Pace from Targu Mures

Pace!

As I sit down to write about our ministry this week, I am overwhelmed by so many thoughts I would like to share. Kim said it well when she said, "I never knew I could feel so many emotions at the same time!" This week, I laughed louder, loved deeper and cried harder as I walked the path God has chosen for me as an intern here in Romania.

Monday, we packed up all of our things and traveled to Targu Mures where we ministered to children in the nearby villages of Ceuas and Santana. In Ceuas, we spent each morning in a different group home playing with special needs children ranging from 3 to 15 years of age. As I sat and played with the children Tuesday morning, the Lord filled me with peace and an inexpressible joy. I couldn't stop smiling. Despite their disabilities, these children wore their hearts on their faces. Their joy was infectious and we had an amazing time, smiling, laughing and playing with them. In the other homes we visited, many of the children were more severely disabled. On Thursday, I sat on a couch in the living room of the group home playing with two of the children. I looked across the room and noticed a boy who lay curled up in the fetal position hugging five or six stuffed animals to his chest. Two huge building blocked hung limply from the middle fingers of each of his hands as he lay alone, isolated from the rambunctious children around him. The various stuffed animals gathered in such a way that I couldn't see his face and yet my heart ached for him. I knew in that moment that the Lord had placed a burden on my heart for this sweet child. When I had the chance to go over to him, he shied away from my touch but in the instant he glanced up at me, I was captured by the myriad of emotion and fear that veiled his face. His mouth twisted in a way that resembled a wince, baring a mouth of crooked teeth, many missing in odd places. Although I could have been discouraged by his withdrawal, I made a promise in my heart not to give up on this child.

Thirty minutes later, after leading some of the other children in a craft, we all went outside to toss beach balls and blow magic bubbles. While running from child to child, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, the lone boy walking around the driveway. He didn't attempt to engage in the activities with any of the other children, nor did he get near enough to any of the balls to play with them. At one point, I noticed he was watching me with a balloon so I took it to him. He ran from it, all the while clutching his stuffed animals and building blocks with a fierce protection. I began to wonder if there was anything I would be able to do to reach him in the little time we had left. I would not have been able to fathom what God had in store.

After one of the smaller boys demonstrated his mastery of riding a bicycle, he jumped excitedly into my arms in a show of triumph. As I put him down to get ready to go inside, I was surprised to turn and see the lone boy looking beseechingly at me, arms raised high in a plea for me to pick him up. A deep hunger shot out from his eyes and I was so overcome by emotion, I couldn't speak. Although my arms were weary from lifting children from three days straight, I lifted him up. It was only by the grace of God that I was able to manage such a feat for this boy was one of the largest in the group! I was so overcome by joy and as I looked at the grin that spread across his face, I knew in that moment that it was God's love at work there on that driveway. I carried him into the house and placed him on my lap as the other children and interns circled up to play a hand-game. As I cradled him like a baby, his eyes bore into my soul and I knew they would be etched on my heart forever.

In one of our devotionals this week, we discussed the "unforgettable" moments we would encounter on our journey. This boy was an unforgettable one for me. As he looked into my eyes, I placed my hands on him and prayed that the Lord would bless him, comfort him, protect him and love him. As he watched the other children play, his solumn face moved me and I felt compelled to tickle him. His laughter rang out clear and pure, as radiant as the sunshine on a warm summer day. At that moment, I began to wonder why it had to have been at the end of our visit that this boy had experienced such pleasure and then I stopped myself, thankful that his life had been touched, maybe even changed.

As I sit here now, writing this, I want to ask all who read this to pray, not only for this child, but for all of the children who are "the least of these." There are so many children who are in such desperate need of love and affection, with no one to give it to them. In Romania, the conditions of many of the orphan children have improved greatly, however, there is still a great need for all of them. They need someone who, on a daily basis, can give them the love and affection that they need. I pray fervently for those who will follow in our footsteps and will be able to continue God's work here in Romania.

In the afternoons this week, our ministry took a different path as we spent time teaching VBS and playing games with five boys in Santana. These boys were excited to hear our stories and participate in crafts and games as well. They were eager to learn more about us and had a fantastic time singing praise and worship songs with Gabi, Matt, Kim and I while Orsi played the guitar. Orsi, our Romanian translator has been so gracious in helping us to learn Romanian. It has been so exciting! The boys were especially delighted when we could sing one of their new favorite songs. We have fun putting the hand motions and words together and everyone ends up laughing! Because we would also like to share this song with all of you back home, here are the words; good luck trying to learn them!


(to the tune of the "hokey pokey")

Dreapta sus,
dreapta jos,
dreapta sus,
si scutura frumos,
Da-i lui Isus inima si bine ai sa-fi,
Asta-i tot copii!

In addition to our ministry, our missions coordinator Gabi has been so gracious in planning fun meals and activities for us. The food here in Romania is fantastic! While Jeremy was here visiting from the States, we went to Excalibur, a medieval restaurant where they brought out our food on a GIGANTIC platter complete with full chickens, sausages, pork, ribs, potato wedges, and topped with bananas! The arrangement was absolutely magnificent.

Yesterday, continuing with the medieval theme, Gabi took us to a nearby village Sighisoara where we experienced all the festivities of a medieval festival. The town fortress was absolutely beautiful with colorful buildings, singing, dancing, tons of food and booths set up with all kinds of Romanian crafts, clothing, pottery and other goods to buy. Along the way, we passed a church where some of the Harry Potter movies were filmed and the views from every direction were absolutely breathtaking! Romania is such a beautiful country. I feel so blessed to be able to share God's love here. I am so thankful for everything he has done in my life and the lives of the other interns, volunteers and children. I pray that the Lord will continue to renew our minds and give us undivided hearts that long to serve him in each and every moment we spend here.

God bless you and keep you. Pace!

Lauren