December Update!

“You crown the year with Your goodness,
and Your paths drip with abundance.”
Psalm 65:11

I decided that since so much happened this month to do a "quick" photo update for you all!  Otherwise this would be a 5 page update!

 

One little story I have to mention.  I have one little girl Vasilica, who is in my first grade class and who is a total tomboy.  She has A LOT of energy.  I allow her to stand next to her desk while she works because physically sitting still is too hard for her. At the beginning of the month I started to receive hugs from Vasi.  I'm not speaking of just a hug goodbye, I’m talking about lots and lots of hugs.  I will be walking by her, and next thing you know I have a Vasi attached to me giving me a hug.  This may sound like a small thing, but for Vasi it is huge! This is such a God thing, and I am being blessed beyond words to be a part of her story.

This month for our life skill lesson we taught the children about brushing their teeth and the importance of good dental hygiene.  Most of the kids have someone in their family who has lost their teeth and even our 5th graders show signs of their teeth deteriorating and many cavities.  Some have already had to have their permanent teeth pulled.  We were blessed to also be able to hand out tooth brushes and toothpaste that we had received in donations.

Of course we had a lot of fun preparing for Christmas and practicing for our big Christmas Program.

We made a lot of Christmas crafts and had fun singing Christmas carols about Jesus every day.

We put on our Christmas Program for all the parents.  Each grade did something.  My first graders had a little mini play that they put on for us.

As my kids walked off the stage, they were so filled with pride and joy!  It was such a treasure to see! I received a hundred hugs that day from my kids.  I was so proud of them.  Once the room cleared out, I realized how much I am going to miss them over these next few weeks that we are all off for Christmas Break.  All I could think about was how much I love my kids and how thankful and blessed I am to be here.

 

My second graders sang Feliz Navidad in Spanish, English and Romanian!  And my 5th graders sang a Romanian Christmas Carol.   You can click on the picture above to watch a little clip of the video!

 

All the grades also sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas in English and Romanian at the end of the Program.  You can click on the picture above to watch a little clip of the video!

 

The organization I work treated us to a delicious Romanian Christmas dinner to thank us for our hard work during the year.  It was a night of fun times and good food with my Firm Foundations Romania family.

I was also very happy to hand out Christmas Shoeboxes once again this year at the Children’s Hospital where I work once a week.  It is always such a joy to spread a little Christmas cheer to the kids, parents and staff of the hospital!

I was very blessed by a last minute visit from my missionary friend Dawn.  Dawn lives in Bucharest and works in a center for disabled children and young adults.  I've know Dawn for years and was blessed to have visited her in Arizona before we both moved back to Romania.  It was so fun to spend time with her walking around my city and experiencing some Romanian culture together!

I had such a Merry Christmas this year.  I spent it with these lovely people, my Firm Foundations Romania family for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  The day before Christmas Eve some of us went and watched my colleague Juliana put on a Christmas show at her church.  We had lots of wonderful food and many laughs.  It was a time of fellowship and fun.  This will probably be one of my most favorite Christmas memories of all time!

This year has certainly been an adventure.  From working at Casa Teresa with the pregnant homeless women, to moving to Romania and working here in the After School Program in the Roma/gypsy village of Budila and working in the children's hospital. I can totally see God's hand leading me and I'm excited to see what He has in store for 2015.

I pray you all have a wonderful and safe New Year’s, that the Lord would bless you and your families and that He would shine His grace in your hearts.  May you all find the freedom that Christ offers and may your hearts overflow with His joy!

To see more pictures from this past month and my time here in Romania, click HERE.

Happy New Year!  La Multi Ani!

Grace and peace,

Rachel

 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Craciun Fericit!

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 

I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! I pray your holiday season is blessed and that you enjoy your time with family and friends. The verse above is from the Old Testament, written almost 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Yet as we read it today we can't help but think the verse was written about Him! The prophecy in Isaiah was fulfilled when Jesus came to earth and was born of a virgin, and laid in a manger. He is our Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace! He is our Savior who came to this earth as a little baby, born in poverty and laid in manger. He is the Savior who died on the cross for our sins that we might have life eternal with Him! I pray you remember why we celebrate this time of the year! 

Grace, Peace and Joy from Romania, Rachel

25 years ago...

25 years ago today, the revolution continued and spread to Bucharest, while Ceausescu tried to silence the rumors of revolution in Timisoara, the crowd pressed through, Down with the Dictator! Down with the Tyrant! Down with Ceausescu! was shouted, the momentum that had begun the day before in Timisoara had spread. there was no turning back and Ceausescu's days were now numbered...Romania was on its way to experiencing its first Christmas as a free nation in over 40 years.

Let the Revolution Begin...

One of my most favorite pictures of all time...i did not take this photo...this photo is from 25 years ago, in Timisoara, Romania where the people gathered and got on their knees and said the Lord's Prayer together, God Exists! was shouted out over a country where under Communism they were told that God was just a fairy tale...the revolution that began in Timisoara spread through out the country....this photo always brings tears to my eyes...please join me in praying for the hearts here in Romania, that they would once again cry out that God Exists! and would seek Him and the freedom that only Jesus can bring!

 

Waiting Here For You: An Advent Journey of Hope | Day 4

Waiting Here For You: An Advent Journey of Hope | Day 4

{ December 3 }

WHOM SHALL I FEAR?

Psalm 27:1–6 (NIV)

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

REFLECTION

In the midst of the fray and fury, keep your eyes on Jesus. He is fighting for you. Emmanuel is near. Though accusations fly and the enemy assaults your thoughts, though people try to cut you down and drag your name through the mud, though schemes are launched and temptations roar, though your flesh fails and screams for revenge—your hope is in the One who fights for you. You are safe in God’s love and in the power of His mighty name.

PRAYER

Father, in the middle of the storm I am setting my hope on You. You fight for me and You are greater than all my enemies. Nothing I face today is more powerful than You. You are the solid ground beneath my feet. Thank You for surrounding those who surround me. Give me peace in the presence of my enemies, knowing that You see me and defend me in Your love. Amen.

An Advent Journey - Day 3

{ December 2 }

COMPASSION OVER CONSUMPTION

Today we pause to embrace the spirit of Christmas.

(Acts 20:35b)

In the words of the Lord Jesus Himself, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

PRAYER

Father, I thank You that You are a giver and not a taker, and You have given so freely to me. Help me see how much I have in You. Please give me the opportunity today to share with someone else what You have so freely entrusted to me. Amen.