Special Deliveries and Second Birthday Party For Jesus

Our birthday parties for Jesus have been for the families in the church in Tinca. We wanted to reach out and celebrate too with the children that will be in the Children's Center, and with their families who are not Christian. Rachel continues to minister to the families caring for their basic needs and showing the love of Christ. Rachel and Erin have built relationships with many of the people in the village of Tinca because of their consistent presence. They have gained respect and trust as they have kept their promises by bringing short term mission teams to help the people in Tinca and have some sponsors for the children in the Children's Center and for the families. Monthly sponsors for future projects for the ministry are also needed and will help to further the work of FMN.

As we walked through the muddy streets in Tinca this morning, it was so awesome to see little kids running around in new jog suits, hats and gloves! One little girl was carrying around her cabbage patch kid that she had received from the party on Monday! We got to spend time with many children who we have seen daily on the streets, and at the birthday celebrations. We held hands through the village, we skipped, we sang, we taught some basic English and were so blessed being with these children.

We went to Florica's house and with Florica was her siblings, Cornelia, Simona and Samuel, and sweet little Maria who is living with Florica's grandmother after being abandoned by her mother. They were so excited to see us! We delivered food for the family and presented the mother with one of the pencil drawings of Jesus. Again, this family is not Christian, but we shared the print as a reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made each one of us. We brought presents for the kids and they just couldn't hold back the smiles! They each unwrapped their gifts and just beamed with joy! Even for just a moment, they could forget about their hard life and receive the gift of love, new clothes and new toys!

Florica was abandoned when she was born and left at the hospital. Her mother came back to get her when she was around a year or so. It is very hard for us to understand why she wants for FMN to take Florica and place her in the center but keep the other children at home. What kind of message is this sending to Florica? Florica is very angry with her mother from the emotional scars that she carries from being abandoned. It would seem that this would make her feel that she is unwanted and unworthy of her mother's love. We are so thankful for Rachel and her ministry. It is only through the Children's Center that Florica and many other children placed in the center will have hope for the future. She lights up when Rachel and/or Erin come to the village to see her and gets very upset when they have to leave.

Tonight was the second birthday party for Jesus! Again the room was full and the children and parents were very excited to be there. Out came the party hats and it was fun to watch the kids faces, and even more so, the adults faces as we all had on our hats. The drama of the Christmas story went very well, and we had two donkies instead of one this time. Sweet, sweet Iza wanted to be a donkey with Mammy (Kim). Iza also was an angel in the drama. The pencil drawings of Jesus were presented to the parents as the reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made for us, and for them. Jesus loves us all so much and that is why we are here! Jesus is the best gift we will ever receive!

The children and families came up one family at a time to receive all of their wonderful gifts that were either purchased by sponsors or purchased with money that was given by many generous people, mostly from the First Baptist Church Family. Iza helped to give out the presents and was so sweet with the children. Everyone had a great time, and it is our prayer that they left with the message that Jesus loves them and so do we, and we do all these things in His name.

We have an incredible time here in Romania. We are tired and our resistence is down. Several have been fighting colds but we stand strong and keep moving to finish what we were sent here to do, and that is love the people in the gypsy culture and in everything we say and do, give God all of the honor, glory and praise.

We have felt the many prayers that have been sent up on our behalf. We ask that you continue to pray for our health, for our safety, and that God's will be done in whatever else he has planned for us here in Romania and as we go home to be with our families.

Our lives will never be the same and even though we are the ones being blessed to serve here in Romania, each one of you are part of this team as we all work hand in hand to show the love of Christ and bring others to have a relationship with Him. We are seeing God at work and praise you Lord for Rachel, Erin and the work of Forget Me Not Ministries. God had already begun His work here, and we are so thankful that Rachel has stepped out in faith to help to carry out His perfect plan.