Thank You Kelly...

All of you who have visited Romania, sponsored children, read the blog, or shown an interest in Livada Orphan Care have had the opportunity to interact with Kelly Hornsby. Kelly has been an important part of our staff in Romania for five years, and has served in many different aspects of our ministry. Whether she was hosting teams, hanging out with kids, encouraging the staff, updating sponsors, or making decisions, Kelly was always making a difference. She has played such a vital role in Romania, and we are so blessed and thankful that she will continue to serve with Livada in the States. She plans to visit us several times a year, and we are already anxiously awaiting her first visit in November.




It is difficult to express in words our appreciation, love, and respect for Kelly and for the impact she has left on the lives of so many in Romania. She was a continual encouragement and Godly example to all of our staff and children, and her daily presence will be greatly missed. Our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye but at the same time, we are so excited for her as she has the opportunity to return home while continuing to pour into our ministry.



Please pray for Kelly as she adjusts to life back in America after five years away. Pray that God gives her rest, encouragement, and strength as she faces a huge change. Pray for those of us who remain in Romania as we have not only lost a colleague but also a very dear friend. Pray for the kids whose lives have been so deeply impacted by their relationships with Kelly that they too will be able to adjust as they feel her absence.


Thank you, Kelly, for your investment in Romania and for your impact on so many lives. We miss you, and we are counting down the days until we see you here again!

Back to School in Romania...

It may seem late to many of you in America, but Monday was the first day of school in Romania. As you know it has been a summer of change with the combination of the houses, several older teens moving to mentor apartments and many teams and camps. More than any other year, the children in our homes were ready for school to start this year.



A few starting high school were anxious about the new beginning. A few were anxious to get back and see their friends. Stefan couldn't wait to start at the "sports school." All of our kids were in need of the structure and fresh start that a new school year always brings and they were ready to go on this first morning!





There were three churches in Illinois who raised money for our back to school needs through Change for Change campaigns during their church Vacation Bible Schools this summer. We were able to provide our children with back to school clothes, shoes and supplies. We also received new backpacks and many school supplies from Scotland Trinity Presbyterian Church in the area. We are so blessed to have these churches invest in the children of Livada and help us get this school year started off on the right foot!




Please pray for all of our kids and teens as they begin this new year. Pray that they will make the effort needed to succeed and that they will respect and work well with their teachers and educators from the houses. Pray that they will make good friends outside of the houses in their classes. Pray that they will continue to make progress as they settle into their new homes with the help of a structured schedule and routine. Thank you!

A Shower of Blessing...

We have been blessed again by Stichting Livada, a Dutch foundation that has been helping us with many of our needs over the past year and a half. Last winter, they provided a computer lab for our children, shoes, eye exams, college tuition and a new van for Casa Rebeca.

This fall they have returned with new clothes and boots for the winter, which were once again loaded into a NEW VAN for Casa Ana-Nadia!





We have been truly blessed over and over by the generosity and love of those involved with Stichting Livada from Holland. We look forward to continuing a partnership with them.

Romania Welcomes the McDonnells!

After months of waiting, we are very happy to welcome the McDonnell Family to our staff here in Romania! The McDonnell family moved to Romania this week to serve with us for two years as the Directors of Residential Ministry. They will be focusing on the spiritual development of the children in our houses and also working with those in our mentor apartments. We are thankful to have a family that is excited to model a Christian family and home to our children and to be an example to them in this role.



We are also thankful that Jenny will be responsible for sponsorship communication for our child sponsors as Kelly transitions back to America later this month. If you are a child sponsor with us, more information about this is in the mail to you this week.



As you can see the kids were very excited to see not only Jeff & Jenny, but also little Jack, their son who is joining them on this adventure. We are so thankful to have the McDonnells with us! Please pray for them as they adjust to life in Romania, work on learning the language and get to know all the staff and children better. Pray that they would have wisdom in building relationships and pouring into the lives of the children and teens in our care.

Giddy Up...

If you are from Texas or somewhere out west, this may look familiar, but for most of our kids this was the first time they had spent anytime on a ranch or more than a few minutes on a horse. Our final summer adventure this year was to try something new. Little did we know that just outside of town is a beautiful ranch with horses. From the youngest to the oldest everyone tried out the horseback riding adventure!










A few of the kids were old pros as they had ridden when they were younger at home. Others were fast learners and quickly left the corral for a walk through the forest trails. There were a few that were a little nervous about being on something so big that they weren't sure they could control, but they gave it a shot. A great life lesson.











We went out to the ranch in three different groups and each had a wonderful time riding, playing games, singing and talking at the camp fire, making smores and more. It was a blessing to have this fun, relaxing time together before school begins on Monday.

They are growing up...

These beautiful ladies and handsome young men are the members of our mentor program. You probably recognize them all, as they have grown up with us in our group homes over the past 4-5 years.



Those who we used to refer to as "kids" in our houses are now our very own adolescents in our two mentor apartments! They are definitely growing up. We are blessed to have Marius as the boy's mentor and Gabi working with the girls in their apartment as a mentor. Cornel & Maria joined the program this summer and we are in the process of getting approval for Adi to move in this fall.




Please pray for those who will be starting school in the coming weeks. Several are making a big transition into high school and are excited and anxious. Others are continuing in school or are finished with the schooling that they are able to do and are going to be looking for jobs this fall. Please pray that they would make the effort to look and be hard workers once they find a job. It is hard for them to adapt to the concept that work is a normal part of life and that it is a natural next step. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support for these young people.