Saturday, October 2, 2010

His kids


I can't believe it is October already? Where has the time gone! So many changes this last month, and I am not just talking about the weather. I am moved into my apartment where I will primarily be this year, which I am very happy about. Moving around so much last year had it's wearing nature. I have spent most of the last few weeks planning, planning, planning. Then I went to the translating, translating, translating phase. I spent more time on my computer the last few weeks than I did all summer. I am very excited about Art and all the other activities we have planned for this year. I received my schedule and will be working all afternoons and many late evenings..... pray God will give me stamina. Mornings will be reserved for my physical, mental and spiritual health.... oh, and lesson planning and translating of course! It will be a busy year, but I am excited to see what God has in store.

One thing that has been very heavy on my heart this week is a very special girl and her sister. As most of you know this last year a young girl named Ana stole my heart, her and her sister Flori lit up my heart every time I saw them. Whenever I was at the orphanage Ana was usually attached to my hip and Flori was not far behind. Ana was my special little monkey, as I like to call her. She was the sunshine in my day. She is from a gypsy family and didn't speak hardly any romanian, she also had some learning disabilities, but she had made much progress this last year. She couldn't say my name and usually called me "Ta". Her face said it all most days when she'd grin as I scooped her up into my arms. In an attempt to re-unite families the new director at the orphanage located most of the kids families and offered for them to spend some time at home during the summer months, while school was out. So, one day I arrived at the orphanage to find Ana and Flori had gone with their parents to visit, but were coming back in fall. I missed them dearly, but kept thinking, I can't wait for Ana and Flori to come back. I'm sure the staff got tired of me saying, I miss my little monkey. Once summer was ending many of the kids who were united with their families began to come back. Every time we were at the orphanage I would look, hope and pray the girls would be back too. As kids ran and hugged me, I was overwhelmed with excitement to see all of our kids, but my heart still urned for little Ana and Flori to arrive back. Then one day one of the kids pulled me aside, he's about 14 years old and said I need to talk to you. He began to tell me that Ana and Flori were not coming back (kids are very observant and the kids know the bond I have with little Ana). I thanked him for telling me and I thought maybe he's misinformed? Then rumors from kids and staff at the orphanage started flooding my way, several times I wanted to cry right then and there at the thought of never seeing my little Ana or Flori ever again. Rumors that their mother took them out of the country, rumors the family was going to marry off 14 year old Flori started.... I have no idea what the real story is or where these beautiful girls are. I pray everyday that they are safe and that God would bring them back. From my understanding they are legally suppose to be brought back to the orphanage, at least for schooling? My heart aches and fears for them, and of course I selfishly desire to see them again. I know I have to trust they are in God's hands and He is caring for them, but I figure more prayers couldn't hurt, so please pray for them! Pray for their safety. Pray for my heart as it sinks every time I arrive to the orphanage and don't see their smiling faces. Pray for peace in my heart.
I know it is part of the ministry our hearts breaking over and over again, but it never gets any easier.