Mias Children

Romania’s National Anthem

 in Communism / Music / Romania  tagged Communism / music / national anthem / protest / Revolution / Romania / song by

Romanians have sung “Deșteaptă-te, române” at revolutionary events since the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. It aided them in their fight against the Nazis and served as a symbol of the former way of life during decades of dictatorship.

The song, which translates “Awaken Thee, Romanian,” was outlawed under Communism and became a call to arms for protestors and rebels in 1989. Shortly after the fall of Communism, it became the national anthem.

Read the lyrics with English translation here, and listen to the song below:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL3dCT8i3ew&feature=related&rel=0]

Painting and Prayer

 in Education / God / Hope / Painting and Prayer  tagged art / children / identity / painting / prayer / statelessness by

Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared.
Numbers 14:17

God we pray for the children in Romania and elsewhere who, because they do not have papers, cannot attend school or access special services. Please give Mia’s Children the resources to educate them. Give them a deep assurance of their identity in you as they wait for the state to acknowledge them. Amen

Painting and Prayer

 in Mia / Painting and Prayer / United States  tagged art / fundraising / Mia's Children / painting / prayer by

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

God we pray today for the many people involved in planning Mia’s visit while here in the States. We pray that you will open all of the right doors to make her speaking engagements and fundraising work go smoothly and be a blessing.

In particular, we ask that you give Joan Castle, the US head of Mia’s Children, encouragement as she hosts Mia and oversees the month-long trip.

Amen.

Painting and Prayer

 in Mia / Painting and Prayer / United States  tagged friendship / ministry / painting / prayer / Romania / travel / United States by

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Proverbs 17:17

Mia painting in Memphis

Lord, we thank you for bringing Mia safely to the United States and for the gift of friendship and community that we share with her and with our Romanian brothers and sisters. Teach us how to love and welcome visitors. May her trip be restful and inspire her work and ours. Amen.

Flory

 in Art / Education  tagged art / Bucharest / chess / deafness / disability / drawing / math / Romania by

This is Flory.

She is 17 years old and suffers from a severe hearing impairment.

Flory is an Olympiad competitor at chess, math and drawing. She took first place this year in Turkey while representing Romania at the Drawing Olympiad. She won the year before in Italy. Next year she’ll compete in Great Britain.

Flory drew the dog in this picture because she loves animals and considers dogs a blessed and faithful friend.

She needs an acoustic machine and a special battery every two weeks for her hearing aid. The kids love her and most of them communicate with her using sign language. She teaches the younger children chess strategies and secrets.

Her family comes from a poor town a long way from Bucharest, but because of the lack of work, many people have moved into the city to find employment there. In Bucharest, her mother helps prepare meals at Mia’s Children. Meanwhile, Flory’s sister entered is studying psychology in college, focusing on children with special needs.

Flory wants to stay at Mia’s Children all the time, but she’s learning in Craiovei at a high school for children with special needs. She studies architecture and would like to attend university to study architecture in the future.

Painting and Prayer

 in Mia / Painting and Prayer / United States  tagged painting / prayer by

Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

1 Thessalonians 2:8

This week we lift up to you Mia as she prepares for a much-awaited trip to the US. Please give her and Mia’s Children in Romania peace as they set up arrangements for her absence. Protect her health, and make those of us in America welcoming to her in whatever way you have for us. Amen

Academic Successes

 in Education  tagged Bucharest / college / education / high school / ministry / Romania / scholarship / university by

We’ve gotten in all the records from this school year. Can this list be any more exciting?

  • All of Mia’s Children passed their grades this year with marks of A and B;
  • Ion and Andreea applied successfully to high school;
  • After taking some time off, Claudia has returned to her social work program at the university;
  • Nicoleta and Claudia have applied for scholarships from the Blue Heron Foundation;
  • Nicoleta, Gelu, and Mihai graduated high school;
  • Mihai got his diploma as a chef;
  • Catalin (see last week’s wedding news) graduated from the history program at the university and is starting in the masters program;
  • Costi graduated with a degree in marketing;
  • and Bogdan got his degree in business, commerce and tourism. He is now pursuing a Master’s.

Praise God for these amazing children, teenagers and adults as they influence their schools and workplaces.

Painting and Prayer

 in Family / Love / Painting and Prayer  tagged family / love / marriage / ministry / prayer / Romania by

As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 62:5

We pray today for the adults in Romania who have grown up with Mia’s Children and are getting married. We pray for Tabita, Mihaela and Gigi, Catalin, and George, and for their families. Please strengthen their relationships and give them wise men and women to encourage them in their marriages. Help them to grow as one together, looking to you always. Amen.

From Our Family, New Families

 in Abuse / Family / Hope / Love  tagged family / marriage / ministry / Romania / wedding by

Catalin on his wedding day

In the same year of our beloved Costel’s death, many of the young men and women he counseled about family are moving forward with their own!

Earlier this year, Tabita – one of our first members – got married and moved to London. Then Catalin got married in June.

Coming up this month, Mihaela will marry Gigi. And George, one of the first children to whom Mia and Costel ministered, will legalize his marriage with the mother of his child.

Costel saw many of these young men grow up and helped some of them out of extremely abusive situations. Only a year after his death, they are starting families of their own.

Says Mia, “Happy news: how time passes, and our children are now adults! This is a great honor in memory of Costel, husband and father who was their role model.”

Please pray for these young people as they commit to marriage!

Tabita's wedding