Counting Our Blessings...

This Thanksgiving, we thought it only right to count our blessings, the things that we are thankful for as a ministry. The hard thing is that this list could go on and on. While there are always struggles, needs and set backs we face ministering in another country, to hurting children and with a changing economy... there are so many more things that God has done... ways He has been faithful and blessings that He has poured out! We are thankful for...


...Our wonderful leadership and staff... our board, western staff, Romanian staff and many volunteers without whom we could not reach these children with the depth and love that we strive to.

...Our faithful prayer warriors, donors, child sponsors and those who give of their time to serve with us. You are all God's instruments who keep this ministry going. We are so thankful for each of you.

...The lives and hearts of so many children who we have had the amazing opportunity to love, encourage, speak out for, protect, assist, and share the love of Christ with over the years here in Romania in the state system.

...The gradual closing of many horrible state orphanages through the opening of state homes and a budding foster care system in Romania.

... The opportunity God provided with the help of so many to build Camp Vetca this year and open it up to the children of our county this summer for an amazing week where they were safe, loved and heard the Good News of Christ.


We are thankful for...

...The incredible opportunity we have had to walk over 48 children & teens out of the orphanage in Ludus... taking them from an environment of fear, abuse, neglect and sadness into a HOME in one Casa Rebeca, Casa Nadia, Casa Ana or one of our mentor apartments over the past 5 years!

...The seemingly small victories we see each day in these children's lives as they overcome the hurts of their past and walk towards the hope offered in Christ. It is incredible to see a child learn to control anger, stop having nightmares, learn to live under healthy authority, memorize the books of the Bible, sing praise songs to the Lord, stop wetting the bed, pass a college entrance test and see the pride in their eyes because they did something that every one in their life before us told them they would never do.


We are thankful for...

...Daniel Simon making progress in his special therapy home this year and are hopeful for his return to Casa Nadia next year.

...The 7 recent graduates of our Mentor Program and the progress that they are making as they work and live independently.


We are thankful for...

...The babies and toddlers who are beginning to walk and talk and interact with people as they are loved on by our staff and volunteers.

...The openness of some of the directors and staff in the state system to our presence in the orphanages, group homes and hospital.

...The trials that God brings to our door to keep us focused and leaning on Him for all things.


We are thankful for...

...Brian Briley having the opportunity to share about Livada in several conferences and churches around the country this fall as he recruits teams, interns and missionaries to come and serve with Livada in Romania.

...We are thankful for the blessing that it is to work in this small area of the world, with this relatively small group of orphaned and abandoned children, touching lives that we pray will stop the cycle and make an impact for eternity.

...We are thankful for each of you joining with us in this ministry...It is God's and we are so thankful for all HE has done and will continue to do in and through us in the years to come.