It's not a secret, I am a huge Hunger Games Fan. So I was so excited when my roommates agreed to see it in the theaters with me and not just any theater, the IMAX theater.
It was amazing movie, it reminded me of how much I loved the book and seeing it on the big screen was awesome but what made it even more great was seeing it here in Romania. Throughout the movie people would start cheering and clapping, bringing out the true revolutionist in many. For Romanians this wasn't just a movie this was something they could relate with. As Lavi said the other day, "The best gift Romanians ever got was when Nicolae Ceasusescu was killed on Christmas". Romanians know what it feels like to live with someone controlling their lives.
I can't wait till the third movie comes out, it will be my goal to make it back to Romania to watch the final movie here.
We celebrated Thanksgiving last night with a whole bunch of Romanian friends. It was a lot of fun. It didn't seem awkward which apparently says a lot coming from me since I was the only one in the room who couldn't speak fluent Romanian.
This is what happens when Boing takes a picture. We will know this for next time.
I think my Thanksgiving belly will continue to next week from all our leftovers till the team celebrates real thanksgiving together. I still have some of the pumpkin bread I made left over for breakfast this morning. yum.
p.s. And I know your all dying to know. Romania lost to Greece last night. So they aren't qualified for the World Cup. Poor Romania.
Anchor of Hope is the non-profit organization I volunteer with at the baby hospital and the little kid orphanage I go to. Anchor of Hope is run by Sarah Smith. Sarah has been working in Romania since 2006. Anchor of Hope (aka Ancora Sperantei) provides stimulation, play time, and love to the babies who have no one at the baby hospital. Anchor of Hope also ministers to the Romanian staff providing them with time off, rest, and assistance. At the orphanage we share the love of Christ with young girls who have been abused mentally, physically, and sexually. These girls are at high risk for sex-trafficking and prostitution. Anchor of Hope provides a program with these girls that teach them about Christ and life skills.
Sarah has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Masters in Child and Family Counseling. If you would like to make a donation and help Sarah and her organization click on this direct link and donate today.
Our greatest need right now is diapers. Our kids need them! We have 59 kids in diapers which means we use around 5000 a month. Unfortunately we are coming to the end of our diaper stock.
Last month was Human Trafficking Awareness. We all know about it. We have all heard stories.... but thankfully it hasn't touched me first hand. But for many orphan kids that's not the case. This past month, one of our girls, Ana, went missing. When Jenny asked about her, we were informed that her parents had picked her up to get "married". Knowing Ana didn't have a boyfriend and her father was abusive. The likeliness of her getting married is very slim.
Romania is ranked in the top countries in the world to be trafficked from. Orphans are often easy victims. Please pray that as Jenny tries to get more information on Ana that we will be able to find her and that God will keep her safe.
I know I just posted pictures of the gypsy kids yesterday but I just had to post the pictures from today. Especially knowing I am going to be out of town this week at the team meeting so this will probably be the only time I have to blog this week.
Question: Boy or Girl?
That was the question Jenny and I kept asking each other. A lot of people dress their kids in whatever clothes they can find whether it's gender appropriate it or not. So with babies it's especially hard to tell what they are. But isn't the baby adorable. This is my little gypsy girl's relative. Her grandma kept on waiting for Jenny and I to take pictures with the baby. She knew we would fall in love when we got to hold it. None of the pictures of me holding the baby turned out since they were taken via phone but oh how I wish they would have.
The boys thought it was the greatest thing ever that Jenny took their picture in front of the car.
Here a picture of our kids during craft time. Working hard they were...
Well I hope you like the photos and you know little more of what a Sunday afternoon looks like for me. This week I will be spending my time with the team kids as the Romanian team gets together to plan for the upcoming year. I am excited to help the team out in this way. Please keep my roommate Kim and her family in your prayers. She flew back to the states this morning to help take care of her grandma who is very sick.
Tomorrow is Sunday, the day we head out to the gypsy villages. I am looking forward to it. The people are starting to realize me as a regular and every once in awhile I actually understand a little of what people are trying to say to me.
Last week was Harvest Sunday. It's similar to our Thanksgiving service in the states. Except Harvest Sunday is something that is only celebrated in the church here, it's not considered a national holiday or anything.
The picture below is of one of my favorite little girls from the village. I always look forward to seeing her. And she isn't bothered by the fact that we can't understand each other that well. Her grandma brings her and her cousins every week. Her family is so faithful.
So great news, the personal trainer at the gym (the one I had mentioned in my last post) read the book of John. He said he understood why I believe what I believe but he still believes in his Orthodox faith. Which doesn't sound like great news but he wants to keep the Bible to read more of it so he can learn. So God is definitely working in his heart. Keep him in your prayers.
