Two boys from last year, when they saw the team, came up and told us that they still had Jesus in their hearts and talked to Him daily. They couldn’t remember all the words and actions to the one song,
could we please teach them again.
Every orphanage and center we visited we were
allowed to talk and sing about Jesus. We’re invited back for next
year.
Volunteers are excited and at one place are looking into possibilities of continuing the program through out the year.
We had the support of the local churches.
We were also able to help at a center that reaches out to the children that live in the sewers.
Asked to tell Bible stores at a tent revival meetings in a village about twenty minutes from Pitesti.
There is a good possibility of being able to expand the programs for 2006.
Details:
Constanta:
We spent a few hours each day with children who live in the sewers. There is a Christian foundation that has a drop in center for them. We had children and adults ranging in age from approximately five or six years up to some in their late twenties dropping by each day. We did a variety of crafts and played games with them, and also taught them songs about Jesus. The younger children especially were open to the singing and again and again asked us to sing with them. One young-man who has liver cancer and has about six months to live accepted Christ.
Narvodari: We were not sure if we would be allowed into the orphanage but the Lord opened the doors for us. We had children that ranged in age from approximately five or six up into their early twenties who had a wide range of disabilities together at one time. This provided quite a challenge to us, but we were able to work with all of them. We were also able to share the Gospel with them. Some of the children knew about Jesus and the resurrection. We explained the plan of salvation but were not sure if they understood the salvation. This was the first time we had been here and I believe it was the first time any group had come into do any activities with the children. By the end of the week the staff asked the local volunteers if they would please come back often and do crafts and games with the children.
Cernavoda: Kindergarten: The local church started a program about seven years ago. In cooperation with the county, they identify children who are at high risk and will not be ready for kindergarten or grade one. They accept fifteen children at a time into their program. They now have such a good reputation that when the parents find out they are accepting new students, they rush to get their children registered. We spent two hours every morning with these children, telling Bible stories, doing crafts, and playing games.
In the afternoon we went to Children in Distress Hospice. This is a center for teens with medical and other problems. There are thirty children, mostly teens who live here. About twenty of them joined us each day for fun and crafts. We had the opportunity to share our faith through interaction with them and a few testimonies. We know of two children who accepted Christ during this week.
Pitesti: “Children in Distress Center” Here we did two programs a day. One was for younger children from poor families and those with disabilities. This program ran in the morning and in the afternoon a similar group of children would come. The children were eager to learn English, so we taught them a few songs in English besides more songs about Jesus and God in Romanian. Bible stories, crafts and games were also included in our program. At this center we found the staff extremely supporartive and helpful. I have heard that they are now teaching a third group the songs we taught them.
Pitesti: Trivale, a part of Pitesti. Here there is an orphanage and school for young children with disabilities. All we did here is play with the children as games and crafts are beyond there skill levels. The children loved the attention and love they received from us. . We also had the support of the director and the staff.
Vale Mera:: This orphanage is located just out of Pitesti. We started at last year. The children were very glad to see us and it was at this orphanage that the two boys approached us to tell us they still had Jesus in their hearts from last year. We were able to tell Bible stories, do crafts and play games with the children and adults who ranged in age from six to twenty three. The staff were very open and helpful
Bucharest: Children in Distress Center. WE had two programs each day. We had a group of younger children who had a wide range of disabilities in the morning. They proved to be a challenge to both staff and us. But we enjoyed doing crafts, games and taught them a few songs. In the afternoon, we worked with teens from poor families and those with health problems. We had Bible stories, crafts and games. One day one of the young men asked me if I would please tell them more Bible stories
Challenges:
Every day brought new challenges. Traveling with the amount of supplies we had proved to be quite a challenge at times. We rented vehicles a number of times and other times used the metro, (underground railroad), busses or train to get from place to place. The luggage was usually an issue. Either we got charged extra for it or carrying it from one place to another proved to be a challenge.
