Winter Update

Curious about what exactly we have been up to in the last several months? This video should give you a good picture of some of the many things God is doing in Romania that we are so excited to be a part of. We hope this update video brings a smile to your face and gives you a glimpse into our hearts for these children.

Pizza Party

Kelsey and I run a Bible based program for the kids at Casa Alba.  One of our goals is to have kids learn scripture.  So each month a new scripture is chosen and the kids have four weeks to learn it.  Then on the end of the fourth week the kids who learn the verse get a treat for their memorization.  This past month we had them learn the first half of Colossians 1:16 and every child learned it.  We were so proud!  It brings us such joy to see little ones recite God's word.  We hope that these small seeds we plant will bring fruit later on in their lives and that they too will live for Christ.

Since they all learned it we wanted to do something special.  We decided that pizza was the answer.  But there is no fun in just eating it so we actually had them make it.  It was so much fun!  They loved it!  Since they don't ever get to help with meals at the orphanage this was a great new experience for them.  They really enjoyed making them and were so proud of their final product.  Enjoy the pictures below!

Our assembly line

Cera with her ball of dough

Cristi forming his pizza

Alex adding toppings

Not too bad for 4-9 year olds

Casa Alba Birthdays!

This past month there have been quite a few birthdays at Casa Alba.  And although I will try to do my best to describe birthdays at Casa Alba, it's truly something you need to experience in order to fully understand.  Birthdays are usually an exciting and hectic time no matter where you are.  This is especially true at Casa Alba.  The workers prepare the decorations (usually a birthday sign with the child's name and age) and the cake.  Then during the afternoon snack volunteers (missionaries), Romanian staff and their children, and the rest of the Casa Alba bunch enjoy the party.  The party consists of singing, a very sugary cake, and opening of presents.  Sounds like a regular party, but all this takes place in thirty minutes or less.  It's crazy.  Then all the kids are so hyper off the sweets that are practically bouncing off the walls.  

Yet these crazy parties are amazing for the birthday child.  They are the center of attention amid over 20 kids for a brief time.  They feel special, important, and loved.  This means the world to a child who has been abandoned.  My favorite part of the party is just looking at the special one's face while everyone sings "happy birthday".  Sheer joy is all over their face!  You can see hope and joy in their face if only for one brief second.  And that makes all the craziness worth it.

Roni loved her cake!

Presents!

Happy 6th birthday Roni!

Todd vs. Rocio

Now Todd and I have a bit of a debate going.  Todd believes that only our parents and immediate family look at our blog.  I, however, believe that people are actually taking the time to read it and are actually excited to know what goes on with us.  Let us share with you how our argument plays out.

Todd - Why are you updating the blog again?

Rocio - Because people want to know what we are up to.

Todd - Ro, only our parents and my grandparents read it.  Just call them and save the time.

Rocio - No, other people read it.

Todd - Ok, Kelsey checks it too.

Rocio - Look at the counter.  People do read it.

Todd - Well, if they read it then they would comment.  You're probably going on it just so the counter reads higher.

Rocio - That's lame. People just don't feel like they need to comment.

Todd - Well they should.

Rocio - Ok, I'll tell them.

So there you have it.  Please help us settle this debate.  If you do read our blog...COMMENT!  That way I can prove to him that more than just our parents check this.  Come on, you know you want to.

In one week we will post how many people commented.  PLEASE help me (Rocio) prove Todd wrong and validate the time I spend putting up posts!  Besides comments encourage us (especially on days we miss being back home).

Kittens

I've been meaning to write this blog for weeks now, but other things kept coming up.  About a month and a half ago, Dude, the cat that lives at Herculane (where all the missionaries meet), had kittens.  It was quite exciting for everybody in the foundation.  Dude became the proud mom of four adorable little kittens.  

Now neither of us are cat people but these little ones were so cute no one could resist (not even Todd).  The kids love them too!  They each seemed to have their favorite and came up with interesting names for each one.  It's so neat to see the kids take nurturing role.  Below are some pictures we snapped a few weeks ago.

There are two kittens in this picture.  Can you spot them?

John trying to keep one of the kittens warm!

One down...99 to go!

Today we celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary and we can hardly believe how quickly time has passed. As we reflected upon our first year of marriage, we were in awe at the amazing things God has done for us and through us in just one year. We are so humbled to be able to serve Him in Romania and are excited to see what else He has in store for us as our love grows and matures. This past year has been incredible and we are excited for 99 more!

Enjoying the sunset on Apple Hill

Gradinta

About mid-September I was asked if I would be willing to teach English at a local Gradinta, or pre-school. At first, I was a little hesitant since my Romanian is still a bit shaky and I had not taught toddlers for a long time. After some prayer and one of the other missionaries agreeing to help me with the class I agreed. The pre-school I am teaching at is the same one most Casa Alba children attend so I thought it would be good to see how they interact outside the orphanage.

After teaching the English course for about two months I am so glad God opened the door for me to teach at Gradinta. I find it is not only a way to interact more with the local Romanian people, but also an amazing new way to serve the children. The children of Casa Alba have had a really difficult time fitting in at school, mostly due to not being brought up in a Romanian home. They do not know many social nuances other children just acquire from day to day living. Out of their frustration they tend to act out and misbehave in class. This leads to the teacher punishing them either verbally or physically (hitting is quite common in the school system here), which leads to even lower self-esteem. It is quite a sad situation.

The English classes, however, have turned things around for them and it is so exciting to watch. Casa Alba kids have heard English quite a bit since their arrival to the orphanage due to so many foreign volunteers coming in and out of their lives. In fact, most of them can count to ten in English without any difficulty. So now, for the first time ever, they are the smartest kids in the room and it shows. They love getting positive attention and having the other students look up to them or ask them for help.

Teaching at the pre-school has also created stronger relationships between the children and myself. I had been having trouble with one particular child listening to me during Bible Time at Casa Alba, but ever since I teach English at the pre-school he has improved. They are also very excited about school. Whenever they see me they ask, "When is the next class?" And they are tso eager to learn! The kids also love to show the other workers what new words they have learned. Now even some of the Romanian workers are picking up a few words!

The pre-school playground, no seriously, this is where about fifty 3-6 year olds play.

Some of the students in one of my two my English classes.