Children's Day

June 1, 2007

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

Happy Children’s Day from Oradea, Romania! We arrived early Sunday morning, and since Romania is now a member of the EU, we were able to cross the border with ease, speed, and no bribes. The open borders allowed a two and a half hour drive compared to several hours! Praise God for such grace!

We ate lunch at Lucia’s mom’s house, and Brenna got to experience her first Romanian meal (we ate soup, THEN sarmale, THEN chicken with carrots and mashed potatoes, THEN two kinds of cake). It was all very delicious, and we were rather full at the end of the evening. Lucia’s son, Filip, is one year old and has gotten so big and cute! He always has a huge smile on his face. We brought him toys, which he seemed very excited about. The fellowship was sweet, and their home has been so warm and welcoming.

Monday, we started helping at the Children’s Hospital. Because of the new laws (EU) there are less abandoned children there; however, the children with severe disabilities do remain. Levente, Soledad, and Evalina remain in the excellent care of Rodica and Dorina. Sadly, Mia is no longer with the foundation who works in the genetic unit. However, she is working with a different foundation in another unit of the hospital.

Dawn spent the week teaching the caregivers how to position the children and provide developmental stimulation, while Brenna was able to spend time holding and playing with some of the babies, specifically Florina, Kevin, and Ioana. Dawn is collaborating with Ioana, the kinetotherapist at the hospital, to provide therapy for a little boy named Ioan, who is with multiple joint contractures. Next week, we will (God-willing) be going to Tinca, where a family is considering giving him foster care. While there, Dawn will provide parent training. Dawn has worked in Tinca before, and hopes to visit with the other children that she worked with last year.

We spent a day at the Center for Recuperation (the former orphanage) working with the children who are with the smaller group homes. Dawn was able to dance with Sandor, and worked with Eva, Remus and Erika. She was able to spend time with Dora and the psychologist, training them on sensory integration techniques. Next Monday we will be doing a training there for parents of children with autism.

Today, we spent time at the Multiple Sclerosis Center, where Dawn and Brenna visited all of Dawn’s former patients/friends. They were very happy to have us there.

Our week has been quite eventful and very fruitful, and we have seen the Lord’s hand everywhere despite a tiring, trying week.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and support for Abba’s Kids/Romania, and for our trip; they are so very precious to us!