch. We very much needed this room after we realized that we could not put the 9 little kids in school. I have been teaching them at home, and this room has truly been a God-send. When the older children come home from school to do their homework, the little ones play there; in the morning we have our kindergarten class there. In this way we joyfully use this additional space. God provided almost all the furnishings. What a blessing the additional space is, and what a testimony it is that through faith in God all things are possible.
We have a good report regarding Costel’s health. He is stable right now and full of hope and faith. He is on a strict diet. But more than that, he is grateful for your prayers and thanks each of you.
Here are some prayer request; please pray for:
* Everyday guidance and a deep relation with God through Jesus.
* Sponsors and supporters, as the world crisis is greatly effecting our budget.
* New glasses for the kids and Mia.
* Strength and health for all of us…it has become a problem to maintain health needs for Costel, Mia, and the children.
* God to bring new opportunities to manage the activities, the budget, the costs, needed additional help.
* Us to continue to be joyful, thankful, and content in our life and work through God.
Thank you so much for all your love, caring, prayer.
Mia’s Children