Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Blessed Be Your Name...



It has been a rough summer of trials. It has also been a summer of incredibly flexible teams and of God working in many lives of kids and adults alike. This past week was no different. While we still were unable to take or post any pictures of the children we have had the opportunity to work with, we were moving forward.

Then we received word that Camp Vetca must close for the remainder of the summer after 3 inspectors were sent out in one day. Although we were operating as we have been for the past two and a half summers without problems... after this inspection we found out that they now view the camp under a different classification, which brings a new set of guidelines under which we were required to operate and the camp had to be closed.

We have been heartbroken and frustrated and busily reworking schedules for our remaining summer teams. This Saturday night at our weekly cookout, as the leadership and teams cried out in the midst of all of this... that even when the road is marked with suffering... Blessed Be Your Name. I was struck that this is something to share with everyone... it may not be cute pictures of kids at camp, or stories of lives changed, but it will be a testimony to God's faithfulness and Lordship in the good and the bad, the fun and the sad, the wilderness of the unknown and the days when all seems right.

Let us remember that this is the LORD's ministry and no matter what our circumstances... Blessed Be HIS Name!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Happy Happy Happy Birthday...

Along with all of our teams, camps, day camps, and other exciting things that go on in the summer... we also have many of our children and teens who have been celebrating birthdays in June & July... It is always special to celebrate them and let them know just how special and loved they are. We are especially thankful for all of our child sponsors who send gifts and help make the day extra special!

Happy Birthday Marian...




Happy Birthday Daniela...



Happy Birthday Zsofia...



Happy Birthday Madalin...


Happy Birthday Ibi...



Thanks again for helping us make these days happy happy happy!

Outings with the LOC Kids...

Summer is here! While we can't go on a big vacation this summer with all our kids, we are trying to do several fun outings with them nearby during the summer... Here is a look at the first few.


All of the kids were excited to have Becky Kyle, one of our former staff, back for a visit earlier this summer! We were glad that she was able to join the older kids for an outing to Brasov.


Brasov is a mountain city and has a large sign much like the "Hollywood" sign in California. We took a ride up the mountain a ways and hiked over to see the sign and look out over the city.




From salt lakes to a salt mine... Praid & Sovata made a great day trip for the younger kids.



Yes, our friends from the EV Free team from Orland, CA are all licking the wall... totally made of salt from an old mine turned tourist attraction! We enjoyed getting out of the heat and down underground for a while. It was very special to have a few folks from the team share their testimony at the underground chapel and to listen to our kids sing praise songs all together without worrying about what anyone else thought.



All of the kids were able to go together to Sibiu... a town about 2 hours away from us. We went to an outdoor museum of Romanian history and then to the zoo. It was a great day filled with fun outdoor activities... boats, walking, laughing and a little learning as well. We were glad to have our friends from SMU with us for this outing!



The kids love guests, but the bond and relationship that they have with the educators from the houses, who invest in them daily is very special and we are so thankful for them!






Please continue to pray for our kids as they adjust to changes in staff, houses, etc. this summer. Pray that they will continue to settle in and unite as one team. We so appreciate your support and prayers!

We're Back...

I would like to apologize for the limited postings so far this summer. As you know, usually we are keeping you updated every few days on camps, day camps, events with our kids, etc.

Over the past few weeks we have had some issues with our local authorities pertaining to several of our programs as well as pictures. We currently do not have permission to take any pictures at camp or on visits with the children from the orphanages and state group homes. Thus, we have not been able to post pictures from camp or day camp. We have been trying to be very cautious and respectful of this request and thus have held off on any posts over the past few weeks.

I would like to share that in the midst of the hard times, camp has gone on and the kids are having a great time. Rebecca, Sarah & Michael are doing a great job leading the visiting teams, interns and Romanian summer staff as they minister to the children and teens who are coming to camp each week. Super Summer continues to be Super... pictures or not! The children are building super hero transport, learning about the super gift of power we are all offered through a relationship with the only true super hero and are enjoying all the other fun camp experiences... slip & slide... camp fire... songs and skits, etc.

We are sorry for the lack of pictures, but hope to keep you updated as much as possible going forward.

We can still share pictures of activities with our kids and so here come a few from the past few weeks...