Our Blog

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

Dear Friends of Mia’s Children,

We Praise the Lord for the many blessings he is pouring over us, no matter how the times are. After a long summer with very high temperatures and no rain when we served every day our children with no warm water, no air conditioning and washing machine we feel so blessed that with your help we can have finally hot water and the wonderful washing machine. Even so, the summer was a special time for our mission when the kids could spend a fruitful time in the Lord in Joy, Love and Peace learning more about God’s protection about His Creation about how no matter the circumstances the life brought us we can stand on His promises, never forgetting His care for us.

Most of the summer the kids spent actively of the new house/home were we had a small swimming pool. The time was easier for the children in the heat that was over 100 degree’s. It was not only fun, it was a time of work and learn when they could understand and apply many knowledge in scriptures in science, also involving the duties inside the house and the garden the children took pleasure in learning from seed to produce. Many times after hard work finally they could taste the fruits of their labor. This gave them the sense of finality of the hard work and made them proud and their reward.
When they could see so many changes and interaction what God is giving to you and the part you bring to this process they could understand better that it is very important to be yourself in a serious way and to be part of God’s creation not to be lazy and to wait to receive and to give of yourself from the teaching’s in Proverbs.

It was a great challenge for the kids and for us but we could see again that with God’s help all Things are possible. In this way after months of prayer we could have again a summer camp.
This time a Romanian girl, Miriam, from Switzerland applied from her school a humanitarian project
involving Mia’s Children Romania. Her project was very much supported by teachers and school with the program she did she showe our pictures, sewings, paintings and special meeting for us. She could gather most of the money for the Summer Camp. Her mother is a good friend of Mrs. Grumbach and Mr. Grumbach brought his help to meet our needs and to have a blessed time. We also received help from my nephew, Robert, who is very touched by the work we do for the children. You can imagine that it was a time of fun, recreation, creation a time you could socialize with the children of the village and witness to the children from another foundation.
In the last night we had a Christian program and we welcomed other’s to participate and we presented to everyone songs, dances, poems, and skits written by the children about everyday life.
We also Praised God for the school supplies that was provided by you who allowed us to send all the kids to school in good condition. Nicoletta started High school, and Claudia her first year in University. Dana’s Foundation Skills for Children continues to help and to sponsor seven of our teenagers as well as Olivia Casscadden. Two of these children Marian and Mihaela are still in Cyprus.
Bigo broke his arm and had to come back and also GiGi came back because the owner did not respect the agreement of pay.

God put in our hearts to start the Kindergarten program because eight of our children are of the age we need heat and we can’t afford to pay for them to go to kindergarten. There are many needs but looking at the development of their personalities and the necessity to face primary school, after a time of prayer we assumed the responsbility to start this program no matter the difficulty in our time and our efforts are producing a learning environment that is stimulating their imaginations and skills. We are sure you will join us to increase the visibility and the goals of running this program. We also need lot of help and volunteers, any one is welcome to come join us.

Dana together wonderful people from the Rotary Club from United States sent money to buy and install a heater for the house. Right now for 5 days we have hot water.
We want to thank you each and everyone of you, to Cambria Church for the money for food and to all of our faithful friends and sponsors, to each church and group who sustains us in prayers and help.
Without your help we could never do what we are doing.

We ask you to keep us in prayer, our prayer requests are:

-Pray for Mia’s Children family from Romania to United States;
-Pray that God will give us the Vision and the Strength to can run according to His Will this Mission;
-Pray that the children will have protection in school, work and in Cyprus;
-Pray that the funds will always cover our expenses as Romania’s cost of living rises;
-Pray for our health and for the team we are together with Costi and Oana;
-Pray that God will provide medicine for Costell and myself;
-Pray for Dwight and our church, Romanian authorities and our relationship in our community where we serve;
-Pray for us daily;
-Pray for internet connections as the village systems fails a lot;

Thank you again and be sure that all your help is more then welcomed. We are grateful for each of you and the website and we feel sorry that we can not be in connection with you.

Thank you for all of those who gave us so much attention their Love and Friendship, Love and Support here and in the United States.
We know that we have the best friends in the World.

Our gratitude and blessings,
Mia’s Children

I spoke with Mia last night and she had much news including the fact that they are having a real difficult time with their old model computers and internet service.

The new school year has begun and once back in school the children were all asked to write about their time off during the summer. According to Mia, the teachers collected the best papers and many of our children’s essays were put on display.

So what happens to the little ones when the older kids go to school? Well, this year Mia has begun a kindergarten for the 7-8 children under 6 years old. They have their little tables and chairs and she says that while they have only had two days of class, they love it! Claudia is helping Mia out until classes begin for her October 1st.

Bogdon cannot begin college until next year, so he is currently training in a program that will provide a life-skill for him. Mia says that there is a good possibility that we will have three students ready for the university next fall!

In closing, Mia expressed her appreciation for the washing machine and dryer. She is relieved of the work of washing and can spend the time on more appropriate work. I will continue to stay in touch with them until they get their computer issues resolved.

Prayer Requests

We need to pray for the children’s fathers who seem unable to grasp the benefit of being a loving, protecting, providing father and husband. Thus the abuses upset the whole family and the children’s hearts are broken. We must pray that the fathers and mothers will do what is right for their children — allow them to continue to come to the mission where they receive nourishment and love.

The Rotary Club has provided the heating system for the house where Mia and the kids live. There seems to be some problems with getting the gas turned on by the gas company as they are needing proof of ownership papers which Mia and Costel do not have. It is getting cool in the evenings and they will need heat before very long. We need to pray that this will get straightened out.

We need to pray that Mia and Costel will be able to help the kids adjust to this year at school, personal family issues in their families, and just the stuff that comes with growing up. Mia mentioned that there are several people who have asked if they can come visit, so there will be visitors living with them for 4-6 straight weeks. We need to pray that Mia and Costel will stay healthy, that their financial needs will be met and that the visitors will understand that this is an extra busy time for the mission.

We are always looking for new people who might be interested in supporting Mia’s Children through contributions and service. So, direct your friends and family to this website remembering that your investment in these children has an eternal payoff and an immediate blessing.

Joan Castle

Claudia, the first of our children to graduate from high school will begin classes at the University of Bucharest on September 15th. I asked Claudia to write about her feelings after graduation and prior to college. The following in her article.

Times of growing

For me , the years of high school meant to have the strenght to grow and to descover yourself , to open wide the eyes to the world and to concord every citadel, bounded by the love of God with so many things and humans . A time of thoughts and hopes , of achievements , but mostly the time when you feel the love and the desire to be yourself , to fly , to build for future .And not only this .Many concerns for me were destroyed by a special relation I had with my Lord during all my school years . A strong feeling and a certain feeling that He is with me all the time gave me the brave to be not intimidated by the descrimination in my classroom with my teachers and classmates , in a society where the children coming from gypsy’s families are not so well treat .With all my steps I tryed to show that I deserve respect , attaention , that I’m not different that any other student , that I can understand and I can grow , I can proove I’m capable to stay in a school and I mean something !!! I couldn’t be “The best student “, but I graduated with good results and I deare to go at the Bucharest University , to become a social worker . My desire is to help other children as I am to breake the circles of unhhapy life , to encourage all the children coming from very poor families or abused children that with God all the things are possible !!!
I have the feeling that God expects from me to share my very special and dramatic experience since I came in Mia’s Children to other children in needs .
I am what I am just becouse God gave me the oportunity to meet Mia’s Children , To be with Mia and Costel for almost 10 years and to descover Him and another life . There are many friends alover the world whom helped me and continue to help and encourage me . I want to thank to all of them and to let you know this :I might not be the best or the most persone in the world , but through your love and thanks to Him and to you , I descovered myself , I have dignity and I have something to say , to work , to hope , to feel , to show , to prove !
So ,even I’m such a tiny little girl , my heart and my experience are so big and great and just wait to show it !
Look at me , please and do the good work to help and encourage children as I am and I’m sure that the world will be a better place !
Thank you !!!
Your friend , Claudia

I spoke to Mia tonight and she is very tired but they had a good camp. Several of the older kids got a serious virus, went back to Bucharest to the doctor/hospital, but all are o.k. now. Money for the school supplies and washing machine is being sent this week. (Look at the last posting to see how you can help)

What an amazing story Mia tells in the email below. What a blessing these children are — serving wherever they are. What a lesson for the rest of us!

“Good to be back ! We just arrived last night and are very tired . It was a long time far away and some of the kids were sick, but many blessings were with us all the time . All the kids enjoyed so much the beauty of the nature , the river, the connection with the people from village .Two beautiful girls came with us like an exchange of fellowship . There are so many nice children there and many bonds between our children and these children . Next week another boy will come for 3 days . In the winter we wish to take another dear little girl , Diana for Christmas time . There are no ways for those children to go far from their village , so it’s such a blessing for our children to present the Gospel and to witness His love and to serve the Lord !

Mia and all”

According to Rodica, Costel’s sister, camp will continue until Sunday, Sept. 2nd. I will update you as soon as I hear from them. She suggested that they are having a wonderful time. Costel had come back to Bucharest to take care of some business but was returning to camp today.

I am sure that Mia and the kids send their love to you all!

Joan

After a summer of great heat, illness and hard work, Mia’s Children is headed for the high country where the kids will surround themselves with nature and we pray that peace will enter their souls and God will renew their spirits before beginning the new school year. It is so good to hear the happy tone in this letter.

Mia reports life this way:

“The kids just wait to go to the camp . We, too.Costel took the first people to the camp , and he told that there is green grass. After the heat from here , it’s something !

Today , little Gabriela brought into the house a little cat.It’s gray , with blue eyes .She was keeping the little cat so tight in her arms and with her eyes filled with tears she told that the cat is a homless and we need to take care of .What would you do ?I’m so weak in front of her tears . I couldn’t say anything against about what can we do with a homless , no matter what , so we have a new member of Mia’s Children , the kitten named “The Little Bloom” Anyway , you know we have a lot of mice , so , maybe we’ll have a way to make them go away . Boby (the dog) is scarry by the kitten who showes him the nails and make a funny face , like she spits him . You can imagine my face , in the middle of everything . So , I’ll have to sleep in bed with the kitten , with Boby , with gabriella , Mathew , maybe , just maybe with poor Costel . When he saw the zoo , he said better he sleeps somewhere ealse !I cannot blame him !

So , much peace and love from all of us !And a Miawww from The Bloom !”

Mia and all

The following update is from Mia.

Costel went at the first and second doctor . The first , about his diabet :He has to take everyday DIAPREL MR. The doctor for his liver said it might be a C hepatitas . We need make more test . She said that it’s acronical virus hepatitas . He’s at the cross of roads . He has to keep a good diet , to not drink any cola , alchool , not to eat fat , ….many things for a better nutrition and life style .He has to take vitamins , especially B . After one month he has to make all the test again and than she’ll decide something more .It’s hard to keep the diet , to eat vegetables , cow chicqen ,cheese, fruits , especially now with no rain for so long . Everything it’s 10 times more expencive than last year , right now . He has to eat everything fresh , not fast food , preserved…you know , a special diet .The good thing it’s that HE WANTS to do it and he feels better , already .

The washing machine costs about 750 of $ .But , I have to do something about , because my hands are hurt and takes a long time to wash by hand . Yesturday I had to wash all the sheets and pillows covers , besaides regular cloth and took so long and hard . I’m old .Other , the kids love to stay here , at the new house and love the scient programe and everything .

The kids from Cyprus are Okay , in generally . Only Bigo broke his hand and it might he’ll comeback soon . this it’s not so good , because we have to pay for his ticket . But he cannot do anything more about .We’ll see .

It might be possible to go to the camp only for 6 days , one group . But we have to pay for the transportation .We don’t know for sure , yet how much will be .Some days at the mountains will be a good thing for all of us .

We love you and hug and miss you ,all

Mia

Well, again on net . Believe me or not , it’s very stressful for me when our internet connection doesn’t work . We ask the server ,the company what ‘s going on , but they cannot resolve the problem , so we sometime cannot have connection .

We started the summer school . The programe it’s very challange . We try to make many scient lessons outside . It helped me a lot the visit at the Botanical Garden from TN with Darrell’s sisters and at the Museum with Paul and Mary .The kids are experiencing many things . We dig the land , we found a life in the ground . Then , they planted seeds , beans and observ everyday the changes . They write on paper different things . It’s so special for them , an alive lab . Work hard with Bogdan for his tests .Also , we have a programe for little once, “The story I love ” , reading stories from Bible and old stories from Universal literature .After , they can perform . We have a dance programe , too . Andreea Ciocanaru is responsible to teach them steps from sportive’s dances . We want to make a finnal day when they will sing , dance , performe , have an art exhibit , before the end of summer vacantion .every day the kids can swim in the small swimming poole , and it’s so refreshing for them to make all type of games in water . It’s a lot of fun , but also everybody has to work to keep clean , to help with the food .We eat the first tomatoes and all the kids gave thanks to the Lord for our crops.

Pastor Dwight payed for us to go at the big swimming poole in the park . We have some pictures .

On Monday Costel will go to take an exray for lung and at the Diabet doctor . Wed. he’ll have to see the doctor for liver .

We love you and miss you so much . Your care and love for us mean so much . Please , tell everybody we know blessings .

Mia and all

Beloved Friends of Mia’s Children ,

First of all, we want to sincerely thank you for having Costel and myself in USA for almost 2 month. It was such a blessing for us to can rest and to meet old and new FRIENDS for Mia’s Children. Some extraordinary things happened during this time, but nothing means more than to see how God is working in your hearts for His glory and for our children. Thank you!

July was a month with the highest heat for Romania, with no water, no rain and many troubles for agriculture, for our daily life. But, we feel so blessed to stay most of the time in the new house from Rosu, a refuge given to us for one year by Ariadna and Mihai. Praise the Lord! Thank you, Friends!

Here we started a program of discovering the new life. We planted seeds, little tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, beans and radishes. We train the kids to work the land, to watch the development of a plant, to watered and weed the place. It’s so wonderful to see how the little one and the older one are working everyday, how they discover the changes and make connections between the creation of God and the work a human being needs to make. We have a lesson everyday and it’s so powerful for everybody, no matter the heat it’s so high .

We have a little pool where the kids discover the play in water . Even the little Mathew learned that he needs not to be afraid by the water. It’s such a blessing to see the little ones and the older kids learning how to work and help altogether, like a team, to watch how they have fun .

As you know, four children sponsored by Dana Moldovan‘s foundation are in Cyprus to be trained and work for 6 month. They are trying hard to adjust their life at the standards from a new world and work hard. Thank you to The Skills for Children Foundation for all their help during the years to give a place to work, a good training to our children!

Claudia passed the exams at The University of Bucharest. She wants to become a social worker and work with abused children as she is. She can become a trustful partner in our work.

We have many trials, but many good fruits in each of our children and it’s such a blessing for each of us! Praise the Lord for all He’s accomplished through each of our supporters, sponsors, friends, donors! We want to thank to each individual, church, Rotary Club, friend who is sending their help to Mia’s Children. We know that each of you are making efforts to support us here for so long. Thank you!

Please, pray for:

– our health and our children’s health, especially for Raluca and Claudia, for
little Costy, for Costel;

– we need to find a safety place for the family of 4 children, abandoned by their
father and raised only by their mother, but who has no financial support and
live in a danger place for children;

– for Romanian officials and for a real policy to help Romania develop and for
opportunities for places of work;

– pray for a heater, for a washing machine, for a freezer, for a new bathroom,
for doors, for a carpet, a new bed for our mission as we want to start a
kindergarden program from fall with the little kids;

– pray for rain and for daily food

Thank you again and may Lord bless all of you!

Mia and Costel