Dear friends and family,
As I write we are still greatly anticipating Christmas at Casa la Vale. Gifts are being chosen and wrapped. Today someone offered to donate a Christmas tree. Children are working to earn presents to give to their brothers and sisters. The kids are practicing songs for our two nights of caroling where they’ll belt out the good news of Jesus’ birth all over Galati. Plans are being made for our much-anticipated annual Christmas party, a sleepover which will take place somewhere different this year—at the home of a generous family from church. This is my favorite time of year at Casa la Vale.
We’ve also set up a small artificial tree at home, and Lukas loves looking at the lights. Lukas is growing strong and healthy. He is mimicking several sounds now and grabbing at whatever is in reach. Seeing Lukas first thing in the morning is simply the best thing when he greets us with all smiles.
We are now well settled into our new apartment. It has come to feel like home very quickly and we are truly thankful for many things about it. This week, we are glad it stays remarkably cozy. The heat in our building has not been working for a few days now, but we have stayed warm despite the below-freezing temperatures outside. Baking things in the oven and borrowing an electric heater have helped. I am reminded though that there are many people in our city that do not fare so easily in cold weather. Several children who attend our center spend time searching around the city for firewood to be burned for heating their homes.
In our last letter I mentioned a brother and sister (ages 12 & 9) with whom Josh is working daily. Well it took a month, but by golly the little boy can finally tell time! He is also making progress in memorizing the times table, now working on the 4’s and 5’s. The little girl is struggling with math but doing well at reading comprehension. We do rejoice in any progress made.
Somehow having a child of our own has opened our hearts in new ways to other children. We enjoy them even more fully and wonder at the miracle that is each life. But we also ache deeper when we see how these treasured ones of God have been abused or neglected.
Recently one of our favorite authors, Wendell Berry, was interviewed on a radio talk show. He was asked to talk about how the earth and the natural world give him hope despite the daunting realities that confront us daily. He replied, “Well…the natural world gives hope by its ability to take a lot of abuse and continue to live and renew its life year after year. It also gives hope because it is in many ways consolingly beautiful.”
Praise God for the reminders throughout creation that he is making things new. In this new year, please pray that God would renew life again and again in the children at Casa la Vale. And please pray that we may have the grace to continue hoping when it’s hard. We wish you hope, peace, joy, love and all that you need.
Love,
Robin, Joshua & Lukas.