What a blessing it was to be part of Christmas in Romania again this year! The week went so fast and we were able to do so much, and that is with the help of the rest of the team here in the United States that made this possible. Between schedules and limited internet, we were unable to share as much as we would have liked while in Romania, so we’d like to take this time to share some updates and afterthoughts.
Our team of five did two fundraisers as a group through First Baptist Church of Jeffersonville, as well as asking individuals and/or families to sponsor a child for Christmas providing a toy and an outfit. The response was AMAZING! Kindergarten through fifth graders at Northside Christian Church contributed over $3,000 which was collected through their weekly offering and were pumped to be able to provide for the children in Romania at Christmas! Despite the state of the economy, many gave generously to be part of our team, and we can’t thank you enough. We were able to do more than we could have imagined.
The lodge is an awesome gift from God! It is designed perfectly for the ministry. It has five bedrooms, each with a bathroom/shower. Each room has at least two sets of bunk beds, and one larger room holding even more, making it possible to accommodate a team of about 15 or 16 comfortably. We were blessed to be the first team to stay at the lodge. The FMN team has worked so hard to make guests feel welcome, and we did; we felt right at home! It has a great room, so to speak with a large kitchen and huge living room area where teams can come together to prepare meals and projects and/or to process what all has been experienced in Romania. The biggest blessing is that teams will be staying at the lodge rather than a local hotel, which will generative revenue back through the ministry, and it’s close to the Isaiah Center and to the village. It sits on a huge piece of land that will be used for outreach, a larger garden to provide even more fruits and vegetables along with providing jobs for adults, and future construction projects.
The FMN staff is amazing, and together we worked as one big team! Rachel Ross formed FMN and oversees the entire ministry and has vision that is incredible for now and the next steps of the ministry. We have seen the respect grow each year as we go into the village that the Roma have for Rachel and the FMN staff. Dave, from England, is good at doing anything and everything from repairs, working with the families, the children at the center, working with the boys in the village through the soccer ministry and much more. Monica is the main caregiver for the children and is awesome! The kids love and respect her so much. Alina tutors the children and does a great job! They can’t wait to do their school work. Mariana does the cleaning/laundry at the center which is a full time job in itself, and Rodica does the cooking, and she is an amazing cook! Mihai helps with picking up children and families, repairs, coordinating projects and anything else needed. Urb and Michelle, from Charlestown, have made a two year commitment to work with FMN and are a huge help! Michelle works with the ladies at the center and does whatever is needed, helps to bathe and dress the kids, helps with meals, and is working with some of the teen mothers in the village. In their culture, teens marry when they are 13 or 14 and begin having children right away. Michelle is an awesome mentor for these young ladies. Urb works with Dave and Mihai very well on whatever is needed and planted and managed the “Eden project” which is a huge garden that was planted this past summer. It provided jobs for some of the adults and provided fresh fruits and vegetables for the Isaiah Center and for the families in the village.
We celebrated Christmas parties with each family, where they would be brought to the center. First they would have their family portrait taken. In Romania, it is not as traditional or even an option to have family portraits because of income. In the Roma gypsy community, it is something they’d never be able to do, and we love watching them each year come to the center, dressed in their best, and love to see their family portraits proudly displayed hanging on the wall in their huts.
We celebrated Christmas parties with each family, where they would be brought to the center. First they would have their family portrait taken. In Romania, it is not as traditional or even an option to have family portraits because of income. In the Roma gypsy community, it is something they’d never be able to do, and we love watching them each year come to the center, dressed in their best, and love to see their family portraits proudly displayed hanging on the wall in their huts.
Then they would come into the center and into the kitchen where one of the FMN staff would pray with them and their family would sit down for some special treats. In their huts, they don’t have a table to sit around, so this pulls them all together. We had lots of fruits, mititei (which is some processed meats making sausages that they love!), popcorn, pretzels and bread. Of course every meal has to be topped off with sweet treats, and they LOVE cupcakes! They enjoyed this very much as they very rarely would have these special treats.
Off to the living room area at the center for the program that Monica, one of the FMN staff had prepared for the kids. They practiced and worked so hard and couldn’t wait to share it each night for their families. They sang songs, did a special presentation of a gift that each one of the children would give to Jesus. One gave a blanket in case Jesus was cold, one gave shoes for Jesus’ feet, a toy truck in case Jesus would like to play, some candy for some sweet treats, etc. Then at the end of the presentation, the last child had nothing (material) to give to Jesus. He gave what was most important, his heart and his life . The night we had the party for Abel and Samuel’s family was so moving. As Abel, the oldest at the Isaiah Center, shared about giving his heart to Jesus, the grandmother, aunt and mother all were moved to tears. That’s what we want to share, the true meaning of Christmas and even if we have nothing, we still have something to give to our Lord and Savior, our heart and our lives.
Then the excitement of bells ringing from the other room could be heard and guess who showed up? Mos Craciun (Santa Claus) of course! It’s so fun because not only do the kids light up with joy, so do the adults! They are like children themselves. This experience is something that they had never, or probably would ever, get to experience if it weren’t for these celebrations made possible by so many who give generously to make this happen. We were able to provide gifts for all of the children at the Isaiah Center, for each of their families, with every child getting an outfit and a small toy. We were even able to bless the staff, and were able to provide gifts for all of their children as well; some little ones and some all the way up through college. The staff works very hard. It is not just a job for them. They love the children and get the purpose of the ministry. Rachel said, “We are so blessed to have such an amazing staff!”
Simona has refused to sit on Santa's lap or get her gifts from him the last three years. She would hide behind Rachel or her mom with fear all over her face. This year she said, "Mommy, I'm going to do it this time!" And we were so excited when she marched right up to Santa and posed for her picture and to get her gift, TWICE! She was so proud of herself and just beamed and giggled as she walked away from Santa!
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| Oops......I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus! |
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| Glam Team |
Each family also received a large food package, more than we’ve been able to do in the past. It is a tradition in Romania for families to have cakes and special treats, drinks, so that when others come, they can have to celebrate the holidays. Unfortunately, because of the extreme poverty in the Roma gypsy culture, they are not able to afford any extras, and barely survive on just basic needs. The food packages included extra flour, eggs, oil and corn meal so that they’ll be able to celebrate like never before. In their celebration too, if they have a pig, they process it and have pork as part of their celebration as well. Again, because of the poverty, very few families in Tinca will have a pig. Exciting news........each family was blessed with the gift of a pig, delivered yesterday! They were overwhelmed and so thankful. All pigs were sponsored by individuals and/or families.
For the Isaiah Center, a long table with two benches was purchased that will be used for the kids when they do their homework and tutoring, and also for group activities. A water/sand table was also purchased. Educational supplies, paint for the kids' rooms and repairs/renovation of the storage room will also be accomplished through Christmas in Romania funds. Last year we purchased several items for a playroom dedicated in honor and in memory of Jerry Ashabranner. While in Romania, we helped to rearrange furniture/rooms to make the center more functional. The playroom/activity room will have stations including the sand/water table, a kitchen, a ball tent, dress up corner, and other fun activities to keep the children busy, especially during the winter when it’s too cold to be outside. The current storage room will be made into a workship to use for a bead shop. This will provide jobs for the women in the village, have space for Bible study and sewing classes, etc. Is that awesome or what!?!
Jerry’s memory lives on in Romania, as the Santa suit that Jerry used for many years to bring so much happiness to children in our area, was donated by his wife, Peggy, for Christmas in Romania. The children and families were so blessed with the visit from Santa, and we were blessed by being able to deliver this very special gift. Peggy and Jerry traveled to Romania in 2007 with First Baptist Church and were forever changed by their experience. Love you Peggy!
We were also able to purchase some necessities for the lodge including glasses, silverware, and blinds for all of the bedrooms. The chimney is not safe, as smoke would come in one of the bedrooms and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Of course, just like home, the cost was more than expected, but will be covered in total through the Christmas in Romania funds with a brand new chimney.
There was money left over that may be used to purchase a washer for the lodge, along with providing Christmas bonuses for the FMN staff. They work very hard and salary in Romania is very minimal, so this will be a huge blessing to them and to their families in appreciation of their hard work, and the love that they pour out into the kids. Depending on pricing, there may be enough left over to purchase an additional refrigerator for the lodge, that teams will be able to use as most will be preparing their own meals.
We are in awe of how much the children at the Isaiah Center have changed in the last four years as we celebrate Christmas with them and their families. They are so full of life, full of love, and with hope of a brighter future. They know and love Jesus, through their teachings and the role models in their lives through FMN. They pray together and play together, and care for one another. Abel is the oldest at the center. He and his brother Samuel were abandoned by their mother, who comes in and out of their life. They are cared for by their grandparents. When we first met them, about five years ago, they were living in a hut by themselves (around age 3 and 5) because the grandparents thought that they were possessed. They lived in a hut with no roof and no floor until FMN provided that for them. There are no laws that protect these children, especially in the Roma gypsy culture, and most all have been sexually molested, physically and emotionally abused. Their mother continues to be in and out of their life. This is a harsh culture and they only know what they know, and what they have seen for generation after generation.
Through the outpouring of love, and the hope of Jesus, Abel is a totally different little boy now than he was when Rachel first me him. He loves to learn, has beautiful handwriting, and looks after all of the other kids. He got attached to one of the team members from England who came over earlier this year. When the team left, he was devastated and was sobbing. Most of us would hug him and tell him that it’s going to be okay, he’ll come back or something like that. Rachel told him, and it still gives me chills, “Abel, God has healed your heart! You were so angry when we first met and wouldn’t let anyone near you, would kick and push, and spit. You wouldn’t let anyone hug you or love you. (He has scars from head to toe.) But now, you’re able to love and feel loved because God healed your heart!” Just beautiful and priceless…………what a teachable moment and so moving in the way Rachel explained this to him. While in Romania this time, Abel hugged us every time he came through and repeatedly would say, “I love you.” His smile used to be forced and now his smile just beams, is so genuine and true. He loves to help and be part of the team. He loves to be loved, and that he is!
So………….we’re back now in the comforts of our own homes, having more than we deserve and preparing to celebrate Christmas with our families and friends. Sometimes we get caught up in the hustle bustle of Christmas with the shopping and the baking and the running around that we forget to stop and appreciate and be thankful for the reason for the season, and that is the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While in Romania, we are able to share this message and the hope that can only come from Him. This is truly what Christmas is all about, sharing His message and reaching out to others in need, being with family and friends, creating memories that will last for years. We can tell you for sure, these families will never forget the blessings they have received, for the love and care they receive through Rachel, and the FMN staff, and by the many teams that travel to Romania to serve and love them.
Thank you God for what you are doing through Rachel and the FMN team, to change the lives of these precious children and their families. We pray that each one of these children will go out in their village and will shine their light to bring others to know Jesus. They have hope for now and for their future, through a relationship with Christ, through people who love and believe in them, through education and encouragement. We pray that they will be the first to begin to change the cycle of abuse, abandonment and neglect in their village, and will give back all that has been given to them through their words and their actions, and the way they live their lives, all to your Glory!
More pictures to share..............We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! Rachel sent an email with some updates and in it she said, "I'm so excited about how far all of the money went and how much were able to use it! Thank you, thank you!"
More pictures to share..............We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! Rachel sent an email with some updates and in it she said, "I'm so excited about how far all of the money went and how much were able to use it! Thank you, thank you!"
