January 15, 2010
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14
Dear friends and family,
All our Christmas decorations have long been packed away, but I still would like to tell you a bit about our Christmas here. It was wonderful! Caroling, a sleepover, gifts, a musical program for the kids’ families, special words of encouragement, cookie decorating, a mid-night feast…these were just a few of the highlights. When I listen to the children sing about Christ’s birth, I’m filled with such joy to meditate on the mystery that God was made flesh, and that He continues to dwell with and in us, seen in the face of each child here at Casa la Vale.
And soon, several members of our community will be meeting Jesus again in the faces of children in Moldova. This week we commissioned and said goodbye to four dear friends with whom we have served here in Romania. They have a vision to begin a similar work in our neighboring country of Moldova, where thousands of children are left orphaned as parents have left this impoverished country in search of work. Our community will truly miss our four friends, but we send them in faith, trusting they will be instruments of God’s peace to these children.
Very shortly, a new school semester will begin here in Galati. Please pray for a good one. Our children are in all grades, ranging in ages from 7 to 21. Many of these children come from homes where the parents have not learned to read. I will simply list the children so that you may pray for them by name. You may pray for them to be able to concentrate in school, for healthy friendship with peers, for self-control, for the ability to make wise decisions, for protection from abuse, for health, for growth in their relationship with Jesus, or for whatever else comes to mind. Or, you may like to simply whisper their names…
Mircea, Victor, Dorinel, Denisa, Samira, Rosalinda, Sicander, Cristi, Valentin, George, Elvis, Daniela, Silviu, Vasile, Mihaela, Alina, Geanina, Recard, Alin, Robert, Adi, Ionela, Iulia, Marian, Fanus, Eleni, Florin, Ionut, Lavinia, Cati, Daniel, Cristian, Marcela, Vasile, Ana, Flori
Love,
Robin, Joshua & Lukas