Today was our last day with our sweet kids at Turnu Rosu.  The team led a great afternoon of games and crafts.  Last year  the team gave a parting gift to the children so we wanted to do something fun to end our time with them.  Debbie suggested McDonald's Happy Meals because many have never been to McDonald's.  Let me tell you, it was a HUGE hit!!  The loved it!  It was a wonderful and 'happy' way to end our time with them.

We drove to the city center of Sibiu and walked around before enjoying a delicious dinner at La Crema restaurant.  The city center is quaint with incredible architecture.  It's been another wonderful day.

As you can see from the pictures, the boys practiced their man skills by splitting more wood.  Renee and Chloe helped finish organizing the supply closet, and the others cleaned all the cabins.

Before lunch we had a special visit from Debbie's friend, Pastor Costi.  He pastors the church in Turnu Rosu, the small village we have been visiting each day.  I don't think I can begin to do justice to his incredible stories but I will do my best.  

One of the things Cesesceu banned during his years in power was the Bible.  If a person was caught with one it might just be confiscated, but if you were found distributing them it meant prison and possibly other punishments.  Pastor Costi was given his first New Testament Bible at age 17, and it changed his life forever.  He realized it was his responsibility to share the gospel found in that Bible, and also make sure others had an opportunity to own one.  As a young college student he joined a team of Bible smugglers. He would carry two suitcases to a train station, board the train, and meet someone along the road at a specific stop along the route.  They had a secret code of conversation to signify who was there to receive the Bibles.  He never knew his name, where he was going, or where he was from.  The reason for that is so if they were ever caught by the police they could never implicated any of the other Bible smugglers.  He did this at great risk to himself and his family, and has many stories of God's protection and provision during those years.  

A volunteer in 1998 with Heart of Hope Ministries felt God direct him to support a church in Turnu Rosu, so he funded the building of Pastor Costi's church.  It didn't happen easily, or quickly because the community did not want a Christian church in their city center.  Whatever they built during the day was torn down at night. It took two years to finally built it but it never received final government authorization, but he has never been bothered or asked by government officials to provide proof of the required authorization.

He has now earned the respect of people in the community by being the hands and feet of Christ.  He visits the sick, those suffering loss, prays for them, and meets their needs to the best of his ability. There are no obligations or expectations, they do not have to attend church, he simply loves them unconditionally as Christ loves His church. 

We have been inspired and amazed by the faithfulness and courage of Pastor Costi.  He was our living example of this week's theme of the fruits of the spirit. 

Pictures from this morning

I'm A few pictures from today.

This morning our boys experienced a 'man lesson' from Iulian and learned the art of splitting wood.  The photo below is proof our boys are one step closer to being true Romanian men. :-)

The girls spent the morning organizing and taking inventory of the medicine closet, craft room, and folding all the t-shirts for camp this summer. 

Lunch is traditionally the largest meal and usually begins with soup. Today, Maria made an amazing bean and ham soup, followed by meatballs and mashed potatoes.  

Stomachs full, loaded the vans for another day at Turnu Rosu.  As in years past, the loom bracelets were a huge hit. Most of the kids knew how to make them so there were tiny bands everywhere.  Tiger shared the story of the Good Samaritan to teach about love, and how we need to love each other.  Our translator, Felix, played the guitar and led the group in several worship songs.  It's a beautiful thing to hear a familiar worship song in another language; and serves as further proof that God isn't ever limited by international boundaries.  It was a good day, exhausting, but very good.

Day Two

A few pictures from today while I have quality service.