Christmas At The Isaiah Center

Hello again from Romania! Yesterday we started out our morning by going to get a few things at Selgros which is very similar to Sam's where things are sold in bulk. Rachel has been looking at this one particular Christmas tree every year for the past three years, a very tall one that wouldn't work in her apartment, but that would be perfect to have at the Isaiah Center as it has high ceilings. We wanted to purchase a gift for the center, and because this will be the first Christmas at the Isaiah Center, this was the perfect gift. When we looked at the tree and asked about the price, and we told her it was hers, she was like a little kid at Christmas! She was so excited and just went on to say that she wants the kids to have a special Christmas at the center, and knows that the tree will make it more special, and just like a "family" Christmas that these kids have never had. Her response made it worth every penny! We bought ornaments, tree topper and tree skirt along with some garland. This is a gift that will last for years!

We then went to the center and cared for the kids, and then cooked in the afternoon for another Christmas party. Abel and Samuel's family were the guest of honor. It was so amazing to see how excited Abel and Samuel were to have their families at the party. They seemed to enjoy dinner and were happy to be at the center. It is sad to say, but these two boys have had a very hard life, abandoned by their mother, and while the grandparents are raising them, they believe them to be cursed and they live in a separate hut, and stay there alone at night. They are sweet boys, Abel with scars from head to toe, and they love it at the center. As the kids did the drama of the birth of Christ, Abel kept looking and smiling at his grandparents waiting on that reassurance that they thought he was doing a good job. They did seem proud of the boys and had a great time. Santa came too, and of course there were lots of presents.

Today we went back to the center and worked on a storage room, organizing the donations of clothes, medicine, etc. We were able to go through winter clothes so the kids will be ready for the cold weather. The weather this week has been perfect, not too cold, and with sunshine most of the week. We got to play with the kids too, and then prepared the meal for tonight's party. This party was for Alex's family. Unfortunately, he is very sick and still in the hospital and won't be out until next week if all goes well, but his family came to celebrate with us. They enjoyed the meal, the drama was a hit, as it was on the other nights, and of course Santa was the man of the night!

We got to be with Dave today, who is here from England and has been working with the kids at Caminul Felix. He has also been helping Rachel in Tinca a couple of days a week. He is a great guy, learning Romanian, with his Brittish accent, and the kids love him! He is a great encouragement for Tim, who works at the center, and they have been tiling one of the apartments behind the center. They work together on projects and he helps to do whatever is needed at the center. We enjoyed our time with him, and will be with him again tomorrow.

We are so blessed and happy to be here to celebrate Christmas with the kids at the center and their families. We have not walked through the village of Tinca, only have driven through to pick up the kids to take them to the center, and to take them back home at night. We hope to deliver the family pictures that were taken each night at the parties and see the families in their homes, along with the others in the village.

Tomorrow is our last day here in Romania, and we are very grateful for all of the blessings that God has given us this week, and we feel that all of these families have felt the love of Christ as we have loved them, served them and celebrated Christ's birth.

The internet is still down at the apartment, but if all goes well and it's on tomorrow, we'll update again, and if not, we'll post something after we get home. We will be home on Saturday night. Please keep us in your prayers for safe and on time travels, and that we can all get back into the swing of things with the time difference, as it is seven hours ahead here from home.

Thanks for being part of our team!

Love,

Rachel, Iza, Missy, Kim and Lois