Word Made Flesh

Dear friends and family,

Thank you for your prayers for safe travels and a smooth transition back. Our trip back was the quickest we’ve had and fortunately Lukas proves to be a very easy traveler. We enjoyed a happy reunion with our friends here and have loved showing Lukas off to the kids. I treasure hearing the children squeal “Luka!” when we arrive at the center. One day Lukas was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a little boy noted that Lukas “looks like a little monk with that hood on.” Now he greets Lukas with “What’s up little monk?”

We will soon move again! This will be our fourth apartment since May. The apartment our friends had waiting for us is great, but the owner plans to move back within the year. We decided it was better to move now to a more permanent place while our things are all still packed. Perks of the new place include hot water, new windows to keep out the winter chill, Alcom (a grocery store), a 10-minute walk to the center and a new washing machine purchased with baby shower money! Fortunately we’ve had a washing machine where we’re staying in the meantime; with diapers and other baby laundry it has been running every day.

Adding Lukas to our family means a change in our involvement at the center. Josh is there every day, spending much of his time tutoring two children who are new to the program: a brother (age 12) and sister (age 9), both in the third grade. Like many of the children who come to the center, they are very far behind in their school work. It has been a challenge but a joy for Josh to work with them. Please pray for these two children and Josh this school year.

Any of you parents will not be surprised that I spend most of my time caring for Lukas, which I’m loving. Lukas and I usually come to the center three mornings each week. We attend the morning chapel time and then sometimes I manage to get a few small things done, but mostly we visit with staff and children.

Since I’m at the center less, Josh keeps me updated on happenings at the center. During dinner he tells me the highlights of the day, which often includes the prayers that the children prayed that day.

“God, thank you for forgiving me…because I came late to the center today.”

“God, thank you that Lukas arrived here ok.”

“God, thank you for life” (spoken by an 8-year old girl whose father died recently)

Please continue to pray that these children will grow in their relationship with the Father.

This February marks the completion of our three-year contract with Word Made Flesh. We have discerned to extend our service with WMF. Please continue praying for discernment regarding our vocation. We are certain that we must be about caring for the poor. We are also certain of our role as parents and sense a leading towards adoption or foster care somewhere in the future.

What we are unsure about is where we are to be. We will stay put until we sense God telling us otherwise. Though it is very difficult deciding to stay away from our families as we raise ours, we only felt peace when we thought about remaining in Galati, at least for now. So we are dealing with our sadness in being so far from family, but we are also truly happy to know that we’ll continue to share our lives with the community at Casa Vale.

Some of you may have committed to financially supporting us understanding that we would be in Galati for three years. If so, we want you to feel released from your financial commitment if you so desire, and to know that we are so thankful. In three years, we have never had to worry about raising enough funds. Joshua and I have truly been challenged by your constancy and generosity, and we pray that we have been faithful with what you have given us. However, if you would like to continue your support or begin financially supporting us, we would also be very thankful. We have added expenses with a baby and are especially in need of continued financial support for the operating costs of the center. The center is specifically in need of funds to purchase Christmas gifts for the children. If you would like to give, let us know soon. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding our finances or those of the center; we want to be transparent with you.

We send our love,

Robin, Joshua and Lukas