FIELD TRIPS!!!!!

Since returning from Bucuresti, I have been spending more time with the 5 children in the "lower house" in Tinca. Most of the children have multiple learning disabilities, and the oldest child has autism. Despite the great care they now receive, it is important to remember that they were all raised in orphanages until just a few years ago. With this said, many behavioral and emotional challenges persist. Miha and Iosif (the houseparents) have been thankful for the extra help, especially during our recent excursions...

Excursion #1: To the Dentist!
Last week we came to the "big city" of Oradea where a very kind dentist examined all of the children's teeth. Although I was appreciative of her help with the kids, I couldn't muster the courage to be examined (no use of gloves, no real sterilization) despite the fact that I broke a tooth in Bucuresti. Afterwards, we took the children to the play area in the mall and rewarded them with pizza!


The joys of taking 7 children (the 5, plus the 2 natural
children of the house parents) to the dentist! Actually
it was much easier than I had expected. They all stayed
together in the little room, eagerly watching each other
get examined, waiting their turn, and asking the dentist
funny questions!

Excursion #2: Timisoara!
The children, along with Miha, Iosif and Bunica (Miha's mom) are spending this week in Timisoara, a beautiful city about 2 1/2 hours from Oradea. Alina (the psychologist) and I took the train down on Monday and spent 2 days helping out. The children were so excited to see us!


Group picture in Piata Unirii, in the old city center
of Timisoara. It is a beautiful square with lots of places
to sit and just enjoy the evening.


Alina and me with Darius, Nico, Pami and Doina
(the oldest daughter of Miha and Iosif). Doina is so
great with the other children and truly considers them
her family!

We had such a great time taking them to the city center, the heroes cemetery (Timisoara is where the revolution began in 1989 and thus many young people from there were killed), and to some of the parks. We had a few interesting moments at the parks. One evening, a boy who was also playing at the park went up to our kids and meanly accused them of being gypsies. Abel, our youngest child, quickly stated, "no, we just stay out in the sun too much". How cute!
Unfortunately, one of the children had an extremely difficult time while we were sitting in another park and began screaming and trying to injure herself. Upon seeing this, a group of elderly men began yelling at us, insisting that we leave immediately as we were disturbing their game of chess. It was such a sad moment for me, realizing just how unaccepted these children really are....


Nico and Pami, staying cool by taking a dip in a fountain


Behind us is the National Theatre, a place of great
importance during the Revolution in 1989