Daniel is doing well...

Daniel Simon has been in a special therapy program for three months now and is making great progress. He has moved up to something called "Level 2." This means that he is has earned more trust from the adults who work with him and is given a little more free time. He is beginning a home school program which includes math, Romanian, English and nature studies. We are now working with him to catch up from second grade, but this level is a challenge for him because the cognitive tasks are more difficult and take more effort and concentration on Daniel's part.


Alina Muresan, who oversees Daniel's program, shared that she is very pleased that during the first three months of the program, Daniel did not exhibit any aggressive behaviors which had become very common for him at Casa Nadia. She says that she sees a different child now. His eye contact has improved, his face is bright and his beautiful eyes shine. He has learned manners and is very polite and warm hearted. He has begun to share openly about his past and the abuse that he endured. He knows now that he is in a safe place and nothing bad will happen to him here and his walls are coming down.

He is even starting to recognize the positive qualities that he possesses. A few days ago he told Alina that he saw himself in the mirror the other day and realized that he was a beautiful boy and has a nice face and even ears! This is wonderful as he used to be ashamed of his "big ears."


Now that Christmas is near, he is very excited but also sad because he's not at level 3 which would allow him the freedom to visit others outside the house. Therefore we plan to give him a little playmate and responsibility of his own...a little cat, and soon to plan some visits to see his brothers and friends at Casa Nadia.

Pray that Daniel and all our children will experience the JOY of Jesus' birth this Christmas. Pray that Daniel will continue to heal and grow this year so that he can come back to Casa Nadia as "the REAL Daniel" this coming fall.

Romanian Thanksgiving...

Our kids recently made "Thanksgiving Trees" to celebrate America's Thanksgiving Holiday and to thank God for all the things and people that they are thankful for. One of the Casa Nadia tutors, Mira Tanase, had this great idea and each child was able to share what they were personally most thankful for AND all the people for whom they are grateful. The trees were filled with names of sponsors, staff, and volunteers. Praise the Lord with us for all of our kids and pray that God would continue to fill their lives with true thanksgiving.

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.

Update from the Babies...

Rodica Maier heads up our ministry to the abandoned babies at the hospital in Ludus. She currently has two volunteers who rotate going to the hospital with her several mornings each week. It has been so exciting to watch the progress made in these children over the past several months. The number of children at the hospital changes with the seasons and the weather. While some of these children have been here for over a year, others come and go. It is not a very stable life and leads to little trust or nurture, which is why we try to be a consistent nurturing presence in this place. There are currently 5 infants and 5 toddler/preschoolers at the hospital.


Some of these sweet children are beginning to walk, while others are beginning to speak and in the words of Rodica, "are sweeter and sweeter as they begin to speak." There are others who are making strides that no one thought they could. Little Larisa who has some obvious signs of brain damage is beginning to stand and as you can see, Darius has taken his first step on his own. It is amazing to see how attention and love can so quickly make the difference between a child developing or not. Please continue to pray for these infants and toddlers to know the love of Christ as they feel his hands and feet around them through this ministry.


Rodica has shared that the biggest needs for the babies currently are diapers, infant and toddler socks and bottles. She is also currently looking for one more volunteer to join her each week in this ministry. Please pray that God will raise up that person. If you would like to help with the needs of this ministry you can contact kelly@livada.org.

Lastly, please continue to pray Matthew 19:14 for this ministry, that the little children would come to Him and no one would hinder them. Praise the Lord for the hospital staff that is open to us being there and helping them in any way we can.

Reaching out... Underground

The youth event that takes place each week in the basement of our local church reaches many of the teens and young adults who are in state care or have recently been "aged out of care." Many of these young people are in town at school or work during the week and go back to orphanages on the weekend or are in smaller state homes. Over 70 young adults attended "The Underground" this week!


Many times this Thursday night event shares Christ and challenges those who attend with the lives of Heros of the faith. But, every few weeks it is a "game night." This week was one of those nights. These over 70 young people packed in to play games on teams, go on a scavenger hunt and just enjoy being in a safe place with people who love them and seek to encourage them wherever they are in life.



Please pray for Paul & Fiona Coles, Emil Moldovan, Ioana Harfas, Rebecca Rasmussen and Andrew Vidal as they pour into these young people at The Underground and all around our county as they go into orphanages and state homes to share the love of Christ and to be a light in the darkness through Follow Up.

Madalin

Madalin Simon has been in Livada's care for a little over two years. He is the older brother of Daniel & Sergiu Simon who are also in our care. These three brothers have had a hard young life. Madalin began his time with us at Casa Nadia. It became clear though after a time that due some of his past hurts and abuse that he needed a different environment than the group home could provide. Zoli & Nico Mursa who have worked with Livada for several years, stepped in to provide a foster care setting for Madalin. This more structured environment and family setting has allowed Madalin to make progress in his behavioral difficulties and respect for authority. Pray that this will continue.


Nico says that in recent weeks Madalin has shown a much more calm nature and they have had less behavioral issues with him. She shared that his love for soccer continues to grow and what a good outlet it is for him both physically and socially. She hopes that they will be able to place him on a soccer team. He enjoys playing with the neighbors around their apartment building when he has free time, but much time is spent on school work as he is in fourth grade this year and there is a lot of studying to do with him to help him keep up. This past week was a fall break from school and Zoli, Nico & Madalin were able to spend more family time and even got a new soccer ball, so that they could all go out and play together.


Please continue to pray for Madalin and these two young "parents" who have taken this young man with many hurts and issues into their home and are raising him and helping him to overcome his past and have hope for his future. If you are interested in joining Madalin's sponsorship team, please contact kelly@livada.org.

A Special Visitor...

Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross, co-authors of "The Connected Child" came to Targu Mures this past week to provide therapeutic training for the Casa Daniel staff. The approach that Dr. Purvis has developed is cutting edge and balances structure and nurture in a strategic and unique way that addresses the specific challenges faced by children who have experienced abuse and neglect in their formative years. The effects for Daniel are already astounding. In only eight weeks of therapy so far, he is a completely different child. The violent, delusional, and psychotic boy has disappeared and the real Daniel has emerged. He is docile and polite and at peace.

They were also able to spend time with one of our local universities AND to the clinical staff of the local Child Protective Services. Both of these caring, gentle, and enthusiastic experts were tireless in their efforts to help us.


They even spent time with the Thomas family and their two adopted sons. Their insightful assessments and evaluations radically changed the way they parent all of their children.


Through Dr. Purvis and Dr. Cross, we have found the answers that we have been praying for to bring peace to some of our troubled children who were finding it impossible to move past their previous pains. Thank God with us for this miraculous therapy and for Dr. Purvis and Dr. Cross and the invaluable training that they did for us all.


Please continue to pray for the three psychologists heading up this program for Daniel in Romania. Alina, Cristina & Cristina have put in many hours preparing the home, the staff and working with Daniel. Pray that this year will continue to be a life changing time for Daniel and that he will be able to return to Casa Nadia next fall a changed boy.