Do We Make a Difference in Transylvania?

Today my house was full of children’s laughter again. Two more children joined our playhouse. We talked about the story of Noah..People became wicked, but when God saw that there is a man whose heart is clean, He showed forgivness. God is watching us, and He patiently waits because He is looking in the heart of those who are following Him.

Today, we had a special craft. We made bracelets and each bead represented something different.

The blue represents the sky, the black bead the sin, the red Jesus’ blood, the white bead the pure heart, the green one faith, and the purple bead represents Heaven.

The story of the bracelet is: God created the world, but sin started to rule…that is why
He sent His only Son to die on the cross for us. Jesus’ blood washes our sins away and cleans our hearts. Walking by faith everyday, at the end of the road we will meet with our heavenly Father, in Heaven.

We played in the garden until everbody felt exhausted! : )
God blessed us with His presence and we had a great time together!

Meet Marti, my Summer Intern!

Singing, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the World….” — Marti and Anne

Americans greeted by Romanians

Down Memory Lane — Mark and Sherrylee Woodward, Directors of LST, asked Dan to bring the first LST teams to Sfantu Gheorghe, Transylvania, Romania. Anyone remember that time? Were any of you his Readers?

Saturday evening a big LST team arrived in Romania. Nine adventurous Americans are going to spend time with their anxious readers.

Every time an LST team arrives, the people hurry to make appointments. Everything happens so fast! Andrea, the lady who makes the appointments, is very busy. She has to be very patient to handle a bunch of readers.

What is more, there is a waiting list for the persons that unfortunately did not find any free place, but their hope is not lost.  They can sign up with the next teams that are coming!

In His presence, there is peace.

John 14:27  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

— Madalina and Anne

Life in Romania

I enjoy living in Transilvania and observing how life is in this country, in the region where I am. I see that people here are hard-working. Those who have a garden, grow their own vegetables. People who live in the rural area provide their own food:
they grow vegetables, they keep cows for milk, cheese and butter, chickens to provide eggs. They work on the fields in order to put food on the table.

I have beautiful vegetables from my garden…because I have a sprinkler system and can water my plants. Here you see: homemade cheese, strawberries, radishes, purple onions, lettuce, and Hungarian potato bread…all organic!

Transylvanians also put a strong emphasis on traditions. They hold several celebrations where the youth dress up in traditional costumes, women bake “kürtőskalács”. These celebrations show that people are grateful for what they have.

They make “kürtőskalács” while you watch…it comes hot off the coals!

There are folk dance clubs where children learn traditional dances, performing in their traditional clothing at special occasions.

Women adore flowers.  At most of the places I have visited,  women have a small flower garden near the house. They delight in having flowers everywhere.

Even though Romania is a poor country, there are many talented children who are able to attend music school financed by the State to develop their skills.

One of our local girls, only in 9th Grade, is 2nd Chair, 1st Violin, in the Brasov Conservatory of Music for school age children. Quite an accomplishment!

Beside the positive sights, I have to mention also that we do have children who are in need, who are left alone because their parents must work abroad to earn money to feed their children.  There are children who are not able to attend school because they don’t have shoes to wear in our many months of cold weather.  Children who are abused are brought to our attention. We have people who cry out for love and understanding.

Preschool children attend a day care center where they get nourishing meals, play and nap time. Soon Marti will begin a weekly program for these children at their center.

Because of your help, God’s Children is able to provide clothing, shoes, food, counseling, education to help good people here find their way to become self sustaining.  I am praying to God to give peace in our hearts. We can say that whatever happens to us first passes by God’s sight. — Marti and Anne
“…not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.” Matthew10:31

A Time to Learn and Play

Summer Vacation

Today we finally opened the playhouse for the children’s delight. We spent unforgettable moments together while we were talking about how God had created our world. Children drew what they enjoyed the most from the story. We also learned together a few words in English…of course singing and playing was vital too.

After we had the lesson for today, we started a journey of discovery and climbed a “huge” rock. While we were coming back to the house I felt joy in my heart. These kids are amazing, I am so happy God brought them into my life.

They climbed the mountain I see every day!

Please, continue to pray for rain…the heat is getting worse.

Healing rain, please, Lord, send healing rain to Romania

“He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.” — Psalms 147:8 — Marti and Anne

The Sound of Laughter…and Prayers

Happy because silence has broken in my house. Today my intern, Marti arrived. I am sure that we will make a good team together. We already have plans. The first thing on our bucket list is to open a playhouse for children, where we will study together Bible, a little English and play in the backyard of my house. This is a good opportunity for us to teach children about God and how wonderfully He has created the world.

Soon children will have special learn and play time…and laughter will ring forth from this swing set.

I also have a prayer request. Please pray for healing rain…weather is too hot. We need rain for crops. Heat is destroying the plants…the hard work of the farmers.

The fields are struggling to stay green. So much life depends upon enough gentle, healing rain.

James 5:8 tells us, “Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced it’s fruit.” For God nothing is impossible. Let us pray together! — Anne and Marti