Baby Hospital

This is Brasov where my friend Rachel lives. I came for a visit but while I am here I am kinda helping out. Last week we sorted through boys and girls clothes that were donated and were just piled up in their storage room in the hospital. And today I was able to help out in the hospital with the babies. Oh I love babies and I am never around them in Oradea. For a little over an hour I got to hold a couple babies. Then we were off to deliver diapers to the different areas of the hospital, feed the babies and then change the diapers. The only little boy that I held for most of the time; his diaper was completely wet, the poor little boy. So I wrapped a little sheet around him so that I could hold him until it was changing time which only happens 4 times a day; in the morning, at noon, at 4 in the afternoon and at night. When I finally put him down to go after diapers so that we could change him, the front of me was completely wet. Kinda gross but I knew that it would probably happen and the only time the poor baby wasn't crying was when he was held. I was only there for a few hours but it broke my heart to leave the babies there just waiting for the next person to take time to hold them and love them. All the babies that the organization works with in this hospital are ones that have been abandoned so the staff that works the hospital are the only people that hold and care for the little ones.

Well Rachel and I head out to a camp near Sibiu tomorrow until Wednesday afternoon. It's a short time but I am sure I will come back with a story or two.

August Week 1

I had a wonderful week back at the center, Children of the Promise. Wednesday after we were done there I left with the girls to go to a park and play Uno. Well we ended up visiting one of the other girls home and then to the park. We played one game before some other kids joined us and they wanted to teach me how to play a game. I was amazed that the kids who joined us knew who I was. So I attempted to learn this game, which I don't know the name of, and it is played with two sticks. I wasn't very good but after I got the idea of how it was played, I really enjoyed it. I love those girls and the kids. I ran into Frunza today at the market who was buying bread with her mom. I love the fact that I know her family and they seem to enjoy having me around. Her mom told me that she enjoyed the brownies that I send home with the girls the other day.

I know I say this a lot but it always amazes me. I love the way you can interact and meet new people just through playing sports. Our church went to this place right outside of the city last night and we played volleyball and soccer. I played volleyball the whole time and met a lot of new people. I love my church here. God has been so good in bringing new people into my life.

I am excited that Wednesday I will be in Brasov with my friend for a week. I will be helping her organize some donations for the hospital, spend a few hours in the hospital holding babies and then just hanging out with Rachel. I can't believe how fast this month is already going by. I am expecting a few more guests this month so I know that time will continue to fly by.

Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement and support! You are truly a blessing!!

Summer Overview

Summer is flying by. I can't believe it's already August. The past couple months have been very busy but really great.
The beginning of July, Megan (my cousin), Megan (our intern) and I headed for our cross-country trip. We headed to Brasov to do some sightseeing on our way to the sea. We were able to visit a palace in Sinaia, Bran Castle (Dracula's castle) and a fortress in Rasnov. We then headed from there south to Medgidia where we spent 5 days working with a couple there.

We spent 3 days going to a school in a local village where we helped the teacher with the Turkish Gypsies that were coming for summer school. These kids were extremely behind in their studies and struggling to learn Romanian and some could not even do simple math. It was so sad but we had a lot of fun with them. We were also able to visit a apartment building called Casa Alba (White House). There are about 80 one room apartments and it is so filthy. There is trash and human waste all outside of the building. It broke my heart to see the conditions that these people were living in and especially the kids. I was very thankful for this opportunity to see all that this couple is involved in. I am planning on visiting again sometime next year. One afternoon we were able to go to the Black Sea and hang out there. It was cool to say that I have been to the Black Sea but it's not anything special.

After our 16 hour train ride back, my cousin and I got on another train and headed to Budapest where we spend a few days before she headed back to home. We had a wonderful time sightseeing the city. The week after I got back I took some time to myself and was able to catch up on sleep and get lots of things done around here.

Last week was my first week back to the center, Children of the Promise, after being gone for a few weeks. It was so good to see the kids and the girls. They are so sweet. We have been reviewing English, playing cards and games.

This has been a wonderful summer even though it has been really hot.

I'm sorry that I haven't been posting as often. My goal is to post every couple days.

(Since I am without my computer, I will post pictures as soon as I can)