The Love of a Family...

These simple words hold such huge meaning to the majority of us who will read this blog. Many of us know love because we have been demonstrated love from our parents, our siblings, our grandparents, our aunts and uncles, and our cousins for our whole lives. From the moment we arrived, most of us were held in our parents arms, doted on by our grandparents, and shown unfailing love whether we were smiling or crying, hurting or healthy, succeeding or failing. This love that is so common to us is so unfamiliar to the orphans with whom we have been so blessed to work. They long to be held, supported, and most of all loved. This past week as we had our different follow up clubs, I was overwhelmed by these precious children’s desire to be loved, most of all by a family. We work with many kids who have siblings, many who don’t even live in the same house as one another. I was full of emotions as I sat back and watched some of these siblings interact when they came to our programs.


Petru and Ionel live in the same house together in Tarnaveni. These two boys, so different in appearance, personality, and capability are twins. I have been amazed to watch them interact. Instead of being turned off by their differences, they embrace them. They love each other wholeheartedly and interact as if they are best friends. It is so neat to watch them stick up for each other, protect each other, and most of all love each other with the love of a family that is so unfamiliar to these children.


Bobi and Rodica live in two separate group homes and only meet every other week when they come to club fuel on the same morning. From the moment they arrive, they are inseparable and no one else in the world seems to matter. They don’t care who else is on their team, as long as they are together. It has been so amazing to watch their relationship grow and deepen as they have finally been able to see each other on a more consistent basis. The love of a family is so evident in these two children even though this has been an apparent void throughout their childhood.


Pipi and Tuende are another set of siblings who do not live in the same house. Tuende is still in the care of the state, but Pipi has graduated from state care and lives in a night shelter in town. Tuende also has a twin, Bela, who lives with her in their group home. These siblings fight for each other, protect each other, and defend each other all the time. Pipi has begun to volunteer for Fundatia LOC mostly because he wants the opportunity to be at whatever program his siblings attend. This is another sibling group that consistently demonstrates the love of a family with one another.

As I watched these siblings, and so many more, I realized how thankful we can be that despite the abandonment and pain these children feel, God has given so many of them siblings, whether biological or from the same group home, who have become the family they need. Praise God that He does not lose sight of how important the love of a family is, and that He hasn’t forgotten that with these kids. Praise God that even though most of these kids were never demonstrated love from their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins; He has been faithful in allowing them to develop love for one another.