All the Kids Leave Ludus...

As many of you may know all of the kids and teenagers in Livada’s care came from a large orphanage called Ludus. This institution has been on the brink of closer for the last 2 years and although its doors are not yet closed, we are happy to say that there are no more young children there. This month the last 30 kids and young teenagers left the orphanage to start life at new State group homes. A few of the follow up staff went to see the kids off on their last day and it was a somewhat bittersweet occasion. On the one hand it was wonderful to see the kids dressed, packed and excited to begin a new stage in life but on the other it was difficult to leave behind the 30 teenagers who have no idea what their future holds as they are now the only ones left at the orphanage.


Follow up is doing a weekly program with 2 of the group homes that now house these kids from Ludus and wow what a difference a few weeks has already made in these kids lives! We were so delighted to see their happy faces when we first went to visit. They are so fortunate to have been placed in families that really seem interested in being a positive influence in their lives. In such a short time it is already clear that the kids have developed in confidence and are loving their new homes.

In the house in Tarnaveni, where the younger children now live, it is wonderful to watch the kids interact with the parents in positive way. They are learning to be polite, to help around the house and to talk correctly.


The other house in Sincai has some young teenage boys and it is fantastic to see them as they really get into village and family life. They are all enjoying helping their new father finish the construction on the house and working to create a vegetable garden for the family.




All in all this has proved to be a great move for these kids and we are so thankful that we can continue to be a part of their lives as they grow and mature. Please pray for Paul, Fiona and Rebecca as they try to teach these kids through fun, relevant programs. Above all else we want them to know that they have a father in Heaven who loves them and invites them into a relationship with Him.

Please also pray for these young parents who take care of these kids daily. It is far from easy to take in 6 to 8 challenging, institutionalized children, pray for them to have strength, patience and love.

Mentor Graduation...

This Sunday was a momentous day for some of the young adults (20-23yr olds) in Livada’s mentor program. It was graduation day, a very special occasion for these young people who have been living in Livada’s care for the last 2 to 4 years. It was a day that signified they were ready to step out into independence, a day to look back at how far they’ve come but more importantly a chance to look forward to where they can be in the future. And what better way to celebrate the progress that has been made and the big things that are to come than a graduation party!

As always Becky Kyle (our mentor program director and events coordinator) had planned a great afternoon. It was a fantastic party that began with food and desserts. Once everyone had an opportunity to eat and chat it was game time! The graduates and their 3 mentors took part in Livada’s very own variation of the Newly Weds game which proved very entertaining indeed! It was hilarious to watch them all as they tried to prove how much they really know about each other.


After plenty of laughs there was some time for those graduating to hear how proud we are of their achievements so far and for them to be reminded that Livada Orphan Care is their family. It was very important for them to hear that this was not the end but rather a new beginning. We were not saying goodbye and we do want to continue to be involved in their lives when both good and bad things happen.

Some of the graduates also wanted to say a few words and it was very encouraging to hear them say thank you for the opportunities they have been given, the things they have learned and the confidence they now have.

Of course nobody left empty handed and they each went away with literally bucket loads of presents. They had pots, sheets, towels, blankets, cleaning supplies, food, toiletries and more! A truly fitting send off for these graduates!



Please continue to pray for Becky this week as she and the mentors work on getting all these young people moved and set up in apartments. Pray too for Radu, Cipri, Nicu, Andrei, Jeno, Crucita and Enti at this exciting but anxious time. Pray that they will settle quickly and learn to juggle a job, living on a budget and life on their own.

Follow Up is up and running...

Each week in Targu Mures and many surrounding towns & villages, Livada goes out into the state orphanages and state run group homes to be a light in the darkness, a friend to those who feel alone, an advocate for those in need and the hands and feet of Christ bringing Good News!

This ministry of weekly Christian Clubs goes by the name of "Follow Up Ministry" because it began years back as a way to follow up with those children and teens who had come with us to camp each summer. This ministry continues today in 3 state orphanages & 15 state group homes each week as well as through "The Underground" which is a weekly outreach to those teens from all over the county who attend school in town during the week (reaching 70 teens in one night).

One of our Follow Up staff is Andrew Vidal. Andrew, his wife Cristina and baby Katherine Joy have served with us for over four years in many aspects of the ministry. This year Andrew's main role is in our Follow Up Ministry. Here are some of the boys he ministers to on a weekly basis...


These boys are from a village called Sarmas. There are two state group homes in Sarmas, both filled with boys. Andrew meets with these boys who range in age from 14-20 at a local school each week for a few hours. Last week was a game week of messy games to help build them together and have fun. There are 19 boys from these two houses and an average of 12 come to the club each week. Please pray for Andrew to come up with creative ways to capture the attention of these boys as the weather grows colder and they are not able to do as many outdoor activities. Pray that God would also give him wisdom on ways to capture their hearts for Christ.



These two pictures show a few of the boys from a state group home in Sighisoara along with Andrew and his sweet daughter. The oldest boy, holding the guitar, is Florin. Florin lived 8 years at the orphanage in Ludus and then in state group homes for another 8 years. This young man now faces an uncertain future of living on his own starting this winter. God led Andrew to this young man during camp this summer through their shared passion for playing the guitar. Andrew will be meeting with Florin once a week to mentor him through this transitional time of finishing high school and moving out on his own.

Pictured below is Cristi. He is the newest addition to a state group home in Petelea. This house consists of an odd grouping of 9 boys who are different age and learning ability levels. With little Vladuti, who is the son of the "house parents", their are 10 boys all together. There is a club each week with these boys as well and this week, they all participated in acting out the parable of the "Wedding of the King's Son." Please pray that as these boys are poured into emotionally and spiritually that they would begin to know their worth to God and that each one is precious in His eyes.


Please continue to pray for all of the children and teens being reached through "Follow Up" each week. Pray for the staff as they look for creative and new ways to meet the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of these young people. In the weeks to come we will continue to highlight what is happening in other homes and orphanages where "Follow Up" is taking place. Thank you for your prayers for this very important part of our ministry here in Romania. If you would like to give towards the Follow Up Ministry of Livada that reaches so many hurting kids, please visit our website, www.livada.org or contact kelly@livada.org. Thank you!

The Gathering

The Gathering is something new this fall. It is a time for the Western staff of Livada to come together each week for a meal, a time of fellowship, worship, and more. This time has been a blessing to each of us. It has allowed us to take the time to pause from our lives that are usually filled with ministering to others. During this time we are able to just rest and enjoy conversation in English with friends.

Please pray for our Western staff as we lead & serve in this country, for these children and in His strength. Pray that we would take time in the busyness of pouring out, to also be filled with God's word. Pray for unity and wisdom in and among us. Pray for God to continue to raise up laborers to come and join us here. Pray for Angela Hastings as she spends her last few months in Romania and with Casa Ana & Nadia. Pray for The Thomas family as they will be going home in a few months for the birth of their fourth child. Pray for each of us to walk closely with Christ so that we can reflect Him to those around us. Thanks!

Gabi is back...

Gabi Burcea is one of the young adults in our mentor program. He is a shining example of what God can do when He takes hold of a heart & life. Gabi attends a university in Bucharest and is studying social work. He has also spent the last two summers living and working in America. He returned this week from his most recent work opportunity.

This young man has not had an easy life growing up in the Romanian orphanage system and then living in the care of another foundation that was unable to continue caring for him. Gabi has volunteered to help with camps and day camps and is a great example to others. He is a hardworking student with very high grades. His desire after graduating from university here, is to pursue a seminary degree in America so that he can return to Romania well trained to bring light into the darkness.

Gabi has recently shared many stories about how God used believers all around America to take care of him, help him find his way, encourage him and bring him to church. This young man loves the Lord. Please join us in praying with him, that God would open a door for him to receive an international student scholarship to Dallas Theological Seminary, Moody, or another of the schools that he was able to visit and would love to attend. Pray that he would trust God's timing and plan for his life as he finishes this last year at university.

If you would like to join Gabi's sponsorship team, please contact kelly@livada.org. Thank you for your prayers for this young man and all of the children and young adults in our care.

Casa Ana & Nadia...

The school year is in full swing at Casa Ana and Casa Nadia. The first three weeks were hectic: passing out school supplies, parent-teacher conferences, buying more school supplies, daily schedule changes, and so on. This week the whirlwind is slowing down and school schedules are in place (I wish I could say the same about our extra-curricular schedule of dentist appointments, speech therapy, soccer & basketball practices and games, etc.).


Most of our kids work best one on one or in small groups, without distractions; but desperate times call for desperate measures. Two of Casa Ana's educators were out sick one day, so the older girls worked on homework alone and all the other kids gathered at the kitchen table. This would have never worked two years ago when we first brought them home. It was a daily battle just to get them to do homework.


This year at Ana & Nadia we have 3 in first grade, 4 in third grade, 3 in fourth grade, 2 in fifth grade, 4 in seventh grade and 1 in ninth grade. Seven of our kids are playing sports and there always seems to be something else to do or somewhere to run with them. I've never had so much compassion for "stay-at-home" moms.

-Angela Hastings, Educational Coordinator at Casa Ana & Nadia


Please pray for the kids in all three of our group homes as they continue through this school year. Pray that they will continue to grow as students and as friends. Please pray specifically for the children at Casa Ana & Nadia as they prepare for the departure of Angela Hastings, who has been the Education Coordinator at these two homes from their start two years ago. She has been a faithful friend, confidant and teacher for all of these children. Pray for her as she spends her last few months here with us and for the children as they prepare for a transition in their lives. Thank you!

The Underground

The Underground, Livada’s weekly teenage event kicked off this Thursday with a fun-filled night of games and prizes. 60 teenagers from orphanages and group homes in Mures County showed up to take part in the night’s activities. The teenagers are an energetic bunch who will try pretty much anything you throw at them and so a Thursday night always promises to be entertaining and exhausting!



This year’s program is entitled “Super Heroes? The extraordinary lives of ordinary people!” Each week we will be exploring the lives of people such as Corrie Ten Boom, George Muller and Amy Carmichael who did extraordinary things as they lived out their faith. In many ways they are superheroes of their time but we also want these kids to realize that while these were people who did amazing things, they are also ordinary people just like us, people who struggled, people who suffered and people who at times thought they weren’t good enough. Everyone of us can be a superhero of our time, it is not some distant, impossible dream, if we follow God, He has big things in store for us!

Please pray for the teenagers who come every week to the Underground. Pray that God would soften their hearts and open their ears to what He wants them to hear this year.

An Outing with the Mentor Teens...

The time is drawing near for some of our teenagers to graduate from the mentor program. On 15th October 6 of the 13 young people in our care will take a huge step of independence, out of Livada’s full time care and into the real world. It is both an exciting time and a frightening one for these teenagers who have been institutionalized for most of their lives before coming into the program.

Over their time in the foundation they have learned and developed a variety of skills they will need for the future; cooking, cleaning, paying bills, finding and keeping a job etc, things we all count as ‘normal’, having grown up in a family. They may not be prepared for every situation that is to come but just like in any family there comes a time when the parents must step back and let their children stand on their own two feet. Of course that doesn’t mean abandonment and just like in any family we will still be here to give advice, lend a helping hand and be strong in times of crisis.

So, before the big date of departure Emi and Paul took the opportunity for some male bonding with a trip to Busteni (3 hrs away, near Brasov), a gondola ride and a hike to a huge cross that stands high on a mountain top. It was a great day of adventure for them all, a time to face new challenges, consolidate relationships and have some man to man conversation.




Of course the girls couldn’t be outdone so Becky, Rebecca and Fiona took them on a girls’ day out to a local hotel. There was plenty of relaxing to be done in the warm salt pool, sauna and steam room as well as a lot of splashing around in the swimming pool. It was a time for some to build confidence levels as they learn how to swim and for others to develop the skills they already have.



It was a great day had by all and an important chance to remind those who are leaving that we are a family that won’t abandon them as they move out into the world.

Bears for Babies...

One of the Build-A-Bear stores in Denmark made Livada the recipients of their "Stuffed with Hugs" charity drive. We received over 400 stuffed bears a little over a week ago! We will be saving most of them for Christmas gifts for the children in our care and in our county, but a few were distributed today to the toddlers and infants at the Ludus baby hospital. They brought lots of smiles to all!