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Dear Friends,
I spoke with Mia Sunday morning. She came home Saturday. She has 28 stitches in her face and neck, but is doing well. She still has some pain. It will be about 2 weeks before the results come back on the biopsy.

The kids have all taken their last tests at school and made really good grades. We have four that would be eligible for college possibly in the fall. Of course, that would call for sponsors.

The housing situation is still in “square one”. Nothing has been found that is suitable yet.

As you can see plenty is going on in the lives of our family in Romania. Please keep them in your prayers.

Rotarian Madalina went to Mia at the hospital at about 2pm local time. Mia was in ICU and she was ok. Her blood pressure was good.
Mia’s husband Costel said that Mia was doing good and the surgeon would be checking on her Tuesday. Will talk with Costel again Tuesday,

Dear Friends, I would like to ask each of you to raise Mia in prayer sometime today before you go to bed tonight. At midnight Central time USA it will be about 8:00 in the morning. We don’t know what time her surgery will be, but are concerned for her health. Hopefully we will be able to contact Costel by phone tomorrow night to find out how she is.

Beloved Friends of Mia’s Children ,
Again our letter comes so late to you .I’m so sorry and we ask apologizes to all of you !. But many wonderful things were happening in last two month to our children . We praise God for all the good work , for trials and for special friends , for results and hopes and blessings powdered over us so abundantly!
As most of you know , already , we had here special Friends from USA , Patsy , Ann and Christine ,Jacque , Andy Loveless and Dana Moldovan . They all brought a new breath , much joy and help and we want to thank all of them , as we want to thank to all other friends who supported them and support our mission for so long time .
It was such an amazing time , to can prove and see how God puts together people from different continents to help and encourage the work we do here !So many bridges quilted over the times and oceans to show that it’s still so much fellowship under the sun to help and support , to build the human being , the most of God’s creation !We are deep impressed , moved , grateful for all this special love and precious help , for many Friends , for Brothers and Sister over the distances .
Looking back at the time when God started everything , it’s so incredible to see the greater picture of Mia’s Children . We want to give special thanks to the founders ,Castle family , to Godsey family and to Each of you from churches and from Rotary clubs .Thank You !
Last months we went through hard times for our health . It was like a cross of the roads when we had to find a new house , when Costel was so sick and for myself the doctors discovered a tumor somewhere at my had . In the same time , we had to be part from many projects involving the name and the results we had in the Association with our children .It was like handling between the light and the dark .It was difficult but in every moment we felt the presence of God and many Friends around . We trust with all our faith in God’s will , in His plan for all of us and in You , beloved Friends and we want to thank to Ariadna , to Mihai , to Mike and to all the friends who made possible for us to use this blessed home for one more year ! Thank you to Dana who came at the proper time to encourage and to develop a new move in Romanian Rotary clubs together Mr. Grumbach and Mr. Laurentiu, to bound the American efforts with the Romanian ones .We know about many churches and clubs , about many wonderful people .Excuse if we don’t write your names here , but You are written already in The Special Book of our hearts , of Mia’s Children
We had a nice presentation at Rotary Club ball dedicated to our association , to gathered money to help the project for a home , than we had a nice and high level presentation at UNICEF Gala .Everybody appreciates our good fruits in changing life to our children .All our students have good grades , the teachers appreciate them and recognize we do a great job in our preparation gave to the children .
Monday I’ll have the surgery. The doctors are a little concern for my health , that’s why I want to ask you in a special way to continue to help and to support Mia’s Children , the place where so many children find love and peace , the place where so many life are changed , where the dream become real . it might be a long or a short time since I can be in touch with you , but remember always that I have all the respect , I’M GRATEFUL FOR EACH OF YOU , I THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART AND I’M SO PROUD AND GRATEFUL THAT I MET YOU!I’m so honored to be a small part from such a great thing ,MIA’S CHILDREN !With Your help we developed and proved in a country who was under comunism so long time , too long time , that there is still HOPE and GOD can change and bring a new life , new vision , a better tomorrow and better human beeing !
Please , continue to love , to encourage our children , my family !Pray for Mia’s Children and one day we’ll be together again !
All my appreciation to You ,
Mia

This is a letter just received from Dana Moldovan with the Rotary Club. Dana has been extremely important to Mia’s Children through her work with the Rotary in California and in Romania. Please keep Mia, Costel and the children in your prayers. Here is her update.

I am still in Romania and I wanted to send you some pictures with the kids and to tell you what is going on.

I got a donation of about $1000 from my Rotarian colleague from
Cambria that was here beginning of May and with the help of a Rotarian in Bucharest we have been shopping. We bought food and some bedding.

We are continuing to try to find sponsors for food but it is moving very slow as everything in here. Also the Rotarians in Bucharest are looking for a house – we have different options but none is a real good fit so they are trying to find more solutions.

We had a meeting last evening and now we have a person responsible from Rotary for Mia’s Children. Her name is Madalina Turcanu. She already got involved and when Mia does not have enough food she goes and shops with her own money. She helped me shop in order to get the best deals. She will help finding a new accountant and a new cook as the last one left.

Also the Rotarians are getting involved in finding jobs for the older children. One just started working in a restaurant again two days ago. There are plans for other kids as well.

Rotarian Lau who connected Costel with the new doctor – told us that Costel has hepatitis B and cirrhosis but he can recuperate pretty well if he undergoes the treatment. The treatment is very expensive but it is free for Costel.

Mia is still doing tests and the problem for her will be the anesthesia due to her multiple health issues. I think on June 4 she will go back and meet with the doctor that will do the anesthesia as she wants to see all the test results.

The doctor that will perform the surgery for Mia is one of the top 5 in Romania. Mia will have the best assistance. The problem is still the fact that she has many heath problems. I am trying to encourage her as much as I can. It is important to think positive and unfortunately we Romanians are not too good at it !

I do hope that God would not let anything bad happen to her as so many lives that she saved are still depending of her!

Greetings to you,

For you who do not know me, I am Carol Schulz, an American missionary in Romania and a friend of Mia’s. I will be leaving to visit family in the states beginning next week and before leaving wanted to share some information for you about our dear friend, Costel and Mia Scarlat.

Yesterday my 19-year old granddaughter Christiana and I had a special time with Mia, Costel, and the young children at the house. What a joy it is seeing the delightful & amazing progress of development in each child. Then later on some of the older kids came home from school and each of them also seems to be doing so well.

But I am writing especially to update you on both Costel and Mia. First, Costel: after recent rather extensive tests and hopitalization, the diagnostic conclusion is he has: hepatic cerosis with virus B, thrombosis throughout his body, and a blood coagulation disorder. He is on special prescribed medication, vitamins, and a careful diabetic diet. They are treating Costel’s spleen, also wanting to be sure his liver does not deteriorate further. All this, including continual monitoring, is expensive. At this time his health has definitely improved. Please continue praying for him.

Now for Mia: she showed me the actual lists of required tests, probably about 20 or more, the attending physician has ordered prior to proceeding with plans for surgery. Due to Mia’s many health issues–asthma, heart and thoracic problems, etc.–the anesthesiologist is requiring these many costly tests. After the results are in, the physician and Mia will have a consultation on June 4th regarding the surgery.

As I believe you know, the surgical procedure is to remove a tumor with multiple lateral roots, that has grown quickly, on the parotid gland. The physician openly told Mia that quite often in this surgery the final result can be some facial paralysis.

Due to prior difficult surgery, Mia is understandably nervous about pain management. She said that it would be such a blessing for her to have a private room; otherwise it is likely she could be in a ward with 6 to 10 patients. Despite all the unknowns, Mia has great peace.

I would like to ask you to be fervently praying for her, as well as consider helping if possible with financial needs.

May God richly bless you.

Carol (Schulz)

I wanted to give you an update on Mia and Costel. I have received correspondence from Dana Moldovan, who is a Rotarian from Bucharest and living in California. At present she is in Bucharest and has been helping Mia with doctor visits. She has been a God-send to us. Here is her report.

May 20th, I took Mia to the hospital to the Rotarian Neurosurgeon.
Mia’s tumor did not affect any other organ – the main fear was of course the brain.
The doctor said is just a tumor that needs to be removed. He recommended a maxillae-facial surgeon in a different hospital. He personally arranged the appointment for Mia tomorrow at 1pm. She will have to be in the hospital for a few days, but it is an easy operation. You can imagine that Mia was very relived to hear the good news.
Costel was still at his doctor appointment when I left about 2pm from Mia’s.

May 21st, Today is the first appointment for Mia with the doctor that I think will do the surgery.

Costel is going to the hospital as well for a new treatment for his liver. Anyhow he looks much better than two months ago.
Dana

This is a report from Carol Schulz who is doing missionary work in Bucharest and has become friends with Mia, Costel, and the family. I will update you all as I hear from them.
Please keep Mia, Costel, and the children in your prayers. God bless, Patsy

Dear Friends of Mia,
Greetings in the blessed Name of Jesus` the great Physician.
I just finished talking on the phone with Mia. Today she went to a neuro-surgeon, one known by the people at Rotary, who are sending Mia to doctors they recommend. It is now known that the tumor is on the parotid gland, I believe, to the side of the eye. It is not a brain tumor, praise the Lord, but the doctor told Mia the surgery is extensive and may (also may not) result in some degree of facial paralysis. Tomorrow she goes to speak with the anesthesiologist; she must be very carefully put under because of certain conditions found in former surgery.
Mia says she feels at peace, even though the thought of the surgery isn’t easy. She wants to be a testimony to the Lord, she says. Her sister-in-law will come to help, also Costi and Oana.
I’ll let you know more definite information when I speak to her again. They will have to do quite a few tests before the surgery.
As we pray, making our requests of our Lord God to oversee all this medical care for His glory and her well being, we can be assured that our great God is ever working all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. Bless the Lord, Oh our souls… (Pa 103)
May God richly bless you with His many blessings.
Carol

This past weekend was quite exciting for the kids and Mia. Friday night there was a Gala with the Rotary Club Internaional held for the purpose of fundraising for Mia’s Children. About 20 pieces of artwork done by the children were auctioned off and around 4,000 Euros were raised. This is equal to approximately $5500.00 to be used toward the necessary repairs and furnishings of the missions future home.

On Saturday, there was a UNICEF gala that the children were invited to in order to raise funds for UNICEF. Mia’s Children expects 1000 Euro for participating.

Here is Mia’s account of the events:

When the pictures come in, we will post them for all to see. In the meantime, just pray for Mia as she attends to her medical needs and for Costel as his health improves that he might take her place so that she can seek healing. Mia has a growth inside her mouth that has long roots that seem to be affecting her sight. She is seeing a neurologist and having further tests. We will keep you updated.

This morning, this article was the headline in Romanian media. Gypsies are still disciminated against just like they were hundreds of years ago. These are “our children” they are talking about!

Supreme Court admits President’s appeal in journalist case, rules no contravention
Still the wording ‘stinking gypsy’ is considered to be discriminatory.
published in issue 4182 page 1 at 2008-05-16
BUCHAREST – Judges with the High Court of Appeals (ICCJ) Thursday admitted the appeal filed by President Traian Basescu against the ruling November 8, 2007 by the Bucharest Court of Appeals (CAB), thereby the head of state had been rejected his request to have the warning handed by the National Council for Combating Discrimination (CNCD) cancelled, for the wording ‘stinking gypsy’ he used when he spoke of a journalist. The judges however retained the CAB’s remark that the words ‘stinking gypsy’ are discriminatory.

The Supreme Court overturned the CAB ruling, deciding that the president’s gesture cannot be considered an offence. The ICCJ ruling is unchallengeable.

The court had adjourned until May 8, having heard the arguments presented by the lawyers for President Traian Basescu and by the CNCD representative, Cristian Nuica, and its president, Csaba Asztalos.

Traian Basescu’s lawyer, Robert Ros, argued that the ruling by the Bucharest Court of Appeals should be quashed, given there is no such thing as an offence, since the recording was illegal and against the president’s will, and the decision to sanction him was the result of media pressure.

The CNCD representative, Cristian Nuica, said that according to the norms of the European Court of Human Rights, the private life of politicians blends perfectly with their public life. ‘The European Court states that politicians are those people whose two lifestyles combine perfectly through their duties and their role in public life,’ said lawyer Nuica.

The CNCD president, Csaba Asztalos, drew the judges’ attention to the consequences of the statement by Romania’s President.

‘When 70 per cent of Romania’s population hold that Roma should not travel abroad, when 70 per cent of the people in this country say they would not have Roma people as their neighbours, and when a person with Traian Basescu’s status made such statement (’stinking gypsy’), who should be held accountable, the person who made the statement or the person to whom it was addressed?” the CNCD President asked.

by Ioana Micu

It was such a blessed time for us , but such a tired time .

Well , good we finished it well .Everybody appreciated our Friday night at Rotary when we sung songs and dance and we finished with “Lord I lift Your name on high /Lord i love to sing You prises “. saturday night we had the UNICEF galla and our children were in the same room with The Romanian President , Prime Minister and many important people .They worked so well , spoke , gave gifts made by them and everybody was so impresed by them . All Sunday at news our children were presenred in different moments from Galla .We received congratulations from TV directors for the way we educated our children .

We went with Dana and Andy at the place , village The Rotarians wants to helpand they accepted that the place it’s too far away by Bucharest and schools .Andy will speak today about with the club who it’s in the middle of .The Rotary president ,Mr. Timcu make a wonderful connection with a liver doctor , seems to be one of the best from here for Costel . We stood in line for more than 5 hours to speak with and he put Costel in hospital ,again for more tests .He understood that Costel has to come home afternoon and he accepted . He saw us at Rotary ball and appreciated us a lot .He promised me to take at one of his friends doctors to see my tumor .The RMN didn’t say a lot about eye papillar problema .But speak about a tumor at my right part of the head with many adenoma going to the cervical part .The tumor is growing , has about 2cm/5cm . When we first time measure it , with Dr. Milt , was about 0,1cm /1cm .The texture

it is not homogeneous , partially necrosis .

let’s see what will be . For sure , I’ll need surgery and I’m afraid by the level of what the hospital can offer .what do you suggest me ?

Jacque is here . She came yesturday and will stay for one week .

Blessings ,

Mia and all

As you know, one of my main goals for the trip was to check and look for places for the kids to live. At the time we thought that we were going to have to be out of Ariadna’s home the first of April or May. Ariadna and her family have moved to the United States with her husband’s job and would be here for 2 years. Ariadna called Mia on the day after we arrived and told me that the mission could use the home for another year. By then they would be ready to buy a house in the States. This was a great blessing. It gave us time to look and search and pray for a proper place for the children that met with the government of Romania’s requirements, I.e. number of bathrooms, living quarters, etc.

While we were there, we had 3 opportunities come along. Some members of the Bucharest Rotary had come in contact with an organization from Europe that had a home in Domnesti where 2 monks lived with 8 boys who were moving to “transition” apartments in Bucharest. The house had been there for several years. It has 8 rooms including an office, a living room, a kitchen, 5 large bedrooms, and 3 baths plus a cellar under the garage. It has approximately 3 acres of land with an orchard and a vineyard, as well as a small barn. Just happened that one of the officers of the organization was in Domnesti on the day we went to look at the house. We had much discussion. I asked about purchasing the house and land, the answer was no. I asked about rental of the property for an extended period of time. The answer was no to rent. If it is decided by their board meeting in May for us to have the house, then we will be given the house, free of charge, for a period of time. There would be many deta ils to be worked out, but this would definitely be an option.

We looked at a piece of property, 10,000 sq feet. The owner wanted $225,000 for it with no house. We looked at another house with a little land that was $65,000 but the house which was refurbished was only 800 sq feet. No way our kids could fit in there.

The Rotary also heard of a government building, very large and in need of much repair that was being offered on a 50 year lease with very low payments. Mia and Costel and some of the Rotary members went to look at it. They have talked with the Mayor of that village about qualifying for the building. The Rotary will play a large part in whatever we choose.

The real estate in Bucharest area is astronomical. This is a very big area of concern for us. Please be in prayer for the location of a place for the kids.

I know this is lengthy but this second portion of my letter is truly the most important. I realized while in Bucharest how much the groceries and living expenses have gone up. When we began feeding the children, it was with the thought of one hot meal a day, which was generally all the kids got for the day. Now we are faced with feeding 17 children 3 meals a day, as well as snacks. They all have baths and teeth to brush, normal family stuff, but 17 times. This does not include the expenses at the mission flat where we have 6 older children living. Mia and Costel make their money go as far as possible but like most parents, worry about the end of the month with not enough money.

We are going to grow a garden and that will help. The kids will reap the benefits of fresh veggies they have grown themselves. Mia is under much stress trying to make ends meet. I sent Joan an email while I was there saying we needed at least $2000 per month more than we are sending.

Here is my proposal. I would like to ask each one of you to commit to $10 above your normal donation per month. If you are not giving at all, now would be a good time to start. We all blow $10 a month easily. This would equal $1500 per month, or individually $120 per year. Please take that money and feed a child. Mia’s Children is willing to prepare your addressed envelopes and send them to you. It will be easy each month to write that check. And it is tax deductible.

Please pray about it. Send your check to Mia’s Children Foundation, 9245 Poplar Avenue, Ste. 8, #380, Germantown, TN 38138