Happy New Year!

January 2019 Update

Handing out gifts at Voluntari.

Lucas and Daniel after getting their presents.

After being home on furlough in December, I was glad to get back to the kids and start the new year with them. We had a team with us for the first week or so of 2019 so we were able to visit the orphanages, play with the kids, and hand out Christmas presents.

Kaylee, Ana, and Heather

Regular Programming

Since the team has been gone I have been working on getting normal programming up and running. This has been a little challenging with my colleague Heather being gone to the States but it was been good getting back to seeing the kids on a regular basis.

Working with the kids at Săftica.

My typical schedule includes a weekly visit to Săftica on Tuesday morning, Character Classes at Periș, individual and small group therapy sessions at Voluntari and Periș, Youth Group and Bible Classes at Periș and Voluntari, and a visit on Saturday morning to Casa Lidia. I'm thankful to have the help of Corny and several of our transition graduates to help with seeing the kids.

Playtime at Casa Lidia after our group lesson.

What's Coming Up

As February begins I plan on continuing with all my various ministry responsibilities. The kids have a short inter-semester break at the beginning of the month and I plan on using that time to do some pre-planning and preparation for the spring.

Above: Darius and his picture of me from a small group lesson. Right: Christina working on a project.

Heather will return from furlough this month and we will continue planning for spring and working together on some music therapy activities that we plan to do with the kids. I will be attending a planning session with Alianța România Fără Orfani (Romania Without Orphans Alliance) in Bran and hope to make some connections there as well as discussing where orphan care in Romania is headed. Heather, Jen, and I will also be taking a quick weekend trip to Milan to visit with a fellow missionary and to regroup for spring. At the end of the month, we will be hosting two returning team members, Cindi and Sarah.

Bible Class at Voluntari.

With Vali and Adela at Casa Lidia. It is amazing how quickly my heart has been stolen by the kids there!

Larisa, Lăcră, and Corny. I am so blessed to have Corny coming to help me with the kids. I couldn't do it without her!

Giving and Support Information

As always, I want to say a huge note of thanks to everyone who supports me financially. Whether it is $5 or $500 your donation makes a big difference to my ministry. Some of my current financial needs are for summer ministry supplies, household repairs, and incidentals for the kids (shampoo, face wash, feminine hygiene products, etc.). If you would like to donate financially through Heart to Heart simply click the link below. You can designate the gift to come to me, one of the other missionaries, or simply to the general fund.

Giving Through H2H

Another way that you can give is to purchase something off my Amazon Wishlist. I have a list for personal items and a list for ministry related items. You can send items directly to me at: Strada Florilor Nr. 124A Snagov, Ilfov Romania 077165

Personal Wishlist

Ministry Supplies Wishlist

Prayer Requests and Praises

Praises: Our new connections at Casa Lidia and Săftica. That all the teachers have been open to having me come and teach Character Classes during the school day (previously I was only working with the third grade). Prayer Requests: One of our boys from Periș, Nicu Costache, will be attending a “re-education center” due to his involvement last year when some of the boys at Periș were assaulted. Pray for his protection and that he will see God’s hand throughout. Continued openness and willingness to work with us from all sites. That we can get more accurate information about what to expect at Periș and Voluntari in the coming months with more and more kids leaving. A productive weekend at the ARFO planning session.