Thursday, November 26, 2009

The McDonnell's... Living Life in Romania

As you may recall, Jeff & Jenny McDonnell joined our staff in Romania this fall. We wanted to share a little update from them in their own words...

We will soon start our 3rd month here in Romania. It has been a wonderful, crazy, clueless, joyful, getting lost and finding our way kind of month or two! To give you a snapshot of our time here...these are a few of our fondest memories of the past 8 weeks...

5 birthday parties, 3 road trips, 6 soccer games, 13 meals at McDonalds (with the kids of course), 17 language lessons, 1 trip to the zoo, 7 park visits, 14 walks into town, 33 trips to the grocery store or home depot type stores, 22 kids to our house on seperate visits, 2 slumber parties, 3 trips to a doctor, 9 post office visits, 2 baby gates built, and 1 Fall party!


We are thrilled to finally be here. Many days we look at each other and find ourselves saying "we live here!" It is still shocking. As our presence at the houses becomes more permenant and it sinks in with the kids that we aren't just here for a short visit, we feel God's clarity in why we are here even more so than before we left. We are learning how to both be stay at home parents, yet both be full time employed! We are thankful the kids have adjusted so well to living life alongside of us as a family. They have openly embraced Jack and he absolutely loves having 24 older siblings who adore him, in addition to the 17 adults who love to make him laugh and see him walk. What a blessing it is to be apart of the Livada family.



Balance and prayer are the two most common words spoken in our home...as key reminders of how to life life here in Romania. We are learning that the American way of doing things is not always right, nor does it apply here in this foreign land! As we focus on learning the city, the culture, the language, and the kids, as well as raise our own, we pray that at the end of each day we have done something that propels us forward...whether it be giving the kids extra hugs and high-fives, not getting lost:), helping out one of the other staff, and of course taking on those divine moments and be intentional with our conversations to share about God's abundant love. As we are transitioning into our positions here as Directors of Ministry and trying to find our way around, we are just blown away at God's grace and and thankful that He chose us to be a part of these children's lives. Everyday is a gift here.


We pray that all of our kids come to know who they are in Christ and that they are confident in that identity, no matter what the world and their culture tells them. We pray that they let their walls down for us quickly so that we can be effective in walking with them. We pray that we learn the language well and soon so we can communicate one on one with them. We pray that we can build strong relationships with the children, the educators, the house moms and the staff of Livada. We pray that our time with the kids is intentional and that opportunities are not missed to dig deeper. We pray that the kids will be eager to learn more about their heavenly father. We pray for Jack's health, his safety and his heart for the Lord as he grows into toddlerhood. We pray that as a family we can help shephard and guide them into what a life filled of Him looks like. We pray that through us they will see how a family operates with Him at the center and most of all how to love....Him, each other, and others.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

The Apartment Girls...

We asked the mentor for the girl's apartment, Gabi, for an update for the blog and her words and heart for the girls shown through so much we just wanted to share it from her point of view.

Maria has started high school this year. She likes the school she attends, however it has very high expectations and is difficult. Maria is still working hard to adjust from her grade school which did not prepare her well for the challenges of this level of study. She often comes home stressed and worried by all that she has to learn, so I stay with her to talk her through it and encourage her. Although it is difficult, Maria is working very hard and has made it a priority. She often refrains from other activities so that she can study.


Maria is really enjoying being in the apartment. She is very responsible and loves learning to cook. She has friends from school and from our homes and likes to spend time with them. I am thankful to God for Maria. She is such a precious girl who is making mature decisions. Since the time she moved in, she has been a big help and has had no major problems. My big prayer for her is that she will adapt to school, learn well and organize her time well so that she can reach her dreams.


Elis is taking a course right now to qualify her to work in stores like a supermarket. It has been a difficult time for her recently and she has come to understand that she will graduate from the mentor program next year. She felt that those in authority were basically joking with her trying to scare her into getting a job, but is now starting to see the reality of the situation. I have been all around town with her putting in applications, but up until now it has been difficult to find anything.


God is good and now Elis is working for a cleaning company at the Mures Mall. She is working with an official work card and really likes her job, her boss and her co-workers. Her boss has been kind to her and praises her for her hard work. Elis now realizes that she needs to save money for her future and is working hard to have as much saved as possible before she graduates. I am so thankful to God that He has heard my prayers and we have come to a place to see Elis working and understanding her responsibility towards her future. My prayer for Elis is that she will continue to take her job seriously and work hard and also that she will continue to learn and retain the life skills we are working on in the apartment as well. She is the only one of the girls who attends church with me right now and I pray that in God's timing she will come into a personal relationship with Him.


Simona is attending the same course as Elis, but sadly has not found a job yet. Over time she has begun to show an interest in learning to cook and enjoys making all kinds of cakes and desserts. She is keeping a recipe book of all that she is learning and is beginning to accept my help. I have been with her as well to look for a job, but it is difficult as she only wants to work in certain kinds of places, which makes it much more difficult for her to find something. Hopefully, if she hasn't found something by December when she finishes this course, her diploma will help. She has not saved any money and needs to begin to make responsible steps towards her future.


My prayer for Simona is that she would see the importance of having a job and would find a place to work. My other prayer is that she would find good friends who will accept her and with whom she can share. I have tried to be that for her, but without much success. She is learning more independent life skills which is a blessing and I hope to see her in a stable job soon. I know it is difficult, but also know with God it is possible. I want Simona to see herself achieve a goal, to be healthy and to know that my investment in her is from the heart.


We are hoping to begin a Bible Study soon and I hope they will attend and receive the truth, grace and love their Father offers. Pray that we will know how to proceed and that God will bring fruit in their lives.


Please pray for these three girls as well as their precious mentor Gabi as she lives with them and pours her life and heart out for them. Pray that God would give her wisdom, patience, encouragement, joy and time away to be refreshed when she needs it. Thank you.