Merry Christmas from the Village

These are four of the 160+ foster kids who live
in the village of Pastraveni. This is a key
ministry target for NGO Romania

Merry Christmas from the village of Pastraveni, Romania, the home of two of our key people, Nadia Argesanu and Vali Anusca.

It was a treat to be so deeply embedded in the village culture for so long. It was also a serious culture shock!

I had a front row seat for everything: The ritual pig slaughter; the sausage-making; to visit of the priest; the blessing of the mayor; the visit of the drunken Santa; the heel-kicking Christmas dance; the funeral of the lady who froze to death next door.

I never felt so insinuated into Romanian life -- and I never felt more marooned and separated from my family and my friends and all the things that make a home. I never before felt so keenly how much it costs to bring the light and hope of Jesus to a little forgotten corner. Let me tell you why this corner is worth it...

Our main ministry target for children and teens is the Ion Creanga Orphan Center in Piatra-Neamt, in the county of Neamt. Out of 380 kids in the system, 160+ are in foster homes in this one village. The foster kids actually outnumber the natural born kids in the schools. It is a major industry here, and while many of the kids have a happy situation, most do not. For example, 90% of the foster kids are sent back to the Center when they reach high school age -- what does that tell you?

Our strategy is three-tiered: Build a team of faithful 20-somethings -- mentor the teens -- nurture the kids.

In the village I witnessed the best and the worst of the foster system. In fact, the core of our team is made up of exactly that: Nadia grew up in the worst place, and Vali was a natural son in the best foster home. The children you see in the photo (above) live in those exact two homes. Vali's family was Nadia's lifeline growing up-- they were childhood playmates, and now they are on an adult mission for God.

Pray that the glory of the Lord will fill this village, according to Mary's prophetic song...

...and Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever!