Christmas in Romania - Notes From Rachel

Rachel has shared from her perspective what Christmas in Romania meant to her and to the children and families cared for through the FMN Isaiah Center below. More pictures and afterthoughts to come soon!

What an incredible blessing it is to have the children, families, employees, and village that you are working with be blessed with firewood for the winter, Christmas presents for all of their children, Christmas gifts for each of our children at the Isaiah Center, a new playroom for our kids, gifts for our incredible staff, spa treatment for the ladies on staff, new cooking pots for our families living in mud huts in the village, and food packages!

These are all things that we would not have been able to provide for them without the donations and dedication of Kim, Lois, Missy, First Baptist Church, and their friends and families. Thank you to ALL who allowed these special events to happen and made Christmas come early to Tinca, Romania bringing with it hope, smiles, and touching many hearts!

It is such a special time of year to celebrate together the birth of Christ, encourage one another, witness to our families, love on them (as they live very stressful lives...always in survival mode), and remind them why we are here lovingly guiding their children to know Christ's love and to walk in it daily.

It was so exciting to see the children's precious faces light up when their name would be called to go and receive a present. It was funny to see Alex light up when the special party food was brought out and grab hand fulls, so that he would have plenty on his walker. It was sweet watching Simona get so scared of
Santa (poor thing), but then have her hide behind me and clench on, making me praise God that this beautiful little child of His trusts me, and seeing how He is healing her heart even after enduring so much abuse from her family. Smiling as I watched Mariana giggle forever about her new Barbie doll and then saw her lovingly give it to her younger sister who was upset that she did not get the same one as well. Feeling so proud of Abel and Samuel as they were excited to recite their lines in the program for their family, and to show them all that they had learned. Feeling blessed as I watched our little Calina hug and kiss on Missy and Kim....seeing how she felt loved and special to these amazing women who continue to come and pour into our kids each year. Watching Florica and Maria both get so excited about the new dresses that the ladies brought over for them...excited to dress up and show their families. Proud as I watched Izabella patiently wait for her turn to receive a gift and then watch her enjoy it and play with all the other kids. Lastly, it was a special feeling to watch David and Naomi (this is their first Christmas with us) and the uncertainty and doubt on their faces as they weren't quite sure they would be receiving as well...but then the light and joy in their eyes when it was finally their turns.

I loved getting to help Lois do a special spa morning with the ladies on staff who help keep the Isaiah Center running each day. It was something they were a little uneasy with at first, but ended up loving every minute of. Lois did an awesome job of making them all feel pampered, loved, and encouraged.

I, personally, always enjoy Kim, Missy, and Lois' visits over to Romania, because they encourage us in all that God is doing through us. Sometimes it can get very weary working with people who often know no other way than to take advantage of you, beg, steal, and struggle to survive. However, it is a breath
of fresh air to be able to be surrounded by people who believe in you, believe in what God is doing here, love on you, and laugh with. I am so thankful for these ladies and for all that have made their trip possible! It was another HUGE success and one that we, our children, and our families will be talking about
for a long time!

Thank you again! You are a blessing!!!

Much love,
Rachel