Three Whole Weeks

So here I am, almost three weeks in. I never ever want to leave. It's not out of dislike for home, or even not missing home, it's just the overwhelming love I have for the kids and for just being here. I know I have to leave though, so I am really trying to make the most of my time here. 

I truly feel so blessed to be here. I see God every day, in Sarah, in Ramona, in these precious kids.What I am about to say, take it as me saying it very sheepishly. Coming over here, I felt like I was giving up what could have been a fantastic summer fishing and hanging out at the beach, and I was even a little jealous of everyone staying home in Wilmy. (Seriously, I should have been slapped). I mean, all along I was excited to come here, but I wanted to have my cake and eat it too.

Now, I can't believe I thought that at all. Life here is so amazing. Being here has reminded me to be ever so thankful for the family God has blessed me with, for my amazing friends, and the loving communities I have been surrounded by for so long. That said, it's completely wonderful that I can take that gratitude and pour it right out on these kids. I love that I can wake up in the morning and know that I get to love on kids all day long.

Some days, these kids are perfect little angels, and you just want to hold them and squeeze them and kiss their faces. And some days, they are so bad you want to strangle them. Sarah laughs at me because all my favorite kids are the bad kids. They really are though, "my kids" get in trouble more than any of the others. I like to think I picked the bad kids the best because at heart, I'm a rebel. But then I kind of know, I just want to think I'm bad, and really I'm just a goober. But I love my bad kids. And they love me. At the end of the longest day, even the worst kid wants a hug and to kiss all over my face, and that's what I'm here for (and I love getting my face kissed, thank goodness).

Loving on these kids is so fantastic, because I see God working through every staff member at Anchor of Hope, and every volunteer, to show these kids that He is continuously providing for them and loving them, as their Holy Father, even though their earthly parents aren't constant.

Here are some pics of my little devils :)

Rosie, you know, the cutest girl ever to live. 

Stefan, the worst behaved toddler at Harap Alb.
Coincidentally, the child who calls me Mama, and who genuinely loves me the most.

Ionut (pronounced Yo-newtz), the king of biting.
Looks like he could totally be a Bryson though.

Sebi, the coolest 6 year old on the block.
He may or may not barter with kisses.

My girl Denisa. She's not bad at all. She's just wonderful.

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That's Logistics

So rundown of my routine:

9:00-12:00 every day - Harap Alb with the little kids (1-5 year olds)
Here we color, go outside, just sit in the playroom and play with toddlers, do musical activities, and the like to entertain the kids for the mornings. I love these kids, and I love working with them, learning how to speak right along side the toddlers, and how to write along with the older kids :) The toddlers spend their afternoons and evenings in their cribs also, and they only have enough pampers at the orphanage for each kid to get three diapers a day. Pray for these boogers, and especially for the staff there. (They are overworked, tired, and pretty grumpy.)

Monday, Wednesday, Friday - Big kids (Girls 2 days, Boys 1 day)
These kids live in apartments, six each. Each apartment has like a "house mom."
We try to get them outside and play games or do activities. At the very least we go to the park. These kids are fun, because they are really teaching me Romanian. Plus they make fun of me when I don't understand. And I don't understand when they make fun of me, which is all the more hilarious to them. Basically they all love me. On a darker note, most of these kids have lived their entire lives in orphanages, never knowing what it is like to be a part of a functional family. These kids are ones who I really encourage you to pray for, right now.

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday - Spital (Abandoned babies)
Basically, we change diapers, feed babies, occasionally take them outside, and just hold them, because otherwise they are in their cribs. We've been going up to the ICU more lately. The CP kids break my heart, because they are left in their cribs, their muscles getting stiffer every day, and their faces covered in mucus. Pray for these precious ones!

Notice, I put a little emphasis on praying :) I know God is already doing such great things through Anchor of Hope and through Sarah and her staff. There are always needs, and The Lord has said if we call upon His name, He will provide! So cry out!

Kings and Queens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA_U11B1Ss8

Sarah's American friend, Amy came over today. As Sarah was showing these lyrics to Amy and her husband, I really was struck by them. I loved the song already, but it's so different to me now that I am here. The reality is that there are children orphaned and alone everywhere. Some in orphanages, some in foster care, and some living on the streets fending for themselves. I am so thankful that Anchor of Hope is here in Romania. I just want to encourage you to pray for these kids, here in Romania, at home, and around the world. That they will see God's love, that someone will show them the acceptance of Christ. That they will know that they are Kings and Queens to be, and that their Holy father cherishes them like no one else. And by the way- if you feel led to ministry with orphans, don't ignore that. It's so crucial that Christians get out and be the arms of The Father to these guys.

At the park today, the kids with the banner from Christ Community

Gabriella, Micah, and Narcis at the small park in front of the Abandoned Babies Hospital

My Rosie! 

Rosalia walking, me being crazy. (post-head shave)

Ziua Patro

So. I'm in love with Romania. Well, really I'm in love with Romanians. At least the ones I've met. The first two days were insane, and I felt so lost, not understanding the language, not knowing what to expect, and super tired. I've totally gotten over that now. I understood so much more today (azi) than yesterday (ieri). Certainly, today was the best yet. I know it's only going to get better. The Lord is showing and teaching me so much! Here's what I've got so far:

Bucharest is kind of an ugly city, but at the same time there is a beauty to it. There are definitely cute parts, but even the dirty ugly parts are worth seeing. I had some awesome pictures that I had taken while riding around, but my memory card went bezerk, and I guess I'll never see them again. So imagine a beautifully ugly Bucharest with lots of block housing, alley fences, graffiti, advertisements, and "nu parcati" signs. It's so great that God gives me the eyes to see the beauty that is here, and to enjoy this place.

Sarah Smith is cool. On the off chance she reads this, I can't brag about her too much, but she's cool. You can tell she has a huge heart. It's so awesome that I got to come with her after she's been in the states for a while, because I see the kids' reactions to her after a couple weeks away from her. They literally swarm her and scream "Sarah, Sarah!" It's such a privelege to see children crawl all over her and see the way she loves on them. God is very much a presence through her - His love is so visible in the way she loves the kids and her staff.

It is ridiculous how quickly I have fallen for these kids. I've been here four days. Already I don't know how I'll ever leave. Today was Children's Day, which is a huge holiday in Romania. We took the kids to a big park, where they played games and had cake. It was my first interaction with the older kids, but I can't wait to spend more time with them. Even though they think I am crazy for not knowing Romanian. I've mostly spent time at the abandoned babies hospital and I've been once to the little kids orphanage. I honestly can't wait to get to know all the kids and just love on them!

I am absolutely head over heels for Rosalia (Rosie). She is almost three, and is absolutely the most adorable child I have ever seen. She has some cognitive impairments due to mirocephalus. She is smart though, she does understand a lot and is learning more all the time. She is learning to walk some, which is precious. She had gotten lice, so they shaved her head, so now she looks less cute than before. Really she is beautiful though. Every time I leave, I want to just bring her with me. I pretty much can't stand to leave her. It's amazing how God can open your heart to love so much, but break it all the same.

Pray that I will pour out that love and be an example of Christ, that God's will will be realized in the lives of these kids, and that they will grow to love Him as they are loved.

I know this verse is used a lot, but it's the Word of God nonetheless, and it is truth. Heaven is theirs, and we ought to see them there. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."