Monday, August 27, 2007
After arriving at the children's home (a.k.a. orphanage) at about one, Laurel and I were directed to take four young boys and one girl down to the swimming hole. On the walk over, five became seven as two boys from the villlage joined our group. More joined from the children's home later along with additional supervision. Those who came later were much yournger and only stayed for about an hour. Our group stayed until just before supper (6:00). Activities at the swimming hole included splashing, playing king of the innertube, pretend baptisms (we were told that their church had just had a baptism the day before [the kid's baptisms looked more like forced conversions]), skipping rocks, and talking to the new American visitors. With the exception of the really young kids, most of the kids seem to speak English rather well.
After dinner, I raced bikes up and down the rarely traveled, treacherously stoney road in front of the home. After biking, we spent some time on a see-saw and some time as a human jungle gym.
I am amazed at the liberty with which these children show affection. The staff and owners obviously care for the children, bthe children clearly long for affection, and they gave it so freely that it melted my heart.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
So this is what it is like to be a parent of twenty-two children when you out-source your cooking and cleaning. From 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., the activity never stopped. I've done so many things that I don't even remember everything that I've done.
After a breakfast of shredded meat and vegetables in a tomato base served over bread, I tossed a football around with three boys; passed some stuffed, fuzzy, multicolor fish around with four other boys; and played a game very similar to Dutch Blitz with countless boys and girls.
Next came a lunch consisting of chicken, tomato, and cucumber salad, white bread, chicken noodle soup, and the most buttery mashed potatoes that I have ever consumbed (the potatoes go down and the cholesterol goes up). After eating, I played dominoes with Ciprian J and Roberto until Mihai came and disturbed things.
At about one, Laurel and I took the older kids on a hike up a big hill (mountain) to collect some very tasty green apples. The trip took one very hot hour, and the boys really wanted to go swimming again after the hike. After dinner we played kickball, sardines, and some more Blitz. We are exhasted!
The children seem to have an insastiable desire for love, but giving that love leaves you with so little of yourself. If we end up with this kind of ministry, the Lord will be the indispputable source of strenght for us. For our strength has been expended in the first full day.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I will stop giving the blow-by-blow and switch to overviews and reflections. It was Diana's birthday today. We had an apple cake after dinner. Before the cake, I was entertaining everyone by singing"The Yodeler" and "The Three Little Kittens."
We will only be here for one more full day, leaving sometime on Friday. I think that it will be hard to leave. I love these kids already and wish that I could stay with them. Tonight I was sitting and talking with Roberto. He said, "I want to be your friend." I said that this would be fine. Then he said, "I want to be your son." Truthfully, I want that too. He has been a delight to be around. And I would love to be a father to him. But Romanian law doesn't allow foriegn adoption. I also had a hard time tonight when Ciprian J hugged me and looked up at me with such delight.
Later in the evening when several of us were playing tag on a dark soccer field, Roberto was making angry animal noises from behind some tall grass within the fenced area that we were playing. His noises were rather convincing, and as we were headed for the house Cipri J jumped into my arms out of fear. I was slightly concerned that there might really be an angry animal near us. But it felt good to be the person that someone would run to for protection.
Earlier in the day, Karen and Ruiben offered to let us come back to Romania and stay in the apartment to be house parents/administrators that we might learn how to run a facility. It was an offer that we will be considering.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
All of the muscles in my body hurt. I had forgotten how difficult it is to play. The kids don't really understand the concept of "I need a break." Therefore, I am broken: my back is sore from lifting kids; my legs are tired from tag, capture the flag, and walking; and my ankle hurts from when I twisted it during capture the flag.
I took five boys swimming this afternoon. We took a break from swimming and walked down the stream. At one point I was attempting to find a spot where the rocks were close enough to jump from rock to rock accross the river without getting my shoes wet. When the boys saw me doing this, they proceded to make a rock bridge for me, carying many heavy rocks and testing them for me before I stepped on them. I thought about just taking my shoes off and walking accross, but when I saw how fervently they were building the bridge, I decided that it was best for me to walk on the bridge even if it ment getting my shoes wet. While I was going accross, they walked beside me in the stream, trying to keep me from falling. I made it. Their love and kindness continues to overwhelm me.
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